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Lalong as God’s plan for Plateau

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Lalong as God’s plan for Plateau
By Victor Pam 
As the campaigns continue to heat the polity, we must be careful about the choices we make because our options can be our albatross, as well as our Messiah. I say this for two reasons, one is because of the empty promises flying around like promissory notes and the other is the attempt to put a veil on the eyes of the electorates by politicians who are advancing causes they know too well they  cannot deliver on. I am from Plateau State, and as they say, charity must begin from home.
I recall I asked myself a couple of questions when Simon Lalong came on-board as governor of the state, questions like, is this going to be different from others? Would Plateau experience peace and tranquillity, would workers have a reason to smile? Would Plateau experience any form of infrastructural upliftment? Would pensioners have a reason to smile? And many more that I can’t recollect.
I also promised to keep a tab on the workings of government regarding the delivery of the dividends of democracy to the people of Plateau State that have seen and experienced the worst of governments since 1999. Indeed, Plateau had been unfortunate; my friends used to taunt me. But today, I am not sure anyone of them can tease me as regards governance in Plateau. And I say this with all sense of humility and sincerity of heart.
To say Plateau has experienced a change would be an understatement. And to also say Governor Simon Lalong remains one of the best things that happened to Plateau would also be uncharitable. What would be charitable and most appropriate is to say Simon Lalong was God’s plan for Plateau state because of the remarkable improvements experienced in all aspects of life on the Plateau. From the prompt payment of salaries to clearing the backlog of pensions. Generally, governance was delivered at the doorsteps of the people.
Anyone conversant with the happenings in Plateau under governor Simon Lalong would agree with me that God indeed heard the cries of the people when he delivered Simon Lalong to us as governor. It is incredible to state that despite the cash crunch that hit the country and the inability of most states to pay salaries, it was only Plateau state that was paying wages even before the end of the month. It felt like magic to many other governors on how Governor Simon Lalong was able to achieve such feat.
If one takes an opinion survey of civil servants in the state to ascertain whether there has ever been a time salaries were delayed under Simon Lalong, the response would be an overwhelming no. That has never happened since Simon Lalong assumed leadership of the state. From what I gathered, the governor vowed that never again in the history of Plateau state, would workers be denied their wages given the fact that the state is mostly a civil servant state. And when you have the bulk of the people in the public service what is the rational thing to do? To ensure that salaries are paid as at when due.
In my opinion, doing such would also have a multiplier effect on the economy of the state in the sense that there would be a movement within the ecosystem that would, in turn, generate activities that oil the wheels of progress, which is the case in Plateau state in the past three years of Simon Lalong.
It would be tantamount to questioning God should the people of Plateau make the mistake of casting their votes for those that have been making empty promises. And the curious part is that these people that are making those empty promises were part of the rot experienced in Plateau state. The difference is that they only changed their clothing’s. Would the people of Plateau allow themselves to be so deceived?
I am not sure the people of Plateau would want to trade Simon Lalong for anyone else. I am not sure the workers and pensioners have forgotten how God has used and still using Simon Lalong to better their lives through the numerous interventions in the state. Let me add this for free. It only takes a man that is upright and with the fear of God to do what Governor Simon Lalong is doing in Plateau state. He came on-board at a time that depression had enveloped the cloud and hopelessness was the order of the day. But undeterred he set out for impactful governance that has put the state on the path of glory once again.
Governor Simon Lalong is an upright man with the fear of God, unlike past governors that ruled like they were gods themselves because how could one explain a situation where a governor can go to bed and sleep when the people that elected him are hungry and dying of starvation. These same people also divided the state along ethnic and religious lines. It was so bad in the Plateau that at some point some ethnic groups see themselves as superior to all other ethnic groups in the state. This was how unhealthy the atmosphere was in the Plateau before the coming of Simon Lalong. But all of these have indeed changed for better.
There is now mutual respect amongst the various ethnicity in the state. There are no superior or inferior groups, so much so that it has translated to an improved relationship that has brought about lasting peace in the state. I will say this without fear, if not for the coming of Simon Lalong, I am not sure there would have still been a Plateau state because all the indices for disintegration were in place and it was just only a matter of time before its manifestation. Most of us residing in Plateau had perfected plans to move elsewhere with our families.
Indeed, Plateau state has never had it this good before, there has been lots of infrastructural development across the state, despite the lean resources coming to the state. In my opinion, what people do not understand is that Governor Simon Lalong has been able to do all of these because he placed the interest of the people above his interest. And I am not sure people, including him, could dip their hands in government coffers to embezzle funds meant for the people. I make bold to say that embezzlement of government cannot be associated with the present administration of Simon Lalong, if that was the case, I doubt if he would have been able to pay salaries promptly, settle the backlog of pensions and pensions payment up to date in the state and many more.
Like a messiah, he came to set the captives free. Today, Plateau state under Simon Lalong is an example of how to work for the people. I have assessed his administrative style using different parameters as a development expert, and the result of my assessment is the reason for this piece. Some could say that I am excited, some could also say I am elated. But I would say and I ecstatic with what is happening Plateau state. And I am not sure the good people of Plateau would want to leave the known for the unknown. That would be the height of ingratitude to God. Governor Simon Lalong is indeed Gods plan for Plateau state. This much the people know, and this much they are willing to go with as the elections approach.
Pam is an advocate of the masses writing from Jos.

