National

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

Reports reaching the Daily Reality have indicated that Senator Abdullahi Adamu has resigned as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). 

According to reports, he tendered his resignation on Sunday night. As of the time of this publication, neither the APC chairman nor the party had officially confirmed the story, and party officials have declined to confirm or refute it. 

However, according to party sources, a press conference is scheduled for Monday at noon. The resignation is anticipated to be made official at that time, and an interim National Chairman will be selected. 

The briefing is anticipated to follow the present meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). According to Channels TV, Senator Adamu will be thrown out of office through a vote of no confidence, according to some party insider sources, if he does not quit by himself.

By Isma’il Ahmad Misau

The APC-led administration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmad has a plan of action (prioritized set of goals/agendum) that it determines to accomplish. It was in broad daylight that the President has blended and marketed his manifestos for the election under the banner of ‘Renewed Hope.’ During his campaign, President Tinubu outlined his strategies for building the finer Nigeria of our aspirations in an effort to win over the Nigerian voters. Yes, Nigerians voted for him massively and he won the election because they were supposedly pleased and convinced with his promises to make Nigeria a better place on earth. What follows is history. One month has passed since the reign of the Renewed Hope. What next? I guest, the formation of cabinet.

Nigerians are anxiously awaiting for President Tinubu’s cabinet one month after his inauguration. Nigerians are making predictions about the Ministers from all sides and aspects while taking various factors into account. Top politicians, including past Governors and Senators who are still in office, are vying for ministerial positions. 

Dr. Ali Pate is not on the list of top candidates for the ministerial position in Bauchi State, and no one is counting him. Unexpectedly, Nigerians learned of his resignation from GAVI, where he had been acting as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer until his resignation. He resigned to accept the ministerial office at President Tinubu’s request, which is an interesting aspect of the event. The occurrence that sparked various responses around the world. 

Dr. Ali Pate is a well-known physician, to those who are familiar with him as a stakeholder of global healthcare, his appointment as a Minister is not deserving of media attention. Even if the World Health Assembly, the top body for the world’s healthcare system, were to announce his appointment as it’s Director General or to be the CEO of the World Health Organization, the news would not come as even the slightest surprise because he is already qualified to hold any position that exist in the health sector due to his capacity, ability, capability, and competence.

It is true that whomever understands the way goes first. Dr. Ali Pate has held a variety of government posts throughout his career as a skilled healthcare professional, including Chief Executive Director of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and state Minister of Health in Nigeria. Prior to his voyage, the National Population Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) was utterly devoid of leadership and the laughing stock of Nigeria’s health industry. The National Programme on Immunization (NPI), which it amalgamated after being founded by Her Excellency, Haj. Maryam Abacha, was in charge of overseeing vaccination campaigns in Nigeria. Nigeria was alone in endangering billions of dollar worth of global polio eradication efforts. He grabbed the opportunity when President Umaru Musa Ƴar’adua (of blessed memory) named him to lead the agency. 

He invited the traditional rulers and integrated them as stakeholders since he is a versed leader. They are closed to the populace and adept at instructing them in a relaxed manner. That was how polio patients were identified and effectively treated. There was not a single index case of polio in Nigeria prior to his resignation.

He completely reinvigorated NPHCDA. It realigned it’s priorities and focus on the tasks it was truly created to complete. In order to combat the threat of unfathomably high maternal mortality rates in Nigeria, the National Population Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) introduced the innovative Midwifery Service Scheme by recruiting retired midwives from all over the nation to support underperforming antenatal clinics nationwide.

He expanded the system’s horizon past the bounds of preexisting structures. New approaches were created and the polio eradication mission was revived. “Nurturing Nigeria to be a nation of healthy people with equitable and affordable access to primary health care through a system that delivers quality, integrated services with the participation of all stakeholders,” was Dr. Ali Pate’s stated objective at the time.

Then-President Goodluck E. Jonathan appointed him as Minister of Health due to his outstanding abilities as a healthcare administrator, visionary, goal-setter, servant leader, and revivalist. He used his wealth and extensive knowledge to influence the system. 

In his capacity as the Minister of Health at the time, Dr. Ali Pate set the following core goals for himself to pursue: enhancing the provision of essential services at the front lines; focusing on the prevention agenda through immunization; health education; concentrating on clinical governance and raising the standard of care in the Nigerian health sector; and, finally, maximizing the potential of market forces to encourage innovation and advancements in the health sector. He started a new project after establishing the aforementioned goals, which was to save one million Nigerian lives by 2015.

For the second time in Nigerian history, Dr. Ali Pate resigned from his position as Minister with honor because he is a man of real values. The decision was due to some inconsistencies. He took the job of Professor of Public Health at Duke University.

Dr. Ali Pate worked for many international organizations at numerous capacities, including Senior Health Specialist and Human Development Sector Coordinator for the East Asia/Pacific Region, Senior Health Specialist for the African Region. He simultaneously held two distinct Executive Director positions of;  Director for Health, Nutrition, and Population, and Director of the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children, and Adolescents (GFF) at the World Bank Group. He also oversaw the distribution of USD 18 million in financial assistance across the globe to mitigate the effects of Covid-19. 

There were 304 applicants for the position of CEO of GAVI from multifarious and terrestrial breedings. Only three of them advanced to the last round. Fortunately, Dr. Ali Pate prevailed over the two other candidates. He was the only individual in the world who was black, African and from Nigeria, who remained from the start of the exercise to it’s conclusion. All preparations were done for his formal inauguration on 3rd August 2023.

Now that the Nigerian healthcare system has failed as a result of weak governance, lack of coordination, subpar health facilities, lack of human resources, inadequate finance and corruption, the President must appoint someone with foresight and focus who has knowledge of the Nigerian and international healthcare systems in order to reconstruct the system by addressing all these pressing artificial challenges.

Dr. Ali Pate is the only black person with overall features, virtues and reputations that would match the assignment of the Renewed Hope healthcare agenda, which focused on human resources, brain drain, health tourism, infrastructure, universal health care and health financing. This is true not only in Nigeria or Africa, but also globally.

Dr. Ali Pate, an astute visionary administrator and experienced physician who changed the global narratives of healthcare and made his marks as an administrative paterfamilias with uncommon zeal, will be in charge of managing Nigeria’s healthcare. Additionally, Nigeria is governed by President Bola Ahmad Tinubu, a full-fledged democrat whose actions were strategic and always calculated to produce results. Renewed Hope is doable if Dr. Ali Pate’s preferences are shared. 

President Bola Tinubu’s expression of interest to collaborate with individuals like Dr. Ali Pate demonstrated his willingness to address the problems plaguing Nigeria.

In conclusion, Dr. Ali Pate will do us a huge favor if he gives up his next position, the CEO of GAVI where he will bring home the groceries of $700,000, or 525 million Nigerian naira, to take a political seat with a salary of 2m, including allowances and everything, 60 million annually. This singular act demonstrates his patriotism and willingness to die for his nation. Behold, Dr. Ali Pate is among the greatest assets to Nigeria.

May Bola Ahmad Tinubu be successful. May Allah, the Almighty grant us Dr. Ali Pate as the Nigerian Health Minister, may He lead, strengthen, assist and uphold him to effectively implement the Renewed Hope agenda.

Isma’il Ahmad Misau: writes from Misau College of Health Science and Technology (MICOHEST).

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Department of State Services (DSS) Thursday said that it has charged the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the court.

This was coming as a response to the order by a Federal High Court sitting at Maitama in Abuja which it ordered that Emefiele should either be released or charged to court.

Recall that in a judgement delivered by Justice Hamza Mu’azu, the court held that Emefiele’s continued detention without trial, amounted to a gross violation of his fundamental right.

Responding, Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson, said, “Sequel to an Abuja High Court Order of today, 13th July, 2023, the Department of State Services (DSS) hereby confirms that Mr Godwin Emefiele has been charged to court in compliance with the Order.

