Alhaji Inuwa Wada, who held a traditional title of Magajin Gari of Kano, is dead, aged 98.

He died in the early hours today at his Durbin Iya residence in Kano metropolis after a protracted illness.

Alhaji Nasir Wada, one of his sons, who confirmed the death, said the deceased died around 6am.

According to him, late Wada is survived by one wife, many children and grandchildren.

Inuwa Wada was a member of the House of Representatives during the First Republic.

He was also a Minister of Works and later Minister of Defence during the First Republic.

He was an uncle to the former Head of State, late General Murtala Muhammed. He was said to be one of the powerful cabinet members in the First Republic. [myad]

President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon and Head of the defunct Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan were amongst the dignatries that were in Ikene, Ogun state today to pay their last respect to the matriarch of Awolowo dynasty, Chief (Mrs.) Hannah Idowu Dideolu (HID) who made her glorious and final exit.

HID Awolowo died on September 19 and was today interred beside her husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, inside the 28 –year- old Awo’s Mausoleum located within the sprawling Awolowo’s compound in Ikenne.

Others who were in Ikene to pay their last respect wer Aliko Dangote, the National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed  Tinubu, governor Ibikunle Amosun, Wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo; wife of former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon; Governor Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo);  Governor Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Governor Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto); Governor Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna); Governor Mohammed Bingo (Adamawa); and Governor Rochas Okorocha (Imo).

Others are Minster of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun; Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu; Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Minister of Environment Mrs. Amina Mohammed and Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

The list also includes: former Governors Lateef Jakande (Lagos); Otunba Gbenga Daniel (Ogun); Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo); Olagunsoye Oyinlola; as well as businessmen Aliko Dangote, Oba Otudeko and Chief Shubomi Balogun. APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Olaniwun Ajayi, Sen. Gbenga Kaka, Chief Dipo Shonibare, wife of the Vice President and the late Mrs. Awolowo’s grand-daughter, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo and Iyalode Alaba Lawson.

Speaking to a gathering of family members, friends, associates and other prominent Nigerians, President Buhari said that the deceased deserved the attention she was receiving from home and abroad, adding that she effectively took care of the home front while her husband was busy around the country and throughout the world.
“Let me appreciate those who have come to participate in this ceremony. When I was in the car, I discussed it with the Governor of Ogun state that the late Mrs. Awolowo and all the nation is doing for her.
“While chief was all over the country and the world, she was effectively managing the family. So, she earned this. May her soul rest in perfect peace.
“And for you that have for weeks been gathering friends, associates and facing all the logistic problems day and night, I congratulate you for a very successful burial of the late Mrs. Awolowo
“I came back last evening from Iran and I had to make sure I do not miss the last rites for Mrs. Awolowo because she earned it.
“This is the third time I have been here and I hope the family will try and continue to hold together as they have been doing.”
Speaking earlier, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state expressed delight at the presence of the president in Ikenne, noting that it was an honour not only to Mama H.I.D, her family and womenfolk but to the whole of Yoruba race and the nation.
Speaking for the family, the eldest child of Awolowo, Mrs. Oyediran welcomed the president to Awolowo’s house and thanked him for the honour.
She said there had been outpouring of love on the late matriarch of the Awolowo family everywhere they had been to  as a demonstration of how well loved she was.
“Judging by the life that mama led, little did we know that she was so loved by all Nigerians and you all have demonstrated it this afternoon. So, we warmly welcome you into our midst.”
While thanking the president and various state governors in the south west who have been part burial activities, she stated: “You have been extremely wonderful to this family.
“When we got to Lagos, we thought that was it. When we got to Ibadan, it was a complete standstill and when we got to Ogun, the governor was dancing with us all the way from Shagamu to ikenne with all the beautiful ladies with us here this afternoon.”

“So, I want to thank you and to use this opportunity to wish your government progress and the good work which you have started, I pray that the good Lord will continue to support you and you will not fail in Jesus name. We all believe that there will be a change.”  [myad]

The Movement for Actualization for Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has accused South East Governors and other Igbo leaders of displaying a classic case of inferiority complex in matters that they ought to have decisively act on.

