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Nigeria Needs A Strong Party Both In Power And Opposition – Obasanjo

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Nigeria Needs A Strong Party Both In Power And Opposition – Obasanjo
Obasanjo and Ali Modu-Sheriff
Obasanjo and Ali Modu-Sheriff

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that Nigeria needs a strong party in power and a strong opposition party, if the country’s democracy must become stronger.

He said this after a closed door meeting with factional National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ali Modu-Sheriff on Saturday, at the former president’s residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

“For our democracy to thrive we need strong political party in government and strong political party in opposition,” Obasanjo said.

“Today, PDP cannot claim to be a strong party in opposition, I don’t know if APC can claim, at the national level, to be a strong party in government either.

“Now that is part of the misfortune of this country today,” he added.

Obasanjo described the PDP as a dying, if not dead party whose soul has been taken away.

He said: “When I was in PDP, I tried and encouraged him to come and join PDP, but he did not come, but the PDP they have given him now is a dying PDP, a dying baby, it needs to be in intensive care, otherwise, he will just be an undertaker.

“The PDP of today, if you can talk of a party again as PDP, its soul has been taken out of it and those who allowed that to happen are, unfortunately, either in the country or out of the country unperturbed about the fate of the party and indeed the fate of the country.”

The also former president reiterated that he is done with partisan politics.

“Let me make it absolutely clear once and again, I have renounced partisan politics, I don’t belong to any political party, not to talk of his own faction of PDP or any other faction of PDP,” Obasanjo said.

Modu-Sheriff, who praised the leadership qualities of the former President, said that his visit was part of the ongoing consultation aimed at finding lasting solutions to the leadership crisis in the PDP.

“Baba has spoken everything,” Sheriff said.

“Baba said the PDP given to me is a dying PDP, he built the PDP that everybody cherished.

“Whether today in politics or outside politics, he has a role in the Nigerian nation and to every one of us that is looking up to him,

“You know, Baba is very correct, so many things have gone wrong and it will be alright Insha Allah,” he added.

The PDP is currently divided into two factions, one led by Modu-Sheriff and the other by a Caretaker Committee headed by former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Makarfi.

Efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution to the leadership tussle have so far not yielded the desired result.

Modu-Sheriff insists he remains National Chairman of the party, maintaining that the only condition for peace to return to the party is the dissolution of the Makarfi-led committee.

CBN Boosts Rice Farming As 10,000 Kano Farmers Benefit From Pilot Scheme

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CBN Boosts Rice Farming As 10,000 Kano Farmers Benefit From Pilot Scheme

CBN to boost rice farming in Kano state

Not less than 10, 000 rice farmers in Kano state are to benefit in the first phase of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, initiated Rice Anchor Borrowers Programme.

This was disclosed by Abdullahi Ganduje, Governor of Kano, who added that the first batch of 5, 540 beneficiaries have been cleared for participation in the program while the rest are awaiting clearance from the apex bank to enable them participate.

He stated this on Saturday, during the flag-off of the programme at Bunkure Cattle Ranch in Bunkure local government area of the state.

Ganduje explained that more farmers would be involved in the programme during the year’s dry season and subsequent rainy seasons.

According to him, it is envisaged that thousands of rice farmers in the state would take advantage of the programme, aimed at creating profitable linkages between over 600, 000 small holder farmers and large scale processors in Nigeria, with a view to increasing agricultural production and extensively improving capacity utilization of integrated mills.

Stressing the implication of dwindling price of oil in global markets to Nigeria’s economy, the governor maintained that the Buhari administration accords top priority to agricultural production, as one of the viable sources of revenue generation, job creation and food security for its teeming populace.

The governor said Kano is endowed with huge water and arable land and his administration is committed “to revitalizing agriculture and with particular emphasis on the rice value chain in addition to wheat, dairy, meat and tomato.”

Ahead of the launch, the state technical committee on the Rice Anchor Borrowers Programme had conducted registration of beneficiaries, farm inspections as well as training on best agronomic practices and crop protection techniques to ensure maximum success.

“As you are aware, the programme is on loan basis, not grant, hence you should make sure that you make prompt repayment and based on the terms of agreement entered with you”, the governor charged the farmers.

The Director, Development Finance Department of the CBN, M. A Olaitan, represented by Umar Abubakar Ambursa stated that the programme was designed, among other things, to close the gap between local rice production and domestic consumption, urging rice and wheat farmers to take advantage of the development to improve their lot.

“If you utilize the loan by farming diligently, it will help you, our farmers, to grow from being subsistent to commercial farmers”, assuring that steps have been taken to ensure that the loans are not fraudulently manipulated.

Air Force Restates Commitment To National Security 

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Air Force Restates Commitment To National Security 
File: NAF Personnel during one of their fitness marches
File: NAF Personnel during one of their fitness marches

The Nigeria Air Force, NAF, has urged its officers and soldiers to always be fit and ready for deployment or redeployment to various operational theatres in the country as part of their responsibility to protect the nation.

Ebenezer Alade, an Air Commodore and Commander, NAF Base Services Group, Enugu, gave this charge after the `3rd Quarter 10 Kilometre Route March’’ of all NAF personnel in Enugu on Saturday.

Alade charged the officers and men of the force to brace-up for massive and tasking deployment.

He said that all NAF personnel must be ready to meet the demand of various theatres of operations in the North East, South-South, South-West and North Central.

Alade Said, “I implore you to always and constantly keep fit even in your own time.

“Many of you will be deployed and redeployed to various NAF’s operational theatres that are ongoing in the country.

“Our sole mission is to protect and safe-guard the territorial integrity of the country.

“Remember, that we all vowed and swore to protect the territorial integrity of the country to the extent of making the ultimate sacrifice, if it gets to that extent.’’

Alade further explained that the Route March was also to build comradeship with members of the public.

“So the march in major parts of Enugu Metropolis was meant to get us close to the people,” he said.

“We want to show we are ready to fight for their course in keeping the nation one.

“We are also ready to maintain peace in all states and communities where NAF base, formation and units exist,’’ he said.

 

September 12 Is Eid-El-Kabir

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September 12 Is Eid-El-Kabir
Sultan of Sokoto, Sa'ad Abubakar III
Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III

The Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Sa’ad Abubakar III, has announced September 12 as the Eid-el-Kabir day.

This was made known in a statement released on Saturday by Sambo Junaidu, the chairman of the advisory committee on religious affairs in the Sultanate council of Sokoto.

The statement quoted the Sultan as saying that his committee in conjunction with the national moon sighting body had received reports of a new Moon seen across the country.

The statement read: “The reports confirmed the sighting of the New Moon of Zulhijja,1437 AH, on Friday, September 2, 2016, which was the 29th day of Zulka’ada, 1437 AH.

“The Sultan and President, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), accepted the reports and accordingly declared Saturday, September 3, as the first day of Zulhijja, 1437 AH.

“Therefore, Monday, September 12, which will be equivalent to 10th Zulhijja, will be marked as this year’s Eid el-Kabir.”

The Sultan wished the Nigerian Muslim Ummah God’s guidance and blessings while urging them to continue to pray for the peace, progress and development of the country.

 

Minister Reassures Aero Workers On “Indefinite Leave”

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Minister Reassures Aero Workers On “Indefinite Leave”

 

Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika
Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika

The federal government has promised to restructure Aero Contractor airline, which had announced the suspension of its operations and directed its workers to commence an indefinite leave, so that the workers would not lose their jobs.

Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika said this when he addressed protesting workers of the airline who occupied the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Friday.

Sirika said that government would make sure that the problems plaguing the airline were solved, adding that it was government’s responsibility to create jobs and therefore it would not allow business concerns die off under its watch.

The Minister said that he would meet with the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON, and the management of Aero Contractors and would get back to the workers on Monday.

“I landed from Riyadh to Lagos and before I left Riyadh I was informed by the people in charge in Aero that things were getting worse and that they had only one airplane operational at the moment.

“And since I have time before my connecting flight to Abuja, I decided to come and see Aero and probably discuss a few issues with the managers, and possibly see the staff.

“But unfortunately, I came here and saw that there is a protest going on, so I had to stop by, listened, discussed and came to an agreement,” the minister said.

Sirika added that “The primary purpose of government, especially this APC government is to help to promote, nurse, sustain, develop, keep businesses so that they can continue to provide services and employ our people.

“So, it is not the government of the APC that will kill jobs and close down shops; our intent is to promote jobs and promote businesses in Nigeria so that businesses will be growing.

He pointed out that the workers had the right to protest the loss of their jobs but assured them that government would resolve the issues concerning the airline in order to make it functional again.

Saraki Urges  Accountability In North East Rehabilitation

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Saraki Urges  Accountability In North East Rehabilitation
Senate President Bukola Saraki
Senate President Bukola Saraki

Accountability and oversight are necessary components in the nation’s efforts to rehabilitate the insurgency-ravaged North East region, Buhola Saraki, the President of the Senate has said.

Saraki made the remarks as Chaloka Beyani, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights of internally displaced persons, IDPs, concludes a four-day visit to the Northeast.

In a statement by his media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, the Senate President noted that he was pleased to learn that the international community is beginning to pay more attention to the suffering in the North East.

“We are hopeful about the increasing international attention being shown toward the North East,” Saraki was quoted as saying.

“On our part, we need to make sure that our accountability mechanisms generate confidence in our ability to absorb and monitor the delivery of aid material and resources,” he added.

The Senate President said that Nigeria was heading in the right direction in tackling the humanitarian crisis in the Northeast.

He added, however, that there were still many issues that need to be tackled.

Saraki said: “Gradually but surely, we are heading in the right direction. However, let us not take our foot off the gas pedal.

“We must make accountability an expectation in Nigeria’s humanitarian relief infrastructure.

He stressed that accountability must be built into all aspects of the relief and rehabilitation effort in order to promote greater confidence in our capacity

Saraki further stated that there was need to focus less on the sensational stories of corruption in the relief effort and instead focus on more transparent systems to root out corruption and profiteering.

He promised that the humanitarian crisis in the Northeast will be utmost priority when the 8th Senate resumes sitting later in the month.

“As Senate President, I am sure that I speak for many of my colleagues when I say that we are more than willing to work with any and all Nigerian and international stakeholders to restore development, dignity and hope to the people of the north east”, he stated.

Splinter Biafran Groups Rethink Burning Flag

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Splinter Biafran Groups Rethink Burning Flag

Splinter IPOB Groups Will No Longer Burn Biafran Flag

Two splinter groups of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, have agreed that instead of publicly burning the Biafran Flag on October 1 as earlier planned, they would rather surrender the flag to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The two groups: The Re-branded Indigenous People of Biafra, TRIPOB, and Renegade Indigenous People of Biafra, RENIPOB, have also chosen January 15, 2017 as the date for the “surrender”, while the venue remains the Eagle Square in Abuja.

January 15, is a symbolic date as it was on that date in 1970, that the Nigerian Civil War, also called the Biafran War, came to an end.

In a joint statement on Friday, the two groups said they were nominating Charles Okah, as their “leader” who will carry out the symbolic surrender.

Recall that Okah, is currently being remanded in Kuje prison, accused of being the mastermind behind the 2010 Independence Day bombing.

The statement added that the decision not to go ahead with burning the Biafran flag was as a result of interventions by “well-meaning Nigerians across the world, especially civil war veterans of the defunct Biafra Republic.”

Buhari Says Zuckerberg Is An Inspiration For Nigerian Youths

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Buhari Says Zuckerberg Is An Inspiration For Nigerian Youths
Mark Zuckerberg met with President Muhammadu Buhari and Vive President Yemi Osinbajo behind closed doors at the State House
Mark Zuckerberg met with President Muhammadu Buhari and Vive President Yemi Osinbajo behind closed doors at the State House

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, won the heart of Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari for his simplicity and readiness to share his knowledge with ordinary Nigerian youths.

Buhari poured out his heart when he received the young technology billionaire at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday.

Buhari said the various meetings Zuckerberg held with Nigerian youth since his arrival would serve as a fillip to them in their quest to explore the opportunities that abound in the world of Information and Communication Technology, ICT.

“Nigeria has always been identified as a country with great potentials for growth, especially with our youthful population, but now we are moving beyond the potentials to reality,” Buhari said.

“I am impressed by your simplicity in sharing your knowledge and wealth with those with less income.

“In our culture, we are not used to seeing successful people appear like you.

“We are not used to seeing successful people jogging and sweating on the streets.

“We are more used to seeing successful people in air-conditioned places.

“We are happy you are well-off and simple enough to always share,’’ the President added.

Zuckerberg said he was very impressed by the interest, energy and entrepreneurial spirit shown by young Nigerians in all the ICT centres he had visited.

“I was highly impressed by the talent of the youths in the Co-creation Hub in Yaba,” he said.

“I was blown away by their talent and the level of energy that I saw.”

Zuckerberg explained that he was in Nigeria to promote the penetration of “fast and cheap” internet connectivity, that would help people create online businesses and curb poverty.

10,000 Civil Defence Officers For Edo Election

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10,000 Civil Defence Officers For Edo Election

10000 Civil Defence Personnel For Edo Election

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC,has approved the deployment of 10,000 personnel to Edo State in preparation for the September 10 governorship election, Abdullahi Muhammadu, the Commandant General has said.

This was contained in a statement issued by Emmanuel Okeh, the Corps’ Spokesman, on Friday in Abuja.

The NSCDC boss also ordered the acting Deputy Commandant General, Operations, Hillary Madu, to proceed to Edo State, in order to coordinate operations for a violent hitch-free election.

Madu would be assisted by two Assistant Commandant Generals in Charge of Zone G, Benin and Zone E, Owerri, with five additional Commandants from neighbouring states.

The statement revealed that Civil Defence personnel would be re-deployed from Kogi, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa and Anambra commands respectively, to complement officers and men of the Edo command to ensure maximum security during the election.

The Commandant-General urged his men to work in synergy with other sister security agencies to ensure peaceful conduct of the election.

He warned them not to involve themselves in any act of misconduct and insubordination, saying anyone found wanting would be summarily dealt with.

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Zuckerberg Back In Nigeria, Spotted At Presidential Villa

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Zuckerberg Back In Nigeria, Spotted At Presidential Villa
Zuckerberg presenting President Buhari with a model of 'Aquila', a solar-powered drone which Facebook intends to use to beam the internet to countries with no access.
Zuckerberg presenting President Buhari with a model of ‘Aquila’, a solar-powered drone which Facebook intends to use to beam the internet to countries with no access.

Facebook’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg is back in Nigeria just two days after leaving Lagos for Kenya.

The tech billionaire was spotted at the Aso Presidential Villa on Friday, where he is attending the Demo Day Finale.

Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, posted a picture of Zuckerberg and the vice president on his tweeter handle.

“This country’s going to be built on the energy and innovation of young people,” Akande quoted Osinbajo as saying during a meeting with young Nigerians and Zuckerberg in Aso Rock.

Akande also said “Zuckerberg’s meetings in Aso Rock today has been in the offing for a while now.

The facebook owner wrote on his page after the meeting: “Last stop of my trip: I’m in Abuja to meet Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

“We all met with entrepreneurs as part of Demo Day, an initiative for the Nigerian government to fund entrepreneurs with ideas for improving the country.

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“We heard from engineers who are finding ways to reward people for recycling, designing ways to pick up trash easier, and using shuttles to improve commutes in Lagos.

“This has been an inspiring trip. The energy and entrepreneurship in Nigeria and Kenya is amazing.

“I can’t wait to come back again soon!” he concluded.

Zuckerberg had paid an unannounced visit to Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos, on Monday, where he met with children learning computer coding at the Co-Tech hub.

He then joined a group of runners to jug around the streets of Lagos the next morning before leaving for Kenya two days ago.

The 31-year old billionaire had visited the Vatican where he had a session with Pope Francis on how technology could be utilized to curb poverty.

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