“The public may recall that the Service had, in 2022, applied for a Court Order to detain him in respect of a criminal investigation.

“Though he obtained a restraining order from an FCT High Court, the Service, however, arrested him in June, 2023, on the strength of suspected fresh criminal infractions/information, one of which forms the basis for his current prosecution.

“The Service assures the public of professionalism, justice and fairness in handling this matter and indeed the discharge of its duties within the confines of the law,” he added.

By Muhammadu Sabiu
 
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Ilorin have apprehended 13 Chinese nationals for illegal mining activities in Kwara State.
 
The EFCC revealed this via a statement on its social media handles on Friday evening.
 
According to the anti-graft body, “the offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 1(8) (b) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M17, 1983.”
 
This paper understands that the suspects, who include a female and 12 males, were detained on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at the Government Reserved Area, G.R.A. Ilorin, after obtaining reliable information about their unlawful activities, which included illegal mining and failure to pay royalties to the Federal Government as required by law.
 
The EFFC’s statement further reads, “Prior to their arrest, discrete investigations on the activities of illegal mining operators in Kwara State revealed that the operators have different illegal mining sites in almost all the 16 Local Government Areas of the state.”

By Muhammad Abdurrahman

In a letter addressed to the House of Representatives, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated that 12 million families will receive N8,000 for a duration of six months. This is aimed at easing the difficulties experienced by Nigerians due to the removal of subsidies.

The President announced an initiative that aims to assist impoverished and vulnerable Nigerians in managing the expenses associated with meeting their fundamental necessities.

By Uzair Adam Imam

A Federal High Court sitting at Maitama in Abuja has ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to release the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefele, from detention.

The court order on Thursday asked the DSS to, within seven days, release Emefele or charge him to court as his continued detention is tantamount to a breach of his fundamental human rights.

In a judgement that was delivered by Justice Hamza Muazu, the court held that Emefiele’s continued detention without trial, amounted to a gross violation of his rights.

He added that since allegations against the embattled suspended CBN Governor contained bailable offences, the DSS ought to grant him administrative bail, pending his prosecution.

The judge was quoted to have said, “Though I am in sympathy with the Applicant (Emefiele), my sentiment will not go far to deliver judgement by granting all the reliefs sought by the Applicant.

“The Applicant has not shown that his arrest, detention and investigation were unlawful.

“However, I am concerned that the application is not without merit. The Applicant is entitled to a fair hearing.

“At this point, the continued detention of the Applicant cannot be justified in the absence of any charge against him.

“At the very least, justice demands that Applicant should be released on administrative bail.

“Consequently, I hereby male an order, directing the Respondents to, within one week, charge the Applicant to court or release him on administrative bail,” the court held.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Nigerian Army has sworn blind to deal adequately with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on its unlawful sit-at-home order throughout the Southeat states.

It was gathered that Maj. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, ordered troops to raid IPOB hideouts and stop them from unlawfully enforcing residents to remain indoors for two weeks.

The Daily Reality reports that the order came after Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based pro-Biafra agitator, announced that there would be a two-week sit-at-home in the South-East region from July 31.

Ekpa disclosed that the order was to demand the immediate and unconditional release of the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, as well as facilitate the freedom of Biafra nation, among others.

He also threw threat that anybody or group of people that refuse to comply with the the sit-at-home order would attract ‘heavy consequences’.

However, speaking with the journalists, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, declared that such an announcement was unlawful and would not be condoned.

Onyema said, “The renewed threat by IPOB to compel the people in southeastern Nigeria to sit at home is not only appalling but a violation of the fundamental rights of southeastern Nigerians and, therefore, unlawful. This will never be condoned.

“The Chief of Army Staff has handed down clear directives to the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army operating in synergy with other security agencies to ensure robust patrols to dominate all flashpoints and emplace measures to ensure citizens are free to go about their legitimate businesses.

“Strangely, Simon Ekpa, a notorious terrorist and self-acclaimed leader of IPOB, is in Finland making a living for himself and his family, but ordering the people to shut down their means of livelihood by sitting at home,” he added.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

The immediate former Nigerian Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has been appointed Global Advisor to Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP).  