PMB as God’s will for Nigeria

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PMB as God’s will for Nigeria
By Sunday Garuba  The elections are around the corner, and again, the hysteria that usually greets such exercises has rented the air. There has been lots of politicking going on around the country. Political strategists and analysts are at their best-giving situations and scenarios that would shape the outcome of the elections. In all of these, I know for a certain that indeed 2019 is the year of greatness for Nigeria. As usual, clergies have made all manners of positive predictions as regards the future of the country. And this is coupled with the relative peace that has permeated the nook and cranny of Nigeria indicates that something good is about to happen in Nigeria. So far the few prophecies that have been released suggest that Nigeria’s greatness might be around the corner. I am happy as well as sad for two reasons; one is the fact that since the coming of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, a lot has changed in the way we do things as a people and as a country. And I am sad for the fact that those that contributed to the downfall of Nigeria have all ganged up against a man that believes so much in Nigeria and they are hell-bent on undermining him and all the efforts he has put in to set Nigeria back on track. Now, this is the irony of life that calls for serious concern from all well-meaning Nigerians. I am of the opinion that one of the best things that happened to Nigeria was the providential coming of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015. What many did not understand then was that God indeed heard the cries of Nigerians who had been subjected to all manner of abuse by those saddled with the task of governing us. They took us all for a ride and stole our commonwealth. And they did all of these with so much impunity. The way and manner President Muhammadu Buhari won the elections indicated that God indeed loved Nigeria and would never allow the disintegration of the country. This was on the heels of the various predictions on how Nigeria would not remain as a country after 2015. But God used President Muhammadu Buhari to thwart the plans of evil ones against Nigeria. And this much can be verified with the way and manner the president has carried on since he assumed leadership of the country. He has put the interest of the country first and above his interest. For him, the wealth of Nigeria belongs to all and not for a select few. And this has been his undoing and why the hawks that have held this country down for years are all gathered to ensure that he is voted out so that business, as usual, can resume. But they will fail. Just like the holy bible says in Psalms 91 vs. 7 “A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.” The evil plot against President Muhammadu Buhari shall not come near him if God is on the throne. I am not one of those that would be blinded by religion or ethnicity and shy away from realities of life. And I would also not hide under the umbrella of faith to deny the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari has impacted positively on the lives of the average Nigerians on the street. Take it or leave, President Muhammadu Buhari was God’s will for Nigeria in 2015 and he remains God’s will for Nigeria in 2019. If not for anything, let us admit that he has freed our commonwealth from the hands of looters and for this singular act, they have vowed to take him out. But if God is for him who can be against him? No one. Also, but for his intervention, the Boko Haram insurgency would have engulfed North East Nigeria and by extension the whole country. Should we not be grateful to a man that has shown an unalloyed commitment to the Nigerian cause? Should we not appreciate God for this rare gift to humanity? Should we not stand up in unity and defend a man that is clearly on the side of the masses? Do we need a soothsayer to tell us that if not for President Muhammadu Buhari, the entity called Nigeria might have disintegrated? All of these are questions the intelligent minds should ask if we must be honest with ourselves. We should not be deceived by the narrative bandied around by people with questionable characters. We should not fall for their gimmick that would take us back donkey years. I want to believe that we have gotten to that stage of our existence where we can decipher between good and evil. President Muhammadu has indeed not failed in the discharge of his duties as president of this great country. This is evident in the numerous people-oriented projects that are ongoing around the country. And what do we owe this great and selfless man? It’s simple. Nigerians must unite with the voice of God to ensure that we defeat the evil ones at the elections. Nigerians must come together with one loud voice to say enough is enough to those that have milked us dry. Nigerians must vote massively for President Muhammadu Buhari in the coming elections because here is a man that has not failed and his words to the citizens have been a strong bond. I am of the opinion that in the very least if we do not know or remember where we are coming from, we should at least know where we are going to. And with a man like President Muhammadu Buhari, we know he has been destined to take us to the promised land. Let us make no mistakes about this. For Nigeria, it is forward ever, and backward never. Enough is enough. Bishop Garuba is the President, national inter-faith and regious organization for peace.

