Ikimi, Ribadu And Politics Of Defection, By Theophilus Ilevbare

September 8, 2014

In recent weeks, the All Progressive Congress(APC) has been rocked with a tidal wave of defection of founding members, Chief Tom Ikimi and the party’s 2011 presidential candidate, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu to the party Nigerians loathe but can’t vote out of power at the centre, the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). Ikimi’s grievance with the APC hierarchy stems from how he was barred from contesting the party’s chairmanship position.

The ease with which politicians decamp and re-decamp (return to a party one has left in the past) – the latest addition to Nigeria’s political lexicon – erodes any shadow of doubt if any ideological basis exists for much of what goes on in Nigeria’s political landscape. Defection has become the trade in stock of many politicians who have found such canvassing phrases as “there is no party that is exclusively for the good people or for the bad people,” reminding us of the sameness of the two major political parties as basis for cross carpeting.

Close observers of unfolding political events were not jolted by Chief Ikimi’s official resignation of his membership of the APC, after many weeks of withdrawal from party activities without disclosing his next political destination. His antecedents have shown he has no particular conviction. His political sojourn has seen him traversed the defunct APP, ANPP, ACN, PDP. The former Foreign Affairs Minister was a founding member of the APC. He was instrumental in the alliance that metamorphosed into the mega opposition party. It is only a matter of time before he re-decamps to the PDP. He has already expressed his readiness to join the ruling party and bring his wealth of experience to bear when members of the ruling party’s BoT, including Chief Tony Anenih and National Vice Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, led by the PDP National Chairman, AdamuMu’azu, paid Ikimi an august visit.

Indeed, Ikimi and Ribadu, like every other politician and Nigerian, have every right to exercise their freedom of association with any political party in the country, but it should be consistent with the ideology and principle that defines the character of the politician and his political party.

However, the manner Chief Tom Ikimi and other founding members of the party like AlhajiAttahiruBafawara, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, Brig-Gen Buba Marwa (rtd), Mr. Marcus Gundiri among others who helped to nurture the APC to mega status, have drifted to the PDP calls for concern and genuine fears for the future of the progressive party. When such party stalwarts dump the APC in droves, it is an indication that Bola Tinubu, who prides himself as the sole financier of the party, regrettably, is not upholding democratic principles in the affairs of his party. If the APC retains and wins more seats or otherwise in 2015, the party takes the credit, if not the APC will pay the price for his highhandedness. The buck stops with him. This is the party Nigerians are looking up to as an alternate platform to wrestle power from the PDP.

What shall we say of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu? He once described the PDP as a disaster and a total failure in his heyday in the APC. In the weeks leading up to the PDP governorship primaries for Adamawa state bye-election, the former anti-corruption czar joined the PDP, the only party he thinks on whose platform can make him realise his ambition to hold elective office. These days, he regales us with tales of the sameness of PDP and APC. He was quoted as saying ‘there is no party that is exclusively for the good people or for the bad people’ That Ribadu has taken a walk from the APC has raised all sort of personality and ideological issues, particularly as they affect young Nigerians who hitherto looked up to such political figures for some sort of mentorship.

Consequently, many have called Ribadu’s character into question, especially those who were cynical about the manner he discharged his duties as EFCC Boss. He seem to have acted in character that is consistent with other Nigerian politicians even if his ‘intolerant’ and ‘ruthless’ stand against corruption gave him a garb of incorruptibility. Since he joined the murky waters of Nigeria’s politics, he has become a turncoat-in-waiting. Indeed, Ribadu the politician is different from Ribadu the crime fighter who once sat atop Nigeria’s foremost anti-graft agency.

Has Ribadu lost faith and confidence in the APC for allegedly selling out in the 2011 general elections to the PDP Goodluck Jonathan candidacy? If truly Ribadu was sacrificed by his own party whose attitude to winning the election was at best casual, as Ikimi submitted in his lengthy missive to Bola Tinubu, who sold out the party? Could it be that Ribadu’s heart and soul has never been with the APC since then? Has he been hobnobbing with PDP politicians all the while? Or maybe he thought to himself, if the party could sell out at the eleventh hour in 2011, there is nothing stopping the APC from repeating such this time?

