AljaziralPress

Editor: Akpovoke Otiti

URHOBO Born Delta State APC Chieftain and former House of Representative Aspirant, Hon. Engr. Henry Menabowanre Baro has sought the support of the 9th NASS under the newly upgraded Next level of President Muhammadu Buhari to vote grossly for Ahmed Lawan as Senate President and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as deputy Senate President.

While he was addressing the people at the Hawan Sabon Gari as part of his Sallah Message to Muslim in celebrations of Eld-el-Filtrii pointed at Muslims to continue to sustain the virtue, steadfastness and devotion shown during the Ramadan fasting .

Baro made this known to media Houses including Skynationnews. Also assure Nigerians on the Occasion of Eld-el-Filtrii celebration, that Buhari second tenure Nigerians will experience unprecedented Change of governance and the issue of insecurity will be a thing of the past. Engr. Baro further mediate on peace within the Northern region as he appeals to Northern Senators to queue behind Agege for the deputy Senate president.

The APC stalwart urged Nigerians especially Urhobo’s that Omo-Agege transition to Deputy Senate President will be for growth, expansion and development of security, healthcare delivery, education and economy of the Nation, that the position will promote Urhobo name to an enviable height.

Baro further noted that as our nation (9th NASS) enters another face of Democratic leadership with hope of Omo- Agege becoming the next senate Deputy President better tomorrow is certain for Nigerians and Urhobo Nation for breakthrough in all ramifications,’ he added .

By Abel Johngold Orheruata

IT was all excitement and joy, Thursday, as Comrade Henry Chukwuemeka Iloba retired from the Federal Civil Service.

Based on the Federal Civil Service rules, which stipulates 60 years of age or 35 years of service, for the mandatory retirement of public servants, the former Delta State Deputy Directory, Operations of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Delta State Directorate, Comrade Henry Iloba, retired from service on his 60th birthday on Thursday, 7 June 2019, after a meritorious service.

Comrade Iloba who rose to the position of Deputy Director, Operations, from Assistant Director, Admin and Finance, in January, 2014, after acting as State Director between 1998 – 1999, worked assiduously during his years in service, to reposition the Agency along with its various units and organs, into a proactive, knowledge based and activity driven Agency, able to rise up to evolving challenges in our national space.

In a well attended birthday/ retirement party in his honour, organised by staff of the directorate, Comrade Iloba expressed his gratitude to the Federal Government for the opportunity given to him to serve the nation as NOA Deputy Director, Operations, and for the support the Agency enjoyed during his tenure.

Responding to the honour given to him by the staff, he stated that he was humbled in the sense that this is the first of its kind in the State Directorate of the Agency, that a retiring State Deputy Director would be celebrated with a birthday/retirement party, by this multitude.

Recalling the period of his appointment as Director in acting capacity between 1998-1999, the 1983 University of Benin trained sociologist and veteran journalist, noted that he was not the most hardworking or intelligent officer of the State Directorate, but he was a dedicated staff and that could be the reason God guided him to this retirement age.

Comrade Iloba counselled all staff present on the best way to carryout the Agency’s assignments and while thanking the staff of the Agency for their cooperation during his active years in service, pledged to remain an advocate and ambassador of the Agency, as well as devoting quality time to his journalism practice, which will now be his next area of engagement.

He also called on the management and staff of the Agency to support and cooperate with one another to move the Agency to a higher level.

In their farewell remarks, during the goodwill speeches segment of the event, the Assistant Director Admin and Supply, Mrs. Patricia Umunna, HoD Account Mrs Florence Nwabuzor, Ogechi Abah and Godffery Eghrudiagbor among others who spoke, commended Comrade Iloba for his unifying factor style all through his service years and wished him the best of luck in his future endeavours.

Also speaking, Comrade Abel Johngold affirmed that Comrade Henry Iloba was not only the Agency’s unifying figure but also a father to all with lots of experiences in the job. Adding that the man was one of the few detribalized Nigerians that were difficult to find.

“Oga Iloba guides and motivates one to do his,/her assignment dutifully” he said.

On their part, both management and staff expressed their joy and prayed for the outgoing Deputy Director.

Highlight of the very warm and convivial retirement party, was a befitting toast to Comrade Henry Iloba, in recognition of his impressive leadership qualities as a great Unionist, who rose to become the Chairman of Federal Information Chapel of the NUJ in the state, as well as his tremendous administrative and strategic contributions to the sustenance of the NOA in Delta State.

State governors are divided over the controversial issue of state and local government police.
A meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and the 36 state chief executives just ended at the Presidential Villa Abuja.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, told State House Correspondents that though state police was on the table, the governors did not take a united position because the financial capacity of the states was not the same.
State and local government police was one of the key recommendations of the Presidential Panel that investigated alleged human rights abuses by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
The committee submitted its report to Buhari last week.

