National

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Federal Government of Nigeria has described the recently concluded 2023 general elections as the most authentic ever held in Nigeria since independence.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this yesterday while fielding questions from journalists after the FEC meeting.

He stated that despite efforts by the opposition parties to delegitimize the election, it was the most transparent, freest and authentic ever held in Nigeria.

Muhammed disclosed this as one of the reasons President Muhammadu Buhari refused to interfere with the Adamawa State poll debacle.

He added that the issue was strictly the responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission to sort out the matter

According to the Minister, it is not in Buhari’s character to micromanage the government’s institutions.

Mohammed said: “I don’t think that this government has ever intervened in the way the Independent National Electoral Commission conducts its elections.

“So, there’s no need for us to intervene. It was an entirely INEC matter, and INEC handled it.

“The chairman of INEC is in charge of all employees in INEC, and he’s handling it. So, what do you want the government to do?”

By Uzair Adam Imam

The National Defence College (NDC) said Nigeria’s insecurity is not inevitable if only magic technologies like artificial intelligence are to be used in the nation.

The NDC commandant, Rear Adm. Murtala Bashir, stated this on Tuesday in Abuja, adding that the military needs to be ahead of the violent non-state actors to address the security challenges ravaging the country.

Over a decade, insecurity has been one of the major issues facing Nigeria and has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people, leading to the displacement of several others in the country.

The activities of bandits have badly affected the economic growth of the nation as farmers and businessmen fear the atrocious attack by the bandits who either kidnap or slaughter any misfortune individual they encounter.

However, the NDC Commandant identified measures he believed could have been used to defeat terrorists and terrorism in the country.

He said, “Technologies like artificial intelligence and others are the much-needed game changers that will enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the military’s responses to the challenges facing Nigeria.

“If we’re to also avoid the experiences of the past, where Nigeria has to beg foreigners to prosecute legitimate internal security challenges against militancy, terrorism and insurgency, then we need to reappraise our research and development efforts in technology acquisition and innovation.

“We need to also revamp our military industrial complex, and these efforts must be of national outlook and driven by research and development,” he said.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Consumate entrepreneur and African wealthiest man, Aliko Dangote, has made promises of higher returns to shareholders and stakeholders of the Dangote conglomerate

The richest black man, who is the chairman of the Dangote Group, disclosed this in Lagos during the group’s 14th Annual General Meeting held in Lagos on Thursday.

He said, “We will continue to make sure that we keep our shareholders happy, not only the shareholders but all our other stakeholders… Our strategy remains steadfast, focused on organic growth in Nigeria and Pan-Africa while ensuring that Africa’s regional integration becomes a reality. We will continue to contribute to improving regional trade within Africa by building plants across West and Central Africa, guided by our vision of making the region cement and clinker self-sufficient. In addition, we aim to deliver higher returns and value to our shareholders.”

He also noted that despite the challenging economic atmosphere,
the company still made great strides, performed admirably, and remains Africa’s largest and leading cement producer.

He stated, ” In addition, we achieved giant strides in transitioning to cleaner energy, with our cost containment initiative propelling the use of Alternative Fuel (AF) to replace more expensive fossil fuels, such as coal and gas. We also increased the use of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for our trucks due to the rising diesel cost environment. These efforts have helped us reduce our cost base and enhanced our flexibility, enabling the Company to respond more effectively to changes in the market. As a result, we recorded revenue and EBITDA growth of 17.0 per cent and 3.5 per cent from the prior year respectively, albeit under unprecedented inflationary pressure. We also achieved a profit after tax of ₦382.3 billion, up 4.9 per cent compared to 2021.”

While speaking further on the success of the group, he stated that the company has generated more revenue in 2022 than any other year.

By Muhammadu Sabiu  

A mob reportedly lynched Okolie Ahize, a final-year student from the Department of Civil Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife. 

