Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the late Governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, as a fearless democrat whose immense contribution to Nigeria’s democratic struggles would be etched in brass. Reacting to the death of Kaita at 85, the former Vice President said Kaita, who was his political associate, was a man of remarkable virtues who inspired whoever interacted with him. According to Atiku, few Nigerian politicians have the courage to disagree with the people in power in order to sustain political patronage for survival. Atiku explained that the late Kaita was never afraid to speak his mind in pursuit of his principles, including his insistence that political parties must respect internal democracy in order to be credible. Atiku, who holds the traditional title of Waziri Adamawa said that the late Kaita had left an unblemished public service record because politicians of his generation were motivated by the passion for service. He recalled that his close association with the Kaita was a beneficial experience because he was a man of vast knowledge of politics and its intricacies. While extending his condolences to the government, family and the people of Katsina and Kaduna States, Atiku prayed to Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest in paradise.
Following the killings of over 50 persons in Benue state, among them women and children, youths in the state as early today, Wedneaday, took over the streets of Makurdi to protest over what they called inactions of the Federal Government. Armed Fulani militia had invaded two Local Government Areas of the state; Logo and Guma on Sunday and Monday, killing over fifty persons. The herdsmen had killed, slaughtered, and maimed peasants farmers in the state since 2011. The protesting youths blocked the highway leading from Makurdi to Abuja on one side and on the other, blocked the road on the opposite side leading from Makurdi to Enugu. They had paraded corpses of some of the dead on the main road, chanting war songs and brandished posters calling President Buhari to action. Unconfirmed reports have it that soldiers have been drafted to the troubled spots even as Police confirmed the killing of seven members of the newly inaugurated Livestock Guards who are working in line with the enforcement of the Anti-Open Grazing Law in the state. They were killed during the attacks by the herdsmen between Sunday and Tuesday. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue Command, of the Nigeria Police, Moses Yamu said the herdsmen had also burnt up a marked Livestock Guard hilux van during the attacks. Meanwhile, an umbrella group of Fulani herdsmen, ‘Mobgal Kautal Hore Fulbe,’ has raised alarm over alleged silent killing of herdsmen and stealing of their cattle in Numan and Demsa local government areas in Adamawa State. The group in a meeting in Yola, said that over 4,000 herdsmen and their families were displaced by the crisis, following the burning down of their villages, along the banks of River Benue by Bachama militia. Speaking at the meeting, the North east vice chairman, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Mafindi Umaru Danburam, said that over 500 cattle were now missing. Danburam, who accused federal government of bias in the crisis, accused the Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo of discrimination by only visiting Bachama villages affected during his visit to the state. “The Vice President did not visit Fulani villages which were attacked by the Bachamas, killing women and children but was quick to visit Bachama villages. “There has been cases of silent killings of members of Hausa-Fulani in the area, the latest is the abduction and killing of three Fulanis on transit and a traditional barber by Bachama vigilante group at Anguwar Green villages. “We want to call on governments as matter of urgency to ensure the disarmament of vigilante groups in Numan and Demsa areas and deploy more security to the vulnerable areas,” he said.
Many Nigerians have reacted to the prediction by the spiritual director off Adoration Ministry in Enugu, Rev. Father Ejike Mbaka that President Muhammadu Buhari should not contest the 2019 Presidential election because he will be disgraced.
One of the responses, @julius wrote in a tweet: “Stop playing God!!! Almighty God is still using PMB! He is on God own assignment, he will carry it out to the last letter! So retrace your step prophet Mbaka. For your information God will not allow Corruption to kill our country Nigeria
At the same pulpit three years ago, Mbaka had prophesied that then President Goodluck Jonathan would be defeated in the 2015 election and also supported Buhari’s change.
Here are the comments on Twitter:
@kingmethods “Fr. Mbaka, how market? before 2015 general elections, you said Buhari is the only person that can save Nigeria. And now before 2019 general election you are saying….Buhari, contest and be disgraced. “Fr. Mbaka Face your church and leave IPOB and Nigerian politics alone!!! Religion and politics don’t go together
@ekanem “Political reverend, you are wolves in sheep’s clothing, you have no place in Christianity, you have made your stomach your god and have defrauded the gullible, the law of Karma will catch up with you soon
@dukemomoh “I wonder why this pastor normally use the situation on the ground that we are all aware of to predict what will happen every time we are witnessing a new year. They should stop disturbing us. Na mumu dem go fit deceive.
@elisha “Mbaka at it again. Mbaka why? Part Three(3). I thought this is your man or could this be a rejoinder to Jonathan’s.
@Moses “Fr. Politician Mbarka! You brought in Buhari!! you are sending him packing again!!
@Oparah “But you said he is the Messiah in 2015 Abi no be you again.
@Kanu “Stop politicking and face your ministry.
@Chinonye “Don’t take your words serious anymore ! you told us good luck was bad luck to us n Buhary was God sent, now another story ,please God is not an author of confusion
@Ogechime “Mbaka shut up!!! You put us in this mess in the first place.
@julius Stop playing God!!! Almighty God is still using PMB! He is on God own assignment, he will carry it out to the last letter! So retrace your step prophet Mbaka. For your information God will not allow Corruption to kill our country Nigeria
@edward “It’s unfortunate that most of our men of God in the Christiandom have abandoned their calling an concentrate on so-called prophecy to gain patronage and that is exactly Wat father mbaka is doing wit the greatest respect
@anang “Pure fake prophecy. I can tell you if the North want Buhari to be president and Buhari is willing to contest, it’s easy for him to win. It’s not rocker science to read or understand the permutations and narratives of political alignment in Nigeria. @Stanley “The battle of 2019 has started. It is only a fool that will encourage Buhari to context election again in Nigeria. A government that cannot successfully handle minor administrative issues of vetting list appointment.
@Felix Anybody can lose in any election, nothing is new about it. Again, can’t you focus on soul winning and leave politics for politicians?
@Suleyman He is not God. You’re just an ordinary human being using a guess work. His prophecy is based on guess work.
@Abubakar “When this man spoke against some actions of the Jonathan administration, people said he has been bought by the then opposition. Now that he speaks against some actions of the Buhari Administration, has he been bought by the present opposition? One cannot say what is what unless he sides with a particular inclination?
@kelechi “Fr Mbaka has his personal opinion. We should respect man of God but let him tell us why he supported PMB election…. there are more to it.
President Donald Trump of the United States of America has made it clear that he too, has a nuclear button that is much bigger and more powerful than the one North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un boasted of, saying: “and my Button works!”
Trump’s statement through tweet came a day after the North Korean leader boasted that he has a button ready to launch nuclear weapons installed in his desk.
Kim had on Monday, said, “the United States should know that the button for nuclear weapons is on my table,” according to a translation by the Associated Press.
The full Trump’s tweet read: “North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the “Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.” Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!”
The exchange over nuclear buttons continues an ongoing war of words between the two leaders, as the world anxiously worries that the bombastic back-and-forth could quickly develop into military hostilities.
President Trump has repeatedly referred to Kim as “Rocket Man” and “Little Rocket Man.” He has also called Kim a “sick puppy,” a “madman,” and “short and fat.” Kim has called Trump a “mentally deranged dotard.”
The Trump administration has imposed harsher sanctions on North Korea and pressured China to do more to help rein in Kim’s regime, but so far no of those efforts have succeeded it ending North Korea’s continued efforts to become a nuclear power. [myad]
Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, has been conferred with the traditional title of Nwanne Di Na Mba (A brother in another land) of Mmaku Kingdom, Enugu State.
Adesina received the chieftaincy title yesterday, Tuesday, during the first Grand Ofala festival of Igwe Cyprain Nevobasi, Igwe Omeluenyi 1 of Agunnese, Ezeani 111 of Nmaku Kingdom in Enugu.
Igwe Nevobasi said that Adesina deserved the title because of his passion for the unity of country and his commitment in serving President Muhammadu Buhari.
The ceremony was witnessed by the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, members of his cabinet, traditional rulers in the State and Oba Rufus Ogunwole, the Alagbara of Agba Kingdom from Osun State, Adesina’sown state in the Southwest.
Responding, Adesina thanked the Igwe for the honour, saying that he accepted the title because it is good for national cohesion, coming outside of his ethnic stock.
He made it clear that the title was completely “unsolicited.”
Adesina who had earlier visited the palace of the traditional ruler of Obuoffia Awkunanaw in Nkanu West LGA of Enugu State, Igwe Igwesi Obiorah Igwesi assured the community that under President Buhari’s watch Nigeria will witness unprecedented development and progress.
“A new foundation is being laid for our economy, social and political life and during the time of President Buhari things will change for the better in Nigeria and we will all experience and be blessed by it,” he said.
This was even as Igwesi said President Muhammadu Buhari deserved a second-term to consolidate his good works of development and prosperity for the country.