Essentially, nothing separates a politician in party A from another in party B. The current wave of impeachment blowing across the country is yet another indication that politicians do not have any genuine intention to serve the people. They seek personal elevation and gains to quench their insatiable greed for power. It is this brand of politics that has thrown up charlatans in political offices and the present leadership bankruptcy in the country.

Elsewhere, lifetime commitments to political parties and ideologies are made that even transcends to generations unborn. Political parties have clearly defined principles that differentiate them from other parties.

Nigerian politicians suffer from compulsive obsessive disorder to occupy political office and will stop at nothing; defecting from one party to another, sponsoring terrorism, blackmail, cultism, rigging and all what not to clinch power. Their desperation to occupy political office and lack of political character cannot deepen democracy. To them, principle should never be an issue on the front burner, ideology and manifestoes mean nothing on the premise of the fallacy that the end justifies the means.

You can follow the writer on twitter @tilevbare. [myad]

Atiku Abubakar Foresees Failure Of October 11 Guber Poll In Adamawa Unless…

Greenbarge Reporters

September 8, 2014

Former Nigerian Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar has seen the state of emergency in Adamawa state as a strong factor that could work against successful conduct of gubernatorial election scheduled to hold in the state on October 11, even as he called for an urgent meeting of critical stakeholders in the state to address the matter.
He said that in order to ensure a free and fair governorship election in the state on the scheduled date, an urgent parley of Adamawa critical stakeholders comprising the major political parties, security agencies, Adamawa State Government, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), civil society and election observers and religious as well as traditional rulers is necessary.
The former Vice President who is also the Turakin of Adamawa made the call in a statement in Abuja against the backdrop of the prevailing state of emergency which many people fear can suffocation the sovereignty of the people.
Atiku Abubakar noted that his call for emergency stakeholders’ followed the results of NOI Polls which revealed that 55 percent of adult Nigerians wanted the emergency rule imposed on three states in the North-east region lifted during the 2015 elections.
According to the former Vice President, 72 percent of those surveyed from the region advocated for the lifting of the emergency rule for the purposes of the 2015 election in the states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.
Atiku said that the envisaged meeting should be able to fashion out modalities for ensuring a free and fair election in an emergency rule in Adamawa State.
He said that the Adamawa situation could be used as a fore runner of the 2015 elections, even as he expressed the imperative of providing adequate security in the state, especially with the peculiar situation presented by the emergency rule.
Atiku Abubakar observed that the prevailing emergency rule may pose difficulties, if not impossible for voters in the state to perform their civic rights of franchise.
He said that apart from hindering the people of the state the freedom to cast their ballots, the rights of free movement and association, which ordinarily afford people opportunity to attend political rallies and gatherings would be compromised under an emergency rule.
He said that the emergency rule in the state also calls to question, the expected level playing ground, which the government is supposed to provide for all political parties participating in the election since the Federal Government is also an interested party in the election through the participation of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The former Vice President stressed the need to balance all the conditions precedent in the state ahead of the October 11 governorship election in the interest of democracy, justice and fair-play. [myad]

Jonathan Visits Chad To Strengthen Paris Accord With Idriss Deby

Greenbarge Reporters

September 8, 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan will be off to Ndjamena, Chadian federal capital today, to, among others, strengthen the Paris Accord on joint border patrols, intelligence sharing and the prevention of the illicit movement of terrorists, criminals, arms and ammunition across shared borders, with President Idriss Deby.
The two leaders will also discuss further actualization of agreements for greater cooperation against insurgents and terrorists which was reached by Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon at a meeting in Paris earlier this year.
These were contained in a statement, in Abuja, by special adviser to President Jonathan on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.
The state said that President Jonathan visit to Chad is in continuation of the Nigerian Government’s efforts to forge a stronger alliance against terrorism and violent extremism with Nigeria’s neighbours.
The President has been scheduled to play the role of Special Guest of Honour at an international conference on Information Technology and Communication, holding in Ndjamena Monday.
The President will be accompanied on the visit by the National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson; the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nurudeen Mohammed and the Director General of the National Space Research and Development Agency, Professor Sheidu Mohammed.
He is expected back in Nigeria with his entourage, tomorrow, Tuesday. [myad]

