Nigeria’s Presidency has expressed appreciation to Nigerians for ignoring the call through social media, by a group calling itself Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria, to a phantom revolution.
A statement today, August 5 by the senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said that President Muhammadu Buhari is humbled by the support of Nigerians for the democratic values of modern-day Nigeria through the wisdom of those millions of citizens who preferred democracy and decided not to undermine an elected government.
“Today, millions of Nigerians went about their businesses: work, seeking employment, attending school/college and caring for their families. By doing so, the millions defended our country’s hard-won democratic rights – by ignoring calls on social media to join a phantom ‘revolution’.”
“There were a few hundred persons today who, for their own reasons, decided to act upon the demands of a group calling itself Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria, which went on social media to ask everyday Nigerians to overthrow the government they only elected some six months ago.
“The President is humbled by the support – not for himself, or the governing party – but for the democratic values of modern-day Nigeria through the wisdom of those millions of citizens who preferred democracy and decided not to undermine an elected government.
“Today, joining those millions of Nigerians was not only the President and governing party at Federal level, but many state governments from the opposition, trade unions, civil society organisations, media and NGOs with focus on freedom of speech. All have, rightly, united in protecting Nigeria’s young democracy and the rights of all to elect leaders and lawmakers.
“The Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria’s attempt to incite citizens into a revolution against their own democratic rights and interests has failed – as will all attempts to take away from the people their hard-won rights and freedom to choose who leads their country.”
The police have arrested journalists and others who directly and indirectly support the RevolutionNow protest, spearheaded by the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, now in detention at the Department of State Security (DSS) facilities.
Those who were arrested today, August 5 are the video editor and cameraman with Sahara Reporters,Victor Ogungbenro and eight others in Lagos State as well as the former Politics Editor of Daily Trustnewspaper, Ibrahim Dan-Halilu, who was arrested in Kaduna for allegedly showed his support for the RevolutionNow in a Facebook post.
It was gathered that already Victor Ogungbenro and eight others have been detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, Lagos State, while Dan-Halilu is being detained in Kaduna.
A colleague of Victor Ogungbenro, who witnessed the arrest in Lagos said: “we kept telling them that he is with Sahara Reporters but instead that worsened the case and made them take him away.
“They did not allow him to identify himself. He was beaten and dragged on the floor while being taken away.”
Information from Kaduna said that Operatives of DSS had stormed Dan-Halilu’s residence in Rigachikun, Kaduna State and whisked him away at about 2am.
Dan-Halilu was said to have posted on his Facebook timeline, a message in which he endorsed and supported the activities of #RevolutionNow.
The post reads: “I feel I should share because it resonates with me. If resonates with you too, please share until all oppressed people of Nigeria get the message and domesticate it. This is #Not the Nigeria of My Dream.
“Somebody asked me why we need a revolution now, this was my reply: The aim of the revolution is to challenge the uncommon hardship why we have 16m children on the street; challenge why we have become the poverty capital of the world; challenge why we have 20 persons with corrupt cases as federal legislators and would-be Ministers.
“We need to restructure the country. We need to put an end to trillions spent on electricity while we live in darkness and pay estimated bill for electricity and meters. Why do we have huge oil reserves but our refineries are dead and we are re-importing what we exported as crude oil? It is time to ask why those in government travel abroad for medical care when they have left our hospitals dilapidated; why they send their children to school abroad when our children learn under mango trees.
“We are revolting against the continuing killings that have left 20,000 Nigerians dead while those in office move around under state paid security and do nothing. We are revolting against the because over a thousand Nigerians soldiers killed by Boko Haram have been secretly buried without identifiable graves, dignity or honour. $16m was purportedly spent on mosquito nets but our children die daily from malaria. $320m Abacha loot was purportedly distributed to the poor. Where is the verifiable list? N500bn was purportedly distributed to the poor as so-called Trader-moni. Where is the verifiable list?”
“…With divine grace, God gave us about 40 natural resources spread across the length and breadth of the country. No country on mother earth is as blessed! The persons destroying Nigeria in and out of government are less than 10,000. For how long will the 201 million of us be silent? Forever? It will be sheer stupidity and very unfair of us to be silent and bequeath today’s sorry Nigeria to our children. For how long shall we continue to endure bad leadership from certificate forgers, election riggers, ritualists and yahoo politicians, hoping upon hope for a better tomorrow when things get worse by the day? We are too rich to be poor. We are too blessed to be a mockery of the world!!! No!!!”
