COVER
2023: PDP ‘ll Restore Hope and Rebuild Nigeria – Ayu
By Jude Opara, Abuja
Consensus National Chairmanship nominee of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Dr Iyorchia Ayu, has said his mission as leader of the main opposition party would be to rebuild hope and trust among Nigerians and make the country great again.
“We don’t need Military dictators, we can rebuild trust, rebuild hope and make Nigeria great again.
“Nigerians should not lose faith in Nigeria. There are countries that devastated and brought down during the second World War like Japan and Germany. They have rebuilt their countries, PDP is on a mission to rebuild” Ayu said.
The former Senate President in the aborted Third Republic spoke at his Maitama-Abuja residence, when he received a delegation of Academics, professionals and political associates from Benue state, led by Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to Canada, Prof Iyorwuese Hagher.
Stakeholders of PDP from 19-Northern states had last week picked Ayu, as consensus candidate of the PDP for National Chairmanship at the forthcoming National Convention scheduled for October 30 in Abuja.
The Sole National Chairmanship candidate said his adoption was a clear indication that Nigeria was not as divided as perceived in some quarters.
Citing his cordial relationship with some reputable political leaders from the North, who were of Fulani extraction, Ayu said said there was doubt about their commitment to the unity of Nigeria just as he said nobody could fault previous Presidents of the country like Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Umaru Yar’Adua about their commitment to development of Nigeria.
He, however, blamed the current polarization of the country along religious and ethnic lines to failure of leadership by the Buhari administration.
For instance, he faulted the Al Progressives Congress(APC)-led Federal Government for appointing only two Christians out of 28 Ministers from the North to head Ministries of Women Affairs and Intergovernmental Affairs and Special Duties and observed that similar acts by the Buhari administration were creating more divisions among the people.
He regretted that majority of Fulani people in the North, whom he described as “good people” were being maligned because of the actions of a few people in governmental positions in the present dispensation.
Ayu, who previously served as Ministerin various Ministries said it was disheartening that the distortions in the nation’s economy were eclipsing the private sector and creating more poverty and “massive hunger” in the land.
“The private sector is suffering most because there is no proper planning in the economy. You cannot plan with the naira tumbling everyday. We must come together and utilize the youth, the human resource to rebuild.
“We in PDP believe in our Youth, they have capacity and are our best asset” he stated.
The former Senate President recalled that when he served as Minister of Industry in the Obasanjo administration, it was discovered that Nigeria had about 5,000 Medical Consultants in the US alone and also had similar number of medical and health professionals in UK and South Africa.
These professionals, he said would be attracted back to develop the country as he ws hopeful to lead PDP to reclaim power at the centre.
He said PDP was poised to return to power at the centre with him as National Chairman as the leadership, which recently assiled the party was over.
“The crisis is over and there is no bickering in the party. The national party positions are being filled by consensus. We will build on that as soon as the convention is over, Ayu pledged” and assured that “the original PDP people who migrated to APC will come back.”
He solicited prayers from religious leaders in the country to enable the PDP succeed in its mission to rebuild the nation.
Leader of delegation and Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Mexico and High Commissioner to Canada, Prof Hagher said the meeting was to “rejoice with you as you gain momentum to emerge as National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) at the next convention of the party.”
“Today is a moment of history. True and qualitative change is here at last. We are encouraged that the change we desire and need in our country will come through a genuine patriot, an uncompromising defender of the sanctity of democratic governance and selfless political leader, whose presence is unmistakable on the political firmament of our great country,” Hagher stated.
He said “the progressive -minded people of Nigeria” had seen the in-coming National Chairman, with qualities of a great leader.
“You are always called upon at the nation’s trying moments and you have never disappointed.
“Many years ago, when you held the high office of President of the Senate, you were called upon to defend democracy. You stood firmly for the actualization of the June12, 1993 election won by Chief MKO Abiola.
“This was at expense of your personal comfort and risk to your political career. You paid the the price in various ways. But you never gave up,” Hagher recalled.
The two-time former Minister said Ayu’s “imminent ascendency to the leadership of the PDP” was by no way his personal ambition.
“Nigeria is not only at a crisis point, the very existence of the country is being challenged by multiple crises, violent agitations for self-determination, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping etc.
“The government of the day has failed woefully to stem the tide and the people of Nigeria are anxiously looking to a new direction for rescue.
