Buhari To Farmers: You Make Me Proud; I Promise You More Bounties

March 12, 2020

“For our farmers, fishing communities, those in the livestock sector and agro entrepreneurs, you have truly made me proud. We shall continue to support you all with access to credit, adequate inputs, access to markets and policies that will promote and support your competitiveness.”

These were the words of President Muhammadu Buhari at the commencement of Argungu fishing Festival in Kebbi State today, March 12. The Festival, abandoned about 11 years ago due to insecurity, was revived by the Kebbi State government.

President noted that the return of Argungu Agricultural and Fishing Festival after 11 years of its suspension, and other international festivals across the country, are signs of more confidence in improved security.

This was even as he assured that the Federal Government will sustain investments in security infrastructure to boost cultural tourism, and attract more investments in the entertainment industry.

The President noted that insecurity created a lull in tourism and entertainment for many years, with ripple effects on the economy, by restricting movements, gatherings and investments, promising to promote policies that will stimulate more interest in tourism and entertainment.

“Our presence here today is evidence of Government’s commitment to restoring security and expanding domestic food production as core mandate of our programmes.

“We are all aware that this important cultural gathering was suspended for 11 years as a result of insecurity. Today, by the grace of God, this festival is back and I hope back for good.

“We are not only celebrating the reinstatement of this important gathering, but we are also celebrating the remarkable progress made in restoring peace and security to this region and indeed, our country. It is also noteworthy that yesterday in Abuja a motor rally across five states, which will terminate here in Argungu, was flagged off.’’

President Buhari said many international festivals, such as the Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival, were being celebrated across the country, bringing all Nigerians closer together and improving collective appreciation of the nation’s diversity, while projecting the rich history and culture to foreigners.

“In both instances, massive jobs are created in the tourism sector, which we all agree is still not fully developed. We must therefore continue to encourage, support and promote such festivals.

“Let me use this opportunity to commend Governor of Kebbi State, His Highness, Emir of Argungu, Minister of Information and Culture, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria and members of the organising committee at the local, state and federal levels for this remarkable event.’’

The President said the government focused on food security by investing in programmes that will stimulate more interest in agriculture, improve system of farming, highlighting some of the achievements since 2015 to include return of paddy pyramids and multi-billion naira rice mills.

“Furthermore, you will all recall that our food security program started here in Kebbi back in 2015. The many products displayed here are also proof of the progress we have made as a nation in feeding ourselves. The farming, fishing and pastoral communities truly embraced our programmes and have proven that we can produce what we need.

“We established the National Food Security Council, which I Chair, supported by the Governor of this State, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, to ensure that all our successes to date are continuously improved upon.

“I thank the people of Kebbi State for your support to the Governor as he embarked on this very important national assignment.’’

He commended private sector sponsors and international development partners for supporting the 60th Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival, adding that Nigerians have the capacity to solve the challenges facing the country.

In his remarks, the Governor of Kebbi State commended President Buhari for his “we can do it’’ spirit in the agricultural sector, which had resulted in rising grain pyramids and employment, and providing an enabling environment for festivals, like the Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival, to resume.

“We are not allowing those who do not wish us well to define who we are.’’

The Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Sama’ila Muhammad Mera, commended the President for the bold step to close the land borders, which clearly showed his penchant to always pursue national interest.

Argungu Agricultural Fair is part of activities at the 60th Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival, which is a UNESCO World Heritage event.

Atiku Advises Federal Govt To Suspend Air Links With Coronavirus Ravaging Countries

Editorial staff

March 12, 2020

Former Nigeria’s Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has advised the Federal Government to temporarily suspend flight links with countries that are currently being ravaged by coronavirus.

In a statement he personally signed today, March 12, Atiku said: “this is a patriotic call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to take every reasonable step to protect the citizens of Nigeria, by temporarily suspending flights to and from such countries, until we build up our ability to contain the corona virus.” Atiku, who was the Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 election, feared that the economic impact of a widespread infestation of the virus in Nigeria will be catastrophic, and will affect our national security, and status as Africa’s leading economy.

He stressed that the ravages of coronavirus scourge, which has officially been classified as a global pandemic, must not be allowed to test already fragile Nigeria’s economy.

“I urge that every political and any other differences be put aside. On my own part, on this issue, I am first a Nigerian, and I am willing and ready to work with anybody, at anytime, at whatever cost, to ensure the safety of this country, which is the only country we have to call our home, and her peoples.

“We must act now. We must put Nigeria and her citizens first. We must ensure that our national policy is deliberately tailored to protect our greatest national resource, the great Nigerian people.”

