A former National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has said that if he become President of Nigeria on the platform of the party, he will not mnd to appoint good people from the opposition, especially, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to form his federal cabinet and other vital organs of the government.
“If I am nominated and eventually get elected, my philosophy will not be to go after the opposition. It is to see how I will work with the opposition in any area for the good of all of us while maintaining our independent political opinion over any matter.
“That is how you can bring Nigerians together. And that is when people will not even have any need to cross carpet. If I get nominated and I find somebody in APC who can help me do what I want to do, I will look for you without demanding that you join the PDP.
Makarfi, who answered reporters’ questions in Abuja, said that he is offering himself to be President of Nigeria because he has a better idea of how to bring development fast to the country.
“It is a question of what do I have to offer that is better than what the other person has to offer. It should not affect personal relationship. At the end of the day, whoever gets it will have to work with others to succeed.
“If one of the other candidates gets the ticket, I will do what I can do to make sure he succeeds, just as I expect that if I get the nomination, others should be prepared to do what they can to make me succeed.
He however, commended President Muhammadu Buhari led All Progressives Congress (APC) government for successes recorded in the fight against insurgency.
“Yes, I have to give the government credit in the area of Boko Haram, not that it has come to an end, but they have recorded some successes, you can’t take that away from them.
“Because I want to be the candidate of my party, it will not be an excuse to insult or do negative campaign against other candidates.
“I will leave you to make that decision on your own. That is the kind of politics that I want to see happening in Nigeria.” [myad]
President Tayyip Erdogan has maneuvered votes by Turks to perpetrate himself in power with his Islamist-rooted AK Party. He has been in power more than a decade and a half ago.
The elections being conducted today, Sunday, is expected to usher in a powerful new executive presidency long sought by Erdogan and backed by a small majority of Turks in a 2017 referendum. Critics say it will further erode democracy in the NATO member state and entrench one-man rule.
Reports reaching us said that more than 56 million people were registered to vote at 180,000 ballot boxes across Turkey. Voting began at 8 a.m. (0500 GMT) and will end at 5 p.m. (1400 GMT).
President Erdogan, the most popular but also divisive leader in modern Turkish history, moved the elections forward from November 2019, arguing the new powers would better enable him to tackle the nation’s mounting economic problems – the lira has lost 20 percent against the dollar this year – and deal with Kurdish rebels in southeast Turkey and in neighboring Iraq and Syria.
But he reckoned without Muharrem Ince, the presidential candidate of the secularist Republican People’s Party (CHP), whose feisty performance at campaign rallies has galvanised Turkey’s long-demoralized and divided opposition.
Addressing a rally in Istanbul on Saturday attended by hundreds of thousands of people, Ince promised to reverse what he and opposition parties see as a swing toward authoritarian rule under Erdogan in the country of 81 million people.
“If Erdogan wins, your phones will continue to be listened to … Fear will continue to reign … If Ince wins, the courts will be independent,” said Ince, adding he would lift Turkey’s state of emergency within 48 hours of being elected.
Turkey has been under emergency rule – which restricts some personal freedoms and allows the government to bypass parliament with emergency decrees – for nearly two years following an abortive military coup in July 2016.
Erdogan blamed the coup on his former ally, U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, and has waged a sweeping crackdown on the preacher’s followers in Turkey. The United Nations say some 160,000 people have been detained and nearly as many more, including teachers, judges and soldiers, sacked.
The president’s critics, including the European Union which Turkey still nominally aspires to join, say Erdogan has used the crackdown to stifle dissent. Few newspapers or other media openly criticise the government and he has received far more election coverage than other presidential candidates.
“This is no longer a Turkey we want. Rights are violated, democracy is in terrible shape,” said health sector worker Sema, 50, after voting in Istanbul.
She and others in the city said they voted for the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) so that it exceeds the 10 percent threshold of votes needed to enter parliament. If it does so, it will be harder for the AKP to get a majority.
Erdogan, who defends his tough measures as essential for national security, told his supporters at rallies on Saturday that if re-elected he would press ahead with more of the big infrastructure projects that have helped turn Turkey into one of the world’s fastest-growing economies during his time in office.
Polls show Erdogan falling short of a first-round victory in the presidential race but he would be expected to win a run-off on July 8, while his AK Party could lose its parliamentary majority, possibly heralding increased tensions between president and parliament.
