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Akume: Tinubu is Captain With Experience, ‘ll Steer Nigerian Ship Safely
By Matthew Dadiya, Abuja
Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has said President Bola Tinubu was a Captain with the required experience to steer the ship of Nigerian State safely to the shore.
“The beginning may be turbulent, but we know where we are going.
A few may try to create hiccups but our Captain (President Bola Tinubu) is well experienced, so be at home as he has what it takes to take you the desired destination,” Akume said in a speech at a grand reception in his honour at the weekend.The pristine event, which held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja was organised by the North Central Governors Forum.
It was a gathering of high profile government officials, traditional and religious leaders, captains of industry and members of the diplomatic Corps among others.Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima represented President Tinubu, Senate President Godswil Akpabio and Deputy Speaker, House pf Representatives led the retinue of government officials including Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, Governors of North Central States-Kwara, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, Plateau, Kogi and those of Osun and Enugu states. In attendance also were serving and former Members of the National Assembly, Ministers designate, and former Governors especially, the set of 1999 who served with Akume and Tinubu.
The Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh James Iorzua Ayatse, led numerous traditional rulers from North Central states and beyond to also grace the occasion.
“From a very simple background, I am being celebrated by the North Central Zone as SGF. I thank President Tinubu for finding me worthy for this appointment. This is a rare privilege to have been considered for appointment as SGF out of over 200 million Nigerians. This is a gesture I and my family can never forget,” Akume said in his speech at the occasion, punctuated by loud applauses.
He said Nigeria was a great country with enormous potentials and a robust human capital base, which was contributing to the socio- economic development of other countries.
He cited the case of United States of America, where he said over 22,000 Nigerians were Consultants making contributions to the health care needs of that country as evidence of Nigeria’s potentials.
“We are better together than we choose to go our different ways,” he stated and called on the North central people and indeed all Nigerians to pray for and support Tinubu to succeed as President.
In his speech at the Occasion, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima urged political office holders to put the interest, unity and progress of the nation above personal or sectional gains.
Shettima also called on present and aspiring political office holders to emulate the virtues of Akume,
In a goodwill entitled ‘a life of honour’, Shettima described Akume as “an idea, a man of honour, a beacon of unity, loyalty and integrity in our nation.
” Let’s not only celebrate his appointment but also learn from his life. Sen. Akume’s political longevity is not by an accident.
” It is the result of his unwavering pan-Nigerian principle, reflecting his wisdom and vision of a peaceful, stable, and safe Nigeria.”
Shettima also eulogized the virtues that have endeared the SGF to so many across political and ethnic lines adding ”we are not here to celebrate an individual; we are here to praise the potency of an idea; to raise a toast to a shining beacon of unity and integrity in our great nation.
” On the path that has led our honouree to this strategic position, we find woven the threads of unshaken belief in the ideals of a united Nigeria.
“It is this belief that has been the driving force behind his every endeavour.
” The conviction that our strength lies in our unity and diversity, that together we are stronger than the sum of our parts, has guided his steps and fuelled his determination.”
The Vice President described Akume “as the ally you can count on with your eyes closed, and that’s the highest compliment you can receive in politics.
” His journey to this height exemplifies his fidelity to the pact he has signed.
“It’s what you do when you have agreed to uphold the values that our great nation holds dear.
” It’s what you do when you subscribe to the principles of justice, fairness, and equality.”
He advised those aspiring to political office to build good character.
” There are offices for which no amount of academic and professional qualifications is sufficient to earn you.
” Our honoree here today occupies one such office, an office that makes you understand why our learning institutions emphasize character when issuing degree certificates to their graduating students.
” Our honoree is here today because of his loyalty to a cause greater than himself.
“In a time of wavering political loyalties, Sen. Akume is both a model and a source of inspiration for all those who seek to understand the importance of cooperation in public service.”
Shettima said what truly sets Akume apart was his belief in fostering unity across the rich tapestry of religions, ethnicities, and regions that make up our nation.
” In a land of diverse cultures and traditions, his examples have transcended boundaries, bridging gaps, and nurturing understanding.
” His commitment to building bridges between different groups and backgrounds in one of the most challenging places to do so is the reason he is not just a man but an idea,” the VP added.”
Governor of Nasarawa State and Chairman of North Central Governors Forum. Engr Abdullahi Sule in his remarks, the grand reception was organised to show appreciation to the President for recognising the zone with the appointment of Akume as SGF.
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, who also spoke at the occasion said Benue and the North Central Zone were proud of Akume’s accomplishments in public office and were resolved to support him in the present position to succeed.
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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