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Saraki asks the PDP executive to ensure the party’s overall victory in Kwara in 2023

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Saraki asks the PDP executive to ensure the party’s overall victory in Kwara in 2023

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki on Saturday urged the Peoples Democratic Party’s new executive committee members in Kwara to immediately begin the process of deposing the state’s incumbent governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, and his All Progressives Congress, APC, administration.

“You should start working in earnest to ensure the party’s overall victory in the general elections of 2023,” he said at the conclusion of the party’s congress, which produced consensus winners.

“Work should begin as soon as you leave this location. He stated, “The peaceful conduct of this congress has confirmed to me that we are indeed ready to reclaim power in Kwara.”

Alhaji Mohammed Babatunde, the former Speaker of the Kwara House of Assembly, was elected as the party’s chairman, while Umaru Muhammed was elected as the deputy chairman.

At the conclusion of the congress, Tunde Ashaolu was retained as Publicity Secretary.

Read also: Saraki asks the PDP executive to ensure the party’s overall victory in Kwara in 2023

Bisi Fakayode, Chairman, South Senatorial Zone, Baba Jimoh, Chairman, North Senatorial Zone, and Haliru Dansoho, Youth Leader, are the other officers who emerged by consensus.

According to the Nigerian News Agency (NAN), prominent party leaders worked behind the scenes to get the consensus agreement passed.
The new chairman, Babatunde, said in his acceptance speech that he was aware of the task ahead of him and that he was prepared.

“We will begin at the bottom and work our way to the top.”

“We’ll use the next local government elections to let the people of Kwara know we’re back,” he said.

Hon John Akwarashi, the chairman of the election committee from the PDP national headquarters in Abuja, expressed delight that the Kwara PDP had chosen the consensus option.

“It is clear that the majority of party members have chosen their officers,” he said.

“From what we have seen, it is clear that the choice of consensus is the overwhelming choice of the party members,” said Malam Shehu Abdulkadir, who led INEC’s delegation to the congress.

Former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, former Minister of Sports Bolaji Abdullahi, and former House of Representatives member Abubakar Kanike were among those who attended the congress.

Dennis Otiotio is the new chairman of the Bayelsa APC

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Dennis Otiotio is the new chairman of the Bayelsa APC

Bayelsa Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Dennis Otiotio, is a political associate of Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva (APC).

Yusuf Adejo, a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police (DSP) and Chairman of the state congress planning committee, revealed this when he announced the congress results in Yenogoa on Saturday.

According to Adejo, Otiotio received 582 votes, defeating his closest competitor, Mr Dan Igrubia, who received eight votes.
During the congress, Mr Ebipadei Fekoweimo was also elected as the state APC Secretary, according to him.

Adejo stated that the winners were determined after a fair election and urged party supporters in the state to continue to support the party.

In his acceptance speech, Otiotio promised to reposition the Bayelsa APC to ensure victory in the general election of 2023.

“The people of Bayelsa yearn for good governance, which the APC is known for,” he said. “We will do everything we can to ensure that the party is re-positioned in the state to take its rightful place.”

Officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders in the state kept an eye on the congress.

Ubani threatened to sue the FG over the government’s requirement that civil servants be vaccinated.

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Ubani threatened to sue the FG over the government’s requirement that civil servants be vaccinated.
Dr. Monday Ubani, a lawyer, has stated that if the federal government enforces the directive on mandatory vaccination for civil servants in the country, he will not hesitate to take them to court.
Ubani is the Chairman of the NBA-SPIDEL (Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law).
He recalled that Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation/Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Covid-19, had announced last week that all civil servants in Nigeria must show proof of vaccination or present a negative Covid-19 PCR test result done within 72 hours to gain access to their various offices within Nigeria and Missions abroad, with effect from December 1, 2021.
Ubani described the directive as insensitive, claiming that it violated existing labor terms as well as civil servants’ fundamental rights to privacy, life, movement, religious belief and faith, and liberty.

