NORTHERN NIGERIA: EXPLOSIVE WAITING FOR DETONATION – SALISU LUKMAN
NORTHERN NIGERIA: EXPLOSIVE WAITING FOR DETONATION – SALIHU LUKMAN A former Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Salisu Lukman, has described the current situation in Northern Nigeria as an explotion waiting for detonation. In an open letter, Lukman blamed Northern politicians as responsible for the word of the North. He wrote: “The living reality in Northern Nigeria is very explosive. If anyone is interested in finding the practical meaning of the Hobbesian description of life being ‘solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short’, just look at what life is in Northern Nigeria. Indices of poverty, unemployment, inequality are beyond description. “Conditions of schools and hospitals is, to say the least, depressing. The civil service, in virtually all the nineteen states, is only a shadow of itself, with hardly any public service activity taking place. “Our illustrious and respected traditional institutions have been devalued and reduced to state of hopelessness. Most of our religious leaders and centres are far removed from God’s way of life. Few industries exist in the region. And on account of insecurity, agricultural activities, which is the main stay of the economy of the region, is highly on the decline. “No need to go into conventional statistical analysis of out of school children, number of people living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps. Not to talk of problems of drugs and substance abuse. Problems of broken homes and abandoned children is quite alarming. “As it is, the North is an explosive waiting to explode. We have lost virtually all our homes, our families and our children. Every person with human feeling should be saddened with the reality of what the Northern part of Nigeria has become. Sadly, even the one strength the North is known for, which is strongly united political leaders, has been lost. “More than anytime in the political history of Nigeria, the North has never been disunited without any semblance of political leadership like we have in today’s Nigeria. “Partly, on account of lack of unity, the quality of political leadership in the North is sharply on the decline. Many so-called politicians are Internally Displaced Persons/Politicians (IDPs), especially once they are out of office. Those in office today are potential IDPs. “Consequently, the worst among us, with hardly any commitment to resolving the challenges facing the North, find their way to political leadership in the North simply because they can cheaply access elective and appointive offices and control public resources, which is largely mismanaged and privatised. “Perhaps, the opportunity for Northern political leaders to redeem themselves and return the North back to rational order with committed leaders capable of responding to the challenges of the region was blown away during the tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari. “The painful reality was that no leader in the political history of Nigeria gained the kind of national acceptability former President Buhari had at the beginning of his tenure. The closest was Chief M. K. O. Abiola whose election was annulled by the military regime of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. “More than any Northern political leader, former President Buhari undisputedly won the votes of people from both Northern and Southern Nigeria, which could have been used to produce new crop of selfless leadership for the country. Selfless leadership is required to put every part of Nigeria on the roadmap to national development. “Golden eight years between 2015 and 2023 was lost. Instead, the country, especially the North became worse off with crisis of insecurity taking over everywhere. Problems of poverty, unemployment, drugs and substance abuses, etc. becoming almost peculiar characteristics of the Northern region. “Unfortunately, here we are under President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who got majority of the votes that won him the Presidency from the three regions in the…
GOVERNING COUNCILS FOR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS TO BE INAUGURATED THURSDAY
GOVERNING COUNCILS FOR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS TO BE INAUGURATED THURSDAY Minister of Education, Tahir Maman, a professor, will on Thursday, July 4, inaugurate the newly appointed members of the governing council of universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. The Acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) disclosed this in a letter addressed to heads of the federal government-owned institutions on Friday. The acting spokesperson for the NUC, Offiong Edoh, confirmed this in a letter on Saturday evening. “Following the approval of Mr President of the reviewed list of Governing Councils of Federal Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education, I write to inform you that the Honourable Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, SAN, CON, will inaugurate the newly appointed Chairman and members of the Governing Councils of Federal Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education,” the letter reads in part. The institutions have operated without a council since President Bola Tinubu’s sweeping dissolution last June. The development has resulted in industrial unrest at the University of Abuja, where members of the academic union, ASUU, accused the management of taking decisions reserved for a council. In May, the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU declared a two-week ultimatum for the government to reinstate councils whose tenure had yet to elapse and reconstitute those whose tenure had elapsed. A few days later, the education ministry published a list of approved members of the council for the 111 tertiary institutions. The statement, signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Didi Walson-Jack, listed the names of chairpersons and members of governing councils for the 111 tertiary institutions, including universities, polytechnics and colleges of education. However, the education ministry was forced to postpone the councils’ inauguration earlier scheduled for 30 May, after Mr Tinubu directed that the list be reviewed following criticisms by members of the public who said the list did not adhere to the federal character regulations. The ministry, therefore, released another list two weeks ago. The inauguration, according to Mr Maiyaki’s letter to heads of the institutions, will be held on 4 July at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja. Mr Maiyaki wrote: “The retreat for the newly appointed Governing Councils will take place immediately thereafter “Due to the size of the Council to be inaugurated (Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education) and limited space at the venue, there is a need to curtail external participation at the event.” NUC also asked the respective institutions to take responsibility for the travel and accommodation arrangements of their respective councils.“Vice Chancellors are, therefore, invited to, kindly note that only the Vice Chancellors and Registrars can accompany their Council Members to the inauguration,” the letter added.