Anambra monarch donates campaign vehicle to Buhari

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Anambra monarch donates campaign vehicle to Buhari

His Royal Highness, Igwe Dennis Ezebuilo, an Anambra monarch on Saturday in Abuja donated a Toyota Hilux vehicle to President Muhammadu Buhari for his campaign.

Ezebuilo said that he made the donation in appreciation of the sterling performance of Buhari since he assumed office.

The paramount ruler of Amanuke kingdom, Awka-North, Anambra State, said that the re-election of President Buhari would consolidate his achievements.

According to the monarch, the president has done well in the areas of infrastructure, anti-corruption, transport and economy.

He said the donation was to help facilitate movements during campaign for Buhari, who he said, deserved a second term in office.

Ezebuilo said that the president’s determination to ensure transparency in governance was commendable, and a path to securing a better future for the country.

The Igwe called for massive support for the President’s anti-corruption drive, stressing that alleged corrupt public officers had been prosecuted and billions of naira in stolen funds, recovered.

He said that the success of the whistle blower policy was laudable, stressing that a continuity in this direction would restore sanity in Nigeria.

Mr Mahmoud Mohammed, the Director of the Buhari/Osinbajo campaign office, who received the donation at the office in Abuja, commended the monarch and promised to ensure that the vehicle was used for its purpose.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Igwe then handed the keys to the vehicle to Mohammed.

Buhari commissions Baro Inland Water Port, first in northern Nigeria

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Buhari commissions Baro Inland Water Port, first in northern Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari has commissioned the Baro Inland Water Port in Niger State.

The contract, costing N6billion, was originally awarded in 2011/12.

Buhari with Rotimi Amaechi, left and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, right at the Baro Port on Saturday
Buhari going round the port

The Baro port was built by CGCC Global Project Nigeria Ltd.

Mr Tayo Fadile, General Manager in charge of Corporate Affairs, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), said the new port is fitted with a Mobile Harbour Crane, Transit shed and an Administrative block.

“It is also equipped with facilities such as water hydrant system, water treatment plant, reach stacker, 100KVA power generating set and three forklifts of various tonnages, among others.

“Baro Port is one of the river ports being built by the Federal Government to support the dredging of the Lower River Niger project.

“The Baro river port is expected to create at least 2,000 direct jobs and hundreds of thousands indirect jobs.

“It will help keep off the road several heavy duty trailers and trucks, thereby extending the life span of our roads,’’ Fadile said in a statement.

He said that NIWA had started upgrading the road network linking the port.