Abuja Land Reform: Senator Bala’s Finest Point, By Ibrahim Biu

Greenbarge Reporters

September 7, 2014

The introduction of the land management outfit in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Muhammed, to be known as the Accelerated Area Council’s Title Reissuance Scheme (AACTRIS) has brought the best in the minister’s tenure.
He really deserves commendation from FCT residents and other stakeholders.
The programme will go a long way in addressing problems being encountered by allotees of land from the area councils as well as deal with land issues emanating from the six area councils in the FCT.
Also worthy of commendation is the taking over of the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS) from the management of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
It will be recalled that Julius Berger Plc took over AGIS in the wake of the Nasiru El-Rufai reforms that swept through the former ministry of the FCT leading to subsequent establishment of secretariat agencies, departments, including the AGIS.
One can see a very bright future for the FCT under Senator Bala Muhammed’s leadership who appears to be a detribalized Nigerian, and ready to offer his best to the nation as a whole.

Biu sent this letter from Abuja.

[myad]

Indian Man Divorces Wife For Excessive Sex

Greenbarge Reporters

September 7, 2014

An Indian man from Mumbai has been granted a divorce after complaining that he could not deal with his wife’s ‘excessive and insatiable’ appetite for sex.

The exhausted husband approached a Mumbai family court in January, claiming that his wife had been harassing him for sex ever since they married in 2012 and that she had been ‘aggressive and autocratic’ in her methods.

The man told the court that his wife had even plied him with medication to boost his libido and threatened to shack up with other men if he failed to satisfy her vast appetites.

The sex-fatigued husband – who says his appendicitis last year was caused by lack of rest – had his wish granted.

‘Due to respondent’s (wife’s) non-appearance before the court, the petitioner’s (husband’s) evidence remains unchallenged on record. Hence this court has no option but to accept his evidence as it is,’ said Principal Judge Laxmi Rao. [myad]

Today’s Boko Haram Is Different – Dr. Stephen Davis, Says He Was Not Invited By Government, By Soni Daniel

Greenbarge Reporters

September 7, 2014

I first met Dr. Stephen Davis at the American Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, in June 2009. At that time, the Australian was assisting the Federal Government of Nigeria to broker peace with the irate Niger Delta militants, who had taken up arms against the administration and almost rendered its oil-dependent economy comatose through oil theft, destruction of facilities and kidnapping of oil workers.

We lost contact until I got to know that he had been involved in the effort to free the Chibok girls. Some other reports claimed he was hired by government to negotiate with Boko Haram.

However, in this interview, Davies makes it clear he was never engaged by the Nigerian government to dialogue with the sect.

Excerpts of the interview:

What do you have to show that you were engaged by the Nigerian government to negotiate with Boko Haram?

I was not engaged by the Federal Government of Nigeria, any state government or any other party. I went to Nigeria in late April in an effort to facilitate a handover of the Chibok captives after discussing such a possibility with former commanders of JAS (Jama’atu Ahlul Sunnah Lih Da’awa wal Jihad otherwise known as JAS) and others close to Boko Haram.

Why did you release the report of your assignment to the media instead of sending it to government?

I did not construct a report of my efforts in Nigeria. As I said earlier, I was not engaged by any party and therefore had no obligation to report to anyone.

Some Nigerians find it curious that you decided to give your report only to Arise TV, owned by a Nigerian, Nduka Obiagbena, who also owns Thisday Newspapers and may be sympathetic to some politicians in Nigeria.

I gave a radio interview to the ABC in Australia which subsequently told me that after the transcript was posted to their online site, it had been picked up in the UK and Sky News requested an interview. In the hope of bringing attention to the many other girls and boys kidnapped by Boko Haram, I agreed to a television interview. That interview took place in Channel 7 studios in Australia and it was at that point that I was told it was an interview with Arise TV. I had not heard of Arise TV and did not know it was owned by a Nigerian or indeed that it had any association with Nigeria. At the time of giving the TV interview, I was of the understanding that it would be broadcast by Sky News in the UK.