I WANTED PEACE IN MY MIND – POLICEMAN WHO REJECTED N150M BRIBE … HONOURED WITH PLOT OF LAND IN ABUJA
I WANTED PEACE OF MIND, SAYS POLICEMAN WHO REJECTED N150M BRIBE … HONOURED WITH PLOT OF LAND IN ABUJA A Superintendent of Police, Ibrahim Sini, has said he turned down a N150 million bribe allegedly offered to him by a Lagos-based businessman and founder of Platform Capital, Akintoye Akindele, to have peace of mind. Akindele, who was arraigned for the offence at the Federal High Court in Abuja in August 2023, was remanded in the Kuje correctional centre. According to the charge sheet, the bribe was offered to allow police to permit him to escape abroad and to write a favourable report for him after the investigation. Sini was said to have led the Inspector General of Police’s team of investigators handling the case against the businessman. Meanwhile, the police officer was over the weekend, honoured and presented with a plot of land in Abuja. FCT Police Commissioner, CP Benneth Igweh, who presented the award of a plot of land on behalf of friends and associates of the police officer, said SP Sini’s conduct has brought pride to the Nigerian Police Force (NPF). Also, one of the organisers of the event, Prince Chukwuemeka Okoye, CEO of Vegas Homes, said SP Sini’s conduct remains exemplary and should inspire others and Nigerians to note that the Nigerian Police Force has men of integrity and good conduct. According to him, “SP Sini’s actions have not only brought honour to himself and the Nigeria Police Force, but has also inspired countless others to stand firm against corruption and uphold the highest ethical standards. “His integrity serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even in challenging circumstances, it is possible to remain true to one’s values. “This honour is aimed at not only appreciating the laudable conduct of Superintendent Ibrahim Sini, but to demonstrate that society appreciates individuals of integrity and good conduct.“We want to also show that the Nigerian Police Force has officers that are professional, above board and with the right incentive engage in meaningful policing and be worthy examples.”
KANO’S GAME OF THRONE: HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF
KANO’S GAME OF THRONE: HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF “If you pursue evil with pleasure, the pleasure passes away and the evil remains; If you pursue good with labour, the labour passes away but the good remains.”—- Cicero With the unfolding events in the history of Kano Emirate Council, the name of His Excellency, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf will be laced on the plates of gold considering the role he is devotedly playing to restore the battered image and regretful distortion of the revered Kano Emirate. The intention to, balkanize the historic Kano Emirate was carried out by the immediate-past administration of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who dethroned and banished the 14th Emir of Kano, His Highness, Muhammad Sanusi II, even after dividing the Kano Emirate into five places. At the first instance, the division of the Kano Emirate and elevation of the District Heads of Bichi, Rano, Karaye and Gaya to First Class Emirs was one to spite Emir Sanusi, who after all, did not give a wink. Emir Sanusi fought and secured his freedom and fundamental human rights of freedom of movement through the Court; and moved on with his life—— going about doing good and offering valuable advice to administrators and leaders across the world for a better world. During his electioneering campaigns, part of the promises made to the people of Kano by Governor Yusuf was that his administration will not only restore the battered traditional institution of Kano, but will also reinstate Emir Sanusi who was removed by ex-Governor Ganduje. Based on this promise, among others, the good people of Kano state overwhelmingly voted for Abba Gida-Gida. Today, the Governor has no choice, than to implement and execute the wishes of the people. It is a social contract he signed with the people of Kano, which must be fulfilled, no matter, whose, Ox is gored. In any case, Governor Yusuf’s populist action is not new to Kano political cum traditional landscape. Adequate legal steps were taken to repeal the Kano Emirate Council Law (2019). The enactment of the Emirate Council Law (2024) ensured the death and burial of Kano Emirate Law (2019). Indeed, Emir Sanusi’s return as the 16th Emir of Kano rekindled important aspect of Kano history which played out in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Recall that during the administration of ex-Governor Abubakar Rimi of blessed memory, there was an attempt to create five emirates in Kano State by splitting the Kano Emirate into five. Some members of the royal family and other traditional rulers, who saw it as an attempt to weaken the Kano Emirate’s influence opposed this move. However, Rimi went ahead with the plan and created the new emirates of Gaya, Karaye, Dutse, Rano, and Kano in April 1981. The Kano Emirate was reduced in size and given a more ceremonial role, while the new emirates were granted more administrative and political powers. The Emir of Kano at the time was not deposed. But was queried for his movements in July 1981 after returning from a journey. The move led to riots in Kano and Rimi never recovered politically and resigned in 1983 after falling out with Aminu Kano. When Governor Sabo Bakin Zuwo took over in 1983, he reversed the decision and restored the Kano Emirate to its original size and status, with the other emirates abolished. His decision was seen as an attempt to restore the traditional balance of power and to address the concerns of those who opposed the creation of the new emirates. Sabo Bakin Zuwo’s action was viewed by many as reflecting the wishes of the people, just the same way the people of Kano state are hailing the People’s Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf for restoring the integrity…
FORMER PRESIDENT JONATHAN COUNSELS NIGERIANS, SAYS WE’LL OVERCOME PRESENT ECONOMIC HARDSHIP
FORMER PRESIDENT JONATHAN COUNSELS NIGERIANS, SAYS WE’LL OVERCOME PRESENT ECONOMIC HARDSHIP Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that the country needs the collaborative efforts of Nigerians to move forward. He opined that the economic situation in Nigeria would also be overcome by the grace of God. Jonathan stated that during General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s administration, Nigerians also suffered severe hardship, but they were able to bounce back because of God’s presence. He shared his thoughts at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall Yenagoa on Friday while declaring open the “2024 Annual Law Week” of the Yenagoa Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, with the theme: “The Legal Profession in a time of socio-economic uncertainty.” The former nation’s leader described the theme as not only apt but well chosen in view of the present economic hardships in the country. Jonathan, who was represented by the Paramount Ruler of Abureni Clan, HRM Collins Daniel, said, ”Between 1984-1987 there were also economic challenges in Nigeria under the General Ibrahim Badamasi Babagida’s administration, which led the Federal Government to introduce an economic recovery programme called the Structural Adjustment Programme, codenamed SAP. “The country experienced scarcity of essential commodities, and the citizens suffered severe hardship. God was with us, and the country bounced back. “Between 2016-2019 the whole world went through another economic recession. Nigeria also had her own share of the hardship, but we were fortunate we were able to get out of the recession in a few years.“I believe the present socio-economic uncertainty which had sent shivers to all nooks and crannies of society would also be overcome by the grace of God. The Federal Government is doing its best to salvage the situation.”
TEN GENERALS BID FAREWELL TO NIGERIAN ARMY
TEN GENERALS BID FAREWELL TO NIGERIAN ARMY Ten officers of the Nigerian Army, all on the ranks of a general, have retired from active service after successfully serving out their required number of years. The Generals, from the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps (NAAC), comprise six Major-Generals and four Brigadier-Generals. They include: Major-General Nsor Okpa Ojiji, Major-General MH Magaji, Major-General GB Audu, Major-General M Danmadami, Major-General JG Mohammed and Major-General UI Mohammed. Others are Brigadier-General A. Israel, Brigadier-General BA Mohammed, Brigadier-General D. Abdulsalam and Brigadier-General SP Akpan. Speaking on behalf of the others who were also pulled out of service, Ojiji expressed delight at being able to complete the years of active service successfully and commended the Army leadership for the roles played. He, however, appealed that more be done for those still in service to make them perform optimally in the service of the nation. “We recall that the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps (NAAC) has a lot of challenges, which range from poor accommodation to inadequate professional and medical facilities, amongst a myriad of others. “Today, however, I am happy to note that there are many very functional accommodation blocks; even the ambience of these barracks is very welcoming. Many resources and efforts have changed the situation. This is heartwarming. “Kudos to commander NAAC, his team of officers, soldiers, and their families, who are determined together that things must improve in the corps,” he said. Ojiji highlighted the need to address poor equipment grading, especially in formations and units and appealed to the Minister of Defence to look into it. He added, “We hope that the minister of defence, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, also make this his cardinal objective during his tenure. I plead with the Hon. Minister through this medium to deem it fit to do so.“ On his part, the commandant of the Armoured Corps, Major General Mohammed Ahmed, congratulated the retired officers, wished them well in their future endeavours and urged them to make themselves readily available for consultations and helpful advice on improving the Armoured Corps.“We are happy we did what we should do. We carry out a lot of services to the community, ranging from free medical services to the provision of pipe-borne water, among others, and if they tell us about their problems, we promptly attend to those problems,” Ahmed said.
TEN GENERALS BID FAREWELL TO NIGERIAN ARMY
TEN GENERALS BID FAREWELL TO NIGERIAN ARMY Ten officers of the Nigerian Army, all on the ranks of a general, have retired from active service after successfully serving out their required number of years. The Generals, from the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps (NAAC), comprise six Major-Generals and four Brigadier-Generals. They include: Major-General Nsor Okpa Ojiji, Major-General MH Magaji, Major-General GB Audu, Major-General M Danmadami, Major-General JG Mohammed and Major-General UI Mohammed. Others are Brigadier-General A. Israel, Brigadier-General BA Mohammed, Brigadier-General D. Abdulsalam and Brigadier-General SP Akpan. Speaking on behalf of the others who were also pulled out of service, Ojiji expressed delight at being able to complete the years of active service successfully and commended the Army leadership for the roles played. He, however, appealed that more be done for those still in service to make them perform optimally in the service of the nation. “We recall that the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps (NAAC) has a lot of challenges, which range from poor accommodation to inadequate professional and medical facilities, amongst a myriad of others. “Today, however, I am happy to note that there are many very functional accommodation blocks; even the ambience of these barracks is very welcoming. Many resources and efforts have changed the situation. This is heartwarming. “Kudos to commander NAAC, his team of officers, soldiers, and their families, who are determined together that things must improve in the corps,” he said. Ojiji highlighted the need to address poor equipment grading, especially in formations and units and appealed to the Minister of Defence to look into it. He added, “We hope that the minister of defence, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, also make this his cardinal objective during his tenure. I plead with the Hon. Minister through this medium to deem it fit to do so.“ On his part, the commandant of the Armoured Corps, Major General Mohammed Ahmed, congratulated the retired officers, wished them well in their future endeavours and urged them to make themselves readily available for consultations and helpful advice on improving the Armoured Corps.“We are happy we did what we should do. We carry out a lot of services to the community, ranging from free medical services to the provision of pipe-borne water, among others, and if they tell us about their problems, we promptly attend to those problems,” Ahmed said.
Dons Eze
- Foreign Affairs
- June 29, 2024
- 83 views
GUINEA’S DICTATOR’S EX-ALLY DIES IN DETENTION
GUINEA’S MILITARY DICTATOR’S EX-ALLY DIES IN DETENTION The former right-hand man to Guinea’s ruling general died in detention days after being sentenced by a military court, prosecutors said Wednesday, with his lawyer branding the death suspicious. Sadiba Koulibaly was sentenced by a military court to five years on June 14 for desertion and weapons offences in a trial his supporters denounced as trumped-up. He was second-in-command to junta leader Mamady Doumbouya during the 2021 coup that brought them to power. Prosecutors at a military tribunal said in a statement that he died on June 24. An autopsy ordered by the prosecutors found his death “could be attributable to severe psychological trauma and prolonged stress” causing a heart attack, the statement added. Koulibaly’s lawyer Mory Doumbouya told AFP however he believed the death was due to “anything but natural causes”. He said his client was “healthy and calm” and had not complained of any health problems since his arrest on June 4. He said Koulibaly was held in a secret location and the authorities “refused” to let his defence team contact him. Domestic turmoil has gripped the West African nation since the coup, with the opposition calling for a return to civilian rule. Under international pressure, the junta had agreed to organise elections by the end of 2024. But army-appointed Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah backtracked on that timetable, saying that the military should remain in power until 2025 at least. After the September 2021 putsch, Koulibaly was appointed as the Guinean army’s chief of staff, a post he held until May 2023. He then became charge d’affaires at the West African nation’s embassy in Cuba. He returned to Guinea in May, saying he had come to demand that the authorities pay the embassy staff’s salaries.He was arrested on accusations of abandoning his post and prosecutors said weapons were found at his home.
“THEY’RE BECOMING JITTERY”, EL RUFAI SON MOCKS TINUBU’S GOVT AFTER FATHER’S VISIT TO BUHARI
‘THEY’RE GETTING JITTERY’ – EL-RUFAI’S SON MOCKS TINUBU’S GOVT AFTER FATHER’S VISIT TO BUHARI Bashir, the son of former Kaduna state governor Nasir El-Rufai, has mocked the Bola Tinubu-led government, adding that the administration’s officials are ‘jittery’ ahead of the 2027 general elections. El-Rufai has been meeting some prominent northern politicians in the last few weeks, prompting rumours of the north plotting against the Tinubu-led government. Shehu Sani, a former senator had also accused the northern politicians of ganging up against Tinubu ahead of 2027. Sani, a Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, went ahead to write on social media, pleading with the north to allow Tinubu to complete eight years in office. Reacting to the post on X, Bashir wrote: “Lmao. They are getting jittery & sending the wrongest person from the North to advocate for their propaganda, with absolutely no electoral value to his name, but his old glory days of supposedly fighting for democracy & being locked in prison like he was Mandela.” Sani recently spoke at an event organised by the Tinubu government to mark Democracy Day. He praised President Tinubu describing him as the ”father of protests” during the military era. Sani, a former huma rights activist, joins a long list of former PDP chieftains who have been speaking in favour of the Tinubu-led government after the 2023 general elections. They include former spokespersons for Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate in the elections; Reno Omokri and Daniel Bwala. Ex-senator Ben Murray-Bruce has also been supporting the incumbent government.
- Entertainment
- June 29, 2024
- 86 views
RANGERS INTERNATIONAL: RETURN OF FLYING ANTELOPES
RANGERS INTERNATIONAL: RETURN OF FLYING ANTELOPES ANTELOPES do not fly.That’s why I often wondered why Rangers International Football Club of Enugu are nicknamed ‘the Flying Antelopes’. I know the genesis of the name ‘Rangers’. It is a deadly and destructive cannon used by Biafran soldiers during the bloody Nigerian Civil War. In ‘fighting’ their way back to the mainstream life in Nigeria, and in shedding the toga of a defeated people after the Civil War, some Igbo leaders set up the football club to fast track their re-integration and chose the name ‘Rangers’ to reflect strength, power and an indomitable fighting and winning spirit. One year after the end of the war, the team played its way to the finals of the most prestigious club competition in Nigeria at the time – the FA Cup! They were only halted in their march to the top only by the heroics of Amusa Adisa, the goalkeeper of WNDC FC, the team that later became IICC Shooting Stars International FC. Adisa had dramatically caught a last-minute penalty kick taken by Godwin Achebe, Captain of the Green Eagles (before and immediately after the War) and of Rangers FC, that would have possibly helped the team to go on and win a match they were dominating up till that point in the dramatic match. That’s how Rangers lost their first major final match by 2-1 to a team that would become their greatest rival in Nigerian football through the decades since then. That same year, 1971, in a competition that was referred to as an ‘emergency league’, Rangers FC emerged the league champions for the first time. But it was in 1974 that their three-year dominance of Nigerian football truly began. From that year, they went on to win the FA Cup three times and the league cup twice, back-to-back. These achievements were unprecedented in Nigeria’s football history and have not been matched 50 years after. Remarkably, it was not only the victories that made Rangers International FC famous and a great team. It was inthe manner of their performances on the field of play. They played with uncommon passion and determination. They had very skillful, very strong and very fast players in all departments on the field, with a goalkeeper who,at about 6 ft 5 inches tall, was a real giant between the posts. Emmanuel Okala went on to become the most celebrated goalkeeper with his award of Africa’s Best Player in 1978 by the African Sports Journalists Union. Rangers International FC always and everywhere played as if possessed, contesting for every ball on the field as if their lives depended on it, physically intimidating and dominating teams with their pphysicality, power and speed, leaving a physical or mental ‘scar’ on every opposing team. In 1977, Rangers FC added the appellation ‘International’ to its name when it won the Africa Cup-winners Cup, only the second Nigerian club side to win the same continental trophy. One year earlier, in 1976, IICC Shooting Stars International FC had blazed the international success trail. That achievement meant a great deal in Nigerian football and to the global followers of the great club based inEnugu. To mark the 40th anniversary of winning the continental trophy, in 2017, the clubs patrons and supporters organised and held the biggest celebration in the history of the team in Houston, Texas, USA.Why USA? Most of the surviving players of the 1970s and 1980s had moved to the USA for studies or in pursuit of a better life. It was, therefore, a great opportunity to re-unite and celebrate them in an audience of members of the Igbo community in the USA with a surprise-guest to embellish the historic event.… a Ranger That Never Played For Rangers InternationalWhen…