Other presidential candidates include Selahattin Demirtas, HDP leader, who is now in jail on terrorism-related charges that he denies.
In a final appeal for votes in a video clip from his high security prison, Demirtas said: “If the HDP fails to get into parliament, all Turkey will lose. Backing the HDP means supporting democracy.”
Nollywood actress, Mercy Aigbe took to her Instagram page to reveal that she is now a landlady after she packed out of her husband house last year.
The actress took to her page to share a photo with the caption: “It’s the Lord’s doing and it’s beautiful in my sight! “Few months after that cake gift, I bought a beautiful home for myself and my kids in a choice area in Lagos!!!!!!!! Say hello to the new LANDLADY.” [myad]
Nigerian fashion influencer and lady celebrity stylist, Toyin Lawani, has said that every man is entitled to about 10 women as part of solution to cheating in relationships because of their polygamous nature.
“Every man is entitled to 10 women. Even pastors cheat. Our world is corrupt. Just make it work for your kids’ sake,” she writes on her Instagram handle.
She condemned women who think they can play both the roles of a dad and a mum in their kids’ lives, saying: “to all the idiot mums that think a father’s space can ever be replaced by a mother’s space in their kids’ lives, get this ehn? You can never grow manhood.
“Best believe and start acting right. Even if the fathers of our kids are dead beats… Ehn? You have to make it work for the future; for the sake of the child who didn’t beg you to be born.” [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has attributed the crisis in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the success the party had so far achieved in establishing good governance.
Speaking today, Saturday at the National Convention of the part in Abuja, the Presidency said: “the unresolved cases we have is the price we have to pay for success, as everyone wants to be associated with a winning team.”
He assured all the party members that despite a few lingering issues with the congresses in some states, the party will emerge stronger after the convention.
“I am imploring all those with grievances to keep faith with the party until we put things right.”
The President also appealed to all to put the party ahead of personal considerations and to accept the outcome of the exercise in good faith. “You are all important to our party’s progress and all must come together to ensure success in the forthcoming polls so as to enable us to continue the good work we have been doing for our fellow Nigerians.”
He thanked the outgoing National Executives of the party for their tireless efforts in securing victory for the party at the last elections and managing the success thereafter.
“I have been following the preparations leading to this event and I must commend this Convention Committee under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Badaru Abubakar for providing a level playing field and instilling confidence in both aspirants and delegates with their thorough approach and adherence to transparency.
“I commend all the delegates from across the country for your sacrifice and patience, travelling all the way from your different destinations and waiting in inclement weather, as it has been raining all the day. Thank you for your commitment.
“The adoption of consensus as a first option is commendable and the process has led to a lot of healing and cohesion across the states and the zones, and where elections are inevitable, I have been assured that the process adopted will result in clear and undisputed results. Again I am appealing to all contestants to keep faith with the party.”
President Muhammadu Buhari and King of Morocco Mohammed VI
Fact: The Federal Government’s programme of Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) of former agitators in the Niger Delta region of the country as part of the Amnesty Programme brought calmness to the country at its commencement. It floundered and wobbled due to irregularities until the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari put it back on track. Now there is peace once again.
Question: If the disarmament and rehabilitation of 30,000 ex-agitators could do so much for nation, how far would 18,000 skilled and unskilled new jobs go towards cementing that peace?
While analysts take their time to assimilate and give us the answer as to how much good the new jobs will bring, President Buhari who visited the Kingdom of Morocco from June 10 to June 11, 2018 signed onto memoranda of understanding and agreements leading to the new jobs and many others. This, of course, reaffirms the Buhari administration’s commitment to make a very big difference by linking foreign policy directly to Nigeria’s economic interests.
The jobs in view are calculated to come from the commitment to the Regional Gas Pipeline, which will connect Nigeria’s gas resources, those of some West African countries and Morocco, thereby fostering integration and development of countries in the West African region.
These jobs will also come from the establishment of a Basic Chemicals Platform, specifically to develop a significant Ammonia Production Plant by the Kingdom of Morocco in the Niger Delta.
Yet another important takeaway is the decision by the two countries to strengthen cooperation in the efforts to combat radicalization and violent extremism in Africa and beyond.
To achieve this, the two leaders underscored their commitment to moderation, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, as taught by Islam. They expressed deep concerns about violent extremism, terrorism and the persistence of security threats in Africa.
