Presidential Communication Team, Bringing Governance Closer To Nigerians, By Oche Echeija Egwa

April 25, 2022

Every visitor to Nigeria’s seat of power, Aso Rock, is first struck by the beautiful scenery of green and white; our national colours. From the entrance, Pilot Gate, white edifices and nature’s greenery are tuned in a welcoming symphony. The serenity of the Presidential Villa belies flurry of activities, mostly planning meetings, brainstorming sessions and negotiations on sundry issues, both national and international.

Energy for work hardly dissipates at the seat of power. Outcomes of meetings, movements and actions matter to Nigerians, hence on February 25, 2021, the Presidential Communication Team (PCT), an umbrella body that brings together leaders of all media departments in the Villa, chaired by Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, birthed the idea of a more regularized and formalized State House Briefing.

The briefing, usually held at the Press Gallery, creates a more predictable and measured meeting point between government officials, State House Press Corps and Nigerians.

The PCT, which comprises media aides in the Office of the President, Vice President, First Lady and Chief of Staff, meet every week to gauge the pulse of the nation, and decide on government officials that should be invited to the specialized interaction. The invitation gives opportunities to public officials to ventilate, and bring clearer perspective on national issues.

In the well-structured, no-holds-barred, meeting with journalists, progress on projects and services are explained, taking into cognisance the tripod vision of President Muhammadu Buhari for taking the country forward, security, economy and corruption.

The quality of the State House Press Corps animates discussions, especially at the question and answer session, with ranking journalists, both local and international, asking public officials penetrating and unedited questions. Carefully chosen by various media houses, majority of the newsmen have more than 20 to 30 years experiences in news reporting, covering presidents, politics and governance, with some already brandishing well-earned Ph.Ds. Facing the battery of newsmen, public officials present their score cards and prepare for hot-seating.

Little over a year, 34 sessions of the specialized State House Briefings have been held. Not surprising, the Minister of Finance, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, was the first guest on February 25, 2021. For close to two hours, Ahmed tackled issues on Nigeria’s development plans, double exit from recession, budget projections and constraints, inflationary trends and debt profile, and outlook on the economy, especially on job creation. With a mastery of figures and facts on the economy, accompanied by the Heads of parastatals in her ministry, Ahmed illuminated discussions on why certain decisions were taken, and long term beneficial implications for the citizenry. She assured the economy was on track.

Some public officials have had multiple invitations because of their peculiar portfolios. The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, had the highest number of appearances, three times. The sense of urgency that trailed Coronavirus saw more invitations to the Minister of Health, who explained response mechanisms since COVID-19 was reported in Nigeria on February 27, 2020. The minister clarified issues on partnerships with countries and health organisations, surveillance, treatment, vaccine administration and controversies, and sustenance of other health services. The specialized briefing turned out a veritable platform for citizen sensitization and mobilisation to take the vaccines, and explain government actions.

Dealing with many sensitive issues like accessibility, authenticity and implications of different vaccines, Dr. Ehanire was accompanied by the Director General of NAFDAC, Dr Mojisola Adeyeye, Executive Director/CEO of NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib and former DG, NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu.

Due to the centrality of security in national development, more public officials in the sector have been featured in the specialized briefing. The National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj. Gen. Mohammed Monguno (Rtd) and Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, have been featured twice. Other guests include the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd), Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa, and Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa.

Armed with knowledge of the security networks, operations and challenges in the country, especially in his home State, Borno, Monguno showcased achievements in the North East, with many people now returning to their homes, schools and businesses re-opened, and gave insight into procurements of hardwares by the military, like the Tucanos, trainings on use of new security technology, deployment and partnerships. The NSA leaves the stage on an elevated note that peace and harmony remain realisable.

The NSA and security chiefs detailed efforts at fighting terrorism and banditry, imploring Nigerians to be more forthcoming on providing intelligence and trusting the security men deployed across the country. According to them, synergy and intelligence gathering are integral in winning the war against insurgents. The Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, also explained welfare of the police, reforms and re-organisations to meet the changing dynamics of crimes.

