Aviation workers’ unions have concluded plan to shutdown all the Nigeria’s airport in a two-day warning strike from Monday, April 17.
The strike is coming as a result of the failure to implement the conditions of service agreement between the union and some aviation agencies. Officials of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, in a statement in Lagos
said that an indefinite strike would begin after the two-day warning strike if their demands are not met.
”Our unions issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Honourable Minister of Ravi at ion and specific aviation parastatals on Feb. 7, over non-implementation of minimum wage consequential adjustments and arrears for the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet ), refusal of the Income & Wages Commission and Office of the Head of Service of the Federation to release the reviewed Condition of Service of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET).
“Also planned demolition exercise of aviation’s agency buildings in Lagos by the Minister of Aviation for an airport city project has been strong resisted by our union but the ministry remains adamant so we are commencing the warning strike,” the union said. The aviation union urged its members to comply with the the directive adding that its state councils, branches and executives to enforce the directive without compromise.”
Other unions in the group are the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers and the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation Civil Service Technical and Recreation Services
Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote has vowed to focus on organic growth in Nigeria and Pan-Africa as well as ensuring that Africa’s regional integration becomes a reality.
“We will continue to make sure that we keep our shareholders happy. Not only the shareholders but all our other stakeholders… Our strategy remains steadfast.”
Aliko Dangote, who spoke at the 14th Annual General Meeting (AGM), of the company in Lagos, said that the prospects for the cement company remain bright as the management will continue to innovate on quality products delivery to millions of its customers across Africa while touching the lives of its host communities.
“We will continue to contribute to improving regional trade within Africa by building plants across West and Central Africa, guided by our vision of making the region cement and clinker self-sufficient. In addition, we aim to deliver higher returns and value to our shareholders.”
The said that despite the challenging macroeconomic environment in 2022, the company still made great strides, performed admirably, and remains Africa’s largest and leading cement producer.
Aliko Dangote said that in the face of unexpected challenges in 2022, the company implemented robust cost reduction strategies to manage the inflationary environment, and thus enhanced its competitiveness while maintaining high levels of product quality and customer service delivery.
“In addition, we achieved giant strides in transitioning to cleaner energy, with our cost containment initiative propelling the use of Alternative Fuel (AF) to replace more expensive fossil fuels, such as coal and gas. We also increased the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for our trucks due to the rising diesel cost environment.
“These efforts have helped us reduce our cost base and enhanced our flexibility, enabling the Company to respond more effectively to changes in the market. As a result, we recorded revenue and EBITDA growth of 17.0 per cent and 3.5 per cent from the prior year respectively, albeit under unprecedented inflationary pressure. We also achieved a profit after tax of ₦382.3 billion, up 4.9 per cent compared to 2021.”
Aliko Dangote said that that the company achieved its highest revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) in history at ₦1,618.3 billion and ₦708.2 billion, respectively. The exceptional EBITDA, according to him, was supported by its numerous cost containment measures, substituting higher-cost fuel for cheaper alternative fuel products.
“Over the last twelve years, volumes have grown by a double-digit compound annual growth rate of 11.2 per cent. Similarly, EBITDA has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 16.3 per cent, over the same period, implying a five-fold increase and revealing a true growth story.
“Accordingly, we closed the year with a profit after tax of ₦382.3 billion and an Earning per Share (EPS) of ₦22.27. Despite these accomplishments, we are not resting on our laurels. We recognise that the business environment remains volatile, so we will continue to evolve with the changing times while embracing technological advancement.”
Speaking on the Company’s Annual Reports, Chairman of the Shareholders Association, Mrs. Bisi Bakare, commended the management of Dangote Cement for its doggedness during the year under review for still being able to exceed the shareholders’ expectation in view of the inclement economic weather under which companies operated in the country.
She said that the shareholders were happy for the returns, pointing out that it only means that the company was living up to its billing as the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa, adding that if not for the resilience of the management, the company would not be able to post such an impressive performance in 2022.
Mrs.. Bakare alluded to the successful listing of the N300 billion series bond by the Company, saying the company succeeded largely due to the confidence reposed in the company and its management by the investing public.
“It is not all companies that could record such a feat given the huge amount involved and the biting economic situation.”
There’s a saying in Yoruba language that the horse does not spurn the final gallop home. True. Home is that place you go to rest, after the labour and toil of the day. It is that place you find succor and respite, after the vagaries and vicissitudes that go with your daily exertions. No wonder they say, home, sweet home. There shouldn’t be a bad home. Worse than hell.
In about 44 days, we’ll be home. Who are the ‘we?’ Those of us who serve with President Muhammadu Buhari, whose second term expires on May 29, this year.
Some of us have been around, serving in government since 2015. Eight solid years of being like a sojourner in a foreign land. Modern day Gershoms, (Exodus 2:22) who left home, family, profession, abandoned terra firma to go into what was then terra incognita. We had never served in government, didn’t even want to, but for love of country and of that honest man from Daura, we took the plunge. Now, it’s time to return home. Happily.
I’ve had two types of experiences as we embark on the final gallop home. Some people pray with you, wish you happy and safe landing. They tell of how much they would miss you in the public domain. Others, low people, despicable, count the remaining days with glee, saying whether you liked it or not, “you will soon be out of that place.” Deserving of pity. Do they know that I started counting the remaining days long before them? “And teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalm 90, verse 12).
The clutter you generate in eight years can be a huge pile. And that is what has happened in my office. All sorts of files, documents, proposals, which would really make no meaning to the next occupant of the office. I met an office that was spick and span, and I need to leave the same for my successor. Why bequeath what is akin to an Augean stable, and pass unnecessary burden to him? Or her?
So, in the last couple of weeks, I’d been painstakingly going through my office with a fine tooth comb. I’ve looked at every document, thrown away what is considered not useful again, kept those which will come handy in the writing of my memoirs, and filed those the next Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity will find useful.
You need to see how I vibrate each time I engage in this packing. With joy, expectations, like a horse galloping home. And my Secretary of eight years, Rosemary Ezugoh, a career civil servant who was there before me, and remains after me, would come in, hiss, turn her face away, and say: “Oga is just harassing us with the fact that he’s leaving soon.” Hahahaahaaaa. “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one that is to come,” says the Good Book. (Hebrews 13, verse 14).
Many people have I met across all walks of life, who congratulate me for successfully serving as S. A Media for 8 years (only Chief Duro Onabule, God rest his soul, has done that, serving Ibrahim Babangida for that same length of time, and no one has achieved it in a democracy). They pray that we will end well, and land safely.
I thank such people, and bless them in my heart. They are good souls, and God will reward them. Amen.
But those low people? They also abound, particularly on social media. They use the anonymity of that platform, and their own lack of good upbringing, to spew all sorts of bile. “You will soon be out of that place. You will come back and meet us.” As if they were the persons that sent me to serve in the first place, and as if I was accountable to them. I simply laugh them to scorn.
The reason? When you are on this kind of National assignment, it’s your boss you are strictly responsible to, and not other extraneous tendencies. You hold your office at his pleasure. Once he’s satisfied with you, forget the noise of the market. The Good Book: “Who are you to judge another man’s servant? It is before his master that he rises or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:4)
How many times have I appeared on television, granted radio interviews, and the President has watched, listened, or read every word I said in newspapers. He would see me later, and thank me for being there.
I won’t forget two particular instances, among very many. I had appeared on Sunday Politics, on Channels Television, and you know how combative, nay, pugilistic, the host of the show, Seun Okinbaloye, can be. Well, you know also that your’s truly can equally hold his own.
The next morning, the President saw me in the office. And said: “Adesina, I watched you on television last night. I could virtually see how fast your brain was working. The interviewer was digging holes for you, and you were cleverly sidestepping them. I said to myself; are these people not colleagues? So, why was he trying to pull you down? Thank you, thank you and thank you for being there.”
We laughed.
At another time, early in the life of the administration, my church, Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, was turning 60. The leadership asked if the President could receive them.
I spoke with President Buhari. And he said; why not? Let them come.
The then General Overseer, Rev Felix Meduoye, led a team of about 10 people. During the meeting, he said thank you to the President for appointing one of their members as his media adviser. And what did the President say?
“I should rather thank Adesina for coming to serve. He has built a professional career of integrity and sound reputation, and he now brought everything to serve us.
“Whenever his colleagues come after me, which they do often, I hide behind him. I take refuge behind him. So, I am the one to say thank you to him.”
General laughter.
So, that is why when the mob, whom I gave the epithet Wailing Wailers, come after me, calling me all kinds of names, it never bothers me. I have the confidence of my master, and that is all that matters.
We land in about 44 days, and it shall be a safe landing, as good people do pray. “When I land I land softly on a sofa floor. So far so good ko ni baje o…” (apologies Kizz Daniel and Tekno, in their song, Buga).
In 8 years, “Good friends we have, oh, good friends we’ve lost, along the way…” (Bob Marley, No Woman no Cry). That is a topic for another day, soon, by the grace of God.
In my very first week as Media Adviser, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, had visited the Villa, and met me along the walkway to the President’s office. We had been acquainted for many years before then and he usually called me by my email. And he said: “Kulikulii, you have come to do a very thankless job. That’s the way it has been for your predecessors, but with you, it won’t be so.”
And I’ve not stopped saying amen to that prayer for 8 years, and no low person will stop me from that amen chorus.
Amen, somebody!
*Adesina is Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Buhari
The British Immigration authority has apologized to the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25 election in Nigeria, Peter Obi, for detaining him at the Heathrow Airport, London after they gave him detention note.
The officials had detained Peter Obi for allegedly “committing several financial crimes only to find out that he was being impersonated.”
In the apology, the UK authority admitted that the uncomplimentary treatment Obi received was “completely unacceptable.”
“Frankly, the Immigration Official’s action has been appalling and we are sorry.”
Peter Obi was detained and interrogated for hours by immigration officials at Heathrow Airport in London on April 7, 2023.
The Head of Obi-Datti Media Campaign Office, Diran Onifade, who confirmed the development, in a statement yesterday, April 12, said that Obi was wrongly detained over offences allegedly committed by an impostor who is still at large.
He said that the impostor of Obi might have committed various crimes that would lead to the arrest of the LP flagbearer in the United Kingdom for duplication.
“The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi just back from London, United Kingdom where he celebrated Easter, has confirmed that he was harassed by London immigration officials and placed in detention but for the spontaneous reaction of Nigerians at Heathrow Airport,” Onifade said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State has chosen the state Auditor General, Ahmed Usman Ododo, as its candidate for the November 11 governorship election. The decision was announced by Governor Yahaya Bello at a stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday at the party secretariat in Lokoja.
The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the primary election committee, Governor Mohammed Bello-Matawale of Zamfara, who confirmed the development. He said that all other aspirants who have not withdrawn from the race are free to participate in Friday’s primary to be held across the state.
However, some of the prominent aspirants have already pulled out of the contest, including the Deputy Governor, Edward Onoja; and the Chief of Staff to Governor Bello, Mohammed Asuku. They both declared their loyalty and support for the governor’s choice on their respective Facebook pages shortly after the meeting.
Other aspirants who have also withdrawn from the race are David Jimoh, Ashiru Idris, Okala Yakubu, and Momoh Jubril. The remaining aspirants include Abdulkareem Asuku, Murtala Ajaka, and Smart Adeyemi.
Meanwhile, the APC has adopted the direct mode of primary for its Kogi State governorship primary election. This means that all registered members of the party will vote for their preferred candidate.
The party had earlier opted for indirect primary based on the request of the State Working Committee (SWC), but later reversed itself following protests by aspirants and party stakeholders. The party said a special congress will be held on Saturday to ratify the candidate with the highest number of votes at the primary.
An Ibadan-based man, Oluwasina Adeshina, has disowned five out of the six children his wife has in the matrimonial home, claiming that five out of the six children they have are for their pastor.
Adesina said: “I caught my pastor on bed with my wife. He is the father of five of my wife’s six children”
Speaking on a family affairs radio: “Kokoro Alate” on Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Ibadan, Oyo State, he said that the Pastor, simply known as Pastor Adeyele, “is the father of five of our assumed six children”
He said that he caught his pastor making love to his wife in his one bedroom rented apartment.
Adeshina said that he had sent his wife packing on many occasions, but that she refused to leave his house.
But, narrating her own side of the story, the woman, Alimat Adeshina, said that she gave birth to twins twice and had a total of six children.
She said that she never gave birth to a child for the pastor, saying that the pastor had written to the family of her husband, even as she admitted that he had at some point had affairs with her.
And pastor Adeyele said that the family joined his church in 2013, and that he had affairs with her in 2014 and for the fact that the husband of the woman was good to him, he had to confess and apologise for his misdeeds.
“They gave birth to twins in 2016, and I was the one who named the children. They stopped coming to my church since around 2018 because a church was established close to them.”
The Pastor narrated that in January, he got a call for an invitation from Akobo Police Station.
“I met the woman (Alimat) there saying that her husband had sent her parking with 6 children asking for how I could assist. I recalled the story, and we were allowed to go.
“I received another call from Agidigbo Radio concerning this case again that the husband claimed that I am the father of 5 of his 6 children.”
Oluwashina (husband) said that his family started attending the pastor’s church in 2014 after his mother’s death.
“The case started when the pastor told me my wife reported that I don’t dress well. I accused them of extramarital affairs then, and I was later told by the pastor that my wife would get pregnant and that we must not abort the child.
“The pastor told us to begin a vigil together, and he was coming around to sleep on my bed with my wife while I sleep on the floor. The first time he came, I told my wife to come with me, but she insisted she’s sleeping beside the pastor.
“I caught them moaning one day while they thought I was asleep. They were having a conversation, and when I confronted the pastor, he accepted but told me to save his image due to his pastoral ministry.
“He later came to my shop telling me to ensure no other person hears about the case if I wanted to remain alive that he would come back for his children when they clock 15.
“My wife took my case to her family house, accusing me of not taking care of the children.”
There’s a saying in Yoruba language that the horse does not spurn the final gallop home. True. Home is that place you go to rest, after the labour and toil of the day. It is that place you find succor and respite, after the vagaries and vicissitudes that go with your daily exertions. No wonder they say, home, sweet home. There shouldn’t be a bad home. Worse than hell.
In about 44 days, we’ll be home. Who are the ‘we?’ Those of us who serve with President Muhammadu Buhari, whose second term expires on May 29, this year.
Some of us have been around, serving in government since 2015. Eight solid years of being like a sojourner in a foreign land. Modern day Gershoms, (Exodus 2:22) who left home, family, profession, abandoned terra firma to go into what was then terra incognita. We had never served in government, didn’t even want to, but for love of country and of that honest man from Daura, we took the plunge. Now, it’s time to return home. Happily.
I’ve had two types of experiences as we embark on the final gallop home. Some people pray with you, wish you happy and safe landing. They tell of how much they would miss you in the public domain. Others, low people, despicable, count the remaining days with glee, saying whether you liked it or not, “you will soon be out of that place.” Deserving of pity. Do they know that I started counting the remaining days long before them? “And teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalm 90, verse 12).
The clutter you generate in eight years can be a huge pile. And that is what has happened in my office. All sorts of files, documents, proposals, which would really make no meaning to the next occupant of the office. I met an office that was spick and span, and I need to leave the same for my successor. Why bequeath what is akin to an Augean stable, and pass unnecessary burden to him? Or her?
So, in the last couple of weeks, I’d been painstakingly going through my office with a fine tooth comb. I’ve looked at every document, thrown away what is considered not useful again, kept those which will come handy in the writing of my memoirs, and filed those the next Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity will find useful.
You need to see how I vibrate each time I engage in this packing. With joy, expectations, like a horse galloping home. And my Secretary of eight years, Rosemary Ezugoh, a career civil servant who was there before me, and remains after me, would come in, hiss, turn her face away, and say: “Oga is just harassing us with the fact that he’s leaving soon.” Hahahaahaaaa. “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one that is to come,” says the Good Book. (Hebrews 13, verse 14).
Many people have I met across all walks of life, who congratulate me for successfully serving as S. A Media for 8 years (only Chief Duro Onabule, God rest his soul, has done that, serving Ibrahim Babangida for that same length of time, and no one has achieved it in a democracy). They pray that we will end well, and land safely.
I thank such people, and bless them in my heart. They are good souls, and God will reward them. Amen.
But those low people? They also abound, particularly on social media. They use the anonymity of that platform, and their own lack of good upbringing, to spew all sorts of bile. “You will soon be out of that place. You will come back and meet us.” As if they were the persons that sent me to serve in the first place, and as if I was accountable to them. I simply laugh them to scorn.
The reason? When you are on this kind of National assignment, it’s your boss you are strictly responsible to, and not other extraneous tendencies. You hold your office at his pleasure. Once he’s satisfied with you, forget the noise of the market. The Good Book: “Who are you to judge another man’s servant? It is before his master that he rises or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:4)
How many times have I appeared on television, granted radio interviews, and the President has watched, listened, or read every word I said in newspapers. He would see me later, and thank me for being there.