Meanwhile, security source who spoke to PRNigeria in confidence, confirmed that DSS operatives had invited the former DailyTrust Editor on Monday night. He however, pointed out that the reason behind the detention of Dan-Halilu was not for any serious issue.
“Contrary to the speculation going rounds, DSS just wants to get some necessary clarification from Mr. Dan-Halilu on vital security issues. That’s all and nothing more,” he said.
Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shiites, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky on the order of court to travel to India for his medical treatment.
A statement today, August 5 by the Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunaya said that the DSS had received the order granting Ibrahim EL-ZAKZAKY leave to travel to India for medical treatment. “Consequently, the Service is liaising with relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance. Conformity with the order is in line with the Service’s avowed commitment to the Rule of Law inherent in a democracy.” Earlier in the day, a Kaduna State High Court had granted the Ibrahim El-Zakzaky bail on health grounds and ordered that he and wife, Zeenatu should be released.
The court said that the prosecution had failed to prove that El-Zakzaky would be a flight risk, even as the defense team had established that the couple’s health had worsened in custody.
The couple is expected to visit Mandeta Hospital in New Delhi, India for treatment.
The order for El-Zakzaky and his wife to travel for medical treatment came a week after his organization was proscribed by the court.
The Saudi authorities have introduced an electronic system into the stoning of the three devils at Minnah after Arafat day.
The Representative of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tanko Aliyu, told journalists today, August 4 in Minnah that the system is aimed at monitoring the movement of pilgrims to ensure orderliness and check stampede in the 2019 pilgrimage.
At an inspection of Nigerian pilgrims’ tent in Minnah, Tanko Aliyu said: “the new idea is necessitated by the fact that previous stoning was not without some negative developments.
“Some pilgrims were known to have missed their bearing in the process of stoning the three devils among others.”
He called on NAHCON officials and their counterparts in the states to swing into action by educating the pilgrims on the need to adapt to the new system.
According to him, stoning devil is a crucial process leading to acceptable Hajj as well as being the climax of the pilgrimage.
NAHCON’s representative noted that controlling movement of pilgrims during the event cannot be overemphasized.
Tanko Aliyu promised the pilgrims that they would be conveyed in the buses to areas earmarked for the event, to ease their movement, adding that pilgrims will be in groups, with a specific time to carry out stoning to avoid a stampede.
He said that a particular road leading to the stoning of the devil had been dedicated to Nigerian pilgrims, given the fact that Nigeria constitutes one-third of the population of non-Arab countries performing pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia every year.
NAN reports that Nigeria’s tent is set to receive its pilgrims while security personnel were seen guarding the tents, 24 hours to check breach of peace during Arafat day.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has banned the staging of the ‘RevolutionNow’ protest in the state. He directed all Local Government chairmen in the state to report any suspected activity to the authorities.
A statement by the Governor’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, quoted the governor as sayig: “Rivers State is not part of the ‘Revolution Now’ protest and whatever illegal agenda it sought to pursue.
“Rivers State does not subscribe to what the ‘Revolution Now’ protest represents and Rivers State is not part of the protest.”
The Governor has already ordered the security agencies in the state to arrest and arraign for prosecution anybody who gets involved in the protest.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, has said that whether anyone liked it or not, RUGA has come to stay as the sum of N2.2 billion has already been budgeted for the programme in 2019.
He advised states in the southern part of the country to support the implementation of the proposed RUGA cattle settlement programme by making land available.
Ita Enang, who was speaking today, August 4 in Abuja, to students of the law school from Akwa Ibom, said that Ruga is not a derivative of Hausa or Fulfude, but an acronym for Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) which was initiated in 1956 during the colonial era, and that it is not intended to Islamise or colonise anybody.
Ita Enang cited the 2019 federal budget, volume 1 under the ministry of agricultural and rural development item number ERGP 5208 where the sum of N2.258 billion was provided for the grazing programme.
He said that members of the national assembly were not against the programme because they were aware of it and had approved funds for its implementation.