Top government officials that have been featured at the briefings are: Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami; Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika; Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, invited twice; Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman Adamu; Minister of Niger Delta, Sen. Godswill Akpabio; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar Farouq; Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, who also featured twice, and Minister of Mines and Steel, Olamilekan Adegbite.

Other invited officials are: the Minister of State, Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, who has also featured twice, Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, Managing Director/CEO, Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr Uche Orji and former Executive Director/CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Segun Awolowo.

The invitations provided useful updates on infrastructure, like the landmark legacy project of the administration, Second Niger Bridge, road and rail projects across the country, and policy directions and regulations, particularly on subsidy in the oil sector, tax and reforms of licensing in mining.

In an interesting departure, yet deliberately structured for more clarity on the economy and security, three governors were featured on the State House Briefing: David Umahi, Governor of Ebonyi State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, Borno State and Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State. Umahi highlighted the security and economic challenges in the South East, and successes recorded in integration and harmony, while Zulum shared more depth on the development in the North East, with huge successes in infrastructure, rehabilitation and re-integration of families. Most topical, was the issue of repentant terrorists that surrendered their weapons!

El Rufai brought journalists up to speed on developments in the North West, particularly Kaduna State, spotlighting the efforts of security outfits to tackle myriad security challenges, and unfolding political issues in the governing party, All Progressives Congress (APC).

Barely few weeks after the inaugural briefing, an exceptional guest took the hot-seat on March 15, 2021. Former Minister of Finance, and Director General of World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, after a “thank you’’ courtesy call on President Buhari, spoke on the implications of her position for Nigeria and Africa, taking questions on Nigeria’s share of global trade, developing Nigeria’s services sector, COVID-19, attracting investment, training and capacity building, safe schools and AFCTA.

Answering a question on Dangote Refinery, which is the largest single-train refinery in the world, Okonjo-Iweala said: “I wish we had done it years ago. If we had done it years ago and encouraged Alhaji Dangote, who is doing a good thing, we would be producing our own fuel today.” Questions rained and flowed like river. Okonjo-Iweala answered cheerfully and masterly.

Unlike other press events at the Villa, the special State House Briefing draws strength from frequency, timeliness, accessibility and unrestricted conversations. Every session is streamed live on social media, like the State House Youtube channel, and comments and questions from the public are instantly integrated. Some media houses, like the NTA and AriseTV, have taken the liberty to air as a whole or some parts of the interaction, while the reports by journalists usually flood websites, blogs, social media handles, broadcast and print media, generating more discussions.

Interestingly, government officials, journalists, organizers, and the public now eagerly wait for the next opportunity to engage on the weekly interaction, with likely chances of going viral in the media. And as the conversation grows and becomes more predictable in the Press Gallery, the State House Briefing has achieved the goal of the PCT, creating and sustaining understanding between government and the people.

Oche Echeija Egwa is an Assistant Director, Information, in the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity.

How President Buhari Groomed Me For Presidency, Osinbajo Reveals

Greenbarge Reporters

April 25, 2022

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has revealed how President Muhammadu Buhari has groomed and prepared him to handle matters relating to the executive arm of the government in the last seven and half years.

Professor Osinbajo, who spoke today, April 25 when he visited the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, at the Government House in Akure: “President Muhammadu Buhari, just out of his open-mindedness and his own generosity, ensured that I was given very serious responsibilities as vice president and I also acted as president.

”In those capacities, I got to know so many things that most people will never come across, even people in government will never come across and I gained a lot of experience on that account.

“Many times the President, when he was away, said pointedly to me that look, I don’t want to fester your discretion in any way, as acting president, you are the president, just make sure you are fair and just, don’t refer anything to me, don’t ask me any questions, just do whatever you need to do.

“I think It will be a betrayal to our country, to our nation, this is a nation that many people died for, people died for this country, if I with all that have been given to me by the grace of God, retire quietly either to Lagos or Ikenne and go and be writing my memoirs.