Details later…

The Lagos State Police have arrested the leader of a notorious cult group in the Ikorodu area of the state along with 20 others.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, confirmed this in a statement issued on Friday.
According to him, the arrest was made after the Force received a distress call that some cultists from two rival groups engaged themselves in a supremacy battle along Isikalu Palace and Solomade area of Ikorodu.
Subsequently, the Command’s Anti Cultism Unit and patrol teams were promptly deployed to the scene where the leader of the gang, Yusuf Omidele, popularly known as General, who according to them had been on the wanted list, was arrested.
He was arrested alongside 20 other suspects, while four locally made pistols, eight machetes and three daggers were recovered.
According to the Police, General had been charged to court on several occasions and sentenced to prison.
He completed his last sentence in 2014 and has become an Elder-in- Council, in Eiye Confraternity, the statement said.
He led his gang in a reprisal attack on the members of Aye confratanity, whom they alleged to have killed the wife of one of their leaders some weeks ago.
The suspects arrested belong to both Aye and Eiye confraternity and have all confessed to belong to secret societies.
Elkana, however, noted that the suspects will be charged to court as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Zubairu Muazu (mni), later on met with traditional rulers, religious leaders, elder statesmen, parents, youths and other stakeholders in the area.

By Jibrin Ibrahim

Your Excellency!!!

My attention has been drawn to the query you sent to the Emir of Kano yesterday giving him 48 hours to respond to the interim report of the Kano State Anti-Corruption Commission. The language and content of the query indicates clearly an intention to act quickly on the report hence my decision to write you this public letter.

Kano has been living under serious tension since 8th May 2019, when the process of dismantling the Kano Emirate was initiated by your Administration. The said process is a real risk for the people of Kano and I write to humbly request that you disengage from this adventure for the following reasons.

First, Nigeria faces numerous security threats in different parts of the country and our security forces are overstretched trying to respond to the threats. Kano has traditionally been a very volatile State but has been relatively peaceful over the past few years.

It is important that as Governor, you take a lead in keeping the peace. This means that you should not take any action that could destabilize peaceful coexistence in our State knowing fully well that anger, disaffection and opposition to the dismantling of the Emirate could lead to a breakdown of the peace. Your excellency, please recall that this idea of dismantling the Emirate had been tried previously.

On 1st April 1981, Governor Rimi created four new Emirs that were declared to be co-equal with the Emir of Kano – Auyo, Dutse, Gaya and Rano. The Emirs were becoming a crowd in the old Kano Sate as the other Emirs of Second-Class status namely, Hadejia, Gumel and Kazaure were also promoted to First Class status.

Abubakar Rimi then declared Emirs to be “mere public servants working under the directives of their Local Government Chairmen”. On 7th April 1981, the Secretary to the Kano State Government, dispatched a query to the Emir:

“I am directed by the Governor of Kano State, Alhaji M.A. Rimi to write to you and express his displeasure and that of his government in the way you relate to or respond to government instructions. The community expects of you as a matter of right to show respect to constitutionally elected government which is the vehicle of exercising the popular sovereignty of the community which is provided for by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It has thus been observed by the government that since the inception of this administration in 1979, there had been series of acts that appear to indicate you deliberate disrespect to the government of Kano State….. In the circumstances therefore, I have been directed by the Governor of Kano State to request you to forward your defence in 48 hours and to show cause why disciplinary action should not be take on you.”

Following the query, on 10th July 1981, thugs attacked and killed 34 people and burnt organisations they felt were articulating government propaganda including Kano Radio and the Triumph newspaper offices.

The thugs searched for and assassinated Dr. Bala Mohammed, political adviser to the Governor who was writing the Whitepaper that would have led to the removal of the Emir. Over the past two months the activities of thugs have multiplied in Kano and it is in no one’s interest to create conditions that could lead to the breakdown of law and order.

Secondly, Kano Emirate has an illustrious legacy whose demolition should not be on your watch. It would be a terrible outcome if history holds you responsible for the destruction of Kano’s historical legacy.

The Emirate has existed as a kingdom since 999AD and was absorbed into the Sokoto Caliphate following the Jihad of 1804-1807. It has since emerged as the most influential Emirate in the Sokoto Caliphate under the control of the Emir of Kano traversing the entire territory that is now known as Kano state.

The Emirate is a melting pot, a mosaic of diverse ethnicities and traditions within Nigeria and Africa. Sarkin Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II is the 57th ruler of Kano and embodies all that history and is considered as one of the most important Muslim authority in Nigeria after the Sultan of Sokoto.

It is a religious role, but it is also one that has tremendous influence as an advisory role to political authorities and also a key contributor in the delivery of justice and other public services. This state of affairs should not be destabilized by your excellency.

Thirdly, you should step back from your actions to respect the rule of law. You would recall that Hon. Justice A.T. Badamasi had on 23rd May restrained the Governor of Kano State from taking any action or further action in the implementation of the Kano State Emirs and Deposition Amendment Law 2019 which was passed recently by the State House of Assembly or from doing anything that will adversely affect the Kingmakers or the Emir of Kano pending the hearing of the Interlocutory Application for Injunction.

There are two other court hearings that are on-going and a State Governor should not act in contempt of judicial proceedings. As has been argued in court, there is a serious risk of irreparable damage that will be done to the people of Kano if the recent actions you have taken are not reversed.

Clearly, the idea that the House of Assembly could establish new emirates is based on a fundamental misconception that the Kano Emirate itself is a creature of statute.

There is no law that specifically establishes the Emirate which exists merely as a historical fact and recognized as part of the tradition and cultural heritage of the Kano people.

The precipitate action of the House of Assembly in the hurried passage of the said law in a matter of 48 hours with no opportunity for any public participation and your defiance of court orders in proceeding to implement and appoint new emirs despite your knowledge of the proceedings before the court and the service of the court orders is simply wrong and unbecoming of a governor.

As the lawyers to the Kano Kingmakers have argued, under the purported amendment of the law, the House of Assembly completely omitted the provisions relating to appointments of the Emir by replacing Section 3 of the Existing Law with a new Section 3 which only deals with the creation of the State Council of Chiefs and the purported creation of the four new emirates.

No section in the new law specifically empowers the Governor to appoint or even confirm the appointment made by the Kingmakers.

In any event there is no evidence that indeed the Kingmakers exist in the new Emirates or they have ever met to appoint and recommend to the Governor for confirmation. The legal grounds for the actions you have taken are therefore non-existent hence the necessity for you to step back.

Finally, the allegations of financial impropriety against the Emir appear to have no basis in fact except for the historical recollection that it was the stratagem used to remove Emir Muhammadu Sanusi I from office. As the saying goes, people who live in glass houses can throw stones, even with reckless abandon, but there could be consequences.

The people of Kano are very much aware of other real allegations of corruption, which even have video evidence.

Your excellency, I urge you to consider these four issues seriously hoping that the arguments would lead you to the preferred outcome of stepping back from the path of dismantling Kano Emirate and removing our revered Emir.

Yours Sincerely

Jibrin Ibrahim

Editor’s Note: This letter was culled from Daily Trust

By Comrd. Anayo Akubueze,

Rivers state is one of the fast oil growing States in Nigeria.

Rivers state is known and called the Treasure Base Of Nigeria.

Rivers state has a growing City called, Port Harcourt (Garden City of Nigeria).

Rivers state has great men and great women piloting the affairs of the state in governance.

Pilots of the affairs of Rivers State are:-

(1) Chief Barr. Nyesom E. Wike, the Executive governor of Rivers state and the political leader of PDP Rivers state,

(2) RTH. Chibuike R. Amaechi, Ex- minister Of Transportation and the political leader of APC Rivers state,

(3) Senator Magnus N. Abe, 8th national assembly member and the political leader of APC south East Senatorial zone,

(4) Senator Andrew Uchendu, 8th national assembly member and the political leader of APC Rivers East Senatorial zone, to mention but a few.

Meanwhile, for this rich fast oil growing state to maintain it’s rapid growth numerically, to maintain peace and order, to maintain success and progress, to maintain democracy in governance, to fight insecurity in the state, etc.

There must be Unity amongst those people piloting the affairs of Rivers state hence, United we stand and Divided We Fall.

Therefore, I advise every war drummer amongst the loyalist of those piloting the affairs of Rivers state to stop forthwith, for Peace and tranquility to reign in Rivers state.

Finally, I use this avenue to remind War drummers that, there is no permanent Friend and no permanent enemy in politics.

Elder and Second Republic politician, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, has charged the investigators of the alleged financial mismanagement of Kano Emirate Council to be objective and impartial in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Reacting to the reported query that was issued to the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi, on Thursday, the elder statesman maintained that a query should not be a cause of worry or surprise as it is a normal process of establishing the truth in any matter.

He urged the emir to go through the content of the allegations against him and provide answers to the issues raised, saying that if someone raises a complaint against one, the correct thing to do is to give the respondent a chance to answer and defend himself.

Alhaji Tanko, who admitted that he read of the query in the media, recalled that part of the submissions of the Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission in its interim report was that the emir was not cooperating with their investigation.

He cautioned that his refusal to submit himself to their investigation would certainly not be helpful in this case as silence both in the Common Law and in Islam is deemed as consent.

The elder statesman also dismissed the suggestions that the Emir of Kano should resign at this stage, saying that it would surely not solve the problem as the accusations leveled against him would still be there even if he is no longer there as the Emir of Kano.

Hon Hafizu Ibrahim Kawu member elect, Tarauni Constituency in the House of Representatives has urge Muslim umma to continue sustain the virtue , steadfastness and devotion shown during the Ramadan fasting.

He made this known in a Sallah statement issues to media houses including Sky Nation News.

He implore all to inculcate these lessons left behind by the month of Ramadan and continue to use it even as the holy month ends and appeal to all Nigerians to rise against the odds, Keep our prejudice aside and strengthen the bonds of togethernes.

According to him this is a period to reflect the outpouring of generosity towards one another especially the less privileged as they give thanks to Allah for the successful fasting period, they should practice the lessons of the month and abstain from deeds that violate divine injunction.

Hon Hafizu Ibrahim Kawu assure constituents people of his commitment to fulfilling and delivering the dividends of democracy and urge them to put aside all prejudice in order to sustain peaceful co-existence and Unity within Tarauni, state and Nigeria at large.

He noted that as our Nation enters another face of democratic rule in the country with hope of better tomorrow in the state and the country at large for breakthrough in all ramifications.

Hon Hafizu Ibrahim Kawu facilitate with Governor Ganduje, peoples of Tarauni, and urge all to rally round behind Ganduje adminstration for him to consolidate on the good work he has started in kano state.

ASABA —- GOVERNOR Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has called on Nigeria Union of Journalists,(NUJ) Delta State Council to partner with his administration by ensuring factual reportage of his programmes.

Governor Okowa made the call today (06/06/19) during an “appreciation media meeting” with the state Chapter of NUJ.

According to the governor, “I must thank Deltans in general and thank you (Journalists) for reporting our activities; at every point in time, before, during and after the campaigns, you were with us, even some of you who were afraid of water, were with us in the creeks.”
“I appreciate the roles Journalists are playing in my government; we are partners in progress and that partnership should continue; ensure accurate reporting, if there is any issue that requires clarification, you can reach me, the Chief Press Secretary or any of the political appointees because, we have an open-door policy where all Journalists, every Deltan has the right to be contributors to good governance; as much as possible, I will be frank with our people,” Governor Okowa said.

He continued, “from our visits, it was obvious that our people in the creeks need a lot of government attention which will make them happy and we are determined as a government to provide infrastructure in the area for our people who are in those areas to be comfortable.”

Governor Okowa stated that while his administration did so much in the area of road construction, building of schools, skill acquisition and empowerment for Deltans in line with the prosperity agenda of his administration, in the next four years, more projects would be executed for a stronger Delta State to be achieved.

He disclosed that the SMART agenda is the conveyor belt for a stronger Delta, assuring that such projects like the Central Secretariat, Ughelli/Asaba dual carriage way, storm drainage projects and numerous others would be completed as his desire is for those life-changing programmes to be completed while new ones that will also be initiated will be completed before the end of his tenure in 2023.

Governor Okowa who was impressed by the large turnout of Journalists for the meeting also, stated that the Oil and Gas Park, Agro-Industrial Park, among others would also, come on stream within his second tenure while spirited efforts are being made for the Asaba International Airport to attain its full potentials.

He also used, the opportunity to call for appropriate measures to be taken to check population surge in the country, observing that it portends danger for the nation for the population to be growing at a very high rate while the economy is very slow in its growth.

Journalists who spoke at the occasion including National Vice President, South – South of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Edward Ogude, Chairman of NUJ Delta State Council, Comrade Mike Ikeogwu and others commended Governor Okowa’s administration for its media-friendly posture, assuring that they will continue to ensure credible reportage of his administration’s activities.

By Comrade Anayo Akubueze.

ABUJA — As Nigerians agitate and heightened their tensions, intrigues and suspense who, could clinch robe of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Many thought of Major Hamzal Al- Mustaph as the best option for such position with the challenges of insecurity in the country.

With the insecurity Nigeria is facing today. The country needs an experienced security expert to fight and to tackle insecurity across Nigeria states.
From south East, South south, south west, north East, north west and north central of Nigeria- we see killings and kidnappings of people on daily bases.

Therefore, major Hamza Al-mustapha is an experienced security expert with the wisdom of God. He is fit to tackle the ugly insecurity situations Nigeria found itself if appointed NSA.

Meanwhile, I urge the President of the federal republic of Nigeria, rtd. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to appoint major Hamza Al-mustapha into his forthcoming presidential cabinet as the national security adviser (NSA).
Major Al-mustapha is a man of integrity that cannot compromise with insecurity of Nigeria and Nigerians.