Buhari Admits: Corruption Is At All Levels Of Government

July 5, 2018

There is also a very strong link between corruption, peace and security. Unfortunately, corruption is everywhere; at all levels of government, and every stratum of our society. Without doubt, corruption constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to the well-being, national security, and economy of Nigeria.”

These were the exact words of President Muhammadu Buhari when he signed Executive Order No. 6 today, Thursday, to further strengthen institutions on curtailing and restricting illicit activities in the country.

The President who declared national emergency on corruption, asked institutions, agencies and individuals to rise up and fight to reverse the negative culture of pilfering public funds, warning that such agencies and individuals risk plunging the country into turmoil.

“Like I have said many times, if Nigeria does not kill corruption, corruption will sooner-or later kill Nigeria.

“It has thus become necessary to re-kit and re-tool our arsenal to be able to effectively tackle corruption’s perilous counter-attack against the Nigerian State. Accordingly, the Federal Government of Nigeria has declared a national emergency to deal with that crisis.

“In this regard, the Federal Government of Nigeria in line with its anti-corruption strategy seeks to ensure that justice is not defeated or compromised by persons involved in a case or complaint of corruption.”

The President said the viability and continuous well-being of the nation faces enormous threat from corruption, pointing out that, “Whilst there are many reasons why Nigeria has been struggling; regrettably, the most unfortunate cause of great disparity between Nigeria’s wealth and its poverty is endemic corruption.’’

“It is in consequence of this that I have decided to issue the Executive Order No. 6 of 2018 to inter alia restrict dealings in suspicious assets subject to investigation or inquiry bordering on corruption in order to preserve such assets from dissipation, and to deprive alleged criminals of the proceeds of their illicit activities which can otherwise be employed to allure, pervert and/or intimidate the investigative and judicial processes.

“Or for acts of terrorism, financing of terrorism, kidnapping, sponsorship of ethnic or religious violence, economic sabotage and cases of economic and financial crimes, including acts contributing to the economic adversity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and against the overall interest of justice and the welfare of the Nigerian State.”

President Buhari said that the real battle against corruption will be heightened by the strengthening of policies and institutions, noting that the Administration had achieved some milestones with multi-sectoral reforms on anti-corruption including the enforcement of Treasury Single Account (TSA), strict implementation of the Bank Verification Number Policy and Signing of the Open Government Partnership.

“From available records, the aggregate value of funds involved in some on-going prosecution of high profile corruption related cases stands at N595,409,838,452.25k.

“This amount is in excess of the N500 billion approved for Social Investment Programme in the 2018 Budget, which sum would be applied to cater for home grown school feeding programme, government economic empowerment programme, N-Power Job Creation Programme, Conditional Cash Transfers, etc. Cumulatively, scores of millions of Nigerian citizens would benefit from those programmes.

“To further put things in perspective, the highest appropriation in the 2018 Budget in the sum of N344 billion went to the Ministry of Works for construction and rehabilitation of several roads nationwide.”

The President listed roads that will benefit from monies recovered from corruption cases to include: Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Dual Carriageway; Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa Bokani Road; Abuja-Abaji Road; Kano–Maiduguri Road; Enugu-P/Harcourt Dual Carriageway, Odukpani-Itu-Ikot Ekpene Road; Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Kontangora- Makera Road; Dualisation of Obajana to Benin; Calabar-Ugep-Katsina-Ala Road; Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway; Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway; Benin-Ofosu-Ore-Ajebandele-Sagamu Expressway Phase III and Kontagora-Bangi Road.

He said that all the roads are expected to be either constructed or repaired with equivalent of about 57% of the monies recovered by some of the on-going high profile corruption related cases.

In his remarks, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said the proceeds of corruption had been used to undermine the growth of the economy, and heighten the insecurity in the country.

Malami noted that the fight against corruption would be difficult except policies and institutions were strengthened.

For The Love Of Mothers: A Personal Account, By Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu

Greenbarge Reporters

July 5, 2018

The three top causes of problems and thus hospital admission for newborns in Nigeria are prematurity, infections and asphyxia. I have two biological daughters and both are part of the newborn morbidity statistics in Nigeria.