APC solidarity network exposes Naja’atu Muhammed as mole working for PDP in Buhari govt

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APC solidarity network exposes Naja’atu Muhammed as mole working for PDP in Buhari govt
The North East Solidarity Network of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has made a shocking disclosure on some persons believed to be moles working against the unity and interest of the country.
The group particularly called out Naja’atu Muhammad, a Commissioner at the Police Service Commission (PSC), whom it claimed had been working against the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.
The APC group was reacting to a recent article entitled “All the President’s Men: On national (in)security” authored by Naja’atu where she claimed a few individuals were playing games with our future and putting our security institutions on a dangerous trajectory.
Reacting, however, the pro-APC said it has become evident that Naja’atu has been working silently for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, especially with her recent outbursts against the current government.
Ali Monguno, President of the group, while addressing a press conference in Abuja on Saturday, called on the leadership of the APC to expel Naja’atu from the party for alleged antiparty-activities.
Monguno noted that her activities and association in recent weeks clearly confirm that she is beyond redeeming where commitment to the cause of our party goes
He said, “We have become aware of an inciting and derogatory opinion articles titled “All the President’s Men: On national (in)security” authored by one Naja’atu Muhammad, who we have now found out is a Commissioner of the Police Service Commission (PSC).
“There has been some degree of hesitation to respond to the inciting nature of the article, which has been widely publicised and syndicated by different media outlets. Our hesitation are based on the desire not to be seen as being sexist and intolerant of a woman holding public office or presuming that she cannot make meaningful contribution to national debates on account of her gender.
“Party consideration is a factor that has bought Naja’atu Muhammad some sort of soft response on our part since it would not be healthy for the North East APC Solidarity Network to be seen as being unnecessarily critical of a member of the party.
“Another consideration that has tampered the rapidity of our response to Naja’atu Muhammad is the collective hysteria on the part of those we have found she is working for. Any perceived criticism of the shallowness of her thinking would immediately be put down as the intolerance of the ruling APC. Yet she has turned facts on its head to not only disparage the office of President Muhammadu Buhari, she went the extra length of maligning other appointees that have put more dedication and patriotism into carrying out their assignment than Naja’atu Muhammad can ever possess in her lifetime even if she lived to be a thousand years.
“We believe she must have contracted the writing of the article to someone else and never bothered to vet it before it was sent out for publication. Otherwise, there are glaring shortcomings that should not have emanated from someone that currently occupies the position of a commissioner of PSC. The piece credited to her is an admission of failure to which someone of an equivalent engagement in other countries would have resigned before making the points she attempted to make in the piece.
“By virtue of her position, the same points she raised in the article could have been better made and put in the form of a memo to Mr President. Her stance would then have been tenable as a concerned appointee and party member that wants the best for the country in addition to wanting the President to deliver on his promises to Nigerians.
T”o attack the President as Naja’atu Muhammad did and in the media is an indication that something else was at play. It is no coincidence that what she is asking for directly replicates the demand of the opposition. The former Inspector General of Police, has retired and she has not done anything to reverse her position in acknowledgement of that. This confirms that she is in bed with the opposition that has been reported as being desperate to plant pliant officers at the helms of the military to facilitate the coup they are plotting for when they would have lost the election.
“We want to affirm that Naja’atu Muhammad must have been using her role in the Police Service Commission to sabotage the government’s efforts in providing improve security for the country. If she were patriotic as she said, her article should have listed what she has done as a member of the Commission to improve on security in Nigeria. But she could not mention one thing she has uniquely contributed towards the improvement of the Police.
“With the firebrand-critic image she cut for herself prior to her appointment, including rejecting a board membership that we have now found out was turned down for not being juicy, Naja’atu Muhammad could have done better. Nigerians had expected she should be able to provoke reforms at the PSC such that the police can resume the performance of some of its duties that are currently burdening our military . But she has proven that she is simply a Commissioner to draw salary and allowances while executing her primary task of being a mole for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Now that is has been proven that her recent outbursts, in print and electronic media, that are being sponsored by the opposition to get the widest publicity possible are intended to rubbish the efforts being made by President Buhari’s administration, especially in its war against terrorism. She set out to achieve these through her inciting and derogatory campaign of calumny against the President and leader of our great party.
“We do not wish to join issues with Naja’atu Muhammad. We are, however, keen on protecting our party, the APC, from the activities of destruct moles like her. Incidentally, the doors are wide opened for her to walk into the PDP so that she will no longer have to put up pretences about where her loyalty lies. We know her heart is with those that have promised to make it rain naira and dollar so she is welcome to go join them with her umbrella to catch the promised windfall that will never come since the PDP has by now conceded defeat even though the elections are yet to hold.
“We used the opportunity of this press briefing to call on the national leadership of our great party to, as matter of urgency, expel Naja’atu Muhammad from the party for her obvious antiparty-activities. Her activities and association in recent weeks clearly confirm that she is beyond redeeming where commitment to the cause of our party goes. Her continued membership of the party is simply to allow her access to confidential information that she is passing to the PDP.”