As part of the technical agreement reached in this regard, Morocco will open their training facilities for the training of about 150 Nigerians in moderate, modernized and non-extremist methods of Islamic leadership.
On the basis of their exemplary cooperation, the two Heads of State agreed to develop partnership in the field of agriculture particularly through the signing of Cooperation Agreement on vocational training and technical supervision. This will involve about 80 Nigerians in varied fields of agriculture and the setting up of 20 farmers’ schools.
Broken down to specifics, the agreement promised that Morocco will support university education with scholarships of eight agricultural engineers per year.
The areas of specific training are:
· Two students in rural engineering
· Two students in the animal production
· Two students in horticulture and
· Two veterinary doctors.
Morocco will equally support agricultural training leading to a diploma for five specialized technicians per year ( baccalaureate plus two years) and five technicians per year (baccalaureate plus two years) in the fields of irrigation agriculture, breeding, management of agricultural companies and marketing of agricultural inputs with scholarships.
The Kingdom of Morocco will also provide support for continuing education:
· 20 engineers as part of a short-term training (one-week study trips)
· Five veterinary doctors (one-week study trips)
· 20 technicians (one-week study trips)
· 15 engineers on irrigation techniques, water management and hydro-agricultural infra(one 15-day session)
· 30 engineers on modern breeding techniques (two sessions of 10 days)
· 10 Veterinary doctors on animal health ( two sessions of 10 days) and
· 15 engineers on horticultural production techniques (one session…).
In the same breath, the Kingdom of Morocco will support and provide technical assistance in setting up 20 farmer-field schools (FFS) for the training of Nigerian farmers.
The agreement concerning this sector is for a period of three years and may be renewed for a further period.
For Morocco, which has lately been making strong efforts to improve relations with neighbouring states and the rest of the continent since their return to the African Union, it is important that our two states have agreed to consult and coordinate on regional and international issues of mutual interest and concern, and to coordinate the positions of the two countries in regional and international organizations, including the African Union.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI congratulated President Buhari for his leadership in the regional initiative against terrorism in the Lake Chad region and commended his efforts in the fight against corruption and his role as the African Union anti-corruption champion.
Morocco has many economic strengths, including the world’s largest phosphate reserves and a diverse agricultural sector. On the basis of an agreement between Moroccan state firm, OCP, and the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria, FEPSAN, Nigeria has been receiving the needed phosphate for the local blending of fertilizer. So far, 14 of the county’s moribund fertilizer plants have resumed production.
Activities have been generated in the value chain in terms of transportation, labour engagements at the plants including loading and offloading with more than 250,000 jobs created directly and indirectly.
The Presidential Fertilizer Initiative plans to make available one million metric tons of fertilizers, amounting to 20 million bags to farmers this year.
Garba Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.
The national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stressed the need for the remnants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to be swept out for the country to enjoy the new good governance.
“It is time to sweep out the PDP remnants and put in position people, who actually care about the people.”
At the APC National Convention today, Saturday, in Abuja, Asiwaju Tinubu noted that the progressive agenda of the APC has been hampered because elements of the PDP remain embedded in the many agencies and ministries so crucial to daily governance.
“They have been as a fifth column, undermining our policies at every turn. While impeding reform, they also plot the comeback of their reactionary brethren to power.”
The APC leader said that the old malpractices of the PDP that have soiled what should be our beautiful national home, advising members to continue cleaning it for the benefit of all Nigerians, even for the members of the PDP who have done so much harm “because we are a party of compassion and togetherness not one of malice and intolerance.”
Asiwaju Tinubu said that APC is on a mission to save the nation.
“When you return home, speak not only of what we accomplished today. But enlighten your people about the policies and ideals of this party so that they will know which party is day and which is night, which party seeks to be their servant and which again schemes to be their master.”
He asked the APC governors, whom he described as the wheels on which the party moves, to close ranks and wisely resolve issues in the overall interests of the party.
“You have rallied behind President Buhari and refused to be moved by anything other than the good of this collective enterprise. Your comportment has been inspiring.”
Tinubu also called on the lawmakers to continue to contribute towards providing responsible and good governance.
