2019 Hajj: 1.8 Million Muslims Arrive For Pilgrimage In Saudi Arabia

August 8, 2019

As the Saudi Arabian authorities conclude receiving Muslims arrivingin the country to undertake pilgrims for this year, no fewer than 1,708,152 have been recorded by the authorities. The intending pilgrims arrived in Jeddah and Madinah through land, sea and air.

The Director General of Passports in Saudi Arabia, Major General Suleiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Yahya, said at a press conference in Jeddah today, August 7 that up till 12 noon of today, August 7, 1,819,790 pilgrims have come to the Kingdom to perform the annual Hajj rites.

He gave a breakdown of the figure as 1,708,152 people arriving through airports across the Kingdom, 94,388 through land ports, while 17,250 came via sea.

He said that over 300 forged visas were discovered upon arrival of some intending pilgrims. Major General. Al Yahya recounted the efforts made by the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, as well as the Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef and the Minister of Defense in providing all possible resources to ensure the arrival phase of the Hajj pilgrimage was made swift and smooth due to the advanced technology, as well as efficient employees to carry out the process in record time.

He warned all pilgrims against staying beyond the Hajj season, and to return home after completing their Hajj rites in accordance with their issued visas, saying all those caught will face the wrath of the law.

The Director said that the Directorate is already preparing for the second phase concerning the departure of the pilgrims to their various countries.

Source: Daily Trust.

Saudi Chief Advises Pilgrims Not To Politicize Hajj

August 8, 2019

The President of General Presidency of Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al Sudais, has advised pilgrims to stay away from any acts that would politicize the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

Al-Sudais described the Hajj as a “message of peace,” and asked the guests of Allah to stay away from behaviors that would politicize the pilgrimage.

“You should perform your Hajj rites in peace, ease and comfort away from political slogans and behaviors that are against the noble values of Islam.”

He said that Islam is against all forms of extremism, terrorism and destruction, asking the pilgrims to spend their time in getting to know each other for the good and welfare of all.

The president of General Presidency of Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques who was meeting with a media delegation of international journalists who are on invitation from the Saudi Arabian Minister of Media in Makkah yesterday, August 6, said that Saudi Arabia is a prominent symbol of moderation and peaceful coexistence.

He asked the media to create awareness among Islamic countries regarding the prevailing issues to Muslim Ummah.

He commended the media for being trustworthy in distributing news to the world, to tell the people truth and to avoid any misinterpretation of Islam.

He stated that the media had a major responsibility to write the truth based on direct observation of ground realities about facilities and the services being offered by the Saudi government to the pilgrims.

He called on the media to show the unity of the Muslim Ummah and distribute the message of tolerance and peaceful coexistence through understanding culture of each other, combating terrorism and fundamentalism.

Source: Daily Trust

Delta Gov Assures FIFA Of Nigeria’s Readiness To Host 2020 Under-20 Women World Cup

Editorial staff

August 8, 2019

Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has assured the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) of the full readiness of his State to host the Under-20 Women World Cup in 2020.

Speaking today, August 7, when FIFA team on inspection of facilities in the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba, the State capital, visited him in the government House, the governor said that his administration is determined to put in place, more facilities that would be needed for the competition.

He recalled that such international events as the 21st Africa Senior Athletics Competition, Super Eagles matches with Seychelles and Egypt, among others were hosted in the same stadium without hitches, saying that hosting the World Cup would be a great event that would be welcomed by football enthusiasts and all Deltans.

“I am glad that you are here to inspect sporting facilities in our state; as a government, we have continued to do the best we can to develop sporting facilities and we have done very well in that area.

“It is good that you are happy with the facilities we have on ground and the compliments from you will help us to continue to do the best that we can. Asaba and our state generally is peaceful and I want to reassure you that we will do what we have to do if there are areas we need to improve on.

“Asaba is the place to be for this kind of championship; we have the crowd to cheer the teams, receptive people and friendly environment.

“As a state government, we will do everything that we can within our reach, to ensure that we have a successful event.”

Earlier, the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, had said that the FIFA team was impressed with the facilities they met on ground at the stadium and commended Okowa’s administration for its commitment to sports development, especially football.