Ahize allegedly got hit for stealing a cell phone from the university’s Hall of Residence. It was learned that the student had been tortured and was declared dead upon arrival at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex’s Emergency Medicine Department on Tuesday afternoon. 

A statement by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, reads, “The Administration of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has condemned, in strong terms, the incidence that led to the death of a part 5 student of the institution. 

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the student died of a mob action on the allegation that he stole a phone. 

“Saddened by this ugly development which he described as unfortunate, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, has set up a committee to unravel the circumstances that led to this incident. 

“The action of the mob, being a violation of the law of the country and of the University regulations, has been reported to the police who have commenced investigations.”

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Elder statesman and billionaire Alhaji Aminu Dantata has lost his wife to the chilly hands of death.

Hajiya Rabi Tajudeen Galadanci, the second wife of the billionaire, passed on after a protracted illness in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The deceased septuagenarian is survived by her husband and six children. Her children include Tajjuddeen Dantata, Batulu Dantata, Hafsa Dantata, Jamila Dantata, Aliya Dantata and many grandchildren.

A grandson of the deceased, Sunusi Dantata, confirmed her demise on his verified Twitter account. “Please pray for our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, Haj. Rabi, wife of Alh. Aminu Dantata, who died yesterday after a protracted illness!

“May Allah forgive her, accept her good deeds, and grant her the highest rank in Paradise, Ameen!“Innalillahi Wa Inna Ilaihirrajiuun” He tweeted

By Muhammadu Sabiu  

Professor Onje Gye-Wado, a former deputy governor of Nasarawa State, has been abducted by gunmen who are believed to have entered his town, Gwagi, in the early hours of Friday. 

According to a family member who confirmed the occurrence, the kidnappers entered the property through the fence, broke in through his wife’s window, and then took him to an unidentified location. 

The source said, “His wife came in for Easter celebration and they broke into the house through her widow and took him away to an unknown destination. We are hoping that the security agencies will make efforts towards rescuing him unhurt.” 

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the abduction and said the police were making efforts to rescue him unharmed.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, Saratu Umar.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement he signed on Thursday.

According to Mr Adesina, the President has communicated the directive of Umar’s termination of appointment to the Honourable Minister of Trade and investment, Otunba Richard Adeneyi Adebanjo.

He also stated that the president ordered that the most senior director in the commission takes over immediately.

The statement reads: “President Muhammadu Buhari has terminated the appointment of Hajiya Saratu Umar as the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), with immediate effect.

In a directive to the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Richard Adeniyi Adebayo CON, the President also mandated the most senior Director in the Commission to immediately take over in the interim. “

By Muhammad Abdurrahman

The Nigerian Army, via its verified social media accounts, announced a new TV series entitled Lahira, a Hausa word for the “hereafter”, and urged Nigerians to watch it.

The show has been produced to highlight the struggle of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to combat terrorism and restore peace nationwide.

The post reads:

“Kindly watch LAHIRA, a TV series that dramatizes the efforts and achievements of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) in combating terrorism and restoring peace to affected communities within the country. LAHIRA series is aired on DSTV Africa Magic Channel 151 every Tuesday by 9 pm.”

Several people praised the new development, adding the application of non-kinetic measures to tackle insecurity is effective. However, others criticize the Army for misplacing priority.

By Mukhtar Jarmajo

Sir, you are aware that the 2023 general elections have come and gone and the dust it has raised in the Bauchi State All Progressives Congress (APC) is yet to settle. Also given that you are one of the prominent leaders of the party who definitely call the shots, most of the issues at hand clearly have your name, among others, written on them. It is therefore only right that you open up and clear the air on the grey areas where you are alleged to have worked in different dimensions with your party. This is important not only because it will help in making sure that your statesmanship and gentlemanly statue remain intact, but also because it will see to it that posterity remembers you as a true party man. 