Najatu Mohammed: When A Tirade Goes Wrong

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Najatu Mohammed: When A Tirade Goes Wrong
By Princess Ajibola I struggled to find another word for clueless. As I was struggling, the word ingrate came to my mind. Clueless and ingrate are the best words to describe Najatu Mohammed who in her wisdom attempted to cast aspersion on the personality of President Muhammadu Buhari and by extension the Service Chiefs. When I read her piece titled “All the President’s men on national (in)security” I could not help but burst into a round of laughter for very obvious reasons. Everything she wrote was figments of her imaginations. Even though she attempted to sound like an intellect, and one conversant with the operations of the Nigerian  Military, you could quickly notice the deficiency in her plot, choice of words, and execution. She went to town mentioning what is not and what has never been. So much so that I marvelled at the way and manner she churned out half-truths that could cause an earthquake in Sabon Gari in Kano state. She took her tirade too far when she assumed that the Chief of Army Staff does not have the necessary combat experience as he allegedly dodged ECOMOG and all local operations throughout his career in the lower ranks. And I said what nonsense to that. It was arrant nonsense that could only come from a retard. Whoever it was that advise her to pen such an ignoble piece must be senile too. And the chap that wrote on her behalf was also uncharitable to her by using her “hard earned” name as the author of such gibberish. Who is Najatu Mohammed to comment on military exploits or strategy? What is her pedigree? What has been her contributions in the intellectual space? I did a google search, and I got absolutely nothing. The closest I got was that she is a Nigerian politician, which she rightly is, and the “first woman to win a Senate seat in Kano state.” That is all about her asides her usual political rants here and there, like someone who has Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD). For the records, individuals suffering from HPD exhibit excessive emotionality and are attention seekers. People with this disorder are uncomfortable or feel unappreciated when they are not the centre of attention. I want to assume that was the case with her that she so decided to put her name on an amalgamation of lies titled “All the President’s men on national (in)security.” It is indeed legendary for someone to sit down and concoct stories, incidences, and timelines on things that were never in existence. She also went further to arrogate to herself as a key stakeholder in the Police and the National Security Establishment. And I asked in Nigeria or another country? What has been her contributions to national security in Nigeria? How has she impacted on the National security debate in Nigeria? Excuse me; we are not talking about rendering “escort services.” We are talking about National security madam, and not because she sits on the board of the Police Service Commission. Looking at it from a rational perspective what credential does she have to have been so appointed as a commissioner in the Police Service Commission in the first place? Aside from being a graduate of History with no known  public or private career, there is nothing about her that qualifies her for such an appointment. I think the posturing of Najatu Mohammed is very typical of politicians wanting to increase their market value. She sits as a commissioner in the commission representing women. Now tell me, how does this translate to Najatu Mohammed being that expert of security that she is now questioning the operational style and effectiveness of the Nigerian military in the fight against insurgency. If this is not purely mischief, I do not know what else to call it. Needless I remind her that it was the same President Muhammadu Buhari that out of his benevolence so appointed her, and not because she parades an intimidating CV. This is ingratitude. You can’t bite the fingers that fed you. This is very typical of politicians like her. This is quite an anomaly. It is either for mischief purposes or out of ignorance. But I would instead go with the mischief school of thought. If not for mischief purposes, I wonder how someone would be so daring to spread lies with so much impunity. I won’t be shocked if she also has some proposals not receiving proper attention somewhere and so she decided to resort to ill-mannerism to drive home a selfish point. But in all, what she failed to realize was the  fact that she attempted to portray President Muhammadu Buhari in bad light as regards the fight against the insurgency. She is from Kano state and has also forgotten how Kano was once under constant attack from Boko Haram terrorists. She also forgot how the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was also under constant attack. The question I would like to ask her is, has there been a substantial difference in the fight against insurgency from 2015 to date? To help her out, I think I need to furnish her with intellectual materials on Nigeria’s fight against insurgency from 2015 to date. But this would be dependent on whether she can process intelligent information. I stand to be corrected. If she has such capacity, I am not sure would want to be associated with the nonsense she conjured. This is on the heels of  the fact that she is a misfit to criticize the war against insurgency, but it is to help her in the least to supply some oxygen into her occluded brains. When issues of National security are discussed, Najatu Mohammed should not blink an eyelid, because it is not the bedroom matter she is used to from Kano to Kaduna and all the way to Abuja. National security is a different terrain that requires a high level of intellectualism to decipher what constitutes gains and setbacks. It is also definitely not an emotional issue. I could go nonstop in addressing her tirade, but that would somewhat amount to falling victim to her Histrionic Personality Disorder. But in a bid to help her out though, I challenge her to an open debate on National Security so that she could further expose her crass ignorance and mischief to the same members of the unsuspecting public she wanted to hoodwink. I patiently await her acceptance of the debate challenge — good riddance to bad rubbish. Ajibola is Vice President, Africans in Diaspora writing from DR Congo.