The FIFA delegation, which is led by Christopher Exley, is billed to visit Asaba, Uyo, Lagos and Benin City to inspect facilities for the 2020 world female football fiesta.

There’s Different Between Protest And Revolution, Oshiomhole Argues

Editorial staff

August 8, 2019

National chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has made it clear that public protest is far different from revolution which the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowere espoused and is now being detained by security agents over his attempt to mobilize Nigerians to stage.

Fielding questions from news men today, August 7 after an engagement with President Muhammadu Buhari along with members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Oshiomhole, said that protest ought to be based on specific grievances and demands.

He said that it is strange that after Nigerians have voted, the votes have been counted and Sowore, who contested and lost, turned around to talk about revolution, asking: “what does he want now? That Nigerians must make him the President?

“We all have to be careful. Nobody should talk as if we have another country. We have challenges but somehow we have all resolved as a people that the way and route to power is in the ballot box. Our task as a people is to continue to work to clean up the system so that only Nigerians alone shall determine who govern them at all levels.

“That I believe is a legitimate thing to fight for. But if he wanted overthrow, he wanted a revolution then he should have spared the INEC of putting him on the ballot paper.

“I believe Nigerians have a right to protest; I believe people have a right to contest issues. People have the right to disagree. I have often said that government doesn’t have the right to dictate to people how to protest, but you must state exactly what you want. I ask you to name any country in the world where somebody stands up and says after the election that he contested and lost; now therefore he wants revolution.

“Go and check the dictionary and political meaning of a revolution. If it comes it will be like the Christmas turkey, nobody knows which one will be first slaughtered on Christmas.

“I think we do need to take things seriously. We have serious issues in this country. I have my own reservations about many things but we have submitted to this process and we must work hard to make it work.

“There is no doubt that we have challenges but I don’t think (revolution is the right thing). If you were an American, British, Ghanaian or even a Nigerian, you were about to set up a farm or a factory and you hear that a revolution is in the making, in which country do you here that? You go to any country, including established democracies and say your business is to create revolution.

“Have you monitored what is happening in France; that yellow jacket people, who were organizing those protests? Initially when they were organizing those protests they were asking for labour reforms that President Macron introduced but from there they went into something else. You must have seen on your television how the French authorities dealt with that.

“I think we have to be clear. I am a believer that in the right to protest (which) is a fundamental human right, but it does not include the right to suggest that you want to overthrow a constituted order? No, there is a difference.

“As NLC President, when we were organizing protest; when we had put down the head of the then President after one week protest, I think it was late Gani Fawehinmi that said instead of pushing him out, we raised the head again, and I said our purpose is to defeat a set of anti-people policies that we have seen but recognizing that we are in a democracy and that the president was elected. Our mission was not to remove him from office. There is a difference between the two.

“So you can go and contest election and when you lose you say you want to do revolution. It is not about this president, it is not about APC, it is recognizing that we have challenges; are we prepared to allow none democratic means to effect a change?

“Nobody knows the value of democracy more than you the media because once upon a time two of your colleagues were convicted for allegedly plotting coup with a pen. The accusation was that he was plotting to overthrow a military government with pen. So we have come a long way.

“I am for a right to protest but you must state what you want out of the protest. But if you want a forceful change, then the issue is that we have to look at the laws.”

Buhari Swings Into Action To Resolve Raging Crisis In Bauchi Assembly

Editorial staff

August 7, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has intervened in the crisis that has been rocking the Bauchi State House of Assembly over the election of Speaker and other key officers.

The President, who received the aggrieved members of the Assembly at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, today, August 7, promised to liaise with the Minister of Justice when sworn in, and the Inspector General of Police, to ensure that the rights of the constituencies and individuals are not abused in any form.

“I am aware of the problem in Edo and Bauchi States and I try to appreciate my position as the President, the political situation vis-a-vis the constitution of our country, the role of the commissioners of police and the party. I always like to be on the side of the constitution.”

The President advised the legislators not to give up their rights and the rights of those who elected them, even as he charged them not to compromise on their individual integrity so as not to divide the House and the party.