On Mr Obiagbena, I have not met him or ever been contacted by him.

Many Nigerians find it extremely difficult to understand how the former Chief of the Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ihejirika, who actually fought Boko Haram elements and was accused of genocide could be linked with sponsoring the violent group.

It is much easier to understand Mr. Sheriff’s alleged association with Boko Haram than any association of Mr Ihejirika. Mr. Sheriff was said to have a long history of promoting groups to assist in his past efforts to win the governorship of Borno State. On 29 July 2009, there was a confrontation with security officers at Mamudo Village, along Potiskum/Damaturu Road, Yobe. 33 JAS members were killed. Later that night, there was a long battle with combined security operatives at Railway Terminus, Maiduguri, Borno State. Scores were killed and the JAS operational base was destroyed. Yusuf was subsequently captured by the military and handed over to the police. The JAS alleged that it was on Sheriff’s orders that Yusuf was executed in Maiduguri on 30 July 2009. Shekau was presumed killed in the same battle and a corpse was identified as that of Shekau. Thus the remaining JAS leaders made it clear their intention was to kill Sheriff and so it is right that Sheriff claims he is a victim of JAS. The Boko Haram we see today is not the JAS that was operational under Yusuf. Shekau emerged in mid-2010 and publicly claimed the leadership of a reinvigorated JAS.

Shekau formed Ansaru which he used for kidnapping and beheading victims. This behaviour was a major departure from the original mandate of the JAS which was to purify Islam and return it to the behaviour example in the life of the Prophet. Many among the JAS leadership are no longer active and others have been killed. This has allowed Shekau to take the JAS to more extreme action and expanded the kidnapping, bombing and slaughtering. The Boko Haram we have today is a much expanded Ansaru. What we see now is not the Yusufiya which wanted very much to settle scores with Sheriff. It is Boko Haram as a partner to ISIS and Al Shabaab.

Now I will offer an opinion as to the motives of the sponsors of Boko Haram. The political sponsors of Boko Haram seem to think that they can use Boko Haram to terrorise Nigeria to demonstrate that the current government cannot ensure the security of Nigerian citizens both Muslim and Christian. Therein the sponsors assume they can undermine any efforts of the current government to be re-elected in 2015. Herein lies the flaw for the conflict and instability currently being fanned suits the aims of Al Qa’eda and the architects of terrorism. Should the sponsors of Boko Haram win government in 2015, they will likely find that they cannot turn Boko Haram off or that Boko Haram will demand control of at least Borno State in return for reducing their attacks. Borno State may be just the beginning of an expanding caliphate.

Several Boko Haram commanders and other persons close to and respected by Boko Haram have told me the names of some of the sponsors of Boko Haram. They have also described how some funds are transferred and arms made available. I have made public some of that information. I have also been told by some commanders that if one of the sponsors is arrested, they will surrender, release the girls and give information on the sponsors. Not all Boko Haram commanders will follow this lead but it may be a firm step towards dismantling or at least isolating Boko Haram. [myad]