“We are pleased to note that at this point, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has again found you worthy to lead the initiative to rescue Nigeria. Like in the past, we are very confident that you will discharge this assignment with distinction,” the prolific Author said.
He pledged the support of Benue professionals, academics and former Diplomats to avail the next Chairman their skills and experiences to successfully pilot the affairs of the party.
By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
As part of efforts to reposition the newspaper for optimum corporate performance, the management of Asset Newspapers Limited, Publishers of DAILY ASSET, has announced the appointment of David Torough as the Editor of the Abuja-based national daily.
A statement by the management said the appointments were part of the company’s new strategy to further penetrate the various states in the country and raise its readership and patronage.
“DAILY ASSET is widely acceptable across the country and to maintain our leadership position, we need to increase management presence, hence the need to create new Bureau offices in some locations outside Abuja and Lagos,” the statement quoted the Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief, Dr Cletus Akwaya to have said.
In a statement yesterday, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the fast-growing daily, Dr. Cletus Akwaya said the appointment was part of the new strategy to properly situate the paper for better productivity.
“DAILY ASSET has a commitment with the Nigerian people. We are determined to weather the storm and give Nigerian readers a Newspaper that satisfies their yearnings and reading pleasure and we can only do that with the right set of professionals,” the statement said.
Akwaya, a former Commissioner of Information from Benue State said the difficult times being faced by Nigerians posed a great challenge to the media as the people deserved credible information with which to make choices.
“We have a bond with the people, to offer credible information at all times in the best tradition of the Nigerian Press and on this scale of objectivity, truth and fairness, we pledge to remain steadfast no matter the challenges,” Akwaya was quoted to have said.
He said the newspaper will maiantin its daily print run and circulation to all states of the federation and urged advertisers to take advantage of the deep penetration of the Daily Asset brand to send their messages.
Torough, the new Editor has had a steady rise in the Newspaper in the last five years.
A graduate of Mass communication of the Benue State University, Makurdi, Torough joined the company in 2022 as Benue State Correspondent. He was spotted for his brilliance and redeployed to Abuja the following year and promoted to Deputy News Editor. He was subswuently named Deputy Editor of the paper, a position he held until the recent appointment.
Torough has attended several journalistic workshops and trainings to properly equip himself for the task ahead.
The statement also said the Management named Eze Okechukwu as Deputy Editor.
Before his elevation as Deputy Editor, Eze has been Deputy Politics Editor and DAILY ASSET Newspaper correspondent covering the Senate, having joined the organization in 2021.
Born on March 10, 1975, Eze holds a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Eze began his journalism career with Daily Star, Enugu and later worked with Daily Trust Newspaper, Abuja as sports reporter.
Aside from his journalistic excellence, he has a great deal of passion for sports.
From Ngutor Dekera, Kaduna and Aliyu Askira, Kano
Northern governors and traditional rulers yesterday called for the suspension of mining activities across the region for six months, blaming illegal mining for worsening insecurity in many states.
The resolution was contained in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna. The meeting, chaired by the Gombe State Governor and NSGF Chairman, Muhammadu Yahaya, had in attendance the 19 northern governors and chairmen of the 19 states’ traditional councils.The Forum expressed concern over the escalating violence in parts of the North, including the killings and abductions recently recorded in Kebbi, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Sokoto, Jigawa and Kano states, as well as renewed Boko Haram attacks in Borno and Yobe.“The Forum extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the governments and good people of the affected states,” the communiqué said, noting that the attacks on schoolchildren and other citizens had become “unacceptable tragedies” that required urgent collective action.It commended President Bola Tinubu for what it described as the Federal Government’s “firm response” to recent abductions and insurgency threats, especially the rescue of some abducted pupils.The governors also saluted security agencies for their sacrifices on the frontlines.“We resolved to renew our support for every step taken by the President and Commander-in-Chief to take the fight to insurgents’ enclaves in order to end the criminality,” the Forum stated.A major highlight of the meeting was the North’s renewed push for the establishment of state police, with governors and traditional rulers insisting that decentralised policing had become inevitable.“The Forum reaffirms its wholehearted support and commitment to the establishment of state police,” the communiqué added, urging federal and state lawmakers from the region to “expedite action for its actualisation.”On illegal mining, the governors said criminal mining networks were fuelling violence and providing resources for armed groups.As a corrective measure, they asked Tinubu to direct the Minister of Solid Minerals to impose a six-month suspension of mining activities in order to allow for a full audit and revalidation of licences.“The Forum observed that illegal mining has become a major contributory factor to the security crises in Northern Nigeria. “We strongly recommend a suspension of mining exploration for six months to allow proper audit and to arrest the menace of artisanal illegal mining,” it said.To strengthen the fight against insecurity, the governors also announced the creation of a regional Security Trust Fund.Under the proposed arrangement, each state and its local governments will contribute ₦1bn monthly, to be deducted at source under an agreed framework.They said the fund would help provide sustainable financing for joint operations, intelligence-driven interventions and coordinated security responses across the region.At the end of the meeting, the Forum reaffirmed its commitment to unity and collective responsibility.“Only through unity, peer review and cooperation can we overcome the pressing challenges before us,” it declared.The Forum agreed to reconvene on a date to be announced.Meanwhile, Nigeria’s worsening security crisis took a grim turn on Monday as bandits launched fresh attacks in Kano State, abducting 25 villagers, even as the Federal Government raced to secure the release of more than 300 Catholic school children kidnapped in Niger State.In the early hours of Monday, armed bandits invaded Unguwar Tsamiya—popularly called Dabawa—in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, whisking away nine men and two women after shooting into the air and assaulting residents. The attackers also rustled two cows.A resident lamented the community’s helplessness: “We cannot do otherwise; most of us cannot leave because we have nowhere to go. This is our place, our land and everything is here.”The assault came less than 24 hours after a similar attack on Yan Kamaye in Tsanyawa LGA, a community along the volatile Katsina border.In Niger State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has assured distraught families of St. Mary’s Co-Education School, Kontagora that the more than 300 students and staff abducted on November 21 will return home “soon.” Ribadu, who led a high-level federal delegation to the school on Monday, said the abductees are safe, though he offered no specifics on their location or the status of rescue operations.According to Daniel Atori, spokesman for the Catholic bishop overseeing the school, the NSA reassured officials: “The children are where they are and will come back safely.”The St. Mary’s attack is part of a worrying resurgence of mass kidnappings reminiscent of the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction. Security analysts warn that banditry has evolved into a “structured, profit-seeking industry,” with hundreds of Nigerians abducted in November alone.The Kontagora school abduction occurred the same week 25 girls were kidnapped in Kebbi State—victims who authorities say have since been rescued through “non-kinetic” means. About 50 of the St. Mary’s hostages have also managed to escape.Ribadu’s delegation, which included the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the freedom of all abducted citizens.As communities from Kano to Niger continue to bear the brunt of these violent incursions, the escalating spate of kidnappings underscores the urgent national demand for a more decisive and coordinated security response.
By David Torough, Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said former Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, will face a team of interrogators at its office daily throughout December.
A credible source in the EFCC said on Monday that the daily appearance was part of an ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of an alleged 490 million dollars Abacha loot secured through a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAT) request. The source said that Malami, who was summoned for interrogation by the EFCC on Saturday, was barred from leaving Nigeria for the next one month.According to the source, one of the conditions for his release on Saturday was that he should report daily to the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja for further interrogation.The source said Malami would have to appear daily at the anti-graft office due to the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him.”We seized his passport, it is the normal routine during investigation, but he has to report at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja every day for the next month.”He will be reporting for further investigation throughout December.”He will be reporting every day, starting from Dec. 1st to Dec. 31st.He will appear before the team of investigators for the entire month of December.”He will be reporting to EFCC for investigation for the period because of the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him,” the source added.According to the source, a fact sheet on the former minister revealed that Malami had several issues to clarify with the EFCC within the coming weeks.“We have asked him to explain the whereabouts of the $490 million Abacha loot secured through MLAT.“We didn’t say he stole money, but he should account for the loot. This is one of the issues he will clarify to our investigators.”The commission cited the large volume of documents he must review and the need for extensive interviews as reasons for seizing his passport.The source said EFCC would not engage in a war of words but would release its findings after a thorough investigation.Malami, in a statement by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, on Monday in Abuja, however, described the EFCC investigation as a political witch‑hunt.He confirmed he honored an EFCC invitation on Nov. 28, describing the engagement as fruitful and expressing confidence that the probe would vindicate him.Malami described the EFCC’s allegations as baseless, illogical and devoid of substance, insisting they collapse under factual scrutiny.
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