He advised them also to stay firm, bearing in mind their responsibilities to their constituencies and that they should always keep the party in the State and at the centre informed.

The party members led by the national Chairman of the ruling party, Adams Oshiomhole, had briefed the President on events leading to the crisis in the House.

I Will Fully Involve APC In Taking Key Decisions, Buhari Assures Party Leaders

Editorial staff

August 7, 2019

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that he would be more conscious of the interests of the party in taking key decisions.

The President, who received members of the NWC of the APC at the Presidential Villa, Abuja today, August 7, pledged to uphold party supremacy even as he commended the National Chairman , Adams Oshiomhole, and other members for their sacrifices and overall success in the last general elections in the country.

“It is obvious that the success of the party was more paramount in your hearts. You could have deployed the times and energy you deployed for the party for your own personal use.

“I respect the sacrifices you are making; you can only derive satisfaction if you are working for your country and all our people because, materially, nobody can pay you for the sacrifices.”

President Buhari appealed to NWC members to abide by the constitution of the party, saying: “it is not enough to just criticize certain decisions of the party without first understanding what the constitution says.”

The President assured the NWC that competent members with the requisite experience will be invited to contribute their quota to nation-building as heads and chairmen of boards of governmental parastatals and agencies.

Earlier, Oshiomhole had formally congratulated the President on the electoral victory and said that the NWC was meeting with him exclusively for the first time after the elections.

The party chairman acknowledged that while it was regrettable that the party lost some states, the greatest victory of the APC was in Kwara and Gombe states.

“In Kwara State, we uprooted the ruling dynasty and inaugurated absolutely loyal and totally committed APC men at the helm of affairs.”

Oshiomhole commended the unique leadership style of the President, even as he thanked him for his unflinching support that led to the success of the party in holding the principal offices of the 9^th National Assembly.

Nigeria’s Amina Mohammed Named One Of 100 Most Influential African Women For 2019

Editorial staff

August 7, 2019

Former Nigeria minister of environment and currently the second in command in the United Nations Secretariat, Amina J. Mohammed has emerged as one of the 100 Most Influential African Women for 2019, among other women.

The selection was made by a leading African Rating and PR firm, Advance Media which has over the years, been engaged in changing the narrative about Africa through rating and ranking publications and the launch of this initiative. It has planned not only to celebrate Africans but showcase the individual and collective works of women who are earnestly inspiring the next generation of leaders in Africa.

The inaugural list of features distinguished women whose works and accomplishments continue to inspire the next generation of women in Africa.

Speaking about the list, the Managing Director of Avance Media, Prince Akpah, said that the list has a representation of 100 women from 35 African countries who are changing the feminine narrative and challenging the status quo of women on the continent.

He said that some of the honourees have expressed interest in offering mentorship opportunities to young women from across the continent through the Be A Girl Mentorship program which is being launched to upsurge the impact of the publication.

The list features women who occupy eminent leadership positions such as President, Prime Minister, Secretary General, First Lady, Governor, Minister, CEO and Commissioners. Notable among them are Ethiopia’s President H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde, Liberia’s Vice PresidentH.E. Jewel Taylor, Namibia’s Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dr SaaraKuugongelwa-Amadhila, United Nations Deputy Secretary General H.E. Amina J. Mohammed and former presidents, H.E. Ellen Sirleaf Johnson and H.E. Catherine Samba-Panza.

The list also features young women activists such as AU Youth Envoy AyaChebbi, Farida Bemba Nabourema and Ilwad Elman.

Profiles of all the honouree have been published on100women.avancemedia.org and applications for the Be A Girl Mentorship Program is also opened.

Below is the list of Avance Media’s 2019 100 Most Influential African Women arranged in alphabetical order.