“It will be a great injustice to our country; that is why I throw my hat in the ring and ensure I make the best case for the position of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Vice President Osinbajo, who recalled that he formally declared his intention on Monday, April 11th, 2022, to vie for the Presidency in the 2023 election, said that it is a special privilege to be called to serve.

“ It is a very special privilege to serve either as executive, House of Assembly, even as a National Working Committee member.

He said that he declared for the Presidency “ because, first of all there is nobody that can bear anything God does not decide that he would be, only God can make a person president, vice president, governor, anything whatsoever.

“So, I believe the hand of God must be on anything we are doing. But I declared my intention based on first, the fact that I have served, again by the sheer grace of God, I have served for seven years and some months.”

Femi Fani Kayode Blows Hot; Says 7 Nigerian Leaders On Payroll Of CIA, M16

Greenbarge Reporters

April 25, 2022

Former Nigerian Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK) has said that seven Nigerian leaders are still working for the United Kingdom M16 and the United States CIA.

In an essay titled: ‘What they will not tell you,’ Fani Kayode listed issues he described as secrets about Nigeria that have not been told, answered or explained.

“Of the 13 leaders that have led our country since 1960, seven were working for the British MI6 and/or the American CIA.

“Only the remaining six were working solely for Nigeria. The other seven were firmly within the power, control and grip of Britain and America.”

The former aide to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo called them spies and informants that were carefully and craftily planted.

“Of the five Nigerian leaders that died whilst on the throne, every single one of them was murdered in cold blood by local agents of the CIA with the tacit and implicit support of M16 and Langley.”

Fani-Kayode insists that no military coup has ever been successful in Nigeria without the tacit backing and support of M16 and/or the CIA.

According to him, every nation has secrets, saying that most are classified and are known only to experienced, circumspect and cerebral members of the intelligence community.

“Nigeria is no different but hers are legion. There are more secrets hidden in the belly of our nation’s womb and history than most.”

He said that the secrets about Nigeria include the deaths of Shehu Musa Yar’adua, M. K. O. Abiola, ex-Head of State Sani Abacha, Dele Giwa, Sulia Adedeji, Alfred Rewane, Bola Ige.

Others are Funsho Williams, Ibrahim Abacha, Tunde Idiagbon, Abubakar Audu, Abba Kyari, Brigadier Bako, Major General Shuwa, Bagudu Kaltho and Air Marshal Alex Badeh.

Also secretive, according to Fani-Kayode, are the C-130 plane crash, the Bellview plane crash, the Chibok girls abduction, the identity of foreign entities and local collaborators backing Boko Haram and ISWAP.

He also mentioned “the murderous herdsmen” in the North-East and North-West and the violent secessionist agitation and brutal killings by “unknown gunmen” in the South-East.

FFK added that the Nigerian people, though blissful in their naivety and innocence, still believe that they control their own future and destiny.

He lamented that citizens have no idea about what went on in the past and what is going on because they either do not care or are busy trying to make ends meet.

“They are also unaware that our country has become something of a football that is being kicked around and silently carved up by the Americans, the British, the French and increasingly the Chinese.

“All those that ruled us and gallantly attempted to stand up against western domination, neo-colonialism, and had a patriotic, zealous and enviable pan-African disposition were taken out by a coup d’etat or by being murdered.

“You want their names? I will not mention them. Kindly do the research yourselves and work out who they are. I will say though that each of them at least gave us something to be proud of.

“Yet the tales of woe and sordid state secrets continue. Did you know that approximately 800,000 Nigerian civilians, including women and children, were killed by Biafran forces during the three-year Nigerian civil war.

“We often talk about and rightly condemn the mass murder and slaughtered of 3 million Biafran civilians (including 1 million children) but rarely do we spare a thought for or even mention the 800,000 civilians that also perished.”

Fani-Kayode stressed that the genocide, mass murder and crimes against humanity went both ways.

“These are bitter and uncomfortable truths that many hate to hear and that others will find hard to believe. The dark history of Nigeria is not known by 95% of Nigerians.”

Bauchi Gov, Bala, Celebrates His Emergence As PDP Consensus Presidential Candidate

Greenbarge Reporters

April 25, 2022

Pic.2. Former FCT Minister and Bauchi State governor-elect, Sen. Bala Mohammed (R) during his arrival to deliver an acceptance speech, in Bauchi on Monday (25/3/19). Mohammed won the election on the platform of the PDP.
02442/26/3/2019/Deji Yake/BJO/NAN

The governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed has rolled out drum to celebrate his being chosen by the Northern elders as one of the two consensus Presidential candidates of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 Presidential election in the country.

Bala’s Presidential Campaign Organization (PCO), in a statement, recalled that the former military President retired General Ibrahim Babangida had, on April 20, Babangida through the channel of the platform inaugurated, announced Bala Mohammed and Senator Bukola Saraki as the selected Consensus aspirants.

The Bala Mohammed campaign organization expressed gratitude to Babangida and the Northern Elders who assisted him in reaching this decision.

“Our deep appreciation to them stems less from the fact that Sen. Mohammed is among the two selected Consensus Aspirants and more on their Labour of thankless patriotic duty and uncommon leadership in attempting to bring order and coherence to bear in a condition of acute political uncertainty and fractured political process. We thank you our leaders from the depth of our heart.

“We wish to place it on record that Gen. Babangida never approached nor lobbied anybody to superintend the process that will lead to the emergence of a Consensus Presidential Aspirant. Rather it was the group of Presidential aspirants made up of Sen. Bala Mohammed, RT Hon Aminu Tambuwal, Sen. Bukola Saraki and Alhaji Mohammed Hayatu-Deen that collectively, freely and willingly approached Gen Babangida to help select from amongst themselves a Consensus Presidential Aspirant. The above four named individuals not only initiated the Consensus Arrangement on their own volition but also agreed to fully and unequivocally abide by the decision that Gen Babangida will arrive at in consultation with other elders as well as accept, honour the steps and procedures he will deploy in arriving at any decision.

“We therefore reject the current insinuations in the media from some quarters that purport that Gen Babangida and the elders either did not consult very widely or imposed a decision on an unwilling band of presidential aspirants. “Gen Babangida and elders deserve nothing but commendation for the conclusions they reached and the outcome of the Consensus Exercise by anybody who believes in the tenets of truth, honour and integrity.”

Bala’s group advised that political ambition should not and cannot be a condition precedent to cast overboard these time honoured verities and inviolable norms and ask those are desecrating these values to have a sober rethink.

“The Sen. Bala Mohammed Campaign Organization will not join issues with anybody on the question of the Consensus Arrangement because the truth needs no further protection from its traducers but will rather press on in rallying the nation around its progressive “Nigeria First” Governance Vision on the heels of the successful execution of the Consensus Arrangement.

“The Campaign Organization, however, advises all those who are not happy with the result of the selection process or who did not participate in it to focus on their individual political trajectories without let or hindrance and not muddy the political waters any further.

“Let us clarify to the millions of members and supporters of the PDP that the Consensus Arrangement was not designed as an end in itself but a means to an end; not as a goal with a limited regional vision or appeal but a first in a series of processes and exercises aimed at building inclusiveness, harmony and unity within the ranks of the Presidential Aspirants in the PDP.

“It’s on record that the participants in the process toured the whole country together and reached out to critical political stakeholders in the party, including its elected governors, to explain the meaning and purpose of the arrangement and to seek their buy-in into the process if possible.

“It is commendable that South East Presidential Aspirants have also acceded to this model and we wish them success in their current endeavors in this regard.

“The Sen. Bala Mohammed Presidential Campaign Organization believes strongly that the search for consensus, unity, solidarity and shared vision among the PDP’s presidential aspirants is a worthy move and a patriotic venture that aims at reducing unnecessary tension, acrimony and unhealthy diatribe among competitors and restore back to our politics the culture of reaching common ground, the reduction of the politics of bitterness and the respect of all shades of political opinion. Even if the process doesn’t secure all of its set goals at the end of the day, meaning that every aspirant participates in the Presidential Primaries, it would have imbibed in all aspirants the culture of placing the group above the self, in the party’s shared vision of the future and in accepting the very results of the primary election.”

Buhari Wants Owners Of Imo “Killer” Refinery Identified And Punished

Editorial staff

April 24, 2022

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the nation’s armed forces, security and intelligence agencies to intensify the owners of the illegal refineries the blew up and killed over hundred people with a view to punishing them.

The blown up refinery resulted in the death of tens of people on Friday night at Abaezi forest in the Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.

Reacting to what he described as a “catastrophe” and “national disaster,” President Buhari insisted that the responsibility for the loss of lives and property must squarely lie with the sponsors of the illegal refinery.

Such people, he said: “must all be caught and made to face justice.”

He, through a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, the condolences and the full depth and range of the nation’s shock and trauma to the families of the victims, the Ohaji Egbema community and the government and people of Imo State.

The President advised community leaders, the police and the secret service to never allow the occurrence of the heart-breaking incident in any part of the country again.

First Lady To Aspirants: Make Women Your Running Mates

Editorial staff

April 24, 2022

The first lady, Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, has called on political parties and aspirants to make sure they choose women as their running mates for the 2023 elections into various positions across the country.

Aisha Buhari, who spoke when she hosted Presidential Aspirants from various political parties to a Ramadan (Iftar) breakfast at the State House, Abuja, said that said that fair-play for women in politics is to ensure their greater participation in elective positions.

“In fact, it is high time women are adopted as running mates at all levels considering their voting strength and active involvement in political processes.

“As we approach the 2023 election with greater hope, I am confident that Nigeria will continue to grow from strength to strength on the pedestal of our democratic tenets.”

The first lady, enjoined the presidential hopefuls to remain focused on issues that strengthened the nation`s unity, brotherhood and national cohesion.

Aisha Buhari reminded her guests that, the 2015 election was a watershed in the history of Nigeria, saying: “it was neither contested in the court of law, nor in the court of public opinion.

“Therefore, the greatest end-of-tenure gift that fellow Nigerians can give to the first family is another free and globally-acknowledged fair election come 2023.”

She called on all the aspirants to ensure tolerance, fair-play and avoid violent tendencies by building bridges where necessary, especially during electioneering campaigns.

This was even as the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, represented by a former governor of Edo, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, called on all aspirants to play politics without bitterness.

Osinbajo said the event offered Nigerians from different faiths and background the opportunity to reunite with one another to foster unity.

“ It is an opportunity for aspirants from various political parties to meet one another and the lesson we should learn from here is to practise politics without bitterness as we move closer to election year.

“We should try to imbibe the spirit of oneness because at the end of the only one person is going to emerge winner of the Presidential election next year.

“So, it is not going to be do-or-die affairs, we should learn to practise politics without bitterness, ’’ he said.

One of the APC aspirants and former governor of Lagos State, Sen. Bola Tinubu, expressed gratitude to the first lady for bringing the diverse groups of Nigerians to share love and unity.

Tinubu prayed for brotherliness, peace, unity and prosperity of Nigeria.

On his part, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi and APC aspirant, expressed appreciation to the first lady for bringing the presidential aspirants together to foster unity and nation cohesion.

“I must also thank you because this should be about our nation, about our patriotism, we should always place our nation above our individual interests.

“As we have aspired to lead this nation, I think that Nigerians should be able to evaluate, is not going to be promises, is going to be ticking the box.

“The opportunity given to us as leaders, what did we do with it, so, this kind of gathering is highly encouraged because it is going to douse a lot of tensions,’’ he said.

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and PDP presidential aspirant, said that the gathering was historic going by the calibre of people in attendance.

Mohammed promised to play the game with humility and mutual respect.

“I promise to do the politicking with the interest of Nigeria in my mind, respect for one another irrespective of our party differences.”

Source: NAN.

PDP Will Collapse If It Drops Zoning, Anyim Pius Anyim Predicts

Editorial staff

April 24, 2022

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Anyim Pius Anyim

Former Senate President and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential hopeful for 2023, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, has warned the party against discarding zoning in choosing the 2023 Presidential flagbearer, saying the decision may collapse the party.

He said his concern about zoning is not personal but the need to protect the party against flouting its constitution.

“This is a constitutional matter. Some people may get away with it but in the meantime, it will weaken our party. This makes it a concern to some of us.”

Anyim, who also served as Secretary to the Government of the Federation at one time, spoke today, April 24, on the Political Roundtable on Mainland FM in Lagos.

The former Senate President said that for equity and fairness, the position must be ceded to the South and South East in particular.

“I have no personal concern about zoning but I have corporate concern about zoning because it is a constitutional matter within the PDP. So when an organization is not in a position to follow the constitution, the worry I have is that some people may get away with it in the interim but in the long term, it will weaken that organization and the organization will no longer have the power to criticize its members.

“So the fact that it is a constitutional matter in PDP, it makes it much more concern to some of us if it is not followed.”

Anyim who also spoke on the move by some Northern aspirants to come up with a consensus arrangement said that the elders of the South East have not initiated such discussion in the zone.

He said that the aspirants have met and are working together to bring the ticket to the South-East “because it is the turn of the region to produce the next President”.

The former Senate President said that while he would not compare himself with any of the aspirants, he has the national exposure and the cognate experience having presided over the Senate and headed the engine room of the presidency in the past.

“I am simply returning to the terrain I am familiar with. All my experience has been in Abuja. My constituency is national and I want to say that nationwide, my experience is cognate.”

Source: Daily Trust.

How Senators Padded 2021 Budget With N100 Billion Constituency Projects—ICPC

Editorial staff

April 24, 2022

Independent Corrupt Practices and other offences Commission (ICPC) has accused members of the National Assembly of padding annual budgets with constituency projects which were never executed while the budgetary provisions were shared among the members.

The anti graft agency raised alarm on how Senators diverted the money designed for their Senatorial Districts to other non existing projects, thereby denying their constituents the benefiting of the dividends of democracy.

The agency said that the National Assembly illegally added N20 billion to N100 billion annual constituency projects.

In its interim Constituency and Executive Projects tracking exercise report the ICPC said that the National Assembly embedded additional projects into the 2021 budget of MDAs which has in a long way affected budget performance as well as distorting developmental planning and implementation in the 2021 fiscal year.

According to the ICPC, with the collaboration of the Ministry of Finance, implementation actions were restrained, it was however concerned about the practice as it has become a norm that “even legislative aides and National Assembly staff serving in the appropriation committees also insert projects in the capital budgets of agencies without the knowledge of the legislators or the agencies. In the report, the ICPC cited other areas of infraction where by in constituency projects for Senatorial districts, lawmakers were accused of manipulatively awarding to themselves or through cronies companies by sponsor and executing agencies. The report read: “Budget insertion still remain one of the egregious, yet illegally acceptable phenomena that has distorted the nation’s developmental planning and implementation of developmental programmes. “In addition to the N100 billion appropriated annually for constituency projects, the National Assembly added additional projects into budget of MDAs. This is done to increase the project portfolios of concerned legislators and their influence on MDAs. The value of the insertion were in billions.

“Analysing the 2021 National Budget alone across key sector of education, water resources, health, power, science and technology, environment, works and agriculture, we found duplications to the tune of over N20 billion.” The report also pointed out that “Contract for the construction and renovation of Blocks of Classroom at the Federal University Staff School, Wakuri Taraba South Senatorial District was executed by a company owned and operated directly by a Senator, a project ICPC alleged was “haphazardly nominated, appropriated and executed in locations that have no need for such projects”. In another development, ICPC alleged another contract infraction in the supplies of water rigs by a particular company to be executed in Taraba South. The Commission had alleged that “just two days after the award of the contract, ‘the said company’, wrote to the executing agency, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority informing it that it was involved in some sort of arrangements with its sister company in respect of the execution and requested that the contract sum should be paid into the bank account of the company owned by the sponsoring legislator.