Honorable minister, it is alleged that you did not support the APC governorship candidate in Bauchi State, retired Air Marshall Sadique Baba Abubakar in the just concluded general elections. It is also alleged that you did not support him because of the following reasons: 1. If the APC in Bauchi State gets a governor, you will seize to be the party leader in the state. You are therefore comfortable with the present arrangement; 2. If he becomes governor, Air Marshall Sadique Baba Abubakar may not be submissive to you unlike the present governor who you are alleged to have been working together with; and 3. The Katagum factor. 

While it is very difficult to believe all these allegations because of your known principles of altruism, you will do a great deal of service to your political party, the APC, if you clear the air especially when certain reasons are used to back the allegations. They are: 1. Throughout the campaign period, you did not attend any of the party’s rallies in Bauchi State; 2. The Bauchi State APC Chairman, who allegedly was brought by you from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has also not been on ground to discharge his responsibilities. It was alleged that you were together in Abuja; 3. In contravention to the agreement that a state governorship aspirant was to coordinate the APC Presidential Campaign Council in his state, you allegedly worked day and night to replace Air Marshall Sadique Baba Abubakar with your friend; and 4. It is not yet clear whether or not you were in Azare, your home town, both during the presidential and governorship elections to vote.

With all these at hand, it is alleged that Mallam Adamu Adamu, the Honorable Minister of Education in an APC led administration worked hard to ensure that the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu lost Bauchi to PDP’s Atiku Abubakar. Similarly, you allegedly worked to ensure that most of those who vied positions to the national assembly in Bauchi State did not win. Certainly, this scenario is difficult to understand just as the entire picture is hardly legible. But you are in the best position to clear the air. 

Jarmajo wrote from Kukadi/Gundari Ward, Misau Local Government. 

By Aliyu Gadanya

Though I am an Abba Kabir Yusuf’s staunch supporter and a Kwankwasite by political ideologue, I strongly argue that as a matter of decorum, competence, fairness and justice, Barau I. Jibrin known by many as ‘Maliya’, the Senator representing Kano North, who also is the Senator-elect for the zone at this moment, should be allowed to emerge as the senate president of the Nigeria’s 10th Senate. Taking a few glances down the memory lane of the Nigerian polity as well as the tradition of the Senate itself will validate the above proposition.

The Nigerian Senate is the upper legislative branch of the government which is administered based on its defined rules and regulations whose main function is making laws for the country as enshrined in Chapter One, Section Four of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. By rule, after every national election which holds within each four years, a leader, Senate President (SP), who is saddled with the responsibility of presiding over the affairs of the Senate is elected with other excos. The election of the SP is, no doubt, done based on some premise all of which are, arguably, satisfied by Maliya.

The first, though not the most important, is winning a senatorial position on the platform of the ruling party. Jibrin, being loyal to the ruling APC since he began his ambition to become a senator, has won the senatorial position three times; his going to Senate is as old as the ruling party, APC. However, his reelection into the legislative chamber for the third time, as noted by keen observers, is not without obstacles, intrigues, bitter challenges, and intra party political tussles. Notwithstanding, Barau’s allegiance to his party remains unalloyed. He fought dodgedly and tenaciously until he, in the long run, secured the ticket. “I have chosen to stay in APC”, he would always affirm, “even if I will be denied the ticket”.

Next is the candidate’s political geographical location. Nigeria has six geopolitical zones which include, Northwest, Northeast, Northcentral, Southwest, Southeast and Southsouth. For equity and fairness, it has since become a norm for the Nigeria’s major political parties to share the most lucrative positions based on these zones, so that none will feel discriminated against from the affairs of the country. Nevertheless, the contribution of votes from a zone to a party that wins the presidency is an added advantage.

Southwest produces BAT who is the President-elect while Northeast produces the Deputy President. Southeast, Southsouth and Northcentral (produces the party Chairman) being the stronghold of the oppositions, particularly LP and PDP, thus, it will only be fair to pave way for the Senate President to emerge from Northwest, from where Barau coincidentally comes, considering the concentration of votes APC garnered from the zone.