1. AbiolaBawuah || United Bank for Africa (UBA)

2. AïdaDiarra || Visa, SSA

3. Amani Abou-Zeid(H.EDr.) || African Union Commission

4. Amina C. Mohammed (Amb. Dr) || Kenyan Cabinet Minister

5. Amina J. Mohammed (H.E) || United Nations

6. Amira Elfadil Mohammed Elfadil(H.E) || African Union Commission

7. Angela Kyeremanten-Jimoh || IBM

8. AngéliqueKidjo || Musician

9. ArunmaOteh || University of Oxford

10. AyaChebbi || African Union Commission

11. Bethlehem TilahunAlemu || soleRebels

12. BinetaDiop(H.E) || African Union Commission

13. BintaToureNdoye || The Orabank Group

14. Bogolo Joy Kenewendo || Batswana Cabinet Minister

15. BonangMatheba || Media Personality

16. Carole Wainaina || Africa 50

17. Caroline Abel || Central Bank of Seychelles

18. Caster Semenya || Athlete

19. Catherine Samba-Panza(H.E) || Former President, Central African Republic

20. CessoumaMinataSamate(H.E) || African Union Commission

21. ChimamandaNgoziAdichie || Author

22. Clare Akamanzi || Rwanda Development Board

23. CoumbaToure || Africans Rising Movement

24. Cynthia Samuel-Olonjuwon || International Labour Organisation

25. DelphineMaidou || Allianz Africa

26. Diane Karusisi(Dr) || Bank of Kigali

27. Elisabeth MedouBadang || Orange Africa

28. Elizabeth ElangoBintliff || Junior Achievement Africa

29. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (H.E) || The Elders

30. Farida Bemba Nabourema|| Togolese Civil League

31. Fatima K. Mohammed (H.E) || United Nations

32. Fatma Samba DioufSamoura || FIFA

33. FatouBomBensouda || International Criminal Court

34. FatouJagne Senghor || Article 19 West Africa

35. FolorunshoAlakija || Famfa Oil

36. Genevieve Nnaji || Actress

37. Gladys Kokorwe || National Assembly of Botswana

38. GraçaMachel || GracaMachel Trust

39. Hanna Tetteh(H.E) || United Nations

40. KamissaCamara (Hon) || Malian Cabinet Minister

41. IbukunAwosika || First Bank of Nigeria

42. Ilwad Elman || Elman Peace and Human Rights Center

43. Irene Ovonji-Odida || The Uganda Association of Women Lawyers

44. Jackie Chimhanzi(Dr) || African Leadership Institute

45. Janine KacouDiagou || Nsia Groupe

46. Jeannine MabundaLioko || DRC National Assembly

47. Jewel Taylor (H.E) || Liberian Vice President

48. Josefa Leonel CorreiaSacko(H.E) || African Union Commission

49. Joyce Aryee(Dr) || Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd

50. Joyce Msuya || United Nations Environment Programme

51. Joyce-Ann Wainaina || Citi East Africa

52. Judy Dlamini(Dr) || University of the Witwatersrand

53. Juliana Kantengwa(Dr) || Pan African Parliament

54. Julie Gichuru || Acumen Communication Ltd

55. Justice Irene Mambilima || Supreme Court of Zambia

56. Justina Mutale || Justina Mutale Foundation

57. Khadja Nin || Musician

58. LeymahGbowee || Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa

59. Linda Ikeji || Blogger

60. Louise Mushikiwabo || Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie

61. LupitaNyong’o || Actress

62. Mandisa Maya || Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa

63. Mariam Jack-Denton || National Assembly of the Gambia

64. Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti(Dr) || WHO

65. Maya Hanoomanjee || National Assembly of Mauritius

66. MeazaAshenafi || Federal Supreme Court of Ethiopia

67. Michelle Ndiaye || Africa Peace and Security Programme

68. Mo Abudu || Ebony Life TV

69. Monica Geingos(H.E) || Namibian First Lady

70. Mosun Belo-Olusoga || Access Bank PLC Nigeria

71. Nadia Fettah || Saham Finances

72. NgoziOkonjoIweala || Gavi Alliance

73. Nicky Newton-King || Johannesburg Stock Exchange

74. NkosazanaDlamini-Zuma (H.E) || South African Cabinet Minister

75. NunuNtshingila || Facebook Africa

76. ObiageliEzekwesili || Transparency International

77. OmotolaJaladeEkeinde || Actress

78. OsaretinDemuren || GT Bank PLC Nigeria

79. OumouSangaré || Musician

80. PhumzileMlambo-Ngcuka(Dr) || UN Women

81. Precious Moloi-Motsepe(Dr) || African Fashion International

82. Priscilla Schwartz (Dr) || Sierra Leone Cabinet Minister

83. PriscillahMabelane || BP Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd

84. Rebecca Akufo-Addo(H.E) || Ghanaian First Lady

85. Rebecca Enonchong || Apps Tech

86. Rebecca Kadaga(Rt. Hon. ) || Parliament of Uganda

87. RetselisitsoeMatlanyane(Dr) || Central Bank of Lesotho

88. SaaraKuugongelwa-Amadhila (Rt. Hon. Dr) || Namibian Prime Minister

89. Sahle-Work Zewde(H.E) || Ethiopian President

90. Sarah MbiEnow Anyang Agbor(Prof H.E) || African Union Commission

91. Sheila Tlou(Professor ) || Global HIV Prevention Coalition

92. Sola David-Borha || Standard Bank Africa

93. Sophie Ikenye || BBC Focus on Africa

94. Tiwa Savage || Musician

95. TsitsiMasiyiwa || Higherlife Foundation

96. Vera Songwe (Dr) || United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

97. VerónicaMacamo || Assembly of the Republic of Mozambique

98. Wendy Lucas Bull || Absa Group Limited

99. Winnie Byanyima || Oxfam International

100. Yvonne Chaka Chaka || Musician

Kogi Assembly Moves To Impeach Deputy Governor

Editorial staff

August 7, 2019

Kogi state House of Assembly has commenced the process for the impeachment of the state Deputy Governor, Elder Simon Achuba.

The impeachment notice was read by the majority leader of the House, Abdullahi Bello (Ajaokuta, APC) as a petition on the floor of the assembly today, August 7.

The lawmakers based their petition on three grounds of criminal indulgence, financial misappropriation and non performance.

The majority leader, who said that 21 out of the 25 lawmakers signed the petition, added that the allegations, actions and utterances of the deputy governor amounted to gross misconduct.

He cited Section 188 of 1999 Constitution and thereafter prayed the House to commence investigation towards the impeachment move on the deputy governor.

The Speaker, Kolawole Matthew agreed to the prayers in the petition and asked the petition to be served on the deputy governor for him to respond within the 14 days time frame of the law.

Exit Of Tijjani Yusuf, My ‘Brother Of Different Parents’, By Jalal Arabi

Editorial staff

August 6, 2019

It is a couple of days now since I lost a bosom friend of immeasurable value and affection. My relationship with the late Mallam Tijjani Yusuf transcended friendship. It metamorphosed from mere friendship into brotherhood. Oga Tijjani as I used to call him (he also used to call me Oga PS) was a confidant and a true brother that fits the common adage of fraternity where you can easily introduce and refer to such an individual in whom you are pleased as “my brother of different parenthood.”

I first met Oga Tijjani some three decades ago. I had reported to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Area I Garki, as the Personal Assistant/Legal Counsel to the late Alhaji Abubakar Habu Hashidu, the then Honourable Minister of Water Resources and later Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development until 1993 when the Transition Council was formed and we vacated office. Oga Tijjani was then the Personal Assistant to the Director-General Dr. Alex Kadiri.

It was easy for me to settle down to work through the instrumentality of Oga Tijjani’s readiness to put me through using his humble nature and humane attitude of being a brother’s keeper at all times. He immediately taught me the rudiments of the job of a Personal Assistant, including the expectations therefrom, the survival techniques and the intrigues therein. I later came to appreciate the essence of his tutelage after surviving on the desk, until my Principal vacated office as the Minister in 1993. As an Aide/Civil Servant, initially on secondment from the Bauchi State Civil Service, I walked the tightropes of working and operating as a Federal Civil Servant; mediating my relationship with all the top management staff of the Ministry as well as Heads of Parastatals of the Ministry and their operators which resulted in a cordial relationship that outlived our sojourn while it lasted. All thanks to Oga Tijjani’s tutorials and guidance.