“They have shown their soft mind, inferiority complex and loyalty to our oppressors. We shall prove to Nigeria that the Igbo governors, national assembly members, other Igbo leaders are not truly in charge of affairs in Igboland.”

Reacting to a meeting held by the governors and leaders last Sunday at the Enugu State Government House in an attempt to end ongoing protests by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and MASSOB, over the continued detention of the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, MASSOB rejected the resolutions, one of which was the setting up of a committee to dialogue with the pro-Biafrian agitators.

Saying that such resolution did not address the major reason for the protests, which it said, was the continued detention of Kanu, MASSOB asked: “how can revered Igbo leaders waste a whole day in a marathon meeting without discussing our simple demand of Nnamdi Kanu’s release?

“Are they afraid of Northern oligarchy, western alliance with north or President Buhari? The governors, Ohaneze and other Igbo leaders have proved that they’re not representing the interest & demands of Ndigbo.

National Director of Information, MASSOB, Uchenna Madu, said the only way to end the crisis is the unconditional release of Mr. Kanu.

“DSS is buying time for long incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu to impress Buhari and Northern political cabals that they can frustrate Biafra revolution.

“Long incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu by DSS will only motivate, inspire and increase the moral of Biafran agitators. How long shall they continue to detain an innocent man who already commands the massive respect of Ndigbo even in detention?

“MASSOB and IPOB members are not demonstrating or protesting against infrastructural decay in Igboland or non inclusion of Igbos in major political appointments but the release of our brother, Nnamdi Kanu, who represents the genuine desire of the people eastern region.

“Other demands and clamour of Ndigbo as a result of the current political tension are good but major one now is the release of Nnamdi Kanu.”

Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, who spoke to reporters on behalf of the Igbo leaders, which included present and past governors, ministers, national assembly members, had said the meeting resolved to set up a committee to dialogue with the pro-Biafra agitators. [myad]

President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja tomorrow for Malta to participate in the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which begins in the island nation on Friday.

The Commonwealth is made up of Britain, Nigeria and 51 other countries that work together to pursue common goals and promote development, democracy, peace, security and good governance.

A statement today by the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina said that Buhari and other Heads of State and Government who will be in Malta for this year’s summit are expected to deliberate on fresh Commonwealth initiatives on development and climate change with a view to adding greater value to ongoing global efforts in these areas.

Adesina said that a new Secretary-General of the Commonwealth who will take over from the incumbent, Kamalesh Sharma, will  be announced at the summit which will also feature the presentation of a progress report on the eradication of polio.

“The Head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, will formally declare the summit open and host a banquet in honour of President Buhari and other participating Heads of State and Government.

“At the conclusion of the Summit on Sunday, President Buhari will leave Malta for Paris where he will present Nigeria’s statement at the United Nations Climate Change Conference scheduled to open in the French capital on Monday, November 30.

“ The President will join over 100 other world leaders  at the Leaders Event on the opening day of the conference which will be hosted by President Francois Hollande of France and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon.

“President Buhari will also participate in a summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin Republic which has been scheduled to take place on December 2 in Paris on the sidelines of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change.

“Deliberations at the Paris meeting of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin Republic will focus mainly on the war against Boko Haram and other security issues of common interest to participating countries.”

The Presidential spokesman said that the President will be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Amina Mohammed and the National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd.). [myad]

President Muhammadu Buhari has been scheduled to visit Lagos on Friday, for the first time since he assumed office, to witness the re-branding and re-positioning of the state Rapid Response Squad (RRS).

In a statement by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, President Buhari will be the special guest of honour at the Lagos House, Alausa in Ikeja, to formally commission the three helicopters, patrol vehicles, power bikes and other security gadgets acquired by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration to beef up security in the state through the RRS.

