COVER
Obasanjo in Closed Door Meeting with Babangida in Minna
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday had a closed door meeting running into hours with former Military President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (retd) as he marked his 80th birthday in his country home in Minna, Niger state.
Although another former military Head of state General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd) was early arrival at Babangida’s house, he excused himself before the closed door meeting commenced.
Journalists, who had gone to cover the birthday celebrations, were also asked out of the meeting, which far reaching discussions including 2023 elections were deliberated.
Obasanjo, who flew in from Abuja, arrived Babangida residence and the main sitting room was cleared of all guests to allow for private discussions.
No one was privy to the discussion of Generals Babangida and Obasanjo as newsmen were disallowed from moving beyond the first security post to the IBB house.
Others who reportedly visited to rejoice with IBB were former Senate President Bukola Saraki, National Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Uche Seconds, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Ben Obi, and Senator Philip Aduda.
The list also includes General Aliyu Gusau (retd), who was National Security Adviser during the administration of the celebrant, Media Mogul Chief Raymond Dokpesi, diplomats and members of the organised private sector.
Virtually all those who visited presented gifts to the former military president.
On Monday a lecture and presentation of a book on General Babangida took place in Minna where the Publisher of Blueprint Newspaper, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, who was represented by his Media Aide Alhaji Jibrin Ndace, stressed the need for people to be celebrated when they are alive to serve as motivation to the upcoming generation.
He noted that the present generation, especially, youths had a lot to learn from General Babangida on how he managed to keep Nigeria one despite daunting challenges as military president.
He, therefore, appealed to Nigerian youths to “stop the blame game” and focus on how to make the country prosperous and greater than it presently is.
“The biggest lesson to be learnt from the leadership of former military president Ibrahim Babangida is ability to take decisions at the right time and stand by that decision, take responsibility for such action”
The Niger state government later purchased 100 copies of the book for N2m while Alhaji Malagi, the Niger State House of Assembly through its Speaker Alhaji Abdullahi Bawa Wuse but the same number of copies for N1.5m each.
The book titled “The Pyrography of A General” was authored by Ibrahim Mohammed Muye and the lecture was organised by the Youth Congress of Niger state.
Earlier, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus and the Vice Presidential candidate of the party in 2019 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, had joined other admirers and associates of IBB to eulogize him at his 80th birthday reception at his Hiltop residence in Minna, Niger state.
Prince Secondus, who led some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to Minna, said the party was happy to be part of the 80th birthday ceremony as they always identified with great leaders who served this country well.
“Gen Babangida is our father, he is the father of the Nation, we will continue to identify with him”
The PDP leader said that General Babangida served this country wholeheartedly and his records of achievements speak for itself.
In a special Christian prayer during the prayer session for the celebrant, Prince Secondus asked God to grant him more years ahead on earth so that the country can continue tap on his wisdom and talent.
He said that more than ever before this country needs the deep wise counsel of General Babangida at this time and prayed God to grant him and his household the peace that is needed for his longevity.
In his own remarks, the former Anambra state Governor Obi said that IBB’s economic policy during his time is what is needed to salvage this country now.
Obi said that traders and bankers like him had their best during the era of Gen Babangida because under him Aba and Onitsha flourished and that meant a lot for them.
Obi also prayed God to grant Gen Babangida more years as he, Obi desires to return to Minna to celebrate his 90th birthday.
Former Head of state, Gen Abdulsami Abubakar, former Senate President Senator Bukola Saraki, former National Security Adviser Gen Aliyu Gusau, Governors among others graced the solemn occasion.
United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) has announced plans to raise N157 billion through a rights issue.The disclosure was made via a notice to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd (NGX).It said in a statement on Thursday that its stock brokers, United Capital Securities Ltd., had submitted an application to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd.
to that effect. It added its stock brokers had requested for approval and listing of a Rights Issue of 3,156,869,665 ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each at N50. 00 per share“Trading License Holders are hereby notified that United Bank for Africa Plc, through its Stockbrokers, United Capital Securities Ltd., has submitted an application to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd.” in that regard.“The rights issue will be on the basis of one new ordinary share for every 13 ordinary shares held as of the close of business on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.“The qualification date for the Rights Issue is July 16, 2025,” the bank noted.The move is part of UBA’s strategy to strengthen its capital base and support its expansion and growth objectives across Africa.(NAN)
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Over 4000 substandard and illegal schools have been uncovered and ready to be shut down across the state.The chief press secretary to the Benue State Governor, Tersoo Kula disclosed this at a press conference in Makurdi.Kula was reacting to a statement credited to former commissioner for education and knowledge management, Prof.
Dennis Ityavyar, said that Governor Alia has stabilised the educational sector since coming on board two years ago. ”No more strikes. Schools are moving on smoothly and in a bid to bring teaching and learning closer to the people and address the problem of younger school leavers in securing admission into tertiary institutions, the governor has established a new university.”The establishment of University of Agriculture Science and Technology Ihugh, Vandeikyaa LGA is real..The governor has secured the licence, acquired land and made appointments of principal officers.”This is to address the issue of providing admission for the teeming Benue indigenes seeking admission into Nigerian universities.”The Governor has employed over 9700 teachers to energize public primary schools in the state. Apart from the fact that our primary schools would be energized, 9700 youths have been taken off the streets.”The government of governor Alia has also paid the 38 months earned allowance owed to lecturers at the Moses Adasu University, formerly Benue State University Makurdi”, he said.He maintained that renovation of government secondary schools and colleges across the state are ongoing where ongoing construction of new structures is in some public primary and secondary schools to ensure conducive learning environment.”Public primary schools teachers are trained on ITCs to enhance the teaching and learning of information and technology innovations at elementary level.”This government has been able to identify over 4000 substandard schools in the state and have secured insurance cover for Benue State students and paid bursary allowances in law school students in the state”, Kula stated.Benue Moves to Domesticate National Policy on IDPsThe Benue State Government has commenced a validation process to domesticate the newly federal government policy on Internally Displaced Persons (PDP) in the State.Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management in the State, Aondowase Kunde, stated that upon stakeholders’ inputs into the Internally Displaced Persons policy document, it would be fully launched.He added that the aim is to improve the welfare of the displaced population in the state.Kunde stated this during a two policy validation meeting held at Benue Hotels Makurdi yesterday.He maintained that the document which was passed into law by the national assembly needed to be domesticated in the state in line with the peculiarities of the state.In his remarks, the chairman, House Committee on Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Benue State House of assembly, James Abu Umoro, noted that the state has suffered so many natural and man-made disasters that it requires the policy to be domesticated in the state.Umoru insisted that the house will not hesitate to pass the document into law when presented by the executive arm of government.He said the issue of IDP in the state is a concern for everyone and must be given accelerated consideration at any point in time.On his part, House committee chairman on SDG and Donor Agencies, Peter Uche, noted that in most cases, communities have suffered attacks for more than ten years.”Let me therefore, call on all to support the implementation of the policy document for the displaced to return to their ancestral homes to start their normal farming and business activities”, he stated.The Director General, Sustainable Development Goals, John Akuse, who spoke at the occasion, said the validation of the IDP policy document is vital in paving the way for the displaced population to be adequately taken care of regarding their peculiar needs.
By David Torough, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has approved the renaming of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State as Muhammadu Buhari University.
“May we now adopt the University of Maduguri as the Muhammadu Buhari University,” Tinubu said at the close of a special session of the Federal Executive Council held to honour Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on Thursday.
The President paid a glowing tribute to Buhari, describing him as “a good man, a decent man, an honourable man” whose legacy of discipline, patriotism and moral uprightness would endure for generations.
Tinubu said although the late president was not without flaws, his unwavering commitment to national service set him apart.
“President Buhari was not a perfect man, no leader is, but he was, in every sense of the word, a good man, a decent man, an honourable man.
“His record will be debated, as all legacies are, but the character he brought to public life, the moral force he carried, the incorruptible standard he represented, will not be forgotten.
“His was a life lived in full service to Nigeria, and in fidelity to God,” he said.
Reflecting on Buhari’s time in office and his long military and civil service, Tinubu praised the late leader’s simplicity, humility, and stoic resistance to the trappings of power.
He said, “He stood, always, ramrod straight; unmoved by the temptation of power, unseduced by applause and unafraid of the loneliness that often visits those who do what is right, rather than what is popular.
“His was a quiet courage, a righteousness that never announced itself. His patriotism lived more in action than in words.”
Tinubu also recounted their political alliance, which culminated in the historic 2015 elections that marked Nigeria’s first democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.
“We stood together, he and I. Alongside others drawn from across the political spectrum, regions and tongues, we formed an alliance that enabled Nigeria to experience its first true democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.
“When he was sworn in as our party’s first elected President, he led with restraint, governed with dignity, and bore the burdens of leadership without complaint,” he said.
The President expressed admiration for Buhari’s post-office modesty, noting that he returned to his hometown, Daura, without seeking to wield influence behind the scenes.
“When his tenure ended, he returned to Daura; not to command from the shadows or to hold court, but to live as he always had, never seeking to impose his will but content to let others carry the nation forward.
“Even in death, he maintained the serenity that defined him in life: not a sigh, not a groan, just a quiet submission to the will of God. Such was the man Nigeria has lost. Such was the man for whom our nation now mourns,” he added.
Tinubu thanked the Inter-Ministerial Committee and Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, for organising a befitting state funeral within 48 hours, describing it as a “profound honour” to lead the burial procession in Daura.
He concluded his tribute with a prayer: “Mai Gaskiya, the People’s General, the Farmer President, your duty is done. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. May his life continue to inspire generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness. President Buhari, thank you. Nigeria will remember you.”
Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, at the age of 82.
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