Plateau 2022 Budget: Lalong Allocates N100m For Furnishing Of His Guest House

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January 15, 2022

Alhaji Mujahid Asari – Dokubo, an Ijaw nation freedom fighter, is a staunch supporter of former President Goodluck Jonathan. But in this interview with Femi Folaranmi at his country home in Harry’s Town, Asari- Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, he advised the former president not to cave to pressure to contest the 2023 Presidential. Rather he said Jonathan should back any South-Easterner for the topmost job in the country.

Asari- Dokubo who insisted that the South- East is the most qualified region to produce the Presidency in 2023, said the South- West has no right to contest after former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who he described as a mischief-maker, had done eight years.

Recently there was a face-off between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Edwin Clark on who owns the oil resources in Niger Delta. What is your take on this?

General Olusegun Obasanjo is a mischief maker. He makes mischief at all times. If Nigeria is a federation, the resources found in a place belong to the federating unit. In Zamfara, they are extracting their gold and selling, but Obasanjo is too afraid to talk. And I blame our leaders for what is happening. A situation when they brought amnesty, I told them this is wrong, that we are being criminalised but people jumped at the money. It is we that did not jump at the money; we that we did not expect it was regarded as betrayers. Those who accepted the money were celebrated. Our father, Chief Clark also celebrated these people, giving them accolades and so on. Now the chicken has come home to roost. Obasanjo is a mischief-maker, the oil belongs to the people under whose land it is found and there is nothing you can do about that.

You are known to have been against a Buhari Presidency. Do you have any regrets?

I did not support Muhammadu Buhari but people were supporting him. Even those who pretended not to support him supported. People were cutting deals. I was tagged as being antagonistic, bearing in mind that I have more affinity with him than any of them. I am a Muslim for crying out loud. So for now I have decided that I don’t want to be in that sort of situation where I would be on one side and other people would be enjoying and I would abuse him, and others would be cutting deals. I won’t be in that sort of condition again. For me, since everybody is enjoying him, we are all going to enjoy it together.

What is your take on the rotational presidency?

In every heterogeneous society, leadership positions ought to be assigned in a way that every part of the society would feel a deep sense of patriotism and hold the state dear. But a situation where one party takes at the expense of others fraudulently, then there would be dissent and people would not recognize the authority. Like what is happening in Nigeria, if one section takes upon itself to rule at the expense of others, it would create resentment.

In your honest view, which of the Southern regions – South-East, South-South and South-West should go for the Presidency in 2023?

It should be South- East. They are the most qualified. It is the same thing we are saying. If we are accusing the North of grabbing power, why would the South-West go? Obasanjo has done this for eight years. Why would South-South go? Good luck Jonathan has done six years. So it should be South- East.

Why South-East?

Because if we want national integration if we want everybody to be on the same page, then why would we leave out the South-East? Since after the Biafra Civil war, no South-Easterner has become President or Head of State or Head of Government of any kind. So why should they be excluded if they are part of Nigeria?

But there are arguments in some quarters that the South-South did not complete its mandatory eight-year tenure?

It is not the fault of anybody that Jonathan did not complete his two-term tenure. Jonathan sat down there with all the AK 47 and allowed himself to be chased away with sticks. It is not the fault of the South- East. Jonathan served, but he did not protect the Presidency. It is the truth. I am a Goodluck supporter but that is the truth.

I Hope God Listens To Our Prayers On Insecurity – Buhari

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January 15, 2022

The President, Muhammadu Buhari, has expressed hope that God will listen to Nigeria’s prayers on insecurity, insisting that his regime has done its best on security and will continue to do more by pursuing policies to deal with terrorism.

This was as he urged Nigerians to be fair to his government in assessing the insecurity in the country by reflecting on what was obtained when he took over in 2015. He said the North-West which had given the nation some “headache” would experience a turnaround for the better.

Buhari spoke on Friday during a visit by the Grand Khalifa of the Tijjaniyya Islamic Movement World-Wide, Tidjani Ali Bin Arabi, to the State House, Abuja.

The President urged citizens to show interest in their safety and complement what the government was doing.

He added, “We have done our best, and we will continue to do more by pursuing coherent and consistent policies to deal with terrorism. I hope God will listen to our prayers.”

Buhari thanked Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State for inviting the Grand Khalifa to come and pray for the peace and stability of Nigeria.

Ganduje, accompanied by the Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero, and the leader of the Tijjaniyya Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, said the state government invited the Tijjaniyya World Leader to the country to lead faithfully in prayer considering the complexities around the insecurity in the country.

He said the visit of the Grand Khalifa rekindled the old ties between the Tijjaniya and many cultural and educational institutions in Nigeria.

Arabi and Bauchi extolled the cordial relations between Nigeria and Algeria as they prayed for guidance and blessings for the country and its leaders.