Join In Campaign To Dissuade Youths From Cultism, Drug Abuse, Others – Police Boss

Editorial staff

March 12, 2020

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu as called on all stakeholders to join the Nigeria police Force to vigorously carry out enlightenment campaigns with a view to dissuading the youths from engaging in Cultism, Drug Abuse, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Other Vices in the Community.

Launching the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices, code-named POCACOV in Abuja today, March 12, the Inspector General said that the campaign is being anchored on the principles of community policing, even as he invited the youths, transporters, artisans, faith-based and community based organizations, traditional Rulers, youths groups, students, market organizations, sister security agencies, the media, development partners and all well meaning Nigerians to join forces with the Police and support the campaign in order to save Nigerian Youths from the claws of cultism and other vices and for a safe and secured nation.

“I appreciate your support and assure you that with your continued partnership, the task of securing the future of our youths and guaranteeing the safety of our nation shall be attained.”

The police boss said that upon his assumption of Office as the Inspector General of Police, he had resolved to run a Police Force that is not only proactive in internal security management, but also people-oriented.

“This is informed by my firm conviction that evolving new initiatives that will address the root causes of crime is a better option than concentrating on its manifestations. Part of these plans is the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) which we are gathered here today to launch.

“The Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) is an initiative that is aimed at saving our youths from the claws of cultism and other vices through advocacy, awareness creation, sensitization and re-orientation, and School and community outreaches, amongst others. The programme is informed, firstly, by the realisation that there is a correlation between cultism and other violent crimes involving our youth population. Secondly, is that deep-rooted and socially-driven crimes like cultism are best mitigated through a strategy that is premised on community policing practices which encourages building partnership towards addressing delinquencies that threaten our communal values.

“The POCACOV represents a new approach by the Nigeria Police in combating cultism and other vices. It is also a way of recognizing the fact that core law enforcement approach is no longer enough in combating these sets of crimes. Hence, the need to work with different stakeholders as well as mobilize the people to aid in getting to the root of the crimes.

He recalled that he officially flagged off POCACOV in Enugu on 29^th August, 2019, adding that since then, POCACOV has increasingly made impacts across different States of the Federation that have keyed into its operational activities.

“The National Launch which we are holding here today is in line with my vision to adopt the initiative at national level while encouraging the States to partner with us in domesticating it at other levels of government. In furtherance to this, it is pertinent to note that we have established a POCACOV Resource Centre in Enugu where resource materials and modules are developed for effective nationwide implementation of the campaign.

“As part of the measures directed at deepening the Campaign, we have also inaugurated the POCACOV Ambassadors scheme with personalities drawn from a broad spectrum of reputable actors, actresses and artistes who shall serve as role models to the youths and are help in carrying out POCACOV campaigns in various states of the Federation.

“In the same vein, we have inaugurated the NYSC/POCACOV Community Development Service (NYSC/POCACOV CDS) to help in deepening the message at the grassroots. In order to further widen the campaign nationwide, we have also, through the support of the Nigeria Policing Programme, developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for POCACOV Ambassadors, NYSC/POCACOV CDS and Police-Students Relations Fora. At Present, all Police Public Relations officers across the country have been sensitized on their roles in the nationwide implementation of POCACOV while all Zonal and State Police Commands have been directed to commence the process of the full implementation of the campaign.”

Open Letter To Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, By Baba Ahmed Joda

Editorial staff

March 12, 2020

My dear Son,

As I write this letter I do not know your address. I am addressing it to you as my son, because I know you understand why. I got to know you when you were a very young person, a boy about to enter Secondary School Before then and, very importantly, I knew your Grand Father, Emir of Kano Sanusi and your uncle the late Ambassador Ado Sanusi. Circumstances had made it possible for me to become very close to both of them. Your late father, Ambassador Aminu Sanusi and I were contemporaries and were also very close. We trusted each other. He was a man of thought, far sighted, kind, considerate and resolute.

You have always, from the first day we met, called me Baba: when you were younger but as the years rolled on you called me Baba Joda. I accept the courtesy and value the respects it conveys. As a very young person, at our very first meeting, the questions you asked me and the points you raised were far and beyond your age and I thought that you possessed a great deal of potential. Your record in the public domain is proof enough of this assessment. Your departure from the Throne of Kano, was predictable from your very beginning and from the moment you ascended to it. For Kano and for Nigeria, it may well be a blessing in disguise that you may now be able to address issues that are now urgent for our society as a person not encumbered by the burden of office.