Read also: Nigerian Navy intercepts drug laden vessel, recover 32 kg of cocaine

“Any directive on mandatory vaccination is immature, unnecessary, unacceptable, and should be completely rejected,” Ubani says.
The directive’s punishment of denial of access to office is a clear breach of the contractual terms of employment, as well as a restriction on the freedom of movement and liberty guaranteed by Chapter 4 of the 1999 constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.
“When these civil servants were hired, mandatory vaccinations and the consequences of non-compliance were not part of their contract terms.”
This new policy is an affront to good working relationships and goes against international labor standards.
Any attempt by the Federal Government to continue with this illegal policy will be met with a strong legal challenge.”

Read also: Bungudu’s kidnapped Emir regains his freedom

According to Ubani, in the absence of substantive legislation making Covid-19 vaccination mandatory, such a policy directive, which would invariably deprive people of their guaranteed rights, is illogical, unlawful, and null and void.
Ubani also insisted that the best policy for the country is for citizens not to be allowed to relax their guard in the face of the pandemic’s prevention measures.
“Because the government has failed to persuade the citizens on the issue of health, safety, and bodily harm of this vaccination, they are advised to abandon their current policy, which is at odds with the citizens’ bodily integrity,” he said.
They should instead use persuasion techniques to persuade citizens of the benefits of the vaccines, but most importantly, they should pursue free education, free health policies, and other social welfare policies and make them mandatory for citizens, which will earn the government praise.”

Bungudu’s kidnapped Emir regains his freedom

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Bungudu’s kidnapped Emir regains his freedom

Alhaji Hassan Attahiru, the abducted Emir of Bungudu, has been released.

On Saturday, a member of the Emir’s family, Gazali Shehu Ahmad, who is also a Special Adviser to the Governor of Zamfara State on Strategy, confirmed the Emir’s release on his personal Facebook page.

The Emir was held captive for 32 days before being released.

“On behalf of the family and Bungudu Emirate, we wish to thank everyone for their prayers and support during this difficult time,” Ahmad wrote on Facebook.

“We appreciate the Kaduna State Government’s efforts throughout this difficult period.

“We express our heartfelt gratitude to the Zamfara State Government for playing a critical role in ensuring our father’s safe return home.”

Read also: APC holds parallel Congresses in Sokoto

“We thank the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) for their assistance in securing the Emir’s release.

“We implore the public to respect the Emir’s privacy in the coming weeks as he receives medical attention and post-trauma management,” the statement said.

APC holds parallel Congresses in Sokoto

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APC holds parallel Congresses in Sokoto

Minister of Police Affairs Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi and former Governor Aliyu Wamakko on Saturday teamed up with their supporters for the All Progressives Congress (APC) congress in Sokoto.

Their faction adopted consensus to return all 36 executives unopposed.

Alhaji Sadiq Achida was returned as chairman and Abubakar Muhammad Yabo as Secretary with Alhaji Haruna Adiya as treasurer

No fewer than 1,179 delegates from the 23 Local Government Areas converged on the Sultan Abubakar road Diplomat Area Sokoto, to affirm their emergence under the supervision of INEC officials and screening committee members from the National Headquarters.

Chairman of the electoral team, Suleiman Akko, who commended the exercise described it as peaceful, stating that APC remains the most vibrant and dependable choice with a steady record of unity and strength of political prowess.

Senator Aliyu Wamakko, who attributed the outcome of the peaceful exercise to the resilience of members, said: “No party is as vibrant as APC in the state and Nigeria. We have done justice to all stakeholders to be able to achieve these promising results.”

But the other faction led by Hon. Abdullahi Balarabe Salame produced Muhammad Daji as chairman and Alhassan Rara as the secretary with Ahmed Abubakar as vice-chairman.

SOGCEP commends NYSC DG Shuaibu over fight against gender-based violence, inequality in Nigeria

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SOGCEP commends NYSC DG Shuaibu over fight against gender-based violence, inequality in Nigeria

 

The Society for Girl-Child Education and Promotion (SOGCEP) has hailed the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, for championing the fight against inequality and gender-based violence in the country.

The group said the NYSC’s Grassroot Gender Sensitization and Advocacy Campaign is a welcome development and a step in the right direction to potentially address the prejudices associated with the girl-child.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Mrs Ireti Bolaji, on Friday, the society said the NYSG DG has by this move displayed an unalloyed commitment towards promoting gender equality in Nigeria.

According to the group, the importance of the girl-child education cannot be over-emphasized, hence it expressed satisfaction that the DG of such a sensitive agency is an advocate in this regard.

The SOGCEP noted tha parents and guardians are now assured that their daughters are accorded the same rights and privileges as their male counterparts during the mandatory youth service year.

Describing Shuaibu as a pacesetter, the female society encouraged other well-meaning Nigerians to see this challenge from the NYSC DG as a call to action in the country’s overall interest.

While throwing its weight behind Shuaibu, the group, however, urged community leaders, religious institutions, local government administrators and other stakeholders to do likewise.

Read full statement below:

The Society for Girl-Child Education and Promotion receives the statement credited to the Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) calling for collective action from all stakeholders to fight against the ravaging effects of inequality and gender-based violence in society with excitement and appreciation.

This is indeed a welcome development, and we are glad that the DG of the NYSC has lent his voice to this critical concern that requires collective action from all in Nigeria due to its sensitivity and the impact it would have on sustainable growth and development in Nigeria.

The Society for Girl-Child Education and Promotion identifies with the NYSC Grassroot Gender Sensitization and Advocacy Campaign in Rural Communities, which is being launched across the country as a laudable initiative with the potentials to address the prejudices associated with gender-based violence in Nigeria.

As an organization at the vanguard of promoting girl-child education, we commend the NYSG DG for displaying an unalloyed commitment towards promoting gender equality in Nigeria. He is indeed a pacesetter, and we encourage other well-meaning Nigerians to see this challenge from the NYSC DG as a call to action in the country’s overall interest.

The importance of girl-child education cannot be overemphasized, and we are glad that the DG of such a sensitive agency is an advocate in this regard. The above implication is that the NYSC has recognized that violence and discrimination against the girl-child do not stand a chance in the critical NYSC.

This is reassuring to parents and guardians in the sense that female NYSC members are accorded the same rights and privileges as their male counterparts during the mandatory youth service year.
We are also aware that the NYSC is taking the campaign across the 36 states of the federation, including the federal capital territory. This is indeed commendable, and as an association, we use this medium to pledge our support to the NYSC in this regard.

The Society for Girl- Child Education and Promotion states in unequivocal terms that the NYSC DG has demonstrated courage and selfless service to the country. We are convinced that this is indeed an example worthy of emulation by all and sundry.

The call by the NYSC DG on community leaders, religious institutions, local government administrators and other stakeholders to ensure that no man, woman, girl or boy is denied the opportunity to realize their God-given potentials is heartwarming and an indication that once again, this burning issue has taken centre stage.

The Society for Girl-Child Education and Promotion identifies with the stance of the NYSC in this critical point of our existence. And we wish to pledge our support to the success of this campaign that has the potential of addressing this challenge headlong.

The NYSC has proven to be a worthy partner in Nigeria, and we commend the DG, Brig. Gen Shauibu Ibrahim for his display of insight and purposeful leadership, which should serve as an example to others in sensitive positions of authority in the country.

This is on the heels that gender discrimination has no place in the actualization of the potentials of our great country. We are glad that the NYSC is championing this cause, and it is hoped that other organizations will take a cue in this regard.

As an organization, we extend our support and commendation to the NYSC. We wish to state that the NYSC should see in us a worthy partner in the campaign’s success in the fight against the ravaging effects of inequality and gender-based violence in society.

Nigerian Navy intercepts drug laden vessel, recover 32 kg of cocaine

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Nigerian Navy intercepts drug laden vessel, recover 32 kg of cocaine

The Nigerian Navy Ship NNS has intercepted a vessel, MV CHAYANEE NAREE and recovered over 32 kilogrammes of cocaine in a sting operation.

In a statement, Commander NNS BEECROFT Commodore Bashir Mohammed said, the Nigerian Navy while acting on credible intelligence from Interpol, the Nigerian Navy, commenced tracking of a vessel, MV CHAYANEE NAREE, suspected of attempting to smuggle narcotics into Nigeria. Using the Nigerian Navy Falcon Eye Maritime Domain Awareness system, the Navy monitored the vessel and discovered that the vessel departed Santos Brazil on 19 Sep 21 and drifted for a week at a position about 250nm (approximately 500 kilometres) off the coast of Benin Republic from 1 to 8 Oct before setting sail and arriving Nigeria on 8 Oct 21.