I left Oga Tijjani in the Ministry at the end of my Principal’s tenure in January, 1993 back to my State of Bauchi to resume as Senior State Counsel and subsequently transferred to the Presidency in May, 1993 as Assistant Chief Legal Officer/Legal Adviser in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). I was privileged to serve in that exalted office as Legal Adviser to the late Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed, the late Alhaji Mustapha Umara, the late Alhaji Aminu Saleh, the late Alhaji Gidado Idris and Chief Ufot Ekaette, all of them former SGFs and statesmen of repute. May the souls of those who departed among them rest in Aljannat Firdaus. It was fulfilling that I was able to deploy some of the lessons learnt from Oga Tijjani to serve these Principals and worked amicably with colleagues alike. All the while we were holding on together with Oga Tijjani.

My new schedules after May, 1993 (been Legal Adviser to the SGF) kept me close to the Villa. Save for the last two, the earlier three SGFs all had offices in the Villa. The daily shuttle we embarked upon made us quasi Villa staff, and obviously became abreast with the day-to-day happenings in the Villa. Again by sheer coincidence and providence, Oga Tijjani was posted to the office of the First Lady in 1994, so, we got reunited at workplace thus rekindling our personal bond and unison which had since gone beyond common friendship but family ties. My formal deployment and permanent relocation to the Villa in 2007 as State House Counsel was the icing on the cake for the consolidation of my bond with Oga Tijjani. It then became a brotherhood made in heaven, as we got connected twenty-four hours, seven days a week, and so were our two families.

My schedules as State House Counsel were purely legal though sometimes blended with tasks that are policy in nature and given by Mr President and or the Vice President directly or through the Chief of Staff. I was privileged to offer second legal opinion at all times in close consultation with the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation (HAGF), who is the Chief Law Officer of the Federation. There were instances where I had my differences with the HAGF and sometimes Honourable Ministers whose Policy proposals and advice we scrutinized on instructions. Knowing that expressing so might not go down well with them, and I needed to employ tact and respect in conveying my views to them before returning my submission to my principals, I found an interlocutor in Oga Tijjani. Though not “a learned friend”, I would explain my dilemma and apprehension to Oga Tijjani, and he would in his characteristic manner, make good suggestions on approaches that would ultimately help to douse tensions. Very wise man, self–effacing but full of experiences of life!

We have had our rituals of communal eating since I formally moved into the Villa. Initially, we would congregate in Kabiru Jibir’s office in the mornings for tea immediately after each morning’s briefing with the Chief of Staff (COS). Kabiru was then a Special Assistant in the office of COS. Lunch was usually served in my office and we sometimes had Imam Abdulwaheed join us. There was always an early evening snack in the office of the late Lawal Abdulganiyu where we were joined by Mallam Lawal Daura (then with PC4) and Mr. Olojede of the office of COS. At such an informal setting, we learnt so much from each other and you can bet the less talkative among us was Oga Tijjani. Speaking/talking less but once spoken, his contributions were sharp while his ideas deep, tested and enduring. This congenial setting and tradition continued till his last days. Breakfast and lunch sessions continued in my office until 2015 when lunch was moved centrally to the office of Mallam Abba Kyari (COS), our boss, who made it semi-mandatory for all of us, including his Assistants to eat jointly as a family. The COS always chaired the eating sessions as the head of the table. Allah Sarki! Today who will sit next to me as you are gone?

My tour of duty as the Permanent Secretary, State House, achieved the modest successes so far recorded with the much support, boost and encouragement I received from you, my departed brother. Onshore or offshore, my absence was never felt in the discharge of my functions. Without prejudice to the statutory role being played by my Directors and colleagues alike, Oga Tijjani was always there as my “Deputy.” Because of our closeness, it was easier for him to take urgent decisions and actions on my behalf that often required no ratification. He knew me so deeply and appreciated my psyche that he acted in my absence and on my behalf that I could have no cause but concur, since I would have found nothing unsavoury in his action/decision. My boss, the COS, would always not worry with my absence when it comes to executing an instruction so long as Oga Tijjani is on ground. So also the State Chief of Protocol, SSAP Domestic, SA Housekeeping, Director Maintenance, Commander Guards Brigade and all other Principal officers who relate with me in the course of discharging their functions. Reaching me whenever I shut down and no matter where I am and unreachable become easy if you can reach Oga Tijjani. I make bold to say, that included members of my nuclear family, they too rely on his “fishing” traits to find me. That was how close we were. He had my spouse’s phone number as well as those of my other family members and he had unfettered access and so am I to his immediate family that look up to me as a father figure.