The statement said that Buhari’s visit would further witness the rebranding of the RRS as the state’s no-nonsense police response squad against crime and criminality, adding that the President will also join Governor Ambode in handing over the brand new patrol equipment to the Police authorities in the state.

The equipment to be handed over include: three helicopters, two patrol boats, 100 motorcycles, 13 BM power bikes, 60 Ford salon cars, 55 Ford Rangers, 40 Toyota salon cars, 10 Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs, 31 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) as well as police uniforms and other kits.

Ayorinde said that the Friday’s ceremony will underscore the seriousness of the Lagos State Government in ensuring the security of lives and property, adding: “with these security equipment, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has demonstrated his firm commitment and ability to safeguard the lives and property of every Lagosian.

“The government is convinced this gesture will further boost the morale and capacity of the Police, RRS and other security agencies in the state. It is an attestation to the efficacy of the state’s Security Trust Fund and we believe that this will send a clear signal that criminals and armed robbers no longer have  hiding place in the state as government will spare no effort in ridding the state of every form of criminality.”

The statement added that the deployment of the security gadgets would further complement the efforts of the State Government in making the state a mega city that is working for all and   sundry.

“It is noteworthy that the Lagos State Government has stepped up its enforcement of traffic laws and declared zero tolerance on potholes on the roads, a decision that has brought to 282 the number of roads so far rehabilitated in the past five months while another set of 189 roads has been marked for repairs before the end of the year,” he said.

All these, Ayorinde noted, have not only improved the free flow of traffic in the state but have equally reduced the incidence of robberies in traffic.

The statement called on the residents to continue to support the government by abiding by the Lagos State Traffic Law, which forbids, among others, street trading, plying BRT lane by private and commercial vehicles and also restrict commercial motorcycles on the highways. [myad]

Nigeria army has scheduled the zonal recruitment screening exercise for indigenes of Lagos State that have undergone successful pre-screening for the Nigerian Army 74^th Regular recruits intake for November 30^. The recruitment exercise will last unto December 12.

A statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, said that the screening exercise will take place at the Headquarters of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Barracks in Akure, the Ondo State Capital.

The Statement added that the movement of the successful candidates from the Headquarters of 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Barracks, Akure to the Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria, Kaduna will take place immediately after the screening exercise.

It enjoined affected candidates to take advantage of the screening exercise. [myad]

A National Commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Akinola Muritala Salau is dead. He died last Saturday at the Turkish Hospital, Abuja at the age of 68.
He represented the South West geo-political zone in the INEC.
The late Professor Salau who has since been buried in Ibadan according Muslim rites, took ill last month at the Commission’s post-election retreat at the Le Meridien Hotel, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
Professor Akinola Muritala Salau was born on November 21st 1947. He hails from Oyo state.
Professor Salau took his first degree B.Sc (Second Class Upper) Hons. in Physics in 1971 at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) Ile-Ife. He had his M.Sc Applied Physics in 1974 and had his Ph.D Applied Physics in 1976.
Professor Salau was a Mathematics Teacher at Adeola Odutola Comprehensive High School, Ijebu-ode, in 1967; Higher School Certificate Physics and Mathematics Teacher, Baptist High School, Abeokuta in 1971; Graduate Assistant, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) Ile-Ife, from 1971-76; Lecturer II in Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife from 1976-1979; Visiting Scientist, Optical Sciences Centre, University of Arizona, Tucson, USA, in 1979; Lecturer I in Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, from 1979-1980; Senior Lecturer in Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, from 1980-1988; Director, Centre for Energy Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife from 1983-1992; Reader in Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife from 1988-1992; Professor of Physics, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife from 1992 to date; Associate Lecturer, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, (LAUTECH) Ogbomosho in 1995; Co-ordinator, Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho in 1997; Acting Vice Chancellor, LAUTECH, from July 6 1999 – May 22, 2000; Vice Chancellor, LAUTECH from May 23rd 2000 – May 22nd 2005.
Professor Salau who was a Fellow, Nigerian Academy of Science, was married and had five children. [myad]