On The Death Of Senator Buruji Kashamu, By Reuben Abati

August 8, 2020

I am completely heartbroken. Senator Buruji Kashamu was my political mentor. Now he is dead at the relatively young age of 62. I feel like an orphan all over again. I may have worked with the PDP government at the Federal level, but he was the man who brought me into direct, partisan politics. He was one of the most generous men that I have ever known. He was determined to groom me and he did. He taught me the ropes. He linked me with the grassroots. I learnt a lot from him. Senator Kashamu mentored me and others without any strings attached. He was a very simple man who was grossly misunderstood by his political opponents. His persona, his politics was indeed grossly misunderstood but those who knew him personally met a man who loved Nigeria dearly and was unapologetically public-spirited.

He enjoyed giving other people opportunities. He was humorous, kind-hearted, large-hearted and genial. With his death, Nigeria, Ogun state, Ijebuland and the people of Ijebu-Igbo have lost an illustrious son, who demonstrated courage, talent and creativity in everything to which he applied his energy. His death is yet another confirmation that COVID-19 is real, capricious and wicked. It is also a sober reaffirmation of the maxim that “man proposes, but God disposes.”

He no longer wanted to run for office in 2023, but he made it clear he would support others to achieve their dreams of getting an opportunity to make contributions on the Nigerian stage. And now, he is gone. Death is a cruel fact of human reality. It puts an end to life and many things. But Senator Kashamu will never be forgotten by those who loved him and who were privileged to relate with him. My heartfelt condolences to Sherifat and her siblings and all members of the Kashamu family, the people of Ijebu Igbo and Ogun State.

Reuben Abati, Ph.D was Senator Kashamu’s running mate, 2019 Gubernatorial election in Ogun State (PDP)

An American Tourist Embraces Islam In Saudi After 3 Years Of Soul Searching

Editorial staff

August 8, 2020

An American tourist, Mr. Steve has embraced Islam at the hands of Sheikh Dr. Abdur-Rahman Al-Sudais, Chief of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and Masjid Nabawi in Madina, Saudi Arabia.

Steve, who was visiting the Kingdom for leisure purposes said, at the threshold of his conversation: “I explored the beauty spread over the length and breadth of the whole country and curious to know about the birthplace of Islam and the major development and progress of the country’s 2030 Vision.”

Steve, who said that he had previously read extensively about Islam and Muslims for three years, declared: “good neighborliness, tolerance, fairness, compassion and Saudi hospitality impressed Steve to enquire about Islam.”

Steve added: “the Islamic teachings of fairness, tolerance, compassion, and mercy impressed him a lot.”

Steve pronounced his Shahadah (testimony of accepting Islam) before Sheikh Sudais and expressed his immense joy and gratitude for his new found faith.

He expressed his gratitude to Sheikh Sudais, who in turn praised the Almighty Allah for opening Steve’s heart, and enabling him to accept the true religion of God.

Steve was extremely impressed with the level of tolerance and peaceful coexistence amongst those of different faiths within the Kingdom, adding that the key factors that stood out were the Islamic teachings of good neighborliness and Saudi hospitality.

Steve, who works in the tourism sector in Miami, was visiting Abha alongside some of his closest friends and happened to live in the same neighborhood with Sheikh Sudais, who at the time was also spending some days in Abha.

It was Saad Al-Matrafi, Sheikh Sudais’ translator, who met with Steve and gave him Zamzam and dates as a gift from Sheikh Sudais.

He also briefed Sheikh Sudais about his tête-à-tête with the American tourist and Sheikh Al-Sudais was so impressed that he requested to meet with his American neighbor.

During his discourse with Steve, Sheikh Sudais referred to several Qur’anic verses and Prophetic narrations that enjoined Muslims to be good to their neighbors and the rights they have over each other.

He specifically mentioned the story of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Jewish lady: the Prophet (peace be upon him) had a Jewish neighbor who used to throw garbage at him. Instead of reacting with anger, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) showed kindness.

When the Prophet learned one day that the neighbor was sick, he went to visit/care for that neighbor. This is an invaluable life lesson for all of us on the rights of our neighbors.

Rant Over Buhari Endorsement Of Ize-Iyamu: PDP Pot Calling APC Kettle Black, By Garba Shehu

Editorial staff

August 8, 2020

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which has been struggling to clear its name from alleged deals with the underworld in Dubai and the United States has, to our surprise, found the voice to attack the anti-corruption war of the Muhammadu Buhari administration following the President’s endorsement of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the All Progressives Congress, APC’s dashing candidate for the governorship election in Edo State.