Pro-democracy group hails Buhari’s performance at town hall meeting

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Pro-democracy group hails Buhari’s performance at town hall meeting

A pro-democracy group, Democracy Support Coalition lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his sterling performance at the Town Hall meeting organized and broadcast by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) tagged ‘The Candidates’.

President Buhari, who appeared on the programme with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, highlighted some of his achievements since assuming power in 2015.

The group said Buhari during the programe clearly demonstrated his clear understanding of the issues militating against the progress of Nigeria as he responded to germane queries from Nigerians.

Rotimi Adeyemi, Esq, Executive Director, noted Bubari in the course of the programme was able to move away from theoretical and textbook posturing to demonstrate with real life project execution what he has done for the country and what he would be able to do when given another four years in office.

He said in a a statement that “No other debate can be more brutal given the candour with which Nigerians interacted with President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo yet they were able to satisfactorily sell their vision for the country in a way that completely convinced the electorates that voting for the other candidates would amount to wasting ballot papers.

“All what these other candidates have offered from their other engagements pale in relevance to what the APC candidate has promised.

“We encourage Nigerians to accept President Buhari as the best choice for the country especially when the short and long term solutions to the problems of the country can only be found in the template he has presented. He has the kind of courage needed to address these problems.

“Some other candidates might have presented rosy solutions but a deeper assessment of their promises clearly show that they are busy trying to impress their fans even when it is obvious that their proposals are unworkable while they themselves lack the will and experience to implement such assuming their solutions are practical in the first place.

“It is impressive that the President subjugated his candidacy to the needs of the nation as he did not shy from saying the truth in response to the questions of Nigerians during the Town Hall Discussion Program.

“Other candidates would have, out of desperation to win, lie their way through the entire programme in the hope of deceiving voters. Their lies would have been propelled by their being addicted to manipulating facts to appear saintly when they had never for once in their lifetimes harboured any good intentions towards the country.

“We congratulate President Buhari for seizing the opportunity provided by the programme to engage with the citizenry, which he has done at all times the chance presents itself to engage with Nigerians. His habit of stating matters the way they are without hiding behind deceptive words is responsible for his ever growing following amongst the masses that form the support base that will hand him another term of four years in office.

“The contents of the shallow promises being made by other candidates are well known to Nigerians. They range from those that have concluded on how they will sell national assets to their friends to those who want to use Nigeria as the guinea pig in their next economic experiment and to those that want to officially commission the country as a drug hub.

“President Buhari on the other hand has rendered a satisfactory account of his under four years of stewardship, which gave the assurance that another four years will make the plants he has sowed to begin yielding fruits.

“We are therefore able to conclude that the results are in already and President Muhammadu Buhari is the winner in the round about convincing citizens on how Nigeria should proceed in the next four years.”

Senate wants FG to immortalise Shagari

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Senate wants FG to immortalise Shagari

The Senate has called on the Federal Government to immortalise former President Shehu Shagari by naming a national monument after him.

This followed a motion by Sen. Ibrahim Danbaba (PDP-Sokoto) and co-sponsored by eight others.

Presenting the motion, Danbaba said late Shagari who was sworn in as President on Oct.1, 1979 on the platform of National Party of Nigeria (NPN) promoted national unity.

He added that the deceased executed many projects in the agricultural, housing and industrial sectors.

“Shagari returned to his home town in 1986 and lived in the traditional house where he was born until the federal government provided him with a house in Sokoto.

“He had an unblemished public service record spanning over a period of 30 years.

“He was forthright, a nation builder and a distinguished statesman that contributed greatly to the growth and development of democracy in Nigeria,” he said.

The lawmaker said, his loss was a great loss not only to his immediate family but to the entire country.

He urged the Senate to call for a national monument to be named after him.

Contributing, other Lawmakers described the former president as a man of integrity.

Sen. Abdullahi Gumel (APC-Jigawa), described the deceased as a man of noble character, who wanted the best for the country.

The lawmaker, who said he had personal encounters with the deceased, said he was an honest man, who never allowed circumstances to distract him from his responsibilities.

Sen. Shehu Sani (PRP-Kaduna) urged Nigerian leaders to emulate his patriotism and high moral values.

“Nigerians have attested to his character, conduct and personality.

“He exemplified honesty, courage and simplicity. He lived with honour and left with honour.

“He did not make so much noise about his integrity but it was seen from his stewardship and there is a lesson we should learn from this.

“We should learn from the way second republic leaders conducted themselves in the country,” he said.

Sen. Barnabas Gemade (SDP-Benue) described Shagarai as a de-tribalised Nigerian, who gave recognition to Northern minorities.

“Shagari was an unsung hero, a shining example of simplicity and honesty.

“Nigerian Leaders should learn from his integrity and honesty and I urge my colleagues to approve these prayers especially the request to immortalise him,” Gemade said.

In his remarks, the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over plenary, said Shagari was a national leader.

“He was a nationalist without boundaries, who lived in the heart of people. He lives in the minds and heart of the people no matter where they come from.

“That must be a lesson for all of us as leaders. One of his greatest attributes was his commitment to the unity of Nigeria.

“Even when he won an election with his party, he introduced the concept of a coalition to bring about national unity and he extended hand of fellowship to other political parties.

“I think that was his greatest contribution to the unity of the country,” he said.

Ekweremadu said he was a great leader who would be missed dearly.

Mrs. Buhari, other women intensify campaign for election

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Mrs. Buhari, other women intensify campaign for election

Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, and wives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors in the North-East have called on women and youths to vote massively for the party in the forthcoming general elections.

Mrs Buhari, who was represented by Wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, made the call alongside the governors’ wives at the APC North-East Women and Youths Town Hall meeting held in Bauchi.

She also advised them to remember the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC, adding that there was a lot to be grateful for.

“The wife of the president has asked me to remind you of the good work done by the APC; there are many, for example, feeding your children in schools .

“Moreso, the farmers are benefiting from the Anchor Borrowers Programme and farmers who sell the foodstuff have been been making money and youths are benefiting from the N-power project .

“There is also the Trader Moni that people have benefited from, among others. So, I urge you to take care of your voter cards to vote for the APC,’’ the First Lady said.

She urged youths to vote massively for the APC to enable them to progress, and steer clear of violence during the forthcoming general elections.

Alhaji Audu Katagum, Deputy Governor of Bauchi State,thanked the president for the projects he executed in the North-East as well as the restoration of peace in the zone.

Katagum said that Bauchi state had benefited from the Buhari-led administration’s programmes such as good roads, rail lines and other projects.

Because of these, he said, Bauchi and other states in the region would vote for the APC again to enable it to continue continue with the good work.

Retired Brig.-Gen.Buba Marwa, Chairman Central Working Committee, APC Women and Youths, Presidential Campaign Team, said the APC government had brought security to the North-East and therefore deserved a second term to enable it to totally eradicate insurgency in the region and complete the Mambilla project.

Mrs Mairo Al-makura, the Nassarawa State governor’s wife, urged women and youths not to sell their votes, as doing so could ruin their future.

Former Deputy Governor of Plateau, Mrs Pauline Tallen, said that APC was targeting women and youths’ votes due to their population and relevance .

Tallen, therefore, urged them to vote for APC at all levels to enable the party continue with the good work.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports APC youths and women leaders in the region who attended the rally promised their support to mobilise their counterparts to vote for the APC administration for continuity.

EFCC hits Ghana for slush funds

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EFCC hits Ghana for slush funds

As Nigeria intensifies the battle against corruption, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC),takes the battle to faraway Ghana to block slush fund.

Politicians relying on slush funds to run their campaigns will not have it easy, the Nation reported on Thursday.

Mr Ibrahim Magu, the Acting Chairman of EFCC, is reported to have led detectives to Ghana to block repatriation of such funds.

The Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Tony Amokeodo, confirmed that Magu was in Ghana.

The anti-graft agency is also hunting for properties bought with illicit cash by some Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) in Ghana and other West African countries.

The EFCC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), Ghana Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and Ghana Police Service (GPS) to track down some suspects.

Magu and the detectives arrived in Ghana with some intelligence report on huge campaign cash movement along the West Coast and a list of suspects being trailed.

It was gathered that in the last 72 hours, the EFCC delegation and the team from the EOCO of Ghana have exchanged some information.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The EFCC chairman has taken the battle against the use of slush funds for campaign by candidates to Ghana and some ECOWAS countries.

“Due to cash crunch, there have been intelligence reports that some politicians and those who looted the treasury had been trying to haul cash to Nigeria for campaign.

“Some of them were suspected to be engaging some Nigerian banks in Ghana for the transfer of the illicit funds.

“We are determined to block such funds in Ghana and other countries. We have been tracking the movement of the slush funds from abroad.”

Another source gave insights into the Ghana trip.

“The Commission has been targeting safe havens all over the world through collaboration with law enforcement agencies in those countries. The commission is making tremendous progress in recoveries of funds and properties from such territories and within Nigeria.

Treasury looters now keep funds in West African countries

“There is high rate of movement of these funds by road transportation through the porous land borders to avoid the prying eyes of security personnel at the airports.

“ Magu’s fear is that if these illicit funds are not checked, they could be used to undermine national security.

“There are suspicions that these funds could be used to support Boko Haram terrorists as in the recent dare-devil audacity with which the group has been challenging the military.

“As the elections draw nearer, these funds could come handy in buying votes, arming thugs and causing confusion in the country.”

EFCC is also in Ghana to identify properties and explore areas of cooperation with the Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) and other agencies.

”Some PEPs and cybercrime fraudsters in concert with some Ghanaians and financial institutions buy choice properties running into millions of dollars in protected neighbourhoods in Accra.

“There is also the angle of crude oil thieves who smuggle products from Nigeria, using Ghana as their base and thereafter laundering their proceeds through buying properties or moving the monies to Nigeria.

“Magu is working in collaboration with the EOCO, FIC and other relevant law enforcement agencies in Ghana.

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