“Upon entering Nigerian waters, the vessel was intercepted by Nigerian Navy Ship EKULU and escorted to NPA port where she was directed to berth on 9
Oct 21 and taken into custody by the Navy. Thereafter, other agencies were invited to conduct an extensive and comprehensive search of the vessel for narcotics and other contraband items.

“The suspected vessel was thoroughly searched by a combined team of the Nigerian Navy, InterPol Nigeria, Nigerian Custom Service and Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency. The Search began on 9 Oct 21 and at about 1800 hours (6pm) on 13 Oct 21, efforts of the search team were rewarded when a bag was found in the Vessel’s Cargo Compartment One. Tests conducted on the contents of the bag by the NDLEA confirmed the substance to be cocaine wrapped in 30 slabs weighing 32.9 kg. Accordingly, the substance was handed over to the NDLEA while further search and investigation have continued on every nook and cranny of the vessel.”

He affirmed that the success of the operation is as a result of the excellent synergy and collaborative efforts between the Nigerian Navy, Interpol Nigeria, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigeria Customs Service.

NYSC DG calls for collective action against inequality, gender-based violence

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NYSC DG calls for collective action against inequality, gender-based violence

Director-General National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier-General Shuaibu Ibrahim (Assoc. Prof. DSS Ph.D MTRCN) has called for collective action from all stakeholders in the fight against the ravaging effects of inequality and gender-based violence in the society.

The Director-General made the call during the flag-off of the first phase of NYSC Grassroot Gender Sensitisation and Advocacy Campaign in Rural Communities, held at Government Day Secondary School, Sunkaani, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area of Taraba State.

In an address read by the State Coordinator NYSC Taraba State Mr Anthony Nzoka, the NYSC DG lamented the discrimination against the female gender in some communities and warned against the physical harm and psychological effects of such discrimination to women and girls.

General Shuaibu therefore called on community leaders, religious institutions, local government administrators and other stakeholders to ensure that no man, woman, girl or boy is denied the opportunity to realise their God given potentials.

The NYSC Top Boss reiterated the Scheme’s continued support and advocacy on gender matters and thanked all stakeholders and partners for their support.

Responding on behalf of the Local Government Area, the Hon. Chairman, Ardo-Kola Local Government, who was represented by the Director, General Services and Administration, Mr. Alexander Bingan expressed his sincere appreciation to the NYSC for the sensitisation program. He assured all present of the support of the Council in the fight against gender based violence and discrimination and called for the extension of the sensitisation to other communities within the LGA.

Present also at the flag-off ceremony were the Director PRS Ardo-Kola LGA Mr Bappa Waturu, the Chairman, Muslim Council, Ardo-Kola LGA Usman Abdulkarim, Gender Monitoring Officer NYSC NDHQ Mrs Patience Lenkat, Management Staff of NYSC Taraba Secretariat, Students and Community Members.

TY Buratai: An encounter with the master strategist

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TY Buratai: An encounter with the master strategist

By Kolawole Anthony

The name Ambassador Tukur Yusufu Buratai, Lieutenant General (retd) sure rings a bell in the annals of the country. Take it or leave it, it would continue to resonate for a long time, especially at the mention of the Boko Haram insurgency in the country.

Ambassador TY Buratai is a former Chief of Army Staff. But one that redefined purpose and engagement. He is such a great thinker. I won’t be wrong if I regard him to one of the great military strategists in the modern-day era because his exploits were legendary, from Operation Lafiya Dole to Operation Crocodile Smile, through Operation Sahel Sanity and others too numerous to mention.

I recently encountered Ambassador TY Buratai, and he remains every inch himself, filled with wisdom and willing to contribute to the discourse on national security. Indeed, there was something fascinating about TY Buratai. He is a man of conviction. I recall when he was appointed Chief of Army Staff, he stated that peace must return to North-East Nigeria. That conviction begat the famous Operation Lafiya Dole that saw the decimation of the Boko Haram group and its dislodgment from Sambisa Forest.

The exploits of operation Lafiya Dole in the war against insurgency in North-East Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. It was also on record that TY Buratai, as Chief of Army Staff, sometimes led operations and slept in the trenches with troops. I recall that on several occasions, his convoys were ambushed. But he wasn’t deterred, and he carried on like the colossus that he is.