The traditional ruler commended President Buhari for restoring the country’s image in the international community, adding that the President had done exceedingly well in the fight against corruption as well as formulating policies and programmes aimed at boosting the economy of the nation.
“Those who have abused the opportunities of public office are now constantly on the run and some are vomiting what they took illegally.
“Send our appreciation to the President that in the international community the image of Nigeria is gradually being restored.
“Before now, we the Igbo’s were suspicious of President Buhari. But we have seen his programmes and we have no choice but to embrace him and urge other Nigerians to support him beyond 2019 if he intends to seek another term,” the traditional ruler said.
The Igwe said it was instructive that a neigbouring community in Enugu honoured Adesina with a chieftaincy title, describing the gesture as well deserved.
He said beyond being an accomplished and consummate media personnel, the Special Adviser has excelled in his duty of informing Nigerians on the President’s activities, programmes and policies.
The Igwe’s Ofala festival also marked his 14 years on the throne of his ancestors.
Agunnese Afam Mmaku is one of the three communities that make up Mmaku Kingdom in Awgu local government of Enugu State.
President Muhammadu Buhari and some Visiting Ulamas pose for a group picture
Leaders of a renown Islamic organisation, Qadiriyya Movement in Nigeria have expressed satisfaction with the good spirit in which President Muhammadu Buhair has been leading the country. The leaders, who visited the President today, Tuesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, said that Buhari expressed himself very well “and he was very happy and the spirit in which we saw the President is unbelievable, so far so good.” The spokesman of the group, Yassin Garba Maisikeli said that they prayed for the personal health of President Buhari “and the health and progress of Nigeria. That is basically the main mission.” He said that the visit was also meant to enhance the relationship between the Sudan and Nigerian people which has been in existence for several centuries. He said that the group did not make any particular request from President Buhari “because the mission is not to make request but to pray for the President and pray for Nigeria. He (Buhari) asked for more prayers in support of his programmes and the unity of Nigerians.”
Transport minister, Rotimi Amaechi has given a hint that cost of rail transport from Kaduna to Abuja will be increased for proper management. The minister, who had a close door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari ahead of the commissioning of 10 new coaches and 2 locomotives for the Kaduna – Abuja train service by the President said that the increment in the transportation would be done by experts in that area. He said that even passengers agreed that the cost of transportation to kaduna via the railway is a bit too cheap. “So, there will be a need to increase the price of the cost and then there will be more comfort. More comfort in the sense that when you have excess seats multiply by the number of passengers that will come, then anybody that wants to racketeer will have to eat the tickets himself.” He said that his meeting with President Buhari was to discuss the commissioning of 10 new coaches and 2 locomotives which will bring the total number of coaches to 14 on the Kaduna-Abuja route. “The president is pleased with the arrangement because basically, we will then be able to discharge the passengers pressure that we have had. That is why you have ticket racketeering. “When demand outstrips supply then you see all sort of attempts to cheat the passengers. He disclosed that one of the locomotives will be dedicated to direct trip from Kaduna to Abuja non-stop. “That will enable those living in Kaduna and working in Abuja to actually come to work on time. If you leave at 6am by 7.15 or 7.20, you should be in Abuja.”[myad]
Former governor of the old Kaduna state, Alhaji Lawal Kaita is dead. He died today, Tuesday after a protracted illness at Nizamieye Turkish Hospital in Abuja.
Kaita was adi to have been on life support in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, up to the time he died.
Born in 1932 in Katsina, Lawal Kaita was elected governor of Kaduna State on the platform of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), and served from October to December 1983 but was cut short by a military coup on the eve of new year.
He was a member of the Constituent Assembly of Nigeria (1977–1978).
Kaita became Special Assistant to President Shehu Shari after losing his first gubernatorial attempt to Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) candidate, Balarabe Musa, in 1979.
The deceased was a leading member of late Shehu Yar’adua’s political movement, and foundation member of Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN).
In a message, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed condolences to the family, the Government and people of Katsina and Kaduna states.
President Buhari, who said that he was briefed later today, Tuesday on the death of Kaita who he said was chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), described the deceased as a complete gentleman who served his people and the nation with total commitment and devotion.