Grammar Has Never Put Food On Table, By Yusuf Ozi-Usman

Yusuf Ozi-Usman

September 7, 2014

Nigerian politicians in leadership positions in particular, have learnt long ago how to blow grammar simply to daze Nigerians. They have come to understand the fact that Nigerians are the easiest set of people in the world to rule. This is probably because of the marked differences amongst the various components which are often exploited by the leaders to maintain some form of stability.
As a matter of fact, a leader who perform poorly in delivering service to the people, would find it convenient to whip up tribal or ethnic or religious or other sentiments, depending on the situation prevailing, to cover up, and the next thing, the group he belongs to rises in his defense.
Just when an idea came to me to write on millions of Nigerians that are currently wallowing in abject poverty in spite of the regime of Transformation Agenda, came a statement credited to the minister of labour and productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, giving reasons why Nigerians are still living in abject poverty.
Chief Wogu first started by blowing the shop-worn grammar, which has been used even by colonialists and leaderships from time immemorial by saying that Nigeria has no business being poor because of the vast natural resources that abound in its nooks and crannies.
Speaking at the 14th National Productivity Day and the award of recognition to selected Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in various fields of endevour, in Abuja, the minister, also, as usual with leaders before him, said that for the country to progress and achieve the vision of its fore fathers, there must be improved productivity at all levels, asserting that the country had missed so many opportunities that made her not to take her rightful place as an economic giant in the comity of nations.
He expressed optimism that the articulated Transformation Agenda of the present government, led by President Goodluck Jonathan, had put it on a sustainable path of economic growth and development.
“The history of this nation is replete with so many missed opportunities and low productivity that have prevented the country from taking its rightful place as an economic giant in the comity of nations. Indeed, Nigeria has no business with poverty given our vast natural resources.
“The country, therefore, needed transformation in all sectors of the economy of jumpstart Nigeria’s growth. We must all strive to ensure that this nation achieves its vision of being one of the 20 largest economies in the world in year 2020.”
Of course, Nigerians have never lacked finest speakers; those whose words could sooth even the most broken heart to sleep. But, have such words brought food to the table to traumatized Nigerians?

[su_heading size=”14″] Read More Articles From This Author: Yusuf Ozi-Usman [/su_heading]

[myad]

Dimgba Igwe Was My Personal Friend, Says Atiku Abubakar

Greenbarge Reporters

September 7, 2014

Former Nigeria Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described late Dimgba Igwe, Vice Chairman of the Sun Newspaper Company, knocked down and killed by a moving vehicle in the early hours of Saturday in Lagos as a personal friend.
He recalled that he last saw Dimba Igwe in January this year and that he was as lively as ever “and full of bluster.”
In a statement personally signed by himself, Atiku Abubakar said: “the demise of Dimba Igwe, who was a personal friend of mine will leave a huge hole in the spectrum of journalism profession in Nigeria.
“The sudden nature of his death came as a rude shock and journalism in Nigeria has lost a gem and will surely miss one of its finest minds.
“My condolences go to the Nigeria Press Organization (NPO), the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the Sun Newspapers of Nigeria, where he was deputy chairman of the board of directors and his family. It is my prayer that God almighty gives them the fortitude to bear the loss.”

This is even as the former Lagos governor and current chieftain of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu described the death of Dimgba Igwe as shocking, adding: “The tribe of great journalists in Nigeria has again been depleted by this sudden death. It is indeed a sad day for the media and all those that were associated with Dimgba. He was a thoroug bred journalist and writer who remained steadfast and lifted the Sun newspapers to a position of reckoning.”

Tinubu who described the circumstances of his death as painful and avoidable said it was a great loss that saddened him deeply.

“I knew Dimgba personally and respected his professional contributions to building our country. I recall vividly my encounter with him. Dimgba and Mike Awoyinfa after chasing me down and interviewed me for close to three hours on the book they were writing on Lagos state and the post military era development. It was an enjoyable experience.

“My condolences go out to his wife and family and all relatives. I pray God will grant them strength for this period and peace they need this trying time.Tinubu also extends his heartfelt sympathy to the publisher, management and staff of The Sun newspapers.” [myad]

Photo: Vice President Namadi Sambo Kick-Starts 2015 Hajj Airlift

Greenbarge Reporters

September 6, 2014

VICE PRESIDENT MOHAMMED NAMADI SAMBO RIGHT WITH GOVERNOR SULE LAMIDO OF JIGAWA STATE ON ARRIVAL AT DUTSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT JIGAWA STATE TO FLAGG OFF THE AIRLIFT OF 2014 HAJJ PILGRIMS

L-R THE 2014 NATIONAL AMIRUL HAJJ AND THE OBA OF LAGOS RILWAN BABTUNDE OSUOLALE, SULTAN OF SOKOTO AND THE PERMANENT NATIONAL AMIRUL HAJJ SA’AD ABUBAKAR, VICE PRESIDENT MOHAMMED NAMADI SAMBO GOVERNOR SULE LAMIDO OF JIGAWA STATE AND HIS NIGER STATE COUNTERPART BABANGIDA ALIYU AT AR’THE FLAGG-OFF OF THE AIRLIFT OF 2014 HAJJ PILGRIMS