I believe that your father, a gifted and far sighted man, understood what the future politics of our country portend and decided early not to be part of it. The purpose of this letter to you is not to commiserate with you, because I know that you must have known the likely consequences of the principled position you have taken. The reality we must face in Northern Nigeria is that the evil forces of feudalism that have kept us in bondage for so long are still there and fighting. You have been the only voice that has been telling us this truth. These forces will fight you and you know it Also, within me, I feel that you have always known of this possibility and that you would be fully prepared for the consequences. Very often in the years since your accession to the Throne of Kano, I have tried to imagine what would be the best way for you to disengage from the suffocating burden you have inherited that of service to the people you have chosen to lead better. I believe that the reason for my trend of thought is that, from what I know of your grandfather, your father and your uncle Ado and, of course you, it was most likely that you cannot change your beliefs in order to survive in an environment that is alien to all that is fair, good and responsible. I believe that for the good of the Kano people, the people of Northern Nigeria and, of course, Nigeria you are now better placed to bring into service to humanity, the intellect that you are endowed with, the education in both the Western and Islamic endeavors to bear in the emancipation of the Talakawas of Northern Nigeria. Your courage and your wide experience in many areas of endeavour place you in an excellent position to influence the effort to emancipate people who, for so long, have been subjugated and deprived by leaderships that are conservative and feudal; unable, unwilling and incapable of seeing the writing on the wall. Leaderships that cannot understand or appreciate that this world we are in is a world that is led by knowledge, by science and technology; none of which cannot be achieved without sound education which were are denying our people.

I suggest to you that, if you are contemplating the legal route to right the wrong that has been done to you; you should abandon the thought. The Judiciary is not the way to go in this country when you are seeking justice. For evidence you have a living example in Jokolo, the Emir of Gwandu.

In the circumstances of the present, I suggest that you only take full advantage of the Fundamental Rights guaranteed to all Nigerian citizens by the Constitution and only go to court to enforce those Fundamental Human Rights. Even this route can be frustrating it can serve keep unjust system in the public mind and in the Peoples’ Court. You must protect your right to hold and to express your views; your right to associate with others and to propagate any views that are consistent with the laws of the Federation of Nigeria. I believe it is possible for a platform to be created by you and people of like minds to propagate the ideas and ideals that can emancipate Northern Nigeria from the shackles of the visionless leaderships that we have endured for so long. We need a moral leadership that is founded on sound and honest principles; of good education and of justice and fair play. I believe you have the courage and all that it takes to accept the challenge that your new situation has imposed on you. I look forward to your accepting this challenge and to your helping to create such a platform that you can lead towards the moral revolution that we so badly need and deserve. I wish you well.

Your affectionately,

Baba Ahmed Joda.

Police Rescue 4 NYSC Corps Members From Kidnappers In Zamfara

Editorial staff

March 11, 2020

Nigeria Police have announced the rescue of four corps members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who were kidnapped on 9^th March, along Funtua-Gusau Road on their way to NYSC Orientation Camp, Gusau in Zamfara State.

A statement by the Force Headquarters in Abuja said that the successful rescue operation came as a result of diligent and intense intelligence gathering and sustained coordinated operations.

The names of the corps members were given as Oladehin Paul, Ojo Temitope, Ojewale Elizabeth and Adenigbuyan Adegboyega.

It said that the rescued youths have since been handed over to the Zamfara State Director of the National Youth Service Corps.

“Mohammed Ardo, a co-traveller from Gusau who was also kidnapped along with the corps members has also been rescued and successfully reunited with his family.”

The statement said that the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed A. Adamu commended the Commissioner of Police in charge of Katsina state Command, Sanusi Buba, his operatives as well as good citizens of the State who supported the police operations.

The police boss, assured Nigerians of the unrelenting determination of the Force to rid the nation of all forms of crime and criminality.

7.5% VAT Will Affect Contracts Executed From February 1, 2020 – Presidency

Editorial staff

March 11, 2020

The presidency has laid to rest, the controversies making the rounds over when should the collection of the 7.5 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) which came into effect on February 1 begin.

The issue was clarified today, March 11, by the senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu shortly after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

He said that the Council approved the report of a Cabinet Committee on the effective date for the commencement of the 7.5 % VAT on government contracts.

“A final decision was reached today that new contracts that are signed from February 1, going forward, will attract 7.5 percent VAT). Contracts earlier than February 1 signed on 5 percent will remain as 5 percent.”

Garba Shehu recalled that by law, the new VAT came into effect on the 1st of February, 2020, adding that Government had worried about the implications of this on contracts that had been issued earlier than this year.