“We ask you to do even more to advance our party’s policy agenda and help the president enact laws that ensure prosperity and justice reign throughout the land.” He told Nigerian youths: “if you seek progressive governance that gives every Nigerian a fair chance, the APC is the home for you. We welcome you home.” The full text of Tinubu speech at the Convention is reproduced here:
Joined in goodwill by common purpose and noble endeavor, we assemble this day. The doubters who gave APC no chance of existence or of continued survival have gotten their reply in full. Their envious prayers and complaints have been answered in reverse.
They wanted to see the end of us and our pursuit of good governance for Nigeria. You should not forget, as I shall never forget, the strong efforts they made to stop us in the courts.
There were twelve cases brought trying to stop us from merging, from registering the new party, then attempting to bar our candidate from the election.
Lacking the courage to face the democratic will of the people, they tried to misuse the courts as a weapon against democracy. We thank the judiciary for following the letter and spirit of the constitution by dismissing this dirty dozen of malicious cases filed against us.
With their schemes foiled, those who tried to destroy us must bear witness to the destruction of their edifice of corrupt governance and their dreams of unjust domination of our nation.
While they planned a lifetime of greedy enrichment by looting the people’s resources and the public treasury for 60 years, we moved to reform the economy to bring development and aid to the poor.
When they called for hate and division, we strove for compassion and unity. When they hoisted the standard of bias, we raised the flag of justice and the chevron of fairness.
When they sought to make Nigeria a monument to corrupt government, we sought to remake Nigeria into a place of transparency and honest opportunity for all.
The APC’s formation is the most important political development in our recent history. This is not due to the names of those who founded the party. It is because of the ideals upon which the party was established.
The APC was not brought into existence to compel the majority to serve the few. For 16 consecutive years, the PDP had already assumed that mean role.
The APC came into being to reverse this unjust equation.
Under the PDP, the people were made to let the beast ride them. The APC came to stop this travesty. By right, it is the people who are to ride the beast not the other way around.
As we go through today’s deliberations, we must keep in remembrance and put into action the purposes for which this party was formed.
Yes, human nature is partly composed of personal ambitions. Life would be incomplete without such goals and dreams. Yet, we must be motivated by other things more sublime than our personal benefit.
As good citizens of Nigeria and members of the party, we must seek to prosper with society more that we seek to prosper from society.
In the APC, we are many but we are also one.
Thus, we must stand together for democratic good governance or stand not at all.
We have experienced much since our inception. Unexpected events and harsh realities emerged to block our way. Those who detest progress fought severely against us. And they are still fighting.
Yet, we remain true to our beliefs.
In a few short years, we have done more than the other party did in 16 long years.
During their years, oil prices and government revenues were high. They had more money but less moral commitment to the common welfare.
They neither established school-feeding programs nor created a safety net for the poorest among us. We had less but did these things because we cared more.
Under the PDP, terrorists planted their wicked flag on our soil, controlled territory, and spread mayhem as they willed.
Now, that evil flag of Boko Haram no longer flies over any of our land. Their fantasy of establishing an empire has forever been dashed. They are retreating and being beaten by the day. The APC government accomplished this while the PDP spent money with no result except increasing misery.
Where did the money go? When the PDP holds their convention and presents their candidates, the public should ask them. If the question is asked, theirs will be the quietest convention ever held. They dare not answer the question with honesty for an honest answer will destroy them.
Our party has made progress but much work remains. We have overcome recession but that is an insufficient cure to many. We must accelerate economic growth and bring prosperity to all.
We must create jobs wherever we find the jobless. We must help bring food to the tables of the hungry. We must bring light where darkness now resides.
We must continue to squash corruption where it stands.
People continue to suffer violence in several places. We must end the violence and untangle the root causes of such conflict.
We must reclaim Nigeria’s place in the world as the leader of the African cause and black race.
These things will be challenging. This is why we must band together as one party, one family, one purpose, one people.
As a very old and wise woman recently told me. “Don’t worry son. You are doing well but you mustn’t get tired. Your broom is good but it takes more than one stroke to clean a filthy house.”
Well, the PDP left us a dirty house. As we complete this four-year term, we complete but one stroke of that broom in cleaning that house.
We are here today to prepare our way so that we may continue to right the wrongs that have been left by others for us to correct.
You are here to build a better Nigeria.
This means we must join hands even more tightly than before. Over the past few months, there has been jockeying and competition for the various positions in the party.
Today, we conduct the elections to fill these vital posts. Those who sought posts were all qualified and good people. While only one person can win, the party needs you all.