My elder daughter was delivered normally by Dr. Yinka Gbajumo at term, but on day 2 she became jaundiced and we were whisked off to Lagos University Teaching Hospital. My second was slightly preterm at 32 weeks; she was, and still is the stronger of my two daughters. We didn’t move hospitals in her case, but we did stay longer than normal to allow her grow a bit more; that’s where her own story ended.

My first has a story that had more impact on me and left me quite emotional. As the jaundice deepened, she was admitted into a very efficient high tech neonatal (or special care baby) unit for further investigations and phototherapy. I was left homeless on the corridor in LUTH. I stayed with family friends- the Kusamotus- and went to the hospital four times a day. Mothers were not allowed inside the unit. The nurses would line us up and yell orders ‘wash your breast’ which we would all dutifully do. We would then sit on the most uncomfortable wooden benches on our sore stitches and express breast milk into labeled cups which we handed over to the nurse through a window, all in full view of each other. Woe betide you if your breasts weren’t gushing like the woman next to you.

Aside from the feeling of inadequacy, be sure you would feel another jab in your heart when the sister collects your cup and eyes you with disdain, “is that all you can express?” She won’t excuse the fact it’s your first, the hormones are still upside down in you and the feeling of loss you are dealing with whilst she has your baby. You couldn’t even clearly see through the windows let alone touch your child. Happily, both my daughters quickly healed and we were discharged. I would soon “separate” from my elder one again. Although I am grateful none of them ended up as part of the data in the top three causes of death in Nigerian babies, I never forgot my scars from that first separation.

Years later, during my training in the U.K, I discovered that my experience in LUTH is not how it should be; it was the experience of a developing world mother. In the UK, mothers have an allocated comfortable room next to baby unit and are allowed into the intensive care areas as long as they are properly cleaned and covered. Researchers have also found a positive correlation between mothers touch and early bonding in healing sick babies on such units. As I gained experience, I realized that the strictness of neonatal nurses is global and that no unit can function without a good set. But I also came to realize their firmness is not coming from meanness. It comes from placing the wellbeing of the child first.

One of the first visitors I received after my husband was sworn in was Dr. Taslim Lawal, the only Consultant Paediatrician at the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi. Understandably, he came to see me as a colleague, confidently armed with his wish list; top of which was the need for a mother’s room. He told me about his growing special care baby unit which sometimes had up to 18 babies spending anything from days to months on admission. Coincidentally the unit was set up by an old teacher and registrar of mine from Zaria, Dr. Audu. It was the same Dr. Audu who looked after my second baby when she was born preterm. There was no provision for the mothers with babies in the SCBU. They spent their days on the corridor, come rain, come shine. For me, it was an immediate Deja vu. I knew I had to do something to ease the plight of such mothers.

We drew up plans, costed and the hospital management allocated an ideal area for the building almost immediately. But we were slow and I was soon distracted by many other needs. In September 2017, I got the green light to host my colleagues for the 11th Annual Meeting of the Nigerian Society of Neonatal Medicine; this was my trigger and finally, we started building.

Last week, the mother’s room was commissioned at the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kebbi by His Excellency, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu. The scissors’ tray was held by a 4 year-old who spent 6 months in the unit whilst her mum slept mostly on the corridor. My colleagues at the commissioning commended the level of comfort. One said “you have gone all out” I had to. Physician was finally “healing thyself”.

The mothers room is a gift to encourage the doctors and nurses on the unit. It is a gift to make mothers more comfortable. It is a gift to let sick babies have the love and support of a mother nearby. It is a gift from my heart, to wipe out my scars. I pray that my gift will ease some of the trauma of separation our mothers face as well as heal our babies in Kebbi faster.

Thank you Dr. Taslim for making me give this therapeutic gift; thank you NISOMN for the final push to start the building; thank you, Your Excellency my better half for your unending support; most of all thank YOU God for all of Your blessings…none of which I can ever deny.

Dr. Shinkafi-Bagudu, a Consultant Paediatrician and wife of the Governor of Kebbi state wrote in from Birnin Kebbi.

Executive Order 6: Buhari Acquires Big Stick To Hit Corruption, By Garba Shehu

Greenbarge Reporters

July 5, 2018

Nigeria’s widespread corruption, which has been eating the eco-system like termites, met on audacious response from President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday afternoon with the signing of a new Executive Order No.6 on preservation of assets connected with corruption. President Buhari holds the view that after three years in office it was another good time to further review the achievements of the administration and set goals in a key policy area, the anti-corruption war.

On the basis of the re-appraisals made, the President said that it had become “necessary to re-kit and

re-tool our arsenal to be able to affectively tackle corruption’s perilous counter-attack against the Nigerian State.” As a result, the Federal Government of Nigeria had “declared a national emergency to deal with that crisis.” President Buhari came into power in 2015 vowing to fight corruption which had been undermining the country’s economy, politics, governance and entire society.

The government is of the understanding that corruption is one of Nigeria’s major challenges; one that had obstructed the country’s drive to realize its full potentials. Most citizens believe that corruption is holding the country by the jugular and must be tackled if we are to make progress and make meaning of our lives. Since the war against corruption unleashed by President Buhari took hold, significant strides had been achieved. Vehicles of fraud and embezzlement have been stopped dead in their tracks; enabled with the implementation of the Bank Verification Number policy and signing the Open Government Partnership and rebuilding the anti-corruption institutions, and generally the country’s highly improved corporate governance.

Fifty thousand ghost workers were deleted from monthly payroll, saving an annual N200 billion in payments; ghost pensioners have in their thousands been fished out and with vigour and precision, millions of bank accounts with suspicious cash deposits are being investigated. A large number of senior public officials are being investigated and a huge sum of money including buildings, estates, ships and automobiles have been seized. Former Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha’s money, USD326 million was recovered and will be distributed to the poor.

The Buhari administration has so far investigated and jailed ex-governors, ministers, generals and a large number of public officials. All of these efforts are building up to an ecosystem that is pro-poor, people oriented, clean, transparent and one that doesn’t tolerate corruption. Based on all these, Nigeria’s anti-corruption war under President Buhari, striking and visible as it is, has aroused interests both locally and internationally. The President is currently serving as the Champion of Anti-corruption for the entire continent, selected by his peers in the African Union.

It is an established fact that, all over the world, deep-rooted corruption is always difficult to deal with. It is mostly hidden. It is hard to detect, and as we have seen in dealing with the world’s economic powers, they love, cherish and nurture it in countries like ours by holding onto stolen assets against all efforts to retrieve them. But there are signs that things are

changing.

Every day, harsh words against the government are all that the President gets from Wadata House, the Head Office of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, because their leaders, as do some other Nigerians are already feeling the heat. To say the truth, I am not sure if there are many of our citizens who expected any PDP support for the President in his war against corruption.

In spite of all the achievements recorded, you still hear complaints that the anti-corruption isn’t as dramatic as Nigerians wished it to be. Some want the country to do it the Chinese way. Others say the government is not arresting the powerful people.

For the Buhari administration, concern lies in the fact that corruption has become a big problem because investigation, prosecution and trial in courts are made harder by persons accused of crimes relating to it. They are using the enormous resources in their possession to thwart the system. The President’s view is that, it is only a clean Nigeria that can attract foreign investment, free money for more of the capital projects the administration is executing and creating jobs for our teeming population of young men and women.

The President says in the interest of justice and the welfare of the Nigerian state, persons accused of crimes relating to corruption must be prevented from utilizing the proceeds and dissipating such assets suspected to be proceeds of corruption (or associated with corruption) pending final determination of any investigation or legal actions related to such assets or owners thereof.

In signing the new Executive Order, he said: “I’m bound to restrict dealings in suspicious assets…to preserve same in accordance with the rule of law and with guarantee and safeguard of fundamental human rights.” A person who feels that his rights are infringed is free to go to a high court. To understand the threat posed to our democracy and economy by unchecked access to stolen or illicit funds, the President cited the large volume of cash government is fight to retrieve through the legal system.

The aggregate value of those funds involved in some of the on-going prosecution of high profile corruption cases is N595,409,838,452.25k. This amount is more than what has been budgeted this year for the all-important Ministry of Power, Works and Housing (N344 billion) and social Investment (N500b), intended for millions of Nigerians through programs such as the N-Power Graduate Employment Scheme, the Conditional Cash Transfer, CCT to the poorest of the power and GEEP (Government Economic Empowerment Programme).

The 2018 budget which has made the highest appropriation ever in the sum of N344 billion to the Ministry of Works is to be spent on the following roads:

– Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Dual Carriageway

– Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa-Bokani Road

– Kano-Maiduguri Road

– Enugu-Port-Harcourt Dual Carriageway

– Odukpani-Itu-Ikot-Ekpene Road

– Sokoto-Tambuwal -Jega-Kontagora-Mokwa Road

– Dualization of Ojabana to Benin Road

– Calabar-Ugep-Katsina-Ala Road

– Onitsha-Enugu Dual Carriageway

– Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway

– Benin-Ofosu-Ore-Ajebandele-Sagamu expressway

phase III

– Kontagora-Bangi Road

The amount of money voted this year for these roads therefore translates to about 57% of the monies recovered by the on-going high-profile corruption cases. The defendants in these cases have unrestricted access to these funds using it as a war chest. They have used it to stall administrative and judicial processes. No gainsaying that it is impossible to achieve any meaningful progress in the fight against corruption where there is no effective law enforcement and prosecution of offenders via an effective justice system. In simple terms, the idea of the new Executive Order is to ensure that criminal elements are prevented from using their illicit resources to “allure, pervert and/or intimidate the investigative and judicial process.”

The purpose of the Executive Order is not to forfeit peoples properties but rather temporarily deny access which can be used to corrupt or interfere with the investigative and judicial processes. Equally, it is not intended to, and cannot take over the powers and functions of statutory agencies with prosecutorial powers or create new ones. Rather, this is designed to activate existing provisions of the law on freezing of assets and to establish a system of coordination under the office of the Attorney-General, who has constitutional powers over all prosecutions.

Henceforth, it will be a criminal offence to violate the Executive Order. Prosecution authorities will, in all future prosecutions, file application to freeze the assets implicated before, or alongside the charge information sheet. For cases that are on-going, such application shall be filed within seven days of this Executive Order.

As provided by the law and the constitution, the President is empowered to “abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power”. It is in his determination to fully execute this function that he declared a national emergency to deal with the threat posed by corruption. While it will definitely take a while for the President Buhari war against corruption to penetrate the lower rungs of government and society, a pervasive canker that had been a part of daily working life of the nation for so long, there is no doubt that the daring response through this Executive Order will go a long way in fast tracking that process.

Finally, then, is to state that a win for President Buhari in 2019 in next year’s general elections is the best way to provide a good and stable leadership for tackling the problems of corruption in Nigeria.

Garba Shehu is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.

Buhari Appeals To CAN Leaders To Join In Fight Against Enemies Of Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

July 5, 2018

President Buhari and members of the CAN from the 19 Northern States

President Muhammadu Buhari has called on the leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to join his government and be united in fighting the common enemies of the country who hide under ethnic and religious bases to create conflicts in the country for short-term political gains.

The President, who received in audience today, Thursday, members of the CAN from the 19 Northern States and Abuja, led by Rev Dr. Yakubu Pam, at the Presidential Villa, said that his government is irrevocably committed to bring violent conflicts in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Zamfara and other flash-points to a decisive end.

He called on the Christian community to complement government efforts by working firmly for a united and strong Nigeria.

‘‘Government can achieve lasting peace only with the sincere and active cooperation of communities, religious leaders, youths and other stakeholders.

‘‘These include the Media in whose hands lies the power to frame, shape the perspectives and narratives which influence the thinking of millions of people within and outside Nigeria.