“So, the contracts that are being handled by various ministries particularly Ministry of Work for instance are coming from many years back. So, should the VAT on those contracts be 7.5% or 5% as earlier signed on to?”

He said that with the clarification, “there is no more confusion on this matter.”

Why I Didn’t Intervene In The Removal Of Emir Sanusi Of Kano – Buhari

Editorial staff

March 11, 2020

President Muhammadu Buhari has given reasons why he did intervene in the deposition of Muhammadu Sanusi II from the position of Emir of Kano.

“As outlined in the Constitution, the appointment or removal of emirs and other traditional leaders is strictly within the jurisdiction of state governments. It is unfair and disingenuous of opposition politicians to try to link the situation in Kano State to the federal government and the Nigerian President.”

A statement today, March 11 by a presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu reacting to ex governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso’s allegation that it was the President that ordered the removal of the Emir, Buhari described such insinuations as untrue, malicious and politically motivated.

“The President does not have a history of intervening in the affairs of any state in the country, unless the issue at hand is of national consequence. On such matters which impinge on national security, he has a duty of involvement as the law stipulates.

“Although a retired General and former Military Head of State, President Buhari clearly understands that under the current democratic dispensation, the government at the centre cannot read instructions or twist the arms of all or any of the 36 state governments making up the federation. They all have their powers specified under the Constitution.”

President Buhari commended the people of Kano for keeping calm in the past few days of the dethronement announcement even as he said that the will of Allah will be done at all times.

He prayed that the emirate and state as well its people continue to experience progress irrespective of who is on the throne.

We Did Not Banish Dethroned Emir Sanusi, Kano State Govt

Editorial staff

March 11, 2020

Ibrahim-Mukhtar | Photo Credit: Solacebase

The Kano State government has denied the reports that the deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has been banished from the state.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice in the state, Ibrahim Muktar, stated this during his appearance on Channels Television today, March 11.

He said: “If you listen to the Secretary to the State Government, when he was addressing the press on the issue of the removal of the emir from office, there was nowhere he stated that the emir was banished from Kano State.”

Gov El-Rufai Again, Appoints Deposed Emir Sanusi Chancellor Of Kaduna University

Editorial staff

March 11, 2020

The Kaduna State Government has named the dethroned Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Chancellor of the Kaduna State University (KASU). He succeeds the pioneer Chancellor, His Highness, Malam Tagwai Sambo, the Chief of Moro’a, who was appointed in 2005.

A statement from Sir Kashim Ibrahim House announcing the new appointment said: “On behalf of the government and people of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai is delighted to appoint His Highness, Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Chancellor of the Kaduna State University. In public life, His Highness has demonstrated a strong commitment to education.”

Gov El-Rufai Appoints Deposed Emir Of Kano Into Investment Promotion Board

Editorial staff

March 11, 2020

Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has offered the deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II an appointment.

A statement by Media Aide to the Governor, Muyiwa Adekeye, said Sanusi has been appointed into the Board of the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA).
Established in 2015, the Agency is chaired by Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe will chair the board while His Highness Muhammadu Sanusi II will be Vice-Chairman.

“The appointment is part of the reconstitution of the board of KADIPA, which is statutorily chaired by the Deputy Governor, and has as internal members other senior officials of the Kaduna State Government,” the statement reads in part.

Adekeye states further that “Kaduna State hopes to benefit from the profile, experience, intellect and networks of His Highness, Muhammad Sanusi, who before becoming Emir, had built a solid reputation in global financial circles.

“Malam Nasir El-Rufai said that Kaduna State is honoured to be able to call on the services of a man of such calibre to drive its development.”
Other members of the board include Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Jimi Lawal, Senior Adviser and Counsellor and Aisha Dikko, the Attorney General of Kaduna State.
The KADIPA board also includes the Head of Service, Hajiya Bariatu Yusuf Mohammed, Commissioner of Business, Innovation and Technology, Idris Nyam, Commissioner of Housing and Urban Development, Fausat Ibikunle and Commissioner, Planning and Budget Commission, Thomas Gyang.
Other board members are the Director-General of Kaduna Geographic Information System(KADGIS), Altine Jibrin, Muhammad Hafiz Bayero, the Managing Director of Kaduna Market Development and Management Company, Farida Dankaka and Umma Aboki, the Executive Secretary of KADIPA.
“The Governor also said that he is confident that the new board, which contains the most senior officers of the state will further propel KADIPA to greater success in attracting investments to Kaduna State,” Adekeye states further.

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