You all have competed as is your right in a democratic setting. Now, competition must end. Reconciliation for the great battle ahead – the general elections – must commence.
We must show the people that we conduct our internal affairs differently than other parties just as we adhere to different ideas and policies than these other parties do. They are backward. We are progressive. They are despotic. We are democratic. Now, we must walk the same as we talk.
Today I appeal to you to accommodate each other by giving greater emphasis to the progressive bond that unites us so that we attain victory in the electoral battles to come.
The success of the APC convention today is such that it sets our eyes at the edge of the spear. Under President Buhari, Nigeria has found its rightful course. Discipline and collective purpose are taking root. Government has become accountable. Bleakness turns to hope.
President Buhari has done significant work clearing away yesterday’s mess so that we may reach a better future.
When his critics grossly falsify by saying he has not achieved enough, remember what the old woman told me “Your broom is good but it takes more than one stroke to clean a dirty house.”
The old malpractices of the PDP that have soiled what should be our beautiful national home. We now must continue cleaning it for the benefit of all Nigerians, even for the members of the PDP who have done so much harm because we are a party of compassion and togetherness not one of malice and intolerance.
Be proud to be of the APC. We are on a mission to save our nation. When you return home, speak not only of what we accomplished today.
But enlighten your people about the policies and ideals of this party so that they will know which party is day and which is night, which party seeks to be their servant and which again schemes to be their master.
To the APC governors. Excellencies. You are the wheels on which the party moves. You have found ways to close ranks and wisely resolve issues in the overall interests of the party.
You have rallied behind President Buhari and refused to be moved by anything other than the good of this collective enterprise. Your comportment has been inspiring.
To our lawmakers, your efforts are recognized. Without your contributions, providing responsible and good governance would be impossible.
We ask you to do even more to advance our party’s policy agenda and help the president enact laws that ensure prosperity and justice reign throughout the land. APC Women, you are the heart and conscience of the nation and our party. You must always raise your voice to ensure that we remain true to our goal of improving the lot of the average family.
We count on you to run for elective office and to galvanize support for the party throughout the land.
Great APC youth (pause and repeat). Your intelligence, skills and patriotism tell us you are ready to serve. That we believe in you is evident by Mr. President signing the “Not too young to Run” bill into law.
If you seek progressive governance that gives every Nigerian a fair chance, the APC is the home for you. We welcome you home. Before closing, I must mention something of high concern. Our progressive agenda has been hampered because elements of the PDP remain embedded in the many agencies and ministries so crucial to daily governance.
They have been as a fifth column, undermining our policies at every turn. While impeding reform, they also plot the comeback of their reactionary brethren to power.
This is something we should no longer abide. Our party teems with competent, reform-minded people who would perform admirably in these positions.
It is time to sweep out the PDP remnants and put in position people, who actually care about the people.
Some among us feared that today we would be joined by the presence of rain. Don’t fret. Let the rain fall if it must. For it is a sign of a great washing.
We, the party of the broom, should understand more than anyone else what this represents. The rain symbolizes that we are to wash away the remaining shards of the old, unjust politics so that we can set forth a better path for Nigeria.
Thus, let us be equal to the historic moment before us. Let us dedicate ourselves to uplifting the average man, woman and child. Let us dedicate this day to the establishment of a compassionate political culture and social consciousness.
May this mighty broom that we have become sweep aside that which needs to be swept aside so that all Nigerians may enter into their finest destiny with national pride and utmost dignity. We are ready. We are the APC. We are Nigeria.
May God bless you all and bless our beloved republic.
Former governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has been elected unopposed as the new National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
His election was affirmed in line with the APC constitution, by all the delegates to the National Convention of the party which was held today, Saturday in Abuja.
The Chairman of the convention committee, Governor Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State, who supervised the process, called Oshiomhole’s name and demanded verbal confirmation from the delegates. Thrice did the delegates verbally affirm the ex-governor of Edo as their new chairman.
The delegates shouted in unison: “We affirm,” three times.
President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Dotun Oladipo, has said that members of the Guild are proud to be part of the newly launched Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage (Revised Edition 2018) which he said will, to a large extent, guide operators and separate trained journalists from those who suddenly found themselves reporting simply because they have access to a laptop or phone and data.