“Nigeria has lost a distinguished leader. We are all saddened by his demise. May his soul Rest In Peace,” said the President. [myad]
Depot and Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPMAN), have made it clear that if they are to return to participate in importation of fuel, they will not be able to sell the product at the existing N145 per litre because there is no profit. The Chairman of the Association, Dapo Abiodun, who led his team to a meeting initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Nyari today at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, told news men after the meeting that there has been no subsidy in the budget. “As far as we are concerned, marketers cannot import and sell at N145. We have to find other ways to manage the situation so that we will continue to sell fuel at N145.” He insisted that government should find a way to ensure that marketers importing alongside NNPC are assisted in a way that they will continue to sell at N145. “So when we meet with the minister (of state for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu) tomorrow, we will find solution.” The chairman said that the Association’s position was made clear at today’s meeting, “and we emphasized the fact that this was not a marketer-related problem. There was no hoarding on the part of any marketer. Marketers are your brothers; they are Nigerian citizens, they are businessmen. No marketer makes money from hoarding petroleum products. Our business is to take petrol and sell. “We explained that the problem that you saw is not willful on the part of anyone; neither NNPC nor marketers. The situation, from our point of view, is that from January to December, the price of crude remained relatively stable, following the hurricane Katrina in the month of September October. Crude prices went up and marketers lost the ability to import and sell at N145 per liter. “Since the price of crude is directly proportional to refined product, we could not import petrol and sell at N145 any more. And this business is a partnership between marketers and NNPC. Marketers being in a certain volume and NNPC also brings in a certain volume. “In the past, marketers brought in about 60 percent, while NNPC brought about 35 to 40 per cent. “But by the month of October, marketers completely stopped importing because there was no more subsidy, so we can’t sell for profit so we have to stop importing. “So, the burden of importing 100 percent now fell on NNPC. So, you can imagine a situation where NNPC was importing in part and marketers were importing in part and then suddenly, NNPC began to import 100%. Couple with the fact that in the months we called the ember months, from October to December, the consumption of petrol is highest in the country, so you now have what we called a double warning. “NNPC suddenly found that it was importing what it probably didn’t expect in terms of volume and the fact that Nigerians themselves are consuming more volume than they will normally consume in earlier months. “Couple with the fact that the countries that are surrounding us as a nation are all selling fuel at more than $1 per liter which today is about N360: if you go to Cotonou, Ghana and Niger, it is not unlikely that some of our petrol is finding itself across the borders to these countries. “All these are issues we believe amounted to what we saw in December but thankfully, NNPC rose to the occasion. They stepped up import, stepped up supplies that situation has since normalized. “Today’s meeting is to ensure that this does not happen again and this we are going to continue tomorrow under the committee that was set up, with minister of state for petroleum as chairman; to ensure that we find a long lasting and enduring solutions to this problem so that Nigerians will not have to go through this harrowing situation again.[myad]
Former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi has accused his predecessor, governor Nelson Wike of making too much noise while the state is being over-run by political miscreant. Amaechi, who answered reporters’ questions today, Tuesday at the Presidential Villa said: “too much noise coming from Rivers State; the governor just wakes up and starts shouting, abusing people. That’s all he does. Mr. Project painting roads, the first thing you do is human capacity development and keeping human beings and we are losing lives every day.” Amaechi, who is currently the minister of Transport advised governor Wike to get a bit more serious. “He should stop encouraging the militant groups in the name of politics and election. You heard about 21 (killed) only in Omoku. What about in Akutoru where two person were killed? What about other local government areas? I think there should be much more than age to qualify to be a governor because it takes much more than age. “I was governor of Rivers State. I did not play PDP/APC politics. life is life; it has no symbol. “Nobody has APC life or PDP life. The first responsibility of a governor which is what the oath of office requires, is that you swear to protect lives and property. When you don’t protect life and property, what do you do? Unfortunately there is no House of Assembly in Rivers State.” Amaechi recalled that recently, two important men were kidnapped before he left Port Harcourt. “The first person is Chief Adoke. Till today, nearly one month after, nobody can tell you where he is. The next person is Chief Omogu who was kidnapped. Luckily, the villagers ran after the people and rescued the old man from the bush. “It never happened when I was governor. We (the security and myself) ensured that we would not sleep at night. We stayed awake for the citizens to sleep. I think the governor (Wike) needs to do much more than that or quit the office.”
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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the late Governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, as a fearless democrat whose immense contribution to Nigeria’s democratic struggles would be etched in brass.
[myad]
Following the killings of over 50 persons in Benue state, among them women and children, youths in the state as early today, Wedneaday, took over the streets of Makurdi to protest over what they called inactions of the Federal Government.
Depot and Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPMAN), have made it clear that if they are to return to participate in importation of fuel, they will not be able to sell the product at the existing N145 per litre because there is no profit.
