NEWS
Shettima, Akpabio, Abbas, Obi, Senators Storm Kano for Sen. Barau’s Son’s Wedding
From Longtong Yakubu, Kano
The ancient city of Kano was agog weekend as Vice President, Senator Kashim Shetima, President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, presidential flag bearer of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Governors, Senators and other dignitaries graced the wedding of Sen.
Barau Jibrin’s son in Kano.The wedding Fatiah between Abdullahi Barau Jibrin(Amir) and Bilkisu Aliyu Sani Madaki, the daughter of the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rep Aliyu Sani Madaki, took place at the Isyaka Rabiu Juma’at Mosque, Goron Dutse, in Kano after the juma’at prayers on Friday.
The Chief Imam of the mosque, Sheikh Abdullahi Mahmud Salga tied the knot between the couple after a dowry of N500,000 was paid.
In a speech shortly after the wedding ceremony, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the presence of Peter Obi at the wedding ceremony as signs of a united Nigeria.
According to him, the wedding ceremony, which had in attendance so many high profile personalities shows that Senator Barau Jibrin is a peaceful Man and man of the People.
“You can see that, even the LP Presidential Candidate Peter Obi and his People are here, this tells you that Nigeria will remain united as one entity.”
Akpabio however, admonished the newly wedded couple to leave in Peace, love and also tolerate one another.
(2)Isese: Relocate Kwara State Capital to Neutral Ground, OPC Advises FG
From Alfred Babs, Ilorin
Oodua People congress (OPC) has advised the Federal Government to relocate Kwara state capital from Ilorin to a neutral ground that is away from the present location if the Muslims refuse to accommodate people of other religions.
The state coordinator of OPC, New Era in Kwara state Comrade Bayo Fabiyi made this suggestion in a statement as a way settling the impasse between Isese people and Muslim clerics in Ilorin.
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The OPC coordinator in a statement on Sunday, explained that there were several areas in the state, which included the entire Kwara South, North and some parts of the north of the state where they practice Isese traditional religion and other religions as well as Islam without confrontation.
“There are Muslims in other places co- habiting with their Isese and other religious brothers without crises or disturbances.
“Therefore, if Ilorin is the only place where Isese becomes a challenge, the status of Ilorin as a state capital should be changed while the ancient town can be allowed to remain purely Islamic place because of all towns in Kwara, only Ilorin is where Islamic extremism thrives.
Fabiyi said that while he would advice all Isese people never to fight or kick against the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, as a Royal father over all, he also advised that Muslim clerics follow the “deenukum waliya deen” Principle of Islam and allow Isese people to practice their religion without troubling or causing intrusion into their mode of worship.
He criticized the Muslim fundamentalists who ignored several other serious issues such as cultism and other issues of insecurity but chose to selectively face Isese group that are just practicing their religion without hindering the peace of others.
Fabiyi also reiterated that insecurity in Kwara was occasioned by the admittance of Fulanis who were displaced from Igangan in Oyo state into Ilorin.
He lamented that against his earlier warnings when Abubakar Iskail was not heeded that the group when chased from Igangan in Oyo state would settle down in Ilorin, but nobody yielded his advice.
The OPC coordinator lamented that he raised this alarm long ago about the impending danger of allowing the man to take abode in Kwara state “but no one in the security architecture of Kwara state listened to him.”
He advised that the only way to end insecurity in Kwara is by nipping it in the bud and chase intruding Herdsmen who allegedly involved in kidnapping be chased out of KWARA.
NEWS
South-East agog as President Tinubu rejigs SEDC Board
The Nzuko Alaigbo Socio-Cultural Progressives has expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his reconstitution of the board of the South East Development Commission (SEDC).In a press statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the organization also commended the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt.
Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, for championing the Bill and being in close contact with Mr. President and the leadership in making sure the Bill is signed. The statement, signed by the National President of the organisation, Ambassador Dr Tim Ihemadu, JP, also dismissed a report in a section of the media insinuating that the constitution of the Board of the SEDC had sparked trouble between and among certain political leaders in the region.It declared that the people of the South East are happy and in full support of President Tinubu and his government.Dr Ihemadu, who observed that the President has proven naysayers wrong by immediately reconstituting the Board after some initial hiccups, said people in the South East are in a jubilant mood, having seen President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope in action.He added that since the end of the Nigerian civil war in 1971, this is the first time the federal government is making real efforts to reintegrate the South East with the rest of the country.The organization therefore thanked President Tinubu for this gesture and assured him of the continued support of the South East for his government, Dr Ihemadu further called on Mr. President to release the leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOBP, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, whom the Court had earlier cleared of all the charges leveled against him.He said there was no rift between Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu and the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, over the composition of the Board of the SEDC as reported in the media.Excerpts:“The reconstitution of the Board of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has set the region agog.“Initially, the first list of the Board that came out had kept everyone silent, but having rejigged the Board with a more dynamic approach, it now has those who will champion the cause of development for the region. Men with impeccable track records are now on the Board to manage the Commission.“We want to thank Mr. President for quickly constituting the Board, because people were thinking that this thing will not materialize. In fact, initially, people were thinking that he would not sign the Bill (for the establishment of the SEDC), but he has signed it and finally he has constituted the Board with the right people.“We want to appreciate Mr. President for this gesture.“Since 1971 that the war ended, all efforts to re-integrate the South East in to the Nigerian State have not really worked out. This is the first time – meaning that the President is talking and doing. It means that he says something, he maintains and delivers it.“We want to appreciate him for bringing the right people.“We also want to thank the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, for championing the Bill and being in close contact with Mr. President and the leadership in making sure the Bill is signed.“We have proven the nay-sayers wrong by constituting the Board and Management of the Commission.“This is the first time we are seeing Renewed Hope in action. Indeed, Renewed Hope is already being felt in the South East currently and everywhere in the South East, people are happy and jubilating that indeed, President Tinubu means well for the region.“We therefore want to thank Mr. President and assure him of our continued support.Signed Ambassador Dr. Tim Ihemadu JP, National President, Nzuko Alaigbo Socio-Cultural Progressives
NEWS
Shettima Lauds BUK over Provision of Quality Education, Equitable Admission
Vice-President Kashim Shettima has commended Bayero University,Kano(BUK) for providing quality education to Nigerians over the years.
Shettima made the commendation while declaring open the BUK Class of 2004 Reunion at the university’s Main Campus on Saturday.
He also lauded the university for its track record of unbiased admission policy across the country devoid of religion and ethnicity.
He was represented by Dr Nurudeen Zauro, Technical Adviser to the President on Development Finance and Financial Inclusion.
The vice-president said:”Contributions of BUK in providing quality education for all Nigerians and its track record of unbiased admission policy devoid of religion and ethnicity are really commendable.
“We however have some challenges which underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the systemic inequalities faced by women and other marginalised groups,” Shettima said.
According to him, with every challenge comes an opportunity, adding, “with you as Ambassadors, we can leverage strengths, resources, networks, and technical expertise.
”This is to develop innovative solutions, and this is precisely why we participate in today’s reunion.
”I therefore implore all of us to contribute towards making our country great again.”
Tinubu said the President Bola Tinubu’s administration recognised that government efforts alone could not achieve the myriad of economic potential of Nigeria.
He added,”Consequently, this gathering emphasises the critical role of future leaders and partners, particularly from the private sector.
”This is in ensuring the successful implementation and sustainability of our programs, projects, and initiatives.
“We seek your collaboration and contributions, guided by an evidence-based approach to identify new programmes and policies that will drive impactful change.
”All these are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Let us seize this opportunity to exchange best practices, design innovative strategies, and explore groundbreaking/emerging opportunities such as technologies that can drive meaningful change.”
Shettima called for collective efforts to define and strengthen roles, establish impactful partnerships, and create unique, community-driven initiatives and interventions.
“We also call for firm commitment and support for our shared vision of this administration as we remain steadfast in our commitment to translating the outcomes of this reunion into tangible actions,” he added.( NAN)
NEWS
Education Bedrock for Economic Development – Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu on Saturday in Owerri emphasised the need for quality education to speed up Nigeria’s economic development.
Tinubu, in a goodwill message to the 36th Convocation of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, said that his administration places much premium on educational growth.
His message was read by Florence Obi, Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar.
The president said that his administration had repositioned federal universities to enable them conduct researches to solve the nation’s challenges.
“Education is a major fulcrum for national development; it is a catalyst for alleviating poverty and promoting economic growth and development.
“This fact remains sacrosanct for my administration hence the inclusion of education among the eight priority areas that include economy, security, agriculture, energy, infrastructure and health.
“To further underscore the Federal Government’s commitment towards tertiary education, we established the Nigerian Education Loan Fund dedicated to granting students fees and personal upkeep loans.
“A total of N33bn was made available to start the programme which commenced this year with six pilot universities from each of the geopolitical zones,” he revealed.
Tinubu further advised young graduates to embrace farming and vocational training, in addition to their academic qualifications.
“The period white-collar jobs were readily available has faded away. I urge you to harness the potentials in agriculture, vocational skills and Information Technology to add value to yourself and the nation.” he counseled.
Tinubu further said that the Federal Government had made substantial interventions in FUTO to upgrade its facilities and infrastructure.
Report says that the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo, and his Borno counterpart, Prof. Babangida Zulum, were conferred with honorary doctorate degrees at the ceremony. (NAN)