Dotun Oladipo, who spoke at the public launch and presentation of the Code during the ongoing International Press Institute (IPI) Congress in Abuja, said: “the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers is elated at this recent development in the Nigerian media space with the launch today of the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage.
“We have been a part of this as individual publications and as an association since the journey to review the Code began. We are proud to associate with this effort spearheaded by the International Press Centre, headed by our own Lanre Arogundade, and those who have supported the effort through funding and capacity building.
“For us, the Code represents what we believe in as an association, especially as it relates to election coverage.
“In coming together, the idea behind the formation of GOCOP was to serve as a peer review gathering of Online Publishers who have worked in the print for several years, with some of us rising to become Managing Directors/Editors-in-Chief, Title Editors and a minimum of Line Editors. Most of us also belong to the prestigious Editors’ Club in Nigeria, the Nigeria Guild of Editors.”
Oladipo said that GOCOP is concerned with the upholding of journalism ethics, especially online, where, according to him, “ethics has been thrown away,” adding: “We pledge our support to this cause as we go on this journey to entrench the code.”
The Director of International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade, said the public launch and presentation of the Code “represents a strong statement that good election reporting matters to journalists and media institutions in Nigeria”.
Arogundade disclosed that the Code has been endorsed by six umbrella media professional groups: Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN); Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON); Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE); Nigeria Union of Hours (NUJ); GOCOP; RATTAWU; 75 broadcast, print and online media; 15 media support groups; and two journalism training institutions – Nigeria Institute of Journalism and International Institute of Journalism.
Arogundade, therefore, enjoined all journalists and media organisations in Nigeria “to strive to read, digest, understand and implement the provisions of this Code”.
According to him, the ultimate goal is that through the credible reporting of the 2019 elections and the electoral processes before and after it, “we can all contribute to credible, free and fair and peaceful elections in the country”.
Arogundade thanked the European Union for supporting the production and dissemination of the Code.
In his presentation, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said from their statistics, youths and women would play greater roles in the 2019 elections.
Professor Yakubu assured that strategic plan has been put in place to ensure hitch free elections, noting that part of the plan was the release of election timetable in January 2018, a year ahead of the general elections billed for February 2019.
The INEC boss said that there will be no electronic voting in 2019, saying: “I want to assure you that the will of election voters will continue to prevail.”
He said that no fewer than 85 media organizations have so far been accredited by INEC, adding that the 2019 elections will be the most widely covered in the history of election in Nigeria.
This was even as the EU Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Richard Young, assured that the EU would continue to support process that is fair and transparent, saying it is important that the code of conduct has been put in place.
Richard Young commended all the media organisations that partnered with International Press Centre to come up with the revised edition of the Code, noting that it would contribute to free, fair and transparent elections in 2019.
Present at the occasion were the creme de la creme of Nigerian media and their counterparts from across the world attending the IPI conference.
They included the owner of Channels Television, John Momoh and the Chairman of NPAN and Publisher of THISDAY Newspaper, Nduka Obaigbena. [myad]
The Igbo socio-political organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has asked the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately release Abia Senator, Eyinnaya Abaribe, who was arrested earlier today, Friday, in connection with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu who disappeared into thin air after he was bailed from detention.
In a statement today, Friday, President of Ohanaeze, John Nnia Nwodo said the circumstances at the time of the “disappearance” of Kanu were beyond the “contemplation of the law that a surety can guarantee the production of an accused person.”
“The army in the name of ‘Operation Python Dance’ invaded Nnamdi’s home and destabilized normalcy there.
“It is only the security agency that can disclose Nnamdi’s whereabouts. Senator Abaribe has no capacity, nor has any surety in the circumstances to know the whereabouts of Nnamdi Kanu. What happened in Umahia was an invasion, a war of a kind.
“Nnamdi may have been killed or captured in the imbroglio or even escaped into hiding.
“The onus lies on the security forces to disclose his whereabouts. The judiciary is beginning to tow the line of the executive by throwing the law overboard in matters that affect the south-east.
“We are all equal before the law. Senator Abaribe must be released forthwith.”
In April 2017, an Abuja Federal Court had granted bail to Kanu after 18 months in detention. Abaribe alongside Tochukwu Uchendu and Emmanuel Shallom Ben, stood as sureties for Kanu and signed a bond of N100 million each.
However, the IPOB leader has not been seen in public and Abaribe has come under pressure to produce Kanu .