The TY Buratai era in the Nigerian Army remains remarkable. It would always serve as a reference point in leadership and patriotism. The establishment of the Nigerian Army University was also hailed as one of the highlights of the Buratai era. It was indeed a masterstroke that elicited commendation from wide and far. The Buratai era also saw to the introduction of numerous reforms in the operational strategies of the Nigerian Army that placed it in prime position to carry out its mandate in the preservation of the territorial integrity of the country.

TY Buratai was indeed loyal to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I recall some time in 2020, a well-respected former Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Ipoola Alani Akinrinade, at the commissioning ceremony of the state-of-the-art Operations Room in Headquarters 2 Division, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment Ibadan, Oyo State., commended TY Buratai.

He was quoted as saying “that the events of recent weeks which went beyond the END SARS protest have portrayed the Chief of Army Staff as a “rare breed officer and an exemplary leader” who did not betray the trust and confidence of the Commander in Chief, noting that Buratai has on many occasions made it clear that the Nigerian Army is a professional army and that the era of military intervention in political governance was gone for good.”

I also recall an occasion where he was heaped with generous praises and referred to as Sun Tzu of Africa by his patriots and mentees within the military for religiously upholding soldiers’ welfare and comfort like a commandment.

It was stated that his adoption of this philosophy was responsible for the Army’s winning streaks in its counter-insurgency operations in North-East Nigeria and other internal security operations across the country. I agree with this because TY Buratai was the soldiers’ soldier who would join troops in a feast during festive seasons. He would visit wounded soldiers receiving treatment and many other instances where he displayed leadership at its finest.

I stand to be corrected; the likes of TY Buratai are in short supply in Nigeria. He is a combination of passion, diligence and hard work. He is also a great thinker and one whose operational strategies were always top-notch. It remains a statement that he left the Nigerian Army better than he met it. This much was acknowledged with the numerous awards and recognitions that came his way.

For example, he was conferred with the Brazilian Military Order of Merit Award, the highest military honour in the country and awarded to military officers who had distinguished themselves in various military endeavours. This is just one out of the numerous awards and recognitions that came his way during his remarkable stint as Chief of Army Staff.

And today, this legend and selfless Nigerian is still serving his country as Ambassador of Nigeria to Benin republic. It is also on record that he has been galvanizing the much-needed diplomatic support for the country in the fight against insurgency and other acts of criminality.

Most Nigerians might not know that TY Buratai, as Ambassador, is actively involved in the preservation of the country’s territorial integrity covertly. He may have dropped the uniform, but his contributions to national security are invaluable. This is a statement of fact, which those in the security space can attest to. Only recently, he paid a visit to the Chief of Defence Staff in what could be dubbed a strategy session and the results have been overwhelming. Indeed the master strategist has returned.

Kolawole PhD is a security expert and wrote this piece from Abuja.

NYSC DG bags Historical Society of Nigeria Fellowship award 

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NYSC DG bags Historical Society of Nigeria Fellowship award 

The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim has been conferred with the Fellowship of the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN).

This honour was bestowed on the DG at the 66th Annual conference of the Society which held in Enugu on Wednesday.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Acting Director, Special Duties,  NYSC, Alhaji Musa Abubakar and issued to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

In his welcome address, President of the  Society, Prof. Okpeh Okpeh Jr. said Ibrahim and other awardees of the prestigious fellowship were selected for the honour in recognition of their contributions and  dedication towards promoting  the activities of the Society.

It added: “The honour was also bestowed on them sewuel to the exemplary leadership qualities they have exhibited in the positions they occupy in their various careers and academics.

” The  awardees are by investiture as Fellows of the HSN are now members of a select group tasked with ensuring the survival of History as a field of academic endeavour.

” I  am urging them not to rest on their oars but strive to achieve more,”he added.

Okpeh used the opportunity to thank the DG NYSC, especially for his continuous support to the Society over the years.

The president continued:” The society is the first professional association in Nigeria with large membership that cuts across all fields of endeavour and profession, established in 1955.”

The dressing of the NYSC Director General in the Fellowship robe by the president and select members of the HSN Council was one of the high points of the annual gathering of the Society.

It was  attended by members from within and outside  the country, with so many others participating virtually via zoom in keeping with the COVID 19 safety protocols.

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