“Let us collectively shame those who are stoking the fires of ethnic and religious conflicts for their short-term political gains.

“This country belongs equally to Christians and Muslims and even those who claim ignorance of God,’’ the President told the Christian leaders.”

Buhari condemned the recent killings in Benue, Zamfara and lately Plateau States, describing them as “wicked, condemnable and completely unacceptable acts.”

He stressed that Nigerians are religious people and that no religion or culture accepts the killing of people for any reason whatsoever.

“This is why we must all rise as one to condemn these vile and wicked acts to ensure that all the culprits are brought to justice

“We owe it to the memory of those who lost their lives in the violence in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Zamfara and elsewhere since 1999 to bring the conflicts to a decisive end. I assure you that we will do this.

“Let me make it clear that even a single life lost in any part of the country is one too many. I came to office vowing to ensure the protection of lives and property, and I remain committed to this despite the challenges we have experienced.”

He used the occasion of the visit by CAN Northern leaders to enumerate some steps taken by his administration to check the recurring violence in some parts of the country.

“In recent weeks, we have beefed up Operation Safe Haven in Plateau State, with the deployment of extra Special Forces from the Defence Headquarters.

“Besides, we currently have no fewer than three special military intervention forces in the troubled zones.

“Operation Safe Haven to secure Plateau State, Operation Whirl Stroke 1 (OPWS) to secure Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa and OPWS 2 to secure Zamfara and Kaduna States.

“These forces are supported with investigative and intelligence gathering capabilities from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and other agencies.”

The President, who admitted that it is the full responsibility of government to deploy law enforcement agencies in troubled spots, said that creating the platform and mechanisms for dialogue remained a collective effort for all citizens.

He told the Christian leaders that the military and police have arrested hundreds of suspects across the various flash-points in the region and several prosecutions are going on, noting that there have been a number of convictions.

“Nigerians are right when they say they want to see more convictions and I would like to appeal to the judiciary to help us fast track these cases,’’ he said.

President Buhari also condemned insinuations that his government has done nothing about the recent killings.

“When some, for clearly political purposes, attempt to suggest that this government is doing nothing about the killings and that I, being Fulani, must be encouraging these satanic acts, it seems to me that there is no limit to the evil in the minds of men.

“Otherwise, how can anyone in their right minds suggest that I, as an elected President even with substantial votes in the affected areas, will for any reason do harm by an act of omission to those same people?

“Secondly, the problems in all these areas, as you all know, are historical. There is no administration that has not had to contend with killings in these same areas over the years.

“Indeed, in 2001, you may recall that after thousands were killed in Plateau State, a State of Emergency was declared and a Governor was replaced by an Administrator.”

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Dr. Pam had enumerated some demands from the Christian community in Northern Nigeria, including an urgent review of the nation’s security architecture; rebuilding of communities ravaged by the attacks and provision of adequate security for farmers in the region.

The cleric, among others, also challenged the Federal government to encourage herders to acquire land for ranching across the country as a means of private business investment.

Journalists Ambush Hajj Commission Boss

Greenbarge Reporters

July 5, 2018

Journalists besieged the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NACON), Barrister Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammed for an interview shortly after the end of the 2018 Hajj operation Stakeholders’ Forum, held at the National Mosque Auditorium today, Thursday. (myad)

Buhari Admires Late Ciroma’s Dedication To Nigeria’s Unity, Progress And Stability

Greenbarge Reporters

July 5, 2018

President Muhammadu Buhari has recognized the contributions made by Malam Adamu Ciroma, who died today, Thursday in Abuja, to the national unity and cohesion and his style of politics that sought to unite the people of the country.

In a condolence message today, the President said that he received the news of the death of Ciroma with sadness.

President Buhari noted that Ciroma, as a political leader and Federal cabinet minister for Industries, Agriculture and Finance, at various points in his life, will be long remembered for his remarkable service and dedication to the country’s unity, progress and stability.

He said that Ciroma, who was also one time Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), will be honoured for his contributions in promoting democracy in Nigeria and that his legacies should be a constant reminder to politicians who wish to work for the good of their communities and our great country.

Also, the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) , Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said that with the demise of Adamu Ciroma, the country has lost an illustrious leader, consummate politician and accomplished public servant.

According to him, Ciroma, who was the founder of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was one of the illustrious leaders this country has produced, adding that he was a politician of note.

“You cannot but recall his days in the Second Republic National Party of Nigeria and in the Peoples Democratic Party where he was one of the party’s founding fathers.

“He also made name as an experienced technocrat and skilful public servant particularly as Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor and in later years as Minister of Finance.

“He was a fine man who played politics with a commitment to serve the people and change society. This did not come as a surprise given his background honed by sound education at the popular Barewa College and University and his nationalistic worldview.

“My condolences go the Ciroma family and the people of government of Yobe State. May his soul rest in peace.”

Soyinka To Obasanjo: End Your Hijacking Propensity

Greenbarge Reporters

July 5, 2018

Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has advised former President Olusegun Obasanjo to end what he called ‘his hijacking propensity and desist from struggling to restore Nigeria to the path of sanity and moderate rectitude.

Professor Soyinka advised Obasanjo to head for a monastery, saying: “I know that deep inside, there is a soakaway pond of personal insecurity struggling to be drained. Beneath every bully, there is a scared product of insecurity and troubled conscience. Now, fight your own demons as best as you can, and feel free to flagellate Buhari (President Muhammadu) with all the weapons in your armoury. I have only one demand: keep away from movements struggling to restore this nation to the path of sanity and even moderate rectitude. End your hijacking propensity.”

Soyinka said these in the latest of his interventions series, Interventions VIII, titled ‘Quis Custodiet Ipsos Custodes?: Gani’s Unfinished Business’ officially released to the public by Bookcraft today, Tuesday. It formed the text of his speech at the 10th memorial lecture of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi.

He also described the Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State, built by Obasanjo as ‘Presidential Laundromat’, alleging that it was constructed with fraud.

“That structure in Abeokuta remains a moral eyesore to those who were in a position to obtain even a glimmering of the proceedings that inflicted such a purulent carbuncle on the landscape of my state, Ogun. However, even the grossest evil can be turned to some good. When we were school pupils, one of our illustrated reading texts was one entitled, ‘This is the house that Jack built.’ Today, and forevermore, generations will point to that thing which I have daubed the Presidential Laundromat and say: This is the house that Fraud built.”

The playwright also asked if someone with Obasanjo’s ‘governance record dare accuse anyone of failing to rise to the challenges of governance.’

Soyinka, who said one of the challenges that had confronted Nigeria since military incursion into politics was electricity, asked Obasanjo to tell Nigerians how he rose to the challenges of power while he was in office for eight years.

“I dare Obasanjo to meet me one-on-one on any podium to present the facts of that stewardship to the Nigerian people… Just how did you, in eight years, rise to the challenges of power generation for a population of a hundred and fifty million people, endowed with enormous energy resources…

“Eight years-repeat, eight years in office, and the elected estate manager of this vast territory could not even provide the modicum level of power to activate even a low-level cottage industrial culture. And such individual has the nerve to sermonise about rising to challenges.”

The essayist and poet said that he had a vested interest in the power industry and could claim to be an insider in that ministry for a while when the late Bola Ige agreed to serve as minister of power in Obasanjo’s cabinet against his (Soyinka’s) personal conviction.

He said that the allegation of corruption against Obasanjo by a former Abia State governor, Chief Orji Kalu, should be formally addressed, adding: “again, we are also duty bound to point out that the author of that damning expose is himself standing trial on charges of corruption. We are aware that this pioneer letter-writer has been summoned by the EFCC to substantiate his claims.”

Leaders, CBN Mourn Adamu Ciroma

Greenbarge Reporters

July 5, 2018

Leaders, including former military head of state, Ibrahim Babangida and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have expressed shock over the death of the former Nigerian minister of Finance and Governor of CBN, today, Thursday. He died in a hospital in Abuja at the of 84.

In a condolence message, Babangida the death of Ciroma as a great loss of a man that was passionate about the unity and development of Nigeria.

He said that although death is inevitable and “one day we shall all return to our creator. Indeed, Malam Adamu Ciroma was a rare gem that has versatility and a pillar of national development who had made positive contributions in various sectors of our national life.

“I must express my sadness over the death of the elder statesman at this critical moment of our national renaissance and cohesion, when Malam Adamu would have played a prominent roles towards proferring solutions to the myriads of our national problems.

“On behalf of myself and my family, I extend our condolence to his entire family, the Fika emirate and to the Government and people of Yobe State on this great loss of pillar of unity.”

Also, the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello described late Alhaji Adamu Ciroma as a great Nigerian who believe and worked for the unity of the country.

The Governor said that the elder-statesman had contributed significantly to national development and history would remember him as a man who stood for the unity and oneness of the nation.

He commended the hard work, commitment and dedication of the elder-statesman to the development of the nation during his lifetime.

“I wish to state that the late Alhaji Adamu Ciroma lived an exemplary life and was a national pillar while he was alive, he was always ready to serve his fatherland with all his capabilities.

“I urge the Family of Late Adamu Ciroma to take Solace in the fact that he lived a good life, he was an inspiration to many in the country and beyond.

“On behalf of Government and people of Niger State, we extend our sympathy to his family .”.

Governor Sani-Bello who said that the elder statesman’s wise will be missed said Nigerians should emulate his virtues.

The CBN, in its condolence message, recalled the good work late Ciroma did when he was its Governor from September 24, 1975 to June 28 1977.

Ciroma was born on November 20 1934 in Potiskum, Yobe State. He was a graduate of University of Ibadan and served in different capacities in the Public Service.

He was appointed to the Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria in 1970 where he served as a Director before his appointment as the Governor in 1975. He also served as Minister in the Ministries of Industry, Agriculture and Finance and on the Board of several companies.

Until his demise, Ciroma was still of immense service to the Bank. He was a firm believer in the sanctity and independence of the CBN.

The CBN said that Ciroma was an astute central banker and a patriot, even as it celebrates his remarkable life and contribution to the banking industry in Nigeria.

In his condolence, former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar said that his world view was largely influenced by the early contacts and mentorship that he received from Malam Adamu Ciroma, who passed on in Abuja today, Thursday.

“A lot of what I have turned out to be in life today was as a result of the early contacts and mentorship that I had with Adamu Ciroma, who graciously offered me vacation job in my formative years.”

According to him, Ciroma’s honesty and patriotism were among his greatest virtues, adding that the deceased had left behind untainted public service record for which he would always be remembered.

Atiku recalled that distinguished public figures like Ciroma joined politics primarily motivated by the passion to serve rather than self-aggrandizement.

He said Ciroma’s honesty had earned him respect by successive governments in Nigeria and that this reputation would follow him beyond the grave.

He said that the late Ciroma was a patriotic politician who believed in unity and a just democratic order, adding that even Ciroma’s worst enemy could not argue against his patriotism and selflessness, adding that Nigeria was in desperate need of such dedicated men like Ciroma in order to achieve progress.

Atiku said that he last visit to Ciroma at his sick bed in Abuja on Tuesday, saying: “little did (he) know that that was going to be the last time (he) will see the man that (he) had looked up to as a mentor for several decades.”

He is survived by his wife and children and has since been buried according to Islamic rites in Abuja.

His funeral was attended by among others, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Governor Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe state and chief of staff to the president, Abba Kyari. [myad]

President Buhari’s Chief Personal Security Officer Promoted As Police Commissioner

Greenbarge Reporters

July 5, 2018

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja decorated his newly promoted Chief Personal Security Officer (CPSO), Abdulkarim Dauda, to Commissioner of Police.

Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, performed the ceremony on behalf of the President at the Presidential Villa.

Speaking at the event, Kyari congratulated Dauda on his well-deserved promotion and said: “the President desires the best at all times and he expects that you discharge your duty with the highest sense of professionalism, patriotism and integrity.

“He also expects that as you discharge your duty public interest must override any other interest.”

The newly promoted Commissioner of Police expressed gratitude to God and that he would regard the promotion as a challenge and a call to duty to give his best to the country.

Dauda holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State. He also holds a Diploma in Police Science from the Institute of Leadership and Management, United Kingdom.

He enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Officer on January 1, 1985, and during his 33 years career as a police officer has passed through the ranks and earned his promotions diligently beginning as an Assistant Superintendent of Police 1 in 1988 to a Commissioner of Police in 2018.

In the course of his extensive police career, Dauda attended several training courses at home and abroad.

Prior to his posting to the State House as CPSO to the President, he served in different police commands and formation including the Sokoto State Command, Force CID Lagos, Katsina State Command, Lagos State Command, Edo State Command, Police College Kaduna and Kano State Command.

Born in 1963, he is married and has five children and two grandchildren.

My Wife, A Food Seller, Bought Car Worth N1 Million, Told Me Our Child Wasn’t Mine – Husband

Greenbarge Reporters

July 4, 2018

A 40 year old man, Stanley Anyasi has told an Igando Customary Court in Lagos that his 36 year old wife, Mrs. Florence Anyasi was having sex with another man who he alleged, bought a car worth one million naira for her.

Stanley, who was responding to accusation by his wife that he is a womanizer and wife beater, said: “in January 2017 she came home with a car of N1 million, when I queried her where she got the car from, she claimed she bought it with her money.

“I strongly disagreed with her because she is only selling foodstuffs and can never afford that kind of a car.”

Stanley, who is a businessman, said that his wife packed out of their matrimonial home in 2017 without his knowledge.

“I came home from work and discovered that my wife had packed all her belonging out with the children to start living with her lover.

“I called her severally, she refused to pick but she eventually picked my call last January and informed me that our last baby she delivered in May 2017 was not mine that the child belonged to the man she is presently living with.

“Before she even gave birth and packed out of my house, I always received information from people that they saw my wife in hotel with men but I always ignored them.”

Stanley said that he only beat her once when she stabbed him with bottle on his head even as he urged the court to grant his wife’s wish for the dissolution of marriage saying that he too was no longer interested.

The wife had earlier told the court that apart from numerous cases of his following women around, her husband used to sneak into their maid’s room to sleep with her.

“My husband is a womanizer, he used to leave me in the bed at night and sneak into my maid’s room. I have caught him severally on my maid’s bed sexually assaulting her.

“A neighbour approached me and told me to warn my husband to desist from asking her daughter to have love affairs with him. I once caught him sucking the breasts of my niece, who is a minor and he is also fond of wooing my friends.”

The petitioner told the court that her husband had once tried to poison her when he brought food to her which subsequently caused her serious pain and vomiting.

“I was rushed to the hospital by neighbours, when I was diagnosed, it was detected that the food I just ate had been poisoned,” she said.

The mother of three said that her husband equally turned her into a punching bag, beating her at the slightest provocation, and has been calling her thief and prostitute in public.

The estranged woman stressed that her husband was irresponsible and unable to provide food or pay for the education of their children.

She urged the court to dissolve the 10 year old marriage with Stanley.

Delivering the judgment, the court president, Akin Akinniyi, said that all efforts to reconcile the couple had failed.

“Since both parties consented to the dissolution of their marriage, this court has no choice than to dissolve the marriage.

“The court hereby pronounces the marriage between Mrs. Florence Anyasi and Mr. Stanley Anyasi dissolved today.

“Both of you henceforth cease to be husband and wife, each of you should go on his or her separate ways unmolested.

“The court wishes both of you well in your new journey of life.

“The court grants the custody of the children, age 10, 8, 6 respectively to their mother, the petitioner, pending when they attain the age of 18 years to decide who to stay with.

“The respondent must be responsible for the children’s school fees, medical bills and must be paying N15,000 monthly for the children’s feeding which must be channeled through the court,” Akinniyi ruled.

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