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
President Buhari’s Visit To Morocco: 6 Quick Takeaways, By Garba Shehu
Fact: The Federal Government’s programme of Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) of former agitators in the Niger Delta region of the country as part of the Amnesty Programme brought calmness to the country at its commencement. It floundered and wobbled due to irregularities until the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari put it back on track. Now there is peace once again.
Question: If the disarmament and rehabilitation of 30,000 ex-agitators could do so much for nation, how far would 18,000 skilled and unskilled new jobs go towards cementing that peace?
While analysts take their time to assimilate and give us the answer as to how much good the new jobs will bring, President Buhari who visited the Kingdom of Morocco from June 10 to June 11, 2018 signed onto memoranda of understanding and agreements leading to the new jobs and many others. This, of course, reaffirms the Buhari administration’s commitment to make a very big difference by linking foreign policy directly to Nigeria’s economic interests.
The jobs in view are calculated to come from the commitment to the Regional Gas Pipeline, which will connect Nigeria’s gas resources, those of some West African countries and Morocco, thereby fostering integration and development of countries in the West African region.
These jobs will also come from the establishment of a Basic Chemicals Platform, specifically to develop a significant Ammonia Production Plant by the Kingdom of Morocco in the Niger Delta.
Yet another important takeaway is the decision by the two countries to strengthen cooperation in the efforts to combat radicalization and violent extremism in Africa and beyond.
To achieve this, the two leaders underscored their commitment to moderation, tolerance and peaceful coexistence, as taught by Islam. They expressed deep concerns about violent extremism, terrorism and the persistence of security threats in Africa.
As part of the technical agreement reached in this regard, Morocco will open their training facilities for the training of about 150 Nigerians in moderate, modernized and non-extremist methods of Islamic leadership.
On the basis of their exemplary cooperation, the two Heads of State agreed to develop partnership in the field of agriculture particularly through the signing of Cooperation Agreement on vocational training and technical supervision. This will involve about 80 Nigerians in varied fields of agriculture and the setting up of 20 farmers’ schools.
Broken down to specifics, the agreement promised that Morocco will support university education with scholarships of eight agricultural engineers per year.
The areas of specific training are:
· Two students in rural engineering
· Two students in the animal production
· Two students in horticulture and
· Two veterinary doctors.
Morocco will equally support agricultural training leading to a diploma for five specialized technicians per year ( baccalaureate plus two years) and five technicians per year (baccalaureate plus two years) in the fields of irrigation agriculture, breeding, management of agricultural companies and marketing of agricultural inputs with scholarships.
The Kingdom of Morocco will also provide support for continuing education:
· 20 engineers as part of a short-term training (one-week study trips)
· Five veterinary doctors (one-week study trips)
· 20 technicians (one-week study trips)
· 15 engineers on irrigation techniques, water management and hydro-agricultural infra(one 15-day session)
· 30 engineers on modern breeding techniques (two sessions of 10 days)
· 10 Veterinary doctors on animal health ( two sessions of 10 days) and
· 15 engineers on horticultural production techniques (one session…).
In the same breath, the Kingdom of Morocco will support and provide technical assistance in setting up 20 farmer-field schools (FFS) for the training of Nigerian farmers.
The agreement concerning this sector is for a period of three years and may be renewed for a further period.
For Morocco, which has lately been making strong efforts to improve relations with neighbouring states and the rest of the continent since their return to the African Union, it is important that our two states have agreed to consult and coordinate on regional and international issues of mutual interest and concern, and to coordinate the positions of the two countries in regional and international organizations, including the African Union.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI congratulated President Buhari for his leadership in the regional initiative against terrorism in the Lake Chad region and commended his efforts in the fight against corruption and his role as the African Union anti-corruption champion.
Morocco has many economic strengths, including the world’s largest phosphate reserves and a diverse agricultural sector. On the basis of an agreement between Moroccan state firm, OCP, and the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria, FEPSAN, Nigeria has been receiving the needed phosphate for the local blending of fertilizer. So far, 14 of the county’s moribund fertilizer plants have resumed production.
Activities have been generated in the value chain in terms of transportation, labour engagements at the plants including loading and offloading with more than 250,000 jobs created directly and indirectly.
The Presidential Fertilizer Initiative plans to make available one million metric tons of fertilizers, amounting to 20 million bags to farmers this year.
Garba Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity.