Television Nigerian

President Bola Tinubu has participated in honoring Tanko Yakasai, an esteemed statesman and original member of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), on his 98th birthday.

The President honors the outstanding figure along with the Yakasai family, friends, and allies, according to Ajuri Ngelale, Special Advisor to the President (Media & Publicity), who made this announcement on Tuesday. Yakasai has committed his life’s work to promoting justice, the rule of law, the voiceless masses in our nation, the formation of good governance, and openness in official government.

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As a patriot and one of the most noblemen in Nigerian history, the President praised the older statesman.

He prayed that Alhaji Yakasai’s birth anniversary would bring about the significant causes for which the statesman has valiantly battled.

“May the nonagenarian be blessed with long life and happiness,” the President continued.

Following a productive journey to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he took part in the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), President Bola Tinubu has returned to Abuja.

President Tinubu held a number of bilateral discussions during COP28, including gatherings with the president of the United Arab Emirates and King Charles of England.

Read Also: 250 athletes, 70 veterans to participate in CDS Half Marathon – DHQ

In addition, President Tinubu observed the signing of an accelerated performance agreement between Germany and Nigeria with the goal of enhancing Nigeria’s electrical supply.

Although there was much admiration for President Tinubu’s presence to COP28, others questioned the size of the Nigerian delegation, which included more than 1,400 registered participants. Only 422 people were formally supported by the state, the government claimed in defense of the delegation’s size.

Tinubu left Abuja for Dubai on November 29, 2023, in preparation for the summit, which was scheduled to conclude on December 12, 2023.

Approximately 70 veterans and no fewer than 250 participants, both male and female, will take part in the Chief of Defence Staff Armed Forces and Other Security Agencies Half Marathon in Abuja in 2023.

AVM Abidemi Marquis, the Director of Sports at Defence Headquarters, announced this during a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

Participants from the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies will fight for the prized automobile prize at the Marathon, according to Marquis.

According to Marquis, the CDS half marathon race has taken place three times in the last eight years: once, twice, and three times.

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He claimed that the COVID-19 and the growing military involvement in domestic security activities prevented the 4th edition from taking place until 2020.

In order to provide a forum for members of the armed forces, security services, and their staff to participate in competitive sports, the director announced that the 4th edition would now take place on December 9.

According to him, this would enhance their abilities, identify potential for the country, and foster communication among them to maintain the professional partnership.

Two events are planned for this year’s championship: a 5 km veteran’s road race and a 21.1 km male and female race.

Thus, competitions for both individuals and groups will be held simultaneously.

We anticipate finishing the road marking by Thursday, according our plans,” he stated.

According to the director, DHQ was aware of the disruptions that the athletic events would bring about for drivers using the Kubwa route.

In order to facilitate marking on Thursday and the event on Saturday, he asked drivers to cooperate.

In order to encourage sports-loving Abuja residents and those in the surrounding area to attend this year’s event, we are taking this chance to do so.

“Every strategy is fully set up to guarantee a flawless competition.

“We are ready to make sure that this marathon is successfully completed, and we have medical facilities for any unanticipated medical situations.

As a result, we are hoping that every runner is as prepared as we are to win this competition’s Star Prize.

“One brand-new automobile will be awarded as the Star Award to the best female and male marathoners, respectively.

“We have individual and group competitors who will receive a certificate of participation, in addition to cash prizes for placing second and third,” he continued.

Marquis forbade doping and other forms of cheating throughout the competition and exhorted competitors to compete aggressively but fairly.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Hon. Abubakar Bichi, the Chairman House Committee on Appropriations has been commended for their transparency and efficiency in  the handling of the 2024 Appropriation Bill.

The Coalition of Indigenous Groups for Renewed Hope in Nigeria made this known at a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja at  the first budget town hall meeting by the House of Reps.

In his address, the convener of the group, Lawrence Ngege, said Abbas and Bichi have so far been pragmatic, proactive, and open in the budgetary process, thus restoring the hope of Nigerians.

According to Ngege, the recent actions of the House under the leadership of Abbas and Bichi have given citizens renewed hope and confidence in the governance of our great nation.

The group, however, urged the other arms of government to emulate the high standards set by the House of Reps.

“First and foremost, we would like to commend Speaker Tajudeen Abass for his exceptional leadership skills and unwavering commitment to the welfare of the Nigerian people. His dedication to transparency, accountability, and inclusivity has been evident in every decision and action taken by the House of Representatives under his stewardship,” the statement said.

“Speaker Abass has demonstrated a deep understanding of the challenges facing our nation and has shown remarkable courage in tackling them head-on. His ability to unite members of the House, regardless of political affiliations, is a testament to his strong leadership qualities. We applaud his efforts in fostering a conducive environment for robust debates and discussions, which have contributed to the formulation of sound policies and legislations for the betterment of our society.

“Equally deserving of a great commendation is Chairman Abubakar Bichi, who heads the House Committee on Appropriation. His meticulous approach to budget planning and allocation has been instrumental in ensuring that the resources of our nation are utilized judiciously. Chairman Bichi’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the budgetary process has restored faith in the ability of the government to manage public funds effectively.

“Under Chairman Bichi’s leadership, the House Committee on Appropriation has diligently scrutinized the budget proposals, leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to eliminate wasteful spending and prioritize projects that will have a direct impact on the lives of the Nigerian people. His proactive approach in engaging with stakeholders and ensuring that their voices are heard has contributed to the formulation of a budget that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of our diverse nation.

“Furthermore, Abubakar Bichi’s proactive approach to budget implementation has set a new standard of excellence in governance. His meticulous attention to detail and his insistence on regular monitoring and evaluation have ensured that funds are utilized judiciously and in line with the intended purposes. This approach has not only enhanced accountability but has also fostered public trust and confidence in the legislative process.

“In great admiration, the Coalition of Indigenous Groups for Renewed Hope in Nigeria have seen overtime that the actions of Speaker Tajudeen Abass and Chairman Abubakar Bichi, both individually and collectively, have had a profound impact on the restoration of hope in Nigeria. The House of Representatives, under their leadership, has become a beacon of transparency, accountability, and good governance. The proactive measures taken by the House in handling the budget have resulted in the timely implementation of critical projects, the provision of essential services, and the empowerment of our citizens.

“The Speaker and the Chairman have demonstrated exceptional leadership in guiding the House of Representatives through the complex process of budget consideration. They have adopted a pragmatic approach that prioritizes the needs of the people and ensures that the budget is aligned with the government’s development agenda.

“By working as a perfect combo, Speaker Abass support for Chairman Bichi have set a new standard for leadership in Nigeria. Their exemplary actions have inspired confidence in the government and have reignited the hope of all Nigerians for a brighter future.

“Under their leadership, the House has engaged in thorough scrutiny of the budget proposals, ensuring that every allocation is justified and aligned with national priorities. They have also been proactive in addressing concerns raised by stakeholders, ensuring that the budget process is inclusive and transparent.

“The Speaker and the Chairman have also placed a high premium on transparency and accountability in the budget process. They have ensured that all budget documents are accessible to the public and have encouraged public participation in the budget process.

“They have also strengthened the oversight role of the House of Representatives, ensuring that MDAs are held accountable for the use of public funds. This has helped to curb corruption and ensure that public funds are used for the benefit of the people.”

No fewer than 500 private legal practitioners have volunteered to defend the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Kano State, Nasir Gawuna, at the Supreme Court.

The lawyers, under the aegis of the Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law, said the move is to save Nigeria’s democracy from vote riggers and serial election fraudsters.

Having secured victories at the governorship election petition tribunal and Appeal Court, the legal practitioners expressed confidence that Gawuna will again emerge at the Supreme Court.

They made this known at a press conference on Tuesday through their spokesman, Barr. Joseph E. Onwudiwe.

“Nigerians have observed keenly the situation unfolding in Kano state regarding the March 18 Governorship election. As a group saddled with the onerous responsibility of safeguarding our democratic ethos and values, we are no longer comfortable with the unwarranted attacks on the judiciary and moves to blackmail the Court into giving backing to wanton electoral malfeasance and vote heist,” the statement said.

“We will no longer fold our arms as lawyers and watch the judiciary be continuously harangued, and the temple of Justice desecrated by a group of people who failed to perfect an electoral heist and inflate their votes by over 165,000 in a desperate bid to win the March 18 2023 Kano state governorship election at all cost.

“It is on the above premise that we wish to salute the courage and sound reasoning that resonated in the judgements of the tribunal and the Court of Appeal which dispensed justice by allowing the overwhelming yearnings and aspirations of the majority of Kano citizens, as expressed in the valid number of votes cast in the March 18 Kano Governorship election, to stand against the selfish interest of a few who planned to subvert the democratic exercise through electoral fraud and vote manufacturing.

“We are not surprised that the sacked governor of Kano state and his hired agents have become insistent in selling propaganda in the name of a contradiction in the CTC of the Appeal Court Judgement. Nigerians will have nothing but pity for a party in a suit who finds no premise upon which to launch a successful appeal against a judgement backed by law and fact.

“May we repeat here that the judgement of the Court of Appeal on this case was a very straightforward one which rightly dismissed the appeal of Abba K. Yusuf and upheld his sack by the tribunal? The courts envisaged clerical errors in judgement and therefore embedded in their handbook and rules, enactments that empower the Court to vary its judgement to reflect its original intentions.

“Like the Order 23 Rule 4 of the Court of Appeal handbook which empowered them to recall the CTC of their judgments and correct clerical errors like that of the Kano guber judgement. This has also been judicially noticed and treated in a plethora of cases such as Ajibola vs state and Okibe vs Kekere.

“May we also use this opportunity to urge Nigerians to not cave into the misleading narrative being pushed by the agents of the Kano Governor who are grasping at the clerical error on page 67 of the CTC of the Court of Appeal judgement to bring the honourable justices who delivered the sound judgment to public disrepute?

“The importance of the judiciary in keeping our democracy alive and thriving can never be overemphasized, it is on this background that we implore the Supreme Court to dispense justice in this appeal before it without taking into consideration, the distractions and attempts at blackmail. We are with the Judiciary and we assure them of our unflinching support as they move to save Nigeria’s democracy from vote riggers and election fraudsters. We must sanitize our electoral system now and build a strong democratic wall against vote inflation and other electoral malfeasance. ”

The lawyers, therefore, called on “peace-loving Nigerians to arise in defense of our cherished democracy from this desperate politician who is using every illegal means to blackmail our judiciary into giving authenticity to electoral fraud by allowing a man who manufactured over 165,000 to seize power at the expense of the overwhelming yearnings and aspirations of the majority of Kano citizens, as clearly expressed in the valid votes cast at the March 18 Kano governorship election. “