“Funding was therefore made to” the said company owned by the sponsoring legislator. The Commission alleged that , “the project for the procurement of water rigs to Taraba South, the rig which were never distributed, were distributed and supplied to the sponsor and were later found in the custody of the sponsor, commercialised, and the proceeds paid into the sponsor’s personal bank account. In the report, the ICPC has said that it was able to track a contract for the supplies of 686 water pumping machines to Kebbi Central Senatorial District awarded to a particular company owned by the children of the lawmaker representing the District. The said, “Various other projects were awarded and executed in Kebbi Central by three other companies owned and operated by the biological children of the sponsor”, the Commission alleged. Similarly, the ICPC said in the report that it was able to track the project for the supplies of 19 500KVA transformer to Delta North Senatorial District, two of which “were stolen and sold by an aide of the sponsoring lawmaker and one was found kept in a private house since 2018.

ICPC said, “while the culprit is on the run, the lawmaker has agreed to an undertaken to purchase and deliver to the Commission the two transformers”. In another development, the Commission further cited for example, the project valued at N149m for the training and empowerment of women and youths in Abaji, Kwali Federal Constituency awarded to a relative of the sponsoring legislation. It was also replicated in Kastina Central Federal Constituency where the sponsor singlehandedly executed the contract after which the project said to have valued at N49m was changed from its form and devalued by the lawmaker. In another case, supply of tricycles to Rivers West Senatorial District as empowerment project, where the sponsor allegedly used one of her cronies (boy) as the contractor. The Commission alleged that “while the contract was never performed, the sum (N30m) was fully paid and shared.

The ICPC has also revealed that some sponsoring legislators sometimes sit projects on the personal properties, which technically vests legal possession and ownership to them. An example was cited from an agricultural empowerment project in Osun West Senatorial District to be a training programme cattle rearing and actual supply for cattle. The BOQ, according to ICPC report, indicated 250 cattle to be procured and distributed to beneficiaries. The report said, “while the intended beneficiaries were trained, no cattle was given to them, instead the lawmaker established a private ranch using the cattle procured with government’s fund.” In Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, the Commission alleged that investigation led it to another youth empowerment scam carried out by the sponsoring lawmaker. The Commission alleged that some of the beneficiaries found in the list were randomly contacted, even as none of them acknowledged ever receiving any grant.

Source: Business News Report.

Buhari Acknowledges Late Alaafin’s Contribution To Positively Shape Nigeria

Editorial staff

April 23, 2022

Late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III

President Muhammadu Buhari has acknowledged that the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Dr. Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, who died today, April 23, took part in numerous national meetings and conferences to shape the future of Nigeria.

He also remembered words of wisdom the late monarch shared at every opportunity on unity and people-focused governance in the country.

In a condolence message issued by his special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said that Alaafin reign covered major historic transitions in the country, and witnessed transformations in his domain.

He said that the Alaafin’s 52 years rule was remarkable in many ways, most significant was the emphasis he placed on human development, thereby encouraging learning as a culture and formal education as a necessity while promoting values of peace and stability

The President shares the grief with the Oyo State Traditional Council, Oba Lamidi’s family, friends, and associates, particularly in sports where he left another footprint.

He to God to receive his soul.

In his condolence message, the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, described the passage of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III as a loss to the entire Oduduwa race worldwide.

In a statement by his Director of Media & Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare, Ooni Ogunwusi who doubles as the Natural Head of Oduduwa race worldwide said that the late Alaafin was a worthy elder whose entire lifetime was dedicated to the promotion of the prestigious Yoruba culture and advancement of humanity.

“We have lost a great icon, a great monarch who saw Oyo through civilization and modern development without jettisoning the cultural sacredness of the throne first occupied by Alaafin Oranmiyan The Great.

“Ile Oodua Palace and the Ooni had a great working relationship with the late Alaafin who gave his best in resolving major conflicts in Yoruba land and uniting all sons and daughters of Oduduwa globally among other landmark achievements.

“The late Alaafin is one of the privileged elders who contributed to the growth of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and also saw the country through military and democratic eras with unquantifiable positive inputs.”

Ooni Ogunwusi, the Co Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) recalled his last encounter with the late Oyo monarch early last month when they both held a closed door meeting of peace and reconciliation with some frontline politicians of Yoruba origin at Ibadan where Alaafin made a promise to make his first visit to the Ooni before middle of this year.

Ooni prayed for the soul of the departed monarch, as well as the family to have the fortitude to bear his death and prayed the Oyo will be spiritually guided to complete the burial of the monarch in full accordance of culture and traditions of their ancestors.

“While the demise of Oba Adeyemi would be greatly missed for his indelible imprint as a great descendant of Oduduwa, the Ooni hereby urges the entire House of Oduduwa worldwide to continue to pray for the deceased’s family and Oyo indigenes at this trying time. May the Almighty Olodumare also be with the OYOMESI at this critical time that may challenge the culture and traditions of their ancestors in the process of burial rites and process of selecting the next Alaafin. The position of Alaafin is too culturally important to be handled in a way that undermines our collective traditions and culture. Olodumare shall solidly stand with the OYOMESI and the entire Oyo kingdom.”

Atiku Kicks Against Gang-Up In The Name Of Consensus, Says It Will Deepen Nation’s Wounds

Editorial staff

April 23, 2022

Former Nigeria’s Vice President and 2019 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has kicked against the sudden consensus arrangement in which Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and former Senate President, Bukola Sarki emerged as the choice of the party, saying that he had never been party to the consensus arrangement.

In a statement issued today, April 23, by Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, the technical committee for the actualization of Atiku Àbubakar Presidency in 2023, Atiku complained that he never subjected himself to the process.

Atku made it clear that he is not bound by any of the recommendations and conclusions of the purported report.

“Waziri Atiku Abubakar, as a nationalist, strongly believes that Nigeria has never been so divided as it is today, and any regional, zonal, ethno-religious gang-up or consensus-driven in this manner will further deepen and widen the wounds that urgently require to be healed. He is anxious to implement plans, policies and programmes that will rescue and rebuild Nigeria

“We urge our supporters to continue with consultations and town hall meetings with delegates across the country as the party prepares for the presidential primaries scheduled for Saturday/ Sunday May 28 and 29, 2022.”

Names of Senator Bukola Saraki and Governor Bala Mohammed had been announced yesterday, April 22, as the consensus candidates of the PDP for the North.

According to the chairman of the Northern Elders Forum, Professor Ango Abdullahi, who made the announcement in Minna, Niger State capital, the choice of the two aspirants had been reached after the four aspirants began the process to reach a consensus by visiting former military president, Babangida and giving him the mandate to lead the process for a consensus.

The aspirants who he said agreed to abide by the outcome of the decision, were Tambuwal, Mohammed, Atiku and former banker, Muhammad Hayatu-Deen.

The former Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) had pointed out that ex-president Babangida had advised the aspirants to have a resolution within themselves and come up with one candidate, which they reported back to him after some days and asked him to go ahead and pick one out of the four.

Prof. Abdullahi said in a statement: “While thanking the aspirants and President Ibrahim Babangida for entrusting us with the conduct of this exercise and in the hope that all parties involved would continue with mutual consultations aimed at the overall success of the party, we hereby present the following conclusion as presented to and endorsed by Gen Babangida.

“For the purpose of this exercise, it is hereby resolved that Gov Bala Mohammad from the North East and former Senate President Bukola Saraki from the North Central be presented as the northern Consensus Candidates for the moment.”

1...542543544...2,507 Page 543 of 2,507