If there was one person that could change my decision outrightly and I could not say no to, that person was Oga Tijjani. There were instances that I would remain stubbornly opposed to a decision in and out of the office, but he will reverse it, sometimes without informing me and I would do nothing but accept as he would always give me good reasons for doing so, especially where or when we were unable to meet for an explanation before execution.

Allahu Akbar! Such is life. Today Oga Tijjani is no more and indeed I have lost a worthy companion that was honest, sincere, trustworthy and undeniably reliable to me and my cause. He stood by me through thick and thin and took so many bullets on my behalf some of which I never and would never ever have known. He counseled me and allowed me to drink from his fountain of wisdom as any elder would do to his younger brother. I learnt perseverance, patience, commitment and hard work from Oga Tijjani and most of all, I learnt peaceful co-existence, fairness and fear of God as a vehicle to meaningful life from you my dear brother of inestimable character.

But the loss of Oga Tijjani is not just a personal one. Villa will really miss his diligence and commitment when it comes to event planning for which he was the Master-Key. Unfortunately, the essence of his retention after retirement, as part of our succession plan, would appear dimmed by his sudden exit. But we take solace in the fact that the foundation he had laid through his personal character and meticulous approach to matters would remain enduring with his subordinate officers and staff alike.

My ardent supporter, admirer and genuine friend, I will miss you very dearly but will be comforted by the fact that you lived a decent life and helped humanity till the end and true to the teachings of your faith. This was evidenced by the mammoth crowd that attended your Janaza. May Allah give us, your admirers, your associates and members of your larger family the fortitude to bear such enormous loss. Till we meet to part no more in Aljannat Firdaus in shaa Allah. Adieu Oga Tijjani.

I am your loving brother till eternity.

Jalal A Arabi, OON,fwc, Permanent Secretary, State House, wrote in from Abuja.

Aisha Buhari Begs Mothers To Breastfeed Their Babies

Editorial staff

August 6, 2019

First Lady of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari, has appealed to mothers to make sure they breastfeed their babies in the first six months of their birth.

Aisha Buhari, who spoke today, August 6 at the launching of the Zero water campaign during the 2019 World Breastfeeding Week which held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja stressed that breastfeeding is the right of every new-born child.

The First Lady said that absence of breastfeed breeds a huge economic cost, vulnerability to illness and eventual death of the babies, adding that the benefits of breastfeeding are enormous.

The First Lady, who was represented by the wife of the former governor of Nasararwa state, Mairo Al Makura, hoped that the launching would change the narrative for nutrition in the country.

She said that the launching was meant to encourage women to breastfeed within one hour of giving birth and not introducing the baby to water until after six months.

The UNICEF Deputy Representative, Pernille Ironside said that she has been breastfeeding her child for the past eighteen months, saying that Breastfeeding is a unique right of every baby.

Breastfeeding, according to the UNICEF officer, gives baby the best start in life as well as laying the foundation for survival and ultimate good health and development.

She said that in a country where 1 in 8 children do not reach their fifth birthday and 1 in 10 children are stunted, optimal breastfeeding practices are known to reduce neonatal and child mortality, morbidity such as respiratory infections, diarrhea as well as non- communicable diseases, such as diabetes that decreased if a child is exclusively breast fed.

Ms Ironside said that an important barrier to optimal exclusive breastfeeding practice is the lack of family friendly policies that support maternity and paternity leave for parents of new-born children

Available statistics in Nigeria show that the rates for exclusive breastfeeding have improved from 17 percent in 2013 to 27 percent in 2018, even as Kaduna and Lagos states have increased maternity leave from three to six months.

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