[myad]

Vice President Namadi Sambo Kick-Starts 2015 Hajj Airlift, Requests Pilgrims To Offer Special Prayers For Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

September 6, 2014

Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, today at Dutse International Airport, capital of Jigawa state, flagged-off this year’s airlift operations of the Muslim intending pilgrims for the annual hajj to Saudi Arabia.
Namadi Sambo, who performed the opening of the airlift on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, requested the pilgrims to offer special prayers for the country to contain the various challenges it is facing.
“I believe all pilgrims are aware of the challenges facing our country. These challenges require not only dedication of the leadership but also prayers from every pilgrim. We should therefore be persistent in our prayers for peace, progress and prosperity of our beloved country.”
The Vice President reminded the pilgrims of their spiritual obligations as they perform the Hajj and called on them to dedicate themselves to the spiritual revival of their souls so that they could achieve “good life on earth and aspire for eternal bliss in the hereafter.”
He prayed to God for their safe airlift and successful Hajj pilgrimage even as he called on them to conduct themselves with decorum during th exercise.
Namadi Sambo was happy with improvement in airlifting of pilgrims to the Holy Land, adding that Nigeria has been able to meet the deadline set by the Saudi authorities.
“I am glad to note that the days when Nigeria requested for extension of time from Saudi Arabia because of our inability to beat the airlift deadline for the closure of the King Abdulazeez International Airport are gone for good.”
He equally commended the Nigeria Hajj Commission for its improved performance by overcoming numerous challenges that confronted it before.
“We note the improvement in performance of Hajj operations in Nigeria. I urge the leadership of the Hajj Commission to see this improvement as a motivation to propel it to greater height so that Hajj operations in Nigeria will tow the line of International Best Practice.”
He said
He added that the federal government has been supportive of the welfare of all Muslims through the Hajj commission through renderin assistance to the pilgrims with consular, medical and exchange support services.
“While the government will continue to meet these primary and essential needs, it is important that the commission works towards being more self-sustaining and self-financing.”
The Vice President assured Nigerians that federal government is doing everything possible to contain the spread of the Ebola virus and has promised to continue supporting all the states in the federation.
According to him, the federal government has, in addition to the N200million support fund to Lagos state, earmarked the sum of N1.9billion as support for states to contain the spread of the deadly virus.
He added that this support has also been extended to some neigbouring countries to contain the spread of the disease.
In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto and Permanent National Amirul Hajj, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar commended the efforts of the federal government in containing the spread of the dreaded Ebola virus in the country which, he said, has made this year’s Hajj possible.
He warned the pilgrims to adhere strictly to the rules and regulations governing the performance of Hajj and to present themselves to all necessary medical tests to be carried out on them.
The Sultan also called for special prayers by the pilgrims to defeat all the evils in the country, even as he urged all Nigerians to join hands in bringing to an end the security challenges facing the country.
The Oba of Lagos and this year’s National Amirul Hajj, Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale, advised the pilgrims to conduct themselves with decorum and to be honest. He asked them not to engage in any act capable of tarnishing the image of the country.
He appealed to the pilgrims to stay clear of commercial interests and be steadfast in their Hajj obligations even as he appealed to the Federal Government to increase its funding to the Hajj Commission, particularly in the area of security.
In his own remarks, the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello said that the first set of 530 pilgrims from Jigawa state would be airlifted today at the Dutse International airport to mark the commencement of the airlift of pilgrims for this year’s Hajj.
According to the commission’s Chairman, there are twelve designated departure centers in the country, including four new centers in Enugu, Bauchi, Kebbi and Dutse. These are where the first set of pilgrims would be airlifted.
He expressed his gratitude to the federal government for the support it has extended to the commission, which, he said, has made it possible for it to move to higher level each year.
Also in his remarks, the host Governor, Sule Lamido expressed gratitude to the National Hajj Commission for the choice of his state as the centre to flag-off this year’s Hajj operation.
He described his role as supportive while calling for prayers for the nation from the pilgrims.

[myad]

1...2,3872,3882,389...2,499 Page 2,388 of 2,499