Forgetting its own history and antecedents, the PDP said in a garrulous statement that “the President ought to have been aware that the Candidate is standing trial for corruption,” and then went on rant against the government’s war against corruption, alleging its failure.

Let PDP first withdraw the governorship nominations it gave to Ahmadu Fintiri and Bala Mohammed of Adamawa and Bauchi States respectively, before it opens its mouth and talk on the efforts of this administration in fighting corruption. Or else, it should shut its mouth forever and leave us to do what it dares not attempt.

Both PDP governors were actually on bail from criminal trial on several counts of fraud and embezzlement.

Justice A. R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, July 1, 2016 granted bail to the former acting governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri. He was charged on June 30, 2016 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alongside his company, Mayim Construction and Properties Limited on a five-count charge of money laundering to the tune of N2.9 billion.

In the case of Bala Mohammed, the PDP Governor of Bauchi State, the EFCC, on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, arraigned the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, before Justice A. M. Talba of the Federal Capital Territory, High Court sitting in Gudu, Abuja, on a six-count charge bordering on abuse of office, false declaration of assets and fraud to the tune of N864 million.

“Bala, while in office as minister, allegedly received N550 million as bribe from Aso Savings and Loans Limited with respect to some properties in the Asokoro area of Abuja.

“He is said to have corruptly abused his position as Board Chairman of Aso Savings by allocating four numbers fully detached duplexes and 11 numbers semi-detached duplexes valued at N314 million through the Presidential Taskforce on Sale of Government Houses, to himself.

“The former minister is also accused of making false declaration of his assets.”

Pastor Ize-Iyamu is being prosecuted by the EFCC alongside Lucky Imasuen, former deputy governor of Edo State, Chief Dan Orbih, PDP Chairman in Edo State and other leaders of the party in the state, Tony Aziegbemi and Efe Erimuoghae.

Under the country‘s laws, only the courts can convict. A suspect remains a suspect until conviction. But, if in the view of the PDP, a suspect is guilty as charged, then they must show examples by withdrawing the nomination of their governors and the party’s numerous Senators and other legislators standing trial in various courts of the country.

A party which 16 years in office destroyed the country’s economy and infrastructure has no moral authority to criticize the accelerated infrastructure development drive, largely drawing its energy from the Buhari anti-corruption campaign.

A government that sees corruption in the past administration and sees corruption in its own administration, and fights it with equal gusto, cannot be placed on the same scale with those who, by their words and deeds said corruption is a way of life and Nigerians should learn to live with it.

This clean-up drive by the President Buhari administration will only speed up with the ongoing investigations and trials.

The current administration’s cleansing exercise of the government, politics and economy in line with the zero tolerance for corruption, will not be distracted.

Garba Shehu is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity.

Senator Kashamu Dies Of Coronavirus Complications

Editorial staff

August 8, 2020

Senator Kashamu Buruji is dead. He died today, August 8 of the coronavirus complications.

His death was announced by his life time friend, Ben Murray-Bruce as follows:

NNPC Signs Pact To Resolve OML 130 Dispute, To Unlock About $510 Million In Gas Revenue

Editorial staff

August 8, 2020

In its bid to meet the target of revving up production to 3 million barrels per day and unlock gas revenues to the tune of about $225 million in the short term and $510 million in the long run for the Federation, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has reached an accord with its partners, China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) and South Atlantic Petroleum (SAPETROL), to settle all outstanding issues surrounding the development of Oil Mining Lease, (OML) 130.

Speaking at the signing of Head of Terms (HoT) agreement with the partners yesterday, August 7 at the NNPC Towers, Abuja, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, said the deal was part of the Corporation’s PSC Dispute Resolution and Renewal Strategy of 2017 aimed at securing out of court settlement of all disputes around the 1993 Production Sharing Contracts (PSC) and agreeing on terms for their renewal.

A statement by the Corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, said that the dispute arose from recognition of certain cost and discordant interpretation of the fiscal terms of the PSC by NNPC and the Contractor parties.

With the resolution and signing of the Head of Terms (HoT) document which sets out the terms agreed in principle between parties in the course of negotiations, apart from unlocking over $225 million of gas revenues, it will also enable settlement of renewal fees and create an environment conducive to further development of OML 130 with associated benefits to the Federation.

“We are doing this with every other partner in the PSC dispute, we believe that we can close this engagement and conversation with all of you. The HoT will clearly enable us to proceed and have a full settlement, and this will benefit all of us,” Mallam Kyari said.

He commended CNOOC and SAPETROL for their understanding, even as he expresser delight that the HoT will facilitate the conclusion of all renewal issues.