I won’t forget two particular instances, among very many. I had appeared on Sunday Politics, on Channels Television, and you know how combative, nay, pugilistic, the host of the show, Seun Okinbaloye, can be. Well, you know also that your’s truly can equally hold his own.
The next morning, the President saw me in the office. And said: “Adesina, I watched you on television last night. I could virtually see how fast your brain was working. The interviewer was digging holes for you, and you were cleverly sidestepping them. I said to myself; are these people not colleagues? So, why was he trying to pull you down? Thank you, thank you and thank you for being there.”
We laughed.
At another time, early in the life of the administration, my church, Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, was turning 60. The leadership asked if the President could receive them.
I spoke with President Buhari. And he said; why not? Let them come.
The then General Overseer, Rev Felix Meduoye, led a team of about 10 people. During the meeting, he said thank you to the President for appointing one of their members as his media adviser. And what did the President say?
“I should rather thank Adesina for coming to serve. He has built a professional career of integrity and sound reputation, and he now brought everything to serve us.
“Whenever his colleagues come after me, which they do often, I hide behind him. I take refuge behind him. So, I am the one to say thank you to him.”
General laughter.
So, that is why when the mob, whom I gave the epithet Wailing Wailers, come after me, calling me all kinds of names, it never bothers me. I have the confidence of my master, and that is all that matters.
We land in about 44 days, and it shall be a safe landing, as good people do pray. “When I land I land softly on a sofa floor. So far so good ko ni baje o…” (apologies Kizz Daniel and Tekno, in their song, Buga).
In 8 years, “Good friends we have, oh, good friends we’ve lost, along the way…” (Bob Marley, No Woman no Cry). That is a topic for another day, soon, by the grace of God.
In my very first week as Media Adviser, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, had visited the Villa, and met me along the walkway to the President’s office. We had been acquainted for many years before then and he usually called me by my email. And he said: “Kulikulii, you have come to do a very thankless job. That’s the way it has been for your predecessors, but with you, it won’t be so.”
And I’ve not stopped saying amen to that prayer for 8 years, and no low person will stop me from that amen chorus.
Amen, somebody!
*Adesina is Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Buhari
The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25 election in Nigeria, Peter Obi was reportedly detained and interrogated by the immigration officers at Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom.
Spokesman for the Obi-Datti Campaign Council, Diran Onifade, in a statement today, April 12, confirmed the detention and interrogation of Peter Obi, saying that he was detained and questioned for a duplication offense which suggests that someone has been impersonating him in London.
The Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate, who is just back from London, where he celebrated Easter, was believed to have been saved by the spontaneous reaction of Nigerians at Heathrow Airport.
Onifade said that Obi arrived the Heathrow Airport in London from Nigeria on Good Friday, April 7, 2023, and joined the queue for the necessary airport protocols when he was accosted by immigration official who handed him a detention note and told him to step aside.
“He was questioned for a long time and it was very strange for a man who lived for over a decade in that country.
“Since Obi’s face was already an international frame, especially for Nigerians, Africans home, and in Diaspora who are likely to be Obidients, the people quickly raised their voices wondering why he was being delayed.”
Onifade said that the immigration officials who were also taken aback at the reaction of the people were forced to reveal to those present why Obi was being questioned, adding that the high implication of the offense is that the impersonator could be committing all kinds of weighty crimes and other dubious acts and it would be recorded in Obi’s name.
“Since the impersonator is still at large, the scenario is unimaginable as Obi could be implicated in a series of forbidden acts and even be framed in a manner that could be a huge embarrassment to him, his family, his party, the obidient Movement, and indeed Nigeria, where he currently remains the conscience of the people.”
Campaign Office spokesman said that Obi has been under all kinds of attack since the February 25th, 2023 Presidential election in which he came third out of 18 contestants as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC).
The campaign office said that Since Obi was told to go to court if he feels strongly about the election, there have been severe attacks on him from all corners.
“Even Federal Government who directed him to go to court despatched the Minister of Information Lai Mohammad to the United States to attempt at de-marketing him and accused him of treason.
“Obi’s telephone line was also bugged when they were possibly looking for information to portray him badly before a section of the country who had voted for him massively.
“As if they were not getting the desired results of denting his image, and possibly placing the traducers under a heavier conscience load, they tried to persuade him to leave the country and go take a rest.
“It’s also not impossible that those urging him to leave the country may have planted the impersonators ostensibly to tar the Eagle’s immaculate appearance.
