NEWS
Abdulrazaq Seeks Support for President Tinubu, for Peace, Development
From Alfred Babs Ilorin
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq hosted the Emir of Ilorin Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari to the annual Bareke on Friday, commending the royal institution for working with the government to sustain peace and harmony, and promote development in the state.
The Governor called on citizens to support President Bola Tinubu whose early policies he likened to a pregnancy course which is sure to birth a more progressive Nigeria.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairman said he was excited that the colourful bareke followed the last two days of colourful celebrations of the Eid and the Durbar which brought together thousands of Kwarans and attracted positive reviews nationwide.
His words: “It is significant that the good relationship between the throne of Sheikh Alimi and the government has waxed stronger. This excellent relationship has helped to strengthen peace and harmony in Kwara State as everyone aligns behind a singular agenda for growth and common good. It serves to reassure the people of Kwara State that growth and development occur more and faster in an atmosphere of love, peace and harmony.
“Your Royal Highness, I assure you that our administration remains committed to communal peace, security, and development. We value collaboration, understanding and mutual respect over unhealthy rivalry among brothers.
“That is because we believe that our agenda for development can only materialize when Kwara is peaceful. The Durbar recorded more crowd yesterday than ever before. Kwarans are happier. I am extremely happy. Our various recreational centres were filled with citizens wanting to have a feel of good life. This is possible because we have peace. We are glad to have great partners in Your Royal Highness and all other traditional rulers. This is the way to go.
“I assure you that our administration will continue to prioritise security of life and properties. We will not allow a few bad eggs and opportunists to change our narrative of being the most peaceful and secure state in Nigeria. Our security agencies will chase these few cowards to the farthest corners of their hideouts.
“Your Royal Highness, I am using this window to again call for the support of our people for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He means well and has the capacity to take tough but right decisions. We believe that whatever temporary pains we see now are the necessary pregnancy course to birth a stronger economy and a more prosperous Nigeria. With your prayers and support, we will succeed, in shaa Allah.”
The event was well-attended by parliamentarians, senior government officials, bureaucrats, and a retinue of title holders and scholars. Top on the list of the attendees were the Chief Judge of Kwara State Justice Abiodun Adebara; Grand Kadi Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen; Senator Saliu Mustapha; House of Representatives members Mukhtar Shagaya and Ahmed
Yinka Aluko; House of Assembly Deputy Speaker Ojo Olayiwola; House Leader Barrister AbdulKadir Oba Magaji; House of assembly members; Head of Service Mrs Susan Modupe Oluwole; permanent secretaries; top party hierarchies led by Chairman Sunday Fagbemi; and the clerics headed by Imam Imale Abdullahi AbdulHameed.
Accompanied by many royal title holders and community leaders, the Emir commended the Governor for standing for peace and harmony, and his investment in human capital and infrastructural development of the state.
“We thank Almighty Allah for the success of the election for the second term. While we were rejoicing over that, there was an announcement that our governor has been conferred with the Commander of the Order of Niger (CON),” the Emir said.
“Another message also came in that you have been elected the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. Our governor has got triple honours. We are very grateful.
“You are making history on the part of Kwara State. We are not one tribe. Kwara State is a heterogeneous community with many ethnic groups. But we are the most manageable. We may be speaking differently occasionally. But in heart and understanding, we are able to understand ourselves.
“We came here again, having returned (you) to your post for a second term. God that gave you the success in the first term will make you succeed in the second term. May you continue to shine.”
Prince Sunday Fagbemi, in his remarks, said: “I want to remind us that history was made here last year when our father, the Emir of Ilorin, was here. The second term journey of the governor started here with his (Emir) pronouncement, endorsing the governor for a second term in office.
“The success we have all witnessed today was because of the support we received from the Emir and the council of chiefs. We are grateful and we know that by the grace of God, this second term will be better than the first term.”
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
A businessman, Alhaji Danjuma, resident in the Brighter Area of Minna, Niger State, has appealed for prayers and public support following the alleged abduction of his two children by a security guard employed in his household.
The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday while the businessman was away from home.
Speaking via telephone from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he is currently observing religious activities, Alhaji Danjuma told journalists that the security guard, described as a Fulani man, allegedly took the children away on a motorcycle that had been provided for his use.
According to the distraught father, the guard informed members of the household that he was taking the children out to celebrate the Eid festivities and would return shortly.
However, when several hours passed without any sign of the children or the guard, concern grew among family members.
“The children left with him in the afternoon, but when evening came and they had not returned, we became worried and began searching for them,” Alhaji Danjuma said.
Family members reportedly visited several hospitals within Minna, fearing that the children and their caretaker might have been involved in a road accident.
Their search, however, yielded no results even as people gathered to discuss the strange development.
The situation took a more alarming turn later that evening when Alhaji Danjuma allegedly received a phone call from unidentified individuals who claimed to be holding the children.
According to him, the callers stated that they were in the Erena forest area of Shiroro Local Government Area and demanded money in exchange for the release of the children.
The development has heightened fears that the children may have been kidnapped, although details surrounding the incident remain unclear.
Alhaji Danjuma has since appealed to the public to join him in prayers and support efforts aimed at securing the safe return of his children.
“I am appealing to everyone to pray for us and for God to intervene so that this situation will end peacefully,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from security agencies or the Niger State Government regarding the alleged abduction.
Efforts to obtain confirmation from relevant authorities were unsuccessful.
The incident adds to growing concerns over insecurity and kidnapping activities in parts of Niger State, particularly in communities bordering forested areas often linked to criminal operations.
Authorities are expected to provide further information as investigations continue.
Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have reopened the main airport in Ituri Province, the epicentre of the country’s ongoing Ebola outbreak, after a 10-day suspension of commercial flight operations.
The airport in Bunia, the capital of Ituri, resumed operations on Tuesday following the implementation of health and safety measures aimed at containing the spread of the disease.
The DRC is currently battling a major outbreak of Ebola, a highly contagious haemorrhagic fever that is suspected to have claimed at least 246 lives in the country and neighbouring Uganda, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
On May 23, authorities halted all commercial flights to and from Bunia Airport in eastern DRC, a region already affected by armed conflict. During the closure, only humanitarian and medical flights were permitted to operate.
Health Minister Samuel Roger Kamba said the temporary shutdown was necessary to allow authorities to introduce measures designed to safeguard travellers and limit the risk of transmission.
Announcing the reopening on Tuesday, the transport ministry said an assessment of the outbreak response and monitoring systems had been conducted.
“Conditions are now in place for a gradual and safe resumption of flights.”
The government said the reopening would be carried out progressively while health authorities continue efforts to contain the outbreak.
Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, has re-assigned all four deputy governors of the institution.
The new responsibilities announced Monday night have seen Philip Ikeazor taking over the policy portfolio from Dr.
Muhammad Abdullahi.Dr.
Abdullahi moved from the Economic Policy Directorate to head Corporate Services.Emem Nnana Usoro leaves corporate services to supervise operations.
Lamido Yuguda was transferred from Operations to the Financial System Stability Directorate.
The CBN did not state reasons for the redeployment.
The bank said such changes were “to make use of the experience of senior officials in different areas of responsibility and to support evolving institutional priorities.” (NAN)
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