The former VP disclosed his new appointment in a tweet on Tuesday. 

He is to assist GEAPP’s mission of clean energy and facilitate deployment in developing countries.

Announcing the appointment, he wrote : ” I am excited to announce that I have been appointed Global Advisor to Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet @EnergyAlliance.”

While commending the GEEAP, he also said:

“GEAPP in such a short period have demonstrated a commitment to support developing countries’ shift to a clean energy using models that ensure universal energy access as well as drive economic growth, generate jobs & sustainable livelihoods and meet urgent climate goals.”

By Muhammad Abdurrahman

An Islamic human rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has faulted the final report of the European Union observer team on Nigeria’s 2023 general election. MURIC described the report as an imperialist agenda.   

The group spoke on Tuesday, 4^th July 2023, through its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

His full statement:

“The Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observer Mission (EU EOM), Barry Andrews, at a news conference in Abuja last week presented its final report on the 2023 general election in Nigeria. The report was an undisguised indictment of Nigeria’s electoral system.

“We are nonplussed by this blatant attempt to push an imperialist agenda down the throat of Nigerians. The report is a premeditated attempt at inciting anarchy in the country with the hope of gaining political and economic influence at the outbreak of commotion.

“The EU EOM final report is the odd one out when juxtaposed with those of other election monitoring groups. We saw nothing close to this in the report of the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI). NDI/IRI came with 40 observers from 20 countries led by Dr. Joyce Banda, former president of Malawi. They did not sow any seed of confusion.

“229 different observer groups deployed 146,913 domestic and international monitors. 33 of these were international observer missions which deployed 2,113 observers and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INED) threw its doors wide open for them.

“Why is the EU EOM report a different cup of tea? Is this group trying to tell the world that the Commonwealth Observer Group led by Thabo Mbeki which also covered the elections is blind? The African Union had its team and so did the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) observer team led by Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan.

“Nigerians should not allow the EU EOM to destabilise the country. Imperialists will never teach you what will benefit your country but what will make you despise it. The aim is divide et impera. MURIC rejects this EU EOM report. It is jaundiced.”

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) has offered N100,000 relief to over 125 Nigerians returning from Sudan to flee the incessant conflict in the country.

The returnees flown into Abuja on Saturday by Tarco Airline where each of them received N100,000 and dignity packs as a relief.

A statement by the foundation on Friday disclosed this, saying that the purpose was to enable the returnees address some of their problems.

The statement read, “One Hundred and Twenty-Five (125) persons including many disabled, flown into Abuja by Tarco Airline on Saturday, June 24th, each received N100,000 naira and dignity packs courtesy of the Aliko Dangote Foundation.

“It will be recalled that over 2,278 returnees received N100,000 Naira each in May, with care packs to help with their immediate needs, and enable them reunite with their families all across the country.

“ADF reactivated its intervention to help ease the return of stranded nationals evacuated from Sudan amongst them, older people, disabled persons- visually impaired, physically challenged, youth, women and children.

“Two men in their 70s who had planned to go on lesser Haj (umrah) by road through Khartoum got caught up in the war. Even though they tried another route, they were unable to reach their destination having lost all their belongings and their money.

“Several returnees had lost their various businesses to the war. Those businesses included leather, hides and skin, tailoring, shoe making, buying and selling scrap metal.

“An aged man, Muhammad Saidu Ahmed, said, “I came back from Sudan without a dime’, now I have N100,000 Naira! This is a welcome surprise – we never knew we would even survive the bombings.

“An aged woman narrated that when relatives in Sudan reported that they had lost her son while fleeing, she went in search of him only to discover that he died during a bomb blast.

“The 80 year old lady, said most of her family managed to escape death traps, bombings all the while desperately fighting hunger, the loss of their homes and livelihoods and displacement.

“They thanked the Aliko Dangote Foundation, ADF, for the intervention, which they described as unexpected, timely, and life-saving,” the statement added.