The Obi-Datti Media office will like to therefore assure all persons of goodwill especially the Obidients that the Rock is not deterred as he is ready to suffer the pain and remain even more determined to pursue whichever path his creator destined for him in Nigeria.”
Onifade said that in the meantime, Peter Obi is back in the country.
“I can still categorically tell you today (that) there is no food shortage in Nigeria. We are still producing.”
These were the words of the Nigeria’s
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Mahmood Abubakar when he addressed newsmen at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, at the Presidential villa, Abuja, today, April 12.
He said that the federal government is trying to make up in several other ways in the pockets of areas that production has become limited because of the insecurity.
“But in totality, let me say that a lot of progress has been made in terms of food security, not just from the agro rangers, but all other security agencies. “The federal government has been doing so much and I’m sure you can see it and you can hear that yes, a lot of security successes have been achieved.”
He said that he presented a memo to the FEC meeting today on agricultural extension service in the country.
“And the purpose is really to have a good working extension service policy. Of course, you know we do conduct researches and today, the age of technology innovations, how do we get this research information to the farmers? “It is done through extension service. We have Extension Service agents, which the ministry recruits from time to time. Last year, we recruited way over 100,000 Extension Service agents.
”These are the people that take down the information, if we have improved seeds, new fertilizer, new variety of ways that will improve agricultural production in the country, these are the people that take document it.
”And we have to work with the state government, of course, the federal government work with the state government, with local government, NGOs, we work with international organizations, it’s all about collaboration, getting the information down to the people.
“These are all technology-driven, as well, because we’re talking about Smart Agriculture.
“So extension service really is the bane of improving our productivity to achieve Food Security and Nutrition, security in the country.
“The policy has been approved. And we’ll be implementing that again along with the state government, with the local government, with NGOs.
“The ministry is always there and ready to assist the smallholder farmers especially those we always focus on because they provide about 70% of the food production in this country.
“So when we go to distribute, even implement and distribute inputs, we focus on the small holder farmers and those are our collaborative partners in the extension service system. This is basically what the policy is all about.”
The Metro Office has issued a yellow weather warning for wind across parts of the United Kingdom which could cause disruption today, April 12.
It said that high winds will continue to increase across southern parts of England, peaking through the middle of the day, when 50 to 60 mph gusts are expected.
Severe winds have been battering Ireland as Cork and Kerry are set for the worst of the conditions with weather experts warning of “damaging gusts” with speeds of more than 110km/h.
Storm Noa, named by Meteo France, is expected to bring gusts of up to 70 to 75 mph along parts of the north coast of Devon and Cornwall, as well as exposed headlands elsewhere.
The yellow weather warning remains in place as forecasters warn that some damage to buildings is possible and road, rail, air and ferry services could be affected.
Weather experts say outbreaks of heavy rain and showers will also blast Britain alongside the strong winds.
Met Office Chief Meteorologist, Matthew Lehnert, said: “A low pressure system will bring a period of wet and windy weather today and tomorrow.
“Thick cloud and heavy rain will continue to push in from west bringing 50 to 60 mph winds along western coasts. Snow is likely to fall over parts of upland Scotland overnight.
“Some disruption due to strong winds is likely on Wednesday, especially in southern and western areas, as well as the potential for heavy rainfall and even some snow, though the latter probably confined to high ground in the north.”
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Our Final Gallop Home, By Femi Adesina
There’s a saying in Yoruba language that the horse does not spurn the final gallop home. True. Home is that place you go to rest, after the labour and toil of the day. It is that place you find succor and respite, after the vagaries and vicissitudes that go with your daily exertions. No wonder they say, home, sweet home. There shouldn’t be a bad home. Worse than hell.
In about 44 days, we’ll be home. Who are the ‘we?’ Those of us who serve with President Muhammadu Buhari, whose second term expires on May 29, this year.
Some of us have been around, serving in government since 2015. Eight solid years of being like a sojourner in a foreign land. Modern day Gershoms, (Exodus 2:22) who left home, family, profession, abandoned terra firma to go into what was then terra incognita. We had never served in government, didn’t even want to, but for love of country and of that honest man from Daura, we took the plunge. Now, it’s time to return home. Happily.
I’ve had two types of experiences as we embark on the final gallop home. Some people pray with you, wish you happy and safe landing. They tell of how much they would miss you in the public domain. Others, low people, despicable, count the remaining days with glee, saying whether you liked it or not, “you will soon be out of that place.” Deserving of pity. Do they know that I started counting the remaining days long before them? “And teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalm 90, verse 12).
The clutter you generate in eight years can be a huge pile. And that is what has happened in my office. All sorts of files, documents, proposals, which would really make no meaning to the next occupant of the office. I met an office that was spick and span, and I need to leave the same for my successor. Why bequeath what is akin to an Augean stable, and pass unnecessary burden to him? Or her?
So, in the last couple of weeks, I’d been painstakingly going through my office with a fine tooth comb. I’ve looked at every document, thrown away what is considered not useful again, kept those which will come handy in the writing of my memoirs, and filed those the next Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity will find useful.
You need to see how I vibrate each time I engage in this packing. With joy, expectations, like a horse galloping home. And my Secretary of eight years, Rosemary Ezugoh, a career civil servant who was there before me, and remains after me, would come in, hiss, turn her face away, and say: “Oga is just harassing us with the fact that he’s leaving soon.” Hahahaahaaaa. “For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one that is to come,” says the Good Book. (Hebrews 13, verse 14).
Many people have I met across all walks of life, who congratulate me for successfully serving as S. A Media for 8 years (only Chief Duro Onabule, God rest his soul, has done that, serving Ibrahim Babangida for that same length of time, and no one has achieved it in a democracy). They pray that we will end well, and land safely.
I thank such people, and bless them in my heart. They are good souls, and God will reward them. Amen.
But those low people? They also abound, particularly on social media. They use the anonymity of that platform, and their own lack of good upbringing, to spew all sorts of bile. “You will soon be out of that place. You will come back and meet us.” As if they were the persons that sent me to serve in the first place, and as if I was accountable to them. I simply laugh them to scorn.
The reason? When you are on this kind of National assignment, it’s your boss you are strictly responsible to, and not other extraneous tendencies. You hold your office at his pleasure. Once he’s satisfied with you, forget the noise of the market. The Good Book: “Who are you to judge another man’s servant? It is before his master that he rises or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:4)
How many times have I appeared on television, granted radio interviews, and the President has watched, listened, or read every word I said in newspapers. He would see me later, and thank me for being there.
I won’t forget two particular instances, among very many. I had appeared on Sunday Politics, on Channels Television, and you know how combative, nay, pugilistic, the host of the show, Seun Okinbaloye, can be. Well, you know also that your’s truly can equally hold his own.
The next morning, the President saw me in the office. And said: “Adesina, I watched you on television last night. I could virtually see how fast your brain was working. The interviewer was digging holes for you, and you were cleverly sidestepping them. I said to myself; are these people not colleagues? So, why was he trying to pull you down? Thank you, thank you and thank you for being there.”
We laughed.
At another time, early in the life of the administration, my church, Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, was turning 60. The leadership asked if the President could receive them.
I spoke with President Buhari. And he said; why not? Let them come.
The then General Overseer, Rev Felix Meduoye, led a team of about 10 people. During the meeting, he said thank you to the President for appointing one of their members as his media adviser. And what did the President say?
“I should rather thank Adesina for coming to serve. He has built a professional career of integrity and sound reputation, and he now brought everything to serve us.
“Whenever his colleagues come after me, which they do often, I hide behind him. I take refuge behind him. So, I am the one to say thank you to him.”
General laughter.
So, that is why when the mob, whom I gave the epithet Wailing Wailers, come after me, calling me all kinds of names, it never bothers me. I have the confidence of my master, and that is all that matters.
We land in about 44 days, and it shall be a safe landing, as good people do pray. “When I land I land softly on a sofa floor. So far so good ko ni baje o…” (apologies Kizz Daniel and Tekno, in their song, Buga).
In 8 years, “Good friends we have, oh, good friends we’ve lost, along the way…” (Bob Marley, No Woman no Cry). That is a topic for another day, soon, by the grace of God.
In my very first week as Media Adviser, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, had visited the Villa, and met me along the walkway to the President’s office. We had been acquainted for many years before then and he usually called me by my email. And he said: “Kulikulii, you have come to do a very thankless job. That’s the way it has been for your predecessors, but with you, it won’t be so.”
And I’ve not stopped saying amen to that prayer for 8 years, and no low person will stop me from that amen chorus.
Amen, somebody!
*Adesina is Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Buhari