In his response, the Managing Director of CNOOC, Mr. Xie Vincent Wensheng, said the agreement has opened a new chapter in his company’s relationship with NNPC, stressing that it has provided a win-win situation for all parties.

On his part, Managing Director of SAPETROL, Mr. Toyin Adenuga, said the resolution of the dispute was a very important step towards further development of OML 130 and other new fields as the terms are now clearly spelt out.

The execution of the HoT signals the resolution of a tax dispute that arose from the $2.3bn acquisition of a 45% stake in OML 130 by CNNOC from SAPETRO in 2006.

The OML 130 consists of the Akpo and Egina Fields which have been producing since 2009 and 2018 respectively.

It is operated by Total Upstream Nigeria Ltd which holds 24% stake, while Petrobras Oil and Gas BV and SAPETRO hold 16% and 15% stakes respectively.

Edo Political Crisis: I Don’t Want To Go To Jail – Ize-Iyamu

Editorial staff

August 7, 2020

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the September 19 gubernatorial election in Edo State, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has said that he had avoided stoking crisis in the State because he had no immunity like the governor and therefore would not want to go to jail.

Ize-Iyamu, who fielded questions from newsmen today, August 7, shortly after formally receiving his flag from President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja, pointed accusing finger at the State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, who is the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), saying that the governor m should be held responsible for the political violence.

He said that the governor had threatened to deal with anybody that crosses his way, relying on the immunity he enjoys.

“On the issue of violence that you mentioned, if you ask your correspondents in Edo, it is the governor that has been beating the war drums. My billboards are being vandalised, nobody has touched their own.

“We wrote petitions to the commissioner of police, the Director DSS and they will attest to the fact that on a regular basis they are destroying our billboards. They are the ones that want to make the state ungovernable and I am sure you heard the governor say that himself and his deputy have immunity and so they can deal with anybody.

“I don’t have immunity, I don’t want to go to jail and it is not in my character to deal with anyone. They did their flag off at the stadium, nobody molested them. This morning I placed a call to the DSS director to tell him that I am aware that the deputy governor has sent money to the student union leaders, appealing to them to come and demonstrate at Ugbowo, which is the route we are taking to our flag off tomorrow (Saturday). Of course the boys were just looking at him and informed us.

“So we are not beating any war drum, we believe in peace, our president believes in peace, our party leaders believe in peace and we cannot disappoint them.

“So I can assure you that on our part, we will conduct ourselves in a peaceful manner, our campaign will be done peacefully, the elections by the grace of God will be done peaceful. We are only appealing to the PDP and the governor to do the same.”

Ize-Iyamu said that the immediate past national chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, has apologised for the bad things he said about him in 2016.

Oshiomhole had backed Obaseki against Ize-Iyamu in 2016, and while campaigning for the governor, he described Ize-Iyamu as someone who cannot be trusted.

Explosion: Saudi Sends 2 Plane Load Of Food Items, Medicines, Other Relief Materials To Lebanon

Editorial staff

August 7, 2020

KSRelief sends aid to Lebanon in wake of the devastating Beirut port blast. (SPA)

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has dispatched two plane load of food items, medicines and other relief materials to Beirut, Lebanon to cushion the effect on the victims of the massive explosions that swept through the country’s capital city recently.

The two planes departed from King Khalid International Airport carrying more than 120 tons of medicines, devices, solutions, medical and emergency supplies, tents, shelter kits and food items. The planes were accompanied by a specialized team from the Center to follow up and supervise the distribution operations.

The country’s Advisor on Royal Court and Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, said today, August 7 in a statement that the relief air bridge that was launched is an implementation of directive from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, to provide urgent medical and humanitarian assistance through KSrelief to the people of Lebanon to help them overcome the effects of the port explosion.

Dr. Al Rabeeah said that the directive of King Salman signified the established humanitarian values of the Saudi leadership, stressing that this assistance highlights the pivotal role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in providing humanitarian assistance to all people in need around the world with complete impartiality.

I Want Transparent Election In Edo, Buhari Charges APC Leaders

Editorial staff

August 7, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure transparency in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.

Receiving the party’s governorship candidate, Osage Ize-Iyamu, at the presidential Villa, Abuja, the President insisted that it is only transparent electoral process that would bring about confidence in the people on government.

“What I want is a transparent process so that the confidence of the people will be strengthened.’’

He advised party leaders and campaign team to also do all that is necessary, following legal and constitutional means, to win the election.