Ganduje later told State House Correspondents, “We invited him and his team to pray for the peace, stability and prosperity of Kano State and Nigeria. We are all aware of the security challenges we are having, the federal and state governments, we are all doing our best.

“To round it up, we decided to visit Mr President. They prayed for him and indicated the importance of the relationship between Algeria and Nigeria and their continued cooperation in prayers for peace and stability.”

The governor added that the delegation constituted a committee to consider education, commerce, and agriculture issues.

Asked about any sustainable structure to resolve the Almajiri issue in his state, he noted that Kano had the highest number of Almajiri in Nigeria but noted that there were regulations to prosecute the parents of Almajiri and out-of-school children.

“We have taken statistics; most of these Almajiri are not indigenes of Kano State, and as Nigerians, they are free to live anywhere they want in this country. We have introduced free and compulsory primary and secondary education in Kano State. We have built many Islamiya schools. We have reformed the Almajiri system of education.”

He said the state had an agency repatriating Almajiris to their states and some to the Niger Republic and Cameroon. He said only universal legislation could permanently prevent the movement of school-age children from one state to another.

IGP Decorates Husband & Wife As Commissioners Of Police On The Same Day (Photos)

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January 15, 2022

Kehinde Longe and his wife, Yetunde Longe, have both been decorated Commissioners of Police by the Inspector General of Police Usman Baba Alkali.

The couple were among those promoted by the Police Service Commission (PSC) recently along with 15 other Commissioners of Police.

It was gathered that husband and wife were course mates and joined the Nigeria Police Force on the same day.

The IGP also doctorated 22 other senior Police officers, among which were two Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIGs).

While DIG Zaki was promoted to cover the vacant duty post that was created as a result of the retirement of DIG Tijjani Baba who retired on October 6, 2021, DIG Kokumo will be filling the gap left by DIG David Oyebanji Folawiyo who retired on November 21 2021.

The total number of those decorated with their new ranks include two DIGs, six assistant inspectors-generals (AIGs) and 16 commissioners of police (CPs).

2023: Nigeria’s Ideal President Should Not Be As Old As I Am – Babangida

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January 15, 2022

Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), former military head of state, says the ideal president for Nigeria in 2023 should not be as old as he is.

He said this in an interview with Daily Trust TV.

When asked about his choice of president in 2023, 80-year-old IBB responded saying: “It is not who do I have in mind but who fits in”.

“Any person who fits in within these criteria, then he is the right person as long as he is a Nigerian; he is a politician, he is not old like I am; he is very conversant with the country, he communicates, he is a very good communicator,” he said.

“He should be able to communicate because a president should be able to walk into a group of people and talk to them on issues concerning Nigeria; not all the time but most of the time.

“He must have somebody he knows in every part of the country. It is not a tall order.

“You could limit it to states, you could limit it to local governments even to the wards if you can but somebody such that once you hear the name, it is somebody you will say, yes, I have heard that name before either in the country or in his profession; if he is a doctor, a journalist or whatever, all areas, we have heard the name before; okay then I will make an effort to know more about him.”

On whether he sees such a person among the current political office holders, he said he believes the process will take care of that.

“Within the process, of those people you mentioned now, there are people who could fit into this category and I believe the process can take care of that,” he said.

The former head of state also spoke about his decision not to remarry after the death of Maryam Babangida, his wife.

She died at the age of 61 on December 27, 2009, after battling ovarian cancer for years.

IBB said he stayed unmarried to honour his late wife.

“The media still snoop around me, they should have known. I haven’t. It is a matter of choice; I decided to honour her by being not a bachelor but being unmarried,” he said.

State Police: Governors Not Tolerant To Criticisms, Should Not Be Trusted With Control Of Arms — Sir Udensi

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January 15, 2022

Interpol Systems Consultant, Sir Chikwe Udensi has backed President Muhammadu Buhari in rejecting state police, insisting that it is prone to abuse by the governors whom he said are not tolerant to slight criticisms.

According to Udensi, governors will use state police to pursue political agenda, noting that it is dangerous to trust them with the command and control of arms.

Recall that President Buhari was recently quoted to have said that state police is not an option.

Speaking on a radio programme Open Parliament, streamed on ABN Radio and Television, Sir Udensi said instead, regional police in the likes of EbubeAgu and Amotekun should be adopted.

He noted that the actions of the state governors whom he said are not receptive of diverse opinions do not portray them as people who can handle state police.

“When someone holds a different opinion from what they have, it’s always a serious problem, you see how they react. That gives you an idea of what they will do when you give them arms.

“If you take a look at what is happening in the nation, when the national body the INEC conducts election, almost all the political parties, even small ones will win positions.

“But you give state governors opportunity to conduct election through the state Independent Electoral Commissions, look at the results. No other party will win anything, including councillorship position, even assistant councillor, if there is anything like that, apart from their own party.