Another salient factor has to do with seniority. According to the Senate standing rules, electing a Senate president should be based on the frequency of one’s going to the house. The higher one is elected into the red house, the more qualified one becomes to captain the chamber. Of all those who have won the positions into the red chamber from Northwest in this election period, in fact, of all those who have made their intentions public to seek for the third most exalted office irrespective of their localities, none is as experienced as Barau Maliya. He was in the lower chamber where he ably represented Tarauni Federal Constituency from 1999-2003. He won senate the first time from 2015-2019 to represent Kano North and, satisfied with his performance during his first tenure, the electorates accorded him the subsequent mandate. Barau is entrusted by his constituents with yet another four year term which is due to commence on 29th May, 2023, as a way of saying “thank you” for an outstanding representation.

If not for him alone, the NNPP, my party, which has won the gubernatorial election in Kano, would have devoured all the political positions contested for in the State.

Moreover, competence and internal politicking are significant shapers upon who is elected into the third most important position in Nigeria. Among the aspiring candidates for this position, none equals the Kano based politician, taking a cursory look at his legislational background. The positions he held in the National Assemblies, among many others, include Chairman House Committee on Appropriation, a member House Committee on Power, Vice Chairman and Subsequently Chairman of Petroleum Resources Committee in 2016 and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institution and Tetfund. He was also a member of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Industries, Land Transportation and Appropriation and he is rounding off the 9th Senate as the Chairman Senate Appropriation Committee, a position he has been holding since the beginning of the 9th Senate.

Talking about the Senate internal politics, Barau, exploiting his dexterity and expertise, spearheaded the elections of two Senate Presidents; notably Bukola Saraki and Ahmad Lawan. He was the Secretary of Ahmad Lawan’s campaign organisation which culminated into Lawan’s eventual success. Barau sponsored and co-sponsored numerous bills which are now passed into laws. Some of them include Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institution Prohibition Bill, Federal Polytechnic Kano Bill, Microbiology Council of Nigeria Bill, Federal University of Agriculture, Dambatta Bill to mention but few. All these buttress the fact that Maliya is fully conversant with the processes of legislation which is an important weapon for anybody seeking to vie for the office of the Senate President.

Furthermore, the presidency factor seems certain in determining who becomes the Senate President or not since the days of yore. However, with the gradual transformation and improvement in the country’s electioneering processes that, obviously, transcend the national general election to other sectors, many commentators maintain that Bola Ahmad Tunibu, the Nigeria’s President-elect, will let democracy take its full course. Being a product of such democratic processes himself. I, similarly, can vouch on BAT that he will not renege or rescind his earlier promise of not interfering, thereby skewing the results of SP and the Speaker’s elections in anyone’s favour.

Finally, on Tunibu’s success, it will not in anyway be an exaggerated statement if it is claimed that no APC member be s/he a governor, senator, member House of Representatives or an exco in the party’s echelon that has contributed in whichever way as immensely as Maliya did. The highest votes for BAT came from Northwest, within the zone, the state that cast the most votes for him is Kano. Examining the voting pattern further confirms the above assertion that Kano North which is Barau’s senatorial district contributed the largest votes in the state.

Notwithstanding all these, we are not asking for the President’s facilitation for the Kano’s son to win the seat, despite having what it takes to be his favourite, because we believe he is the leader for all, all we are asking for is letting the process go without encumbrance.

With Barau Jibrin at the helm of the 10th Senate, considering his loyalty, experience and expertise, it will be a very big plus for the government as it sets out on a journey to deliver on the mandate given to it by the Nigerian masses. It would also ensure that despite losing gubernatorial position in the Nigeria’s most populous state, APC’s structure remains vibrant in Kano. If as a Senator, Maliya can influence the votes that turned out to be the game changer in the election, I believe he will replicate such gesture as the SP.