He charged the party leaders to avoid the pitfalls that affected the party’s victory in Rivers, Zamfara and Bayelsa States in the 2019 elections, pointing out that with the resolution of the “acute crisis’’ in the party in Edo State, he was optimistic that the party will regain its pride of place in winning elections, and serving the people.

The President congratulated Pastor Ize-Iyamu on his emergence as the party’s candidate in Edo State after a “turbulent process,’’ assuring him of full support.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, who presented the candidate, told the President that: “Pastor Ize- Iyamu is a seasoned grassroots politician who is loved by his people,” saying that President Buhari’s blessings on the candidate further validates the party’s confidence.

The Chairman of the APC Edo State gubernatorial campaign, Governor Umar Ganduje, said in line with the principles of the party the APC will lead a clean campaign, devoid of acrimony, hatred and violence.

Governor Ganduje said the campaign had started on a good and happy note, with the APC already taking over the state legislature with a majority of 17 out of 24.

In his response, Pastor Ize-Iyamu assured the President of his commitment to ensuring good governance in the state if elected in September elections, recalling that he served as Deputy Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee of the APC at its formation.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu said he was glad to return to the APC, describing his initial exit as that of a “prodigal son’’.

The APC candidate thanked the President for the warm and fatherly reception, saying he was honoured to receive the party’s flag from the President.

Pastor Ize-Iyamu told State House Press Corps that he was fully in charge of his campaign as a popular candidate who served the State as Chief of Staff and Secretary to State Government in previous administrations.

He said that former APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, had already explained that his initial unfriendly comments during the 2016 campaigns were purely political aimed at giving another candidate an edge in the elections.

The Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum said all the APC governors are fully behind the candidature of Pastor Ize-Iyamu.

The APC governorship candidate was accompanied to the villa by Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni; Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and APC Campaign Chairman for Edo State elections and Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Mele In Senegal For Buhari Over Khalifa Tijjani’s Death

Greenbarge Reporters

August 7, 2020

Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Mele Kyari led delegation, including Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration service, Muhammadu Babandede to submit the condolences of President Muhammadu Buhari to the President of Senegal on the death of Khalifa Ahmed Tijani Ibrahim Inyass, the leader of the Global Tijjaniya movement of Africa.

President extolled the the scholarly works and teachings of the late Khalifa and the illuminating legacy he left behind.

Nigerian Army Describes U.S Warning Of Al-Qaeda, ISIS Invasion As Usual Alarm

Editorial staff

August 6, 2020

The Nigerian Army has described the warning by the United States of the possible invasion of the country by Al-Qaeda and ISIS as the usual alarm.

The nation’s Defence Headquarters said that the warning was nothing but just an alarm and that Nigeria security agencies are equal to the task, even as it called on Nigerians not to be afraid of such a claim.

The Coordinator of the Defence Media Operations, Major General John Enenche, who spoke on behalf of the military while answering questions from news men today, August 6, on military operations across the country, said that there is nothing to fear about the U.S warning.

General Enenche, however, described the statement as a wakeup call or form of advice, adding that the security agencies are on top of the situation.

“On the issue that terrorists from other zones are coming to the country, I think it will be good for us to be keeping records as events are unfolding, for me this is not the first time they are raising such an alarm.

“It’s as good as may be five or ten years ago, and the armed forces and the country are conscious of it. When the conflict in Libya was declared ended and which actually was not, what happened? It was we, our NIA and the SSS that said these people were moving which is true.

“Have we not captured foreigners that have been terrorising us in this country?

“So it is just a piece of advice or call that you still keep doing what you are doing, of which I can assure the general public that the security agencies are on top of that,” he said.

General Enenche said that the military in their recent exploits had captured some foreigners who came from neighbouring countries into Niger State.

“Where are they coming from, why do we have ISWAP here now, or is ISWAP indigenous from Nigeria? No. So it is telling you the obvious and I want to tell you that look, continue to ensure that you have measures in place to continue taming them.

`I read the details of the presentation, it was not accusing, it was not specific, it is like saying you people should put efforts to continue to contain them.

“Because when pressure is on them from other climes, they will still continue to increase their influx.”

General Enenche said that the military is winning the battle against terrorism in the country, adding that huge successes had been recorded, adding that while the people outside there do expectation analysis, the military do operational analysis based on the direction of operation.

“What has flattened it is that you will discover that from March up till now, it is offensive, offensive with sacrifices made on the part of the military.

“Yes, of course, we lost some people but the gains have outweighed what we lost which is what we signed for, so what you have seen is success and it will continue to improve.

“This is because, as it is now, we have been given marching orders again, all we need to do is to go and dig up where we have our contingencies because by our training, we are trained to face challenges.”

Source: NAN.

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