“It gives you idea of whom they are, giving them the authority of arms is not the right thing to do now“, he said.

While backing regional police, Sir Udensi applauded Amotekun, the South West security outfit, saying they have helped in tackling crime in the region.

He called on South East Governors to arm EbubeAgu, commending Ebonyi and Anambra states for for their efforts in bringing the security outfit to the fore in crime fighting.

The APGA stalwart maintained that the federal government should be in control of the police while the regions take control of their security arrangements.

Gov. Hope Uzodinma Appoints Cubana Chief Priest As SA Social Media

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January 15, 2022

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state has appointed Popular socialite and Club Owner, Paschal Okechukwu alias Cubana Chief Priest as his Special Adviser on Social Media Influence.

In a letter dated 14th of January, 2022 seen by ABN TV, signed by the Secretary to the government of Imo, Chief Cosmas Iwu, Okechukwu’s appointment was approved by the Governor and he is to begin work immediately.

The letter read; “His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State, has approved your appointment as Special Adviser to Governor on Social Media Influence.”

“This appointment is with effect from 10″ January 2022.”

2023: Zone Your Presidential Ticket Outside South, See Our Action — Ohanaeze, Afenifere PANDEF, Middle Belt Tell PDP, APC

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January 15, 2022

Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) comprising of four regional socio-cultural organisations Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and Middle Belt Forum (MBF) has said that the next President of Nigeria should come from the South, saying that the North will complete its statutory eight years in 2023.

According to SMBLF, any political party, including the main opposition PDP and the ruling APC that zones its presidential ticket outside the Southern region of the country country should not expect its support.

This is contained in a communique issued at the end of a meeting of the group in Abuja on Thursday.

The communique signed by Chief Dr. E. K. Clark, OFR, CON – Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo – Leader, Afenifere, Prof. George Obiozor – President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Dr. Pogu Bitrus – National President, Middle Belt Forum, the four regions said time has come for a new constitution in the country that will guarantee equity and justice.

It says democracy can only thrive in a diverse society like Nigeria through sharing of power.

“That the extant Constitution and Structure of Nigeria are grossly flawed and lopsided, accordingly, Forum restates its demand for the fundamental restructuring of the country by enacting a new Constitution that would enthrone equity, fairness and justice.*It must be One Nation, One System*;

“Cites that the northern part of the country would have fully enjoyed the Office of the Presidency of the country for the full statutory period of 8 years by 2023, hence, the presidency should rotate to the South;

“THEREFORE, UNEQUIVOCALLY, AND IN FULL RESOLVE, CALL ON ALL POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE COUNTRY TO ZONE THEIR PRESIDENTIAL TICKETS TO THE SOUTH

“Advices that any political party that does not zone its presidential ticket to the South should not expect support from the four regions” the communique partly reads.

SMBLF also condemned what it called continued senseless killings of innocent citizens across the country by terrorists and criminals, especially in the North West Zone, calls on the government and security agencies to redouble efforts to safeguard the lives and property of Nigerians.

It also cautioned the National Assembly to ONLY give consideration to Bills that would promote equity, justice, peace and national cohesion instead of issues that will exacerbate conflicts and crisis in the country.

In attendance at the meeting include, former Governors, Ministers, federal and state legislators, top politicians and professionals from the Southern and Middle Belt regions, including His Excellency, Obong Victor Attah, former Governor of Akwa Ibom, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, Senator Femi Okurounmu, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, Simon N. Okeke, OFR, Chief Supo Shonibare, Akin Fapohunda, Amb. Okey Emuchay, MFR, Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw, Prof. G. G. Darah, Solomon Asemota, SAN, Dr. Alex Ogbonna, Mr. Mac Emakpore, Chief Douyi Douglas-Naingba, Mrs. Nella Andem-Rabana, SAN, Prof. Mrs. Chinwe Obaji, Maj. Gen. Henry Ayoola (Rtd), Engr. Ben Akaakar, Dr. Ebun Sonaiya, Comrade Jare Ajayi, and Ken Robinson, among others.

Police Extend Recruitment Exercise, Urge Abians To Join

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January 14, 2022

The Nigeria Police say they have extended the ongoing recruitment exercise by another 12 days, as online recruitment application portal will remain accessible till Saturday 22nd January, 2022.

PPRO Abia state command of the Nigerian Police, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna in a release on Friday urged applicants interested in joining the force to log in to the Nigeria Police Online Recruitment Portal: www.policerecruitment.gov.ng with their NIN and complete the applicable registration form.

The command says successful candidates at every stage of the recruitment process will be contacted through the email addresses and phone numbers provided by them during the registration.

How Robber Shot Colleague Dead In Ondo As Amotekun Rescues 17 Travellers

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Alex Enemanna

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January 14, 2022