He said that besides funds provided for the programme, the sum of N300 million was also budgeted for water sanitation; N400 million for development of sweet potatoes and N350 million for ginger farming.
Ita Enang said the objective of the programme is to promote cattle breeding and meat production.
He said that there was another sum approved by the national economic council for states that would make land available.
“The idea of Ruga graduated in 1978 into the Land Use Act which states that a portion of land has to be reserved for grazing to avoid the destruction of farm produce by cattle,” he said.
“Over time cattle roamed and destroyed farms hence the introduction of the policy to address the issue.’’
He also said every year there have been monetary allocations for the continuous funding of grazing areas.
He added that the programme was a response to the herder-farmer crisis in the middle-belt and in some states in northeast and northwest.
Coalition Northern Groups Kaduna Spokesperson Malam Abdul Azeez | Credit: DailyNigeria
Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has disassociated the North from call for revolution protest against the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, beginning from tomorrow, August 5.
The spokesperson of CNG, Malam Abdul-Azeez Sulaiman, in a statement issued in Kaduna today, august 4, said that organizers of the revolution protest are being sponsored by foreigners as part of destabilization plot against Nigeria.
“We are quite aware of the covert and overt machinations of some western supremacists to achieve the final destabilization of Africa by targeting some key African nations which may not exclude Nigeria.
“The similar foreign agenda that unfolded with the ugly scenarios of destruction in Libya, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Egypt and others are very fresh for us to realize the futility of jumping on a flight without knowing its actual destination,” the coalition said.
The group said that after carefully reviewing the calls, it had arrived at conclusion that the ultimate aim of the proponents of the march who are at best couriers of a foreign destabilization plot, has not been clearly and satisfactorily defined, which renders the whole exercise suspect.
“The CNG remains unshakable in its understanding that every civil disagreement can be resolved through honest, sincere and open discussions without unnecessary recourse to actions liable to further inflame tensions without achieving lasting results.
“CNG is not disposed to participating in, supporting, encouraging or in anyway promoting actions that are potentially violent, sponsored by obscure organizations with suspicious motives.
“We have failed to see how the interest of, particularly the northern people, can be served by a movement led by those who have been directly or remotely connected to the decades-old agenda for the emasculation of the North.
“The CNG calls on all northerners to disregard the calls and resist the temptation of being dragged into participating in any way, in a movement that would turn out to the disadvantage of the region.
“While the CNG categorically dissociates itself from the organization, promotion and participation in any conduct capable of worsening the already dicey situation the country, in particular, the North, is in today.
“We reassert our commitment to the propagation and protection of the rights of all northerners and never to fall into the traps set by its traditional internal and external traducers in whatever guise.”
The Department of Security Services (DSS) has made it clear that it would not sit by and watch someone like Omoyele Sowore, the Publisher of Sahara Reporters and founder of the African Action Congress (AAC), to take Nigeria for granted by turning it into banana republic.
The Services spokesperson, Peter Afunaya, who admitted that Sowore is in their custody, said that he (Sowore) crossed the red line after he called for a revolution over alleged bad governance, insecurity and corruption, among other national issues. At a media briefing in Abuja today, August 4, the DSS said that the proposed revolution march instigated by former Presidential Candidate of AAC will threaten public safety, peaceful co-existence and social harmony. He said that as a responsible security agency, DSS will not just sit idly and watch any individual, group and their cohorts rise and threaten the peace, unity, and constitutionalism of the country. Afunaya who described revolution as insurgency, revolt, insurrection and forceful takeover of government, added that Nigeria is not a Banana Republic and cannot be made one by the likes of Mr. Sowore. He emphasized that DSS will not allow self-centered and violence-inclined persons to take law into their own hands. “Though there is apprehension and anxiety among citizens already, we wish to assure friends of Nigeria, and other law-abiding citizens, that there will be no revolution of any kind come Monday, August 5, 2019. “A democratically elected government is in charge, and we cannot allow any person or group to foment chaos or fan the ember of revolution.”
Meanwhile, it is gathered that the security agencies in Nigeria are concerned about foreign interest in the agitation for the planned revolution protest.
Nigeria’s Presidency has challenged those that are operating behind the Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria, whose members are planning to stage a revolution march tomorrow, Monday 5th August, to show their faces.
“Those making the revolution call hide behind the veil of social media modernity. But without revealing the identity of their sponsors this shadowy campaign is no better, and no more democratic, than the days of old.
“The President calls on all those who seek to use and hide behind everyday citizens to attain power through undemocratic and violent means, which has been alluded, to come out clearly and be identified. They should lead their march in person. Only then will they begin to have the right to call themselves leaders before the people of Nigeria.”
A statement today, August 4, by senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, emphasized that the organization championing this planned action is not fronted by any serious public faces.
He called on the sponsors and organizers to have the decency “to come forward and make their identity known – out of respect to all Nigerians – so that Nigerians can be fully aware in whose name this “revolution” is being proposed and who the beneficiaries may be.”
He reminded the faceless group that there is a difference between peaceful call to protest and incitement for a revolution.
He made it clear that the government of Muhammadu Buhari respects and upholds the right of every Nigerian to peaceful protest and civil campaign– whether to raise awareness on issues, and even oppose the government.
“It is the inalienable right of all citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to do so.”
He recalled that Nigeria held simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections less than six months ago, saying that both contests were won resoundingly by Presiden Buhari and his All-Progressives Congress party (APC).
“The campaign was observed, and results were confirmed by international election monitoring groups and observers. The result was even contested by the losing presidential candidate and his party in Court.
“The ballot box is the only constitutional means of changing government and a president in Nigeria. The days of coups and revolutions are over.
Garba Shehu also criticized supposedly respected Nigerians for supporting the call for revolution.
He referred to Professor Wole Soyinka, who had been one of the critics of government when things were going wrongly with law and order in the country.
“They say the police are not doing their work. They raise their voices, asking that “the culprits to be booked and expeditiously punished in the most severe manner.”
“The police under a new leadership is now rising to the occasion, saying “we cannot take any more atrocities against the law in our country and they are saying don’t do anything. They are calling out President Buhari and comparing him to autocratic leaders.” This is an unpardonable blackmail that cannot stop Police and other law enforcement agencies from doing their work.
“A Nigerian is by right empowered to call for a change of government using constitutional means; to protest peacefully against government policies and decisions. But to call for the violent overthrow of a democratically elected government and president and worse – were those calling for it to attempt to do so – is not acceptable under any law in Nigeria. Violence will ever be accepted again as a way to change governments in this country. Those days are gone.
“Nigeria has a well-crafted Constitution and elaborate laws governing elections that guide an orderly succession in government. We have a judicial system that actively serves as a watchdog of the people’s rights.
“Yet, we are daily witnesses to obscene display of delight in the killing of our soldiers and policemen, an open contempt for the country’s laws and its people, accompanied by loud cheers from the so-called New Media. Is this the way to grow a country?”
In almost every palace, there is someone who connects the dots of history. There is always a household name that lights up faces and readily provides guidance and answers on operations and etiquette. Unarguably, late Malam Tijani Yusuf, mostly known as TJ, fitted the picture of the point man in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Until his death on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, TJ was the Special Assistant (General Duties) to the President. He retired from Public Service as a Director/Special Assistant (Special Duties) to the Permanent Secretary in 2016 and was given another appointment for his invaluable contributions. But for ill health, Nigerians would have seen TJ on television for the last time on July 24, 2019, when President Muhammadu Buhari swore in Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, at the Council Chambers. For many years, TJ had been the constant face at the swearing-in, oath taking and inauguration ceremonies. Rarely noticed, he effortlessly provides the Bible, Quran, registers and guides personalities on where to sit, stand, sign and how to recite the ordinances.
Reticent by nature and unassuming in character, TJ was the most popular name in the Villa for many years. Hardly in the limelight, but regularly mentioned, TJ is known among gardeners, stewards and cleaners, Presidents’ and Vice Presidents’ families, and he seamlessly befriends and connects the more visible operational tripods of the Villa; security, protocol and media. TJ knew the Villa history and operations by heart and experience. Since the 90s, he was there when First Families moved into their official living quarters, known as The Residence, and was most likely there when they moved out. TJ knew the joys, tensions and lowest moments of the First Families in the Villa.
He was among the first to be called to work when a President drew his last breath, and was around as Presidents’ moved their personal belongings from the Commander-In-Chief’s Office. He knew when there was a light cut, when taps stopped rushing, and was regularly on hand to ensure decorum and decorations for various ceremonies, including visits by Heads of Government and envoys. TJ was a constant.
For his diligence, TJ had many handshakes with both sitting and visiting presidents. And he made history in the Villa and public service by receiving two national awards. In 2006, he was honoured with Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) by President Olusegun Obasanjo and six years later, 2012, TJ was honoured by President Goodluck Jonathan with Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). Preceding the awards, Tijani had smiled home with commendation letters for hard work and dedication from former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and Archbishop of the Canterbury, Justin Welby.
In a 2014 interview with an in-house magazine, VillaScope, the quintessential workaholic recalled:
“For the two national honours, I was just sitting down in my office then I was called upon that the President had approved that a national honour be bestowed on me. I didn’t canvass for it, I didn’t go looking for it, I was just doing my job and I didn’t know people were watching. I was just called one day that the President had approved that I be given MON and I was told to bring my Curriculum Vitae. The then Chief of Staff, Gen. Abdullahi Mohammed, also called me and told me about the President’s decision.
“The next one, OON, honestly I didn’t know how it came about. I was just told that President Goodluck Jonathan said that I should be given OON. I was asked if I had a national award before and I responded that I was given MON before. The then Chief of Staff, Chief Mike Aiyegbeni Oghiadomhe, said the President said I should be given another national honour.
“I should think it’s for humility, hard work, perseverance and endurance in doing your work. Honestly, like everyone else, I do my work. I dedicate myself. I do all that is before me, go home and come back the next day to make sure there’s no failure. My thinking is that if there’s failure in this house, then the country will be a failure. I make sure nothing fails.’’
The former Director, who was a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduated with a B.SC in International Studies, and relished his work, especially the private times spent with visiting Heads of Government, like United States President Bill Clinton. According to him, the contacts served as motivation and broadening of horizon, including the local and international trainings, conferences and official visits on the Federal Government’s delegation.
Like a typical public servant, Tijani hardly talked about personal life. But he once gave a glimpse. “All through my primary school I was a class monitor and in secondary school I was a class prefect and eventually became a Senior Prefect. Even in my advanced studies, School of Arts and Science in Sokoto, I was the Secretary of the Student’s Union. I was also the Financial Secretary to the Niger State Students’ Association in 1979 to 1980. All along, I have been building myself and the society has been building me as well. And when I finished my university, just like a carry over, God has always been with me in leadership.’’
For many years TJ coordinated swearing-in/oath-taking ceremonies of chief justices, ministers, permanent secretaries and commission members. He handled meetings of the weekly Federal Executive Council and other sundry issues relating to the President’s office and Residence. TJ worked with house-keepers on domestic issues in the Villa. Most meetings, he recalled, were not easy. “I remember standing from 9.30 am to about 5pm when President Olusegun Obasanjo swore in sixty ministers in 1999.’’
TJ lived a life of sacrifice, friendliness and diligence. As news filtered into the Villa that he passed on after a brief illness, the reality was obvious to every staff and political office holder that certainly a gap had been created. TJ was a recurring decimal – a human constant — that will surely be missed by all.
Oche Echeija Egwa is a Press Officer in the Office of the Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity.
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Nigeria’s Presidency has expressed appreciation to Nigerians for ignoring the call through social media, by a group calling itself Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria, to a phantom revolution.
Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shiites, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky on the order of court to travel to India for his medical treatment.
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has banned the staging of the ‘RevolutionNow’ protest in the state. He directed all Local Government chairmen in the state to report any suspected activity to the authorities.
Nigeria’s Presidency has challenged those that are operating behind the Global Coalition for Security and Democracy in Nigeria, whose members are planning to stage a revolution march tomorrow, Monday 5th August, to show their faces.
Death Of Presidency Point Man, Tijjani Yusuf, By Oche Echeija Egwa
Until his death on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, TJ was the Special Assistant (General Duties) to the President. He retired from Public Service as a Director/Special Assistant (Special Duties) to the Permanent Secretary in 2016 and was given another appointment for his invaluable contributions. But for ill health, Nigerians would have seen TJ on television for the last time on July 24, 2019, when President Muhammadu Buhari swore in Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, at the Council Chambers. For many years, TJ had been the constant face at the swearing-in, oath taking and inauguration ceremonies. Rarely noticed, he effortlessly provides the Bible, Quran, registers and guides personalities on where to sit, stand, sign and how to recite the ordinances.
Reticent by nature and unassuming in character, TJ was the most popular name in the Villa for many years. Hardly in the limelight, but regularly mentioned, TJ is known among gardeners, stewards and cleaners, Presidents’ and Vice Presidents’ families, and he seamlessly befriends and connects the more visible operational tripods of the Villa; security, protocol and media. TJ knew the Villa history and operations by heart and experience. Since the 90s, he was there when First Families moved into their official living quarters, known as The Residence, and was most likely there when they moved out. TJ knew the joys, tensions and lowest moments of the First Families in the Villa.
He was among the first to be called to work when a President drew his last breath, and was around as Presidents’ moved their personal belongings from the Commander-In-Chief’s Office. He knew when there was a light cut, when taps stopped rushing, and was regularly on hand to ensure decorum and decorations for various ceremonies, including visits by Heads of Government and envoys. TJ was a constant.
For his diligence, TJ had many handshakes with both sitting and visiting presidents. And he made history in the Villa and public service by receiving two national awards. In 2006, he was honoured with Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) by President Olusegun Obasanjo and six years later, 2012, TJ was honoured by President Goodluck Jonathan with Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). Preceding the awards, Tijani had smiled home with commendation letters for hard work and dedication from former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and Archbishop of the Canterbury, Justin Welby.
In a 2014 interview with an in-house magazine, VillaScope, the quintessential workaholic recalled:
“For the two national honours, I was just sitting down in my office then I was called upon that the President had approved that a national honour be bestowed on me. I didn’t canvass for it, I didn’t go looking for it, I was just doing my job and I didn’t know people were watching. I was just called one day that the President had approved that I be given MON and I was told to bring my Curriculum Vitae. The then Chief of Staff, Gen. Abdullahi Mohammed, also called me and told me about the President’s decision.
“The next one, OON, honestly I didn’t know how it came about. I was just told that President Goodluck Jonathan said that I should be given OON. I was asked if I had a national award before and I responded that I was given MON before. The then Chief of Staff, Chief Mike Aiyegbeni Oghiadomhe, said the President said I should be given another national honour.
“I should think it’s for humility, hard work, perseverance and endurance in doing your work. Honestly, like everyone else, I do my work. I dedicate myself. I do all that is before me, go home and come back the next day to make sure there’s no failure. My thinking is that if there’s failure in this house, then the country will be a failure. I make sure nothing fails.’’
The former Director, who was a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduated with a B.SC in International Studies, and relished his work, especially the private times spent with visiting Heads of Government, like United States President Bill Clinton. According to him, the contacts served as motivation and broadening of horizon, including the local and international trainings, conferences and official visits on the Federal Government’s delegation.
Like a typical public servant, Tijani hardly talked about personal life. But he once gave a glimpse. “All through my primary school I was a class monitor and in secondary school I was a class prefect and eventually became a Senior Prefect. Even in my advanced studies, School of Arts and Science in Sokoto, I was the Secretary of the Student’s Union. I was also the Financial Secretary to the Niger State Students’ Association in 1979 to 1980. All along, I have been building myself and the society has been building me as well. And when I finished my university, just like a carry over, God has always been with me in leadership.’’
For many years TJ coordinated swearing-in/oath-taking ceremonies of chief justices, ministers, permanent secretaries and commission members. He handled meetings of the weekly Federal Executive Council and other sundry issues relating to the President’s office and Residence. TJ worked with house-keepers on domestic issues in the Villa. Most meetings, he recalled, were not easy. “I remember standing from 9.30 am to about 5pm when President Olusegun Obasanjo swore in sixty ministers in 1999.’’
TJ lived a life of sacrifice, friendliness and diligence. As news filtered into the Villa that he passed on after a brief illness, the reality was obvious to every staff and political office holder that certainly a gap had been created. TJ was a recurring decimal – a human constant — that will surely be missed by all.
Oche Echeija Egwa is a Press Officer in the Office of the Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity.