Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State and his Ondo State counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, on Wednesday visited the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the visit of the two governors, who headed straight to the president’s office, may not be unconnected with the outcome of the All Progressives Congress primaries and screening exercise conducted by the party’s headquarters.
Sen. Shehu Sani, was the only aspirant cleared by the national headquarters of the APC to contest for the Kaduna Central Senatorial seat against the wish of the state governor, El-Rufai.
Prior to Sani’s clearance, the governor had endorsed his Political Adviser, Uba Sani, as sole candidate of the APC for the senatorial seat.
The governor had also insisted that party primary be held to determine the party’s flag-bearer in the 2019 Senatorial poll instead of the automatic endorsement of incumbent senator by the party headquarters.
NAN learnt that El-Rufai’s preferred candidate for the senatorial seat, Uba Sani, had since gone to court to stop Shehu Sani’s automatic endorsement by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC.
The APC Senate screening committee also cleared Sen. Ajayi Borrofice, as sole aspirant for Ondo North Senatorial seat against the wish of the state governor, who had wanted to dislodge him through a primary.
The national leadership of the party had earlier announced that senators who were loyal would be rewarded with automatic tickets.
Supporters of Shehu Sani had in a statement issued journalists in Kaduna applauded the national party leadership for the decision.
The outcome of the governors’ visit to villa was still unknown as of the time of filing this report as no statement or confirmation on whether the governors were able to meet with the president or not.
Newly Commissioned Gateway Polytechnic ICT Apps Centre, in Ogun State, southwest Nigeria
Ogun State Commissioner for Education, in Southwest Nigeria Modupe Mujota , cuts the ribbon while commission the ICT Apps Centre
By Oladele Igbagboyemi
Determined to ensure that Nigerian youths explore the opportunities that abound in the information, Communication and technology sector, Ogun state Governor, Ibikunle Amosun has commissioned the Gateway ICT Polytechnic apps development centre.
The centre which focuses on software and mobile application developments was commissioned during the 2nd Convocation Ceremony of the institution.
Representing the Governor, Commissioner for Education, Modupe Mujota said the government would work to ensure the institution partners with global players on sustainable development in apps development.
Her words “I am looking forward to a lot of creativity, we are also going to be trying to connect the school with global players, who knows the likes of Google and a lot may take a look at what we are doing here, but indeed is a great work”
Speaking on what necessitated the centre, Rector Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Dr. Isaiah Oyeyinka said the aim is to train undergraduates that will be independent, imbibe the entrepreneurial spirit and be self-sustaining in a country that is relatively dependent on oil.
His words, “not only that we will train people on apps development, we will also do technology incubation, we will nourish their company to grow before we release them to the society. We took the cue from places like America where they incubate their technology and that is why you see great things coming forward from such a place.
Dr. Oyeyinka said the polytechnic is committed to continuing its determination to provide qualitative programmes in Engineering, Science and Technology, ICT within the mandate of the National Policy on Education and subject to regulations of the National Board for Technical Education.
Leah Sharibu, the Daptchi school girl kidnapped by Boko Haram, and kept because of her Christian faith
Leah Sharibu, the Daptchi school girl kidnapped by Boko Haram, and kept because of her Christian faith
President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday spoke with Mrs Rebecca Sharibu, mother of Leah Sharibu, assuring that his administration will do everything possible to bring her daughter back home.
The captors of Leah were reported to have given Nigerian Government October 15 as deadline to meet their demands on the release of Leah or they would kill her.
Leah Sharibu is the only Christian among the abducted 119 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Dapchi, Yobe, still in Boko Haram captivity.
Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, confirmed the telephone conversation between the president and Sharibu to newsmen in Abuja.
He said the President consoled the Sharibu family and assured the parents that the Federal Government would do its utmost for the safety and security of their daughter.
“I convey my emotion, the strong commitment of my administration and the solidarity of all Nigerians to you and your family as we will do our best to bring your daughter home in peace and safety,” Buhari told her.
He assured the mother that his heart was with her family, as that of the entire nation which continues to pray for the safe return of “our daughter, Leah’’.
Deputy Minority whip in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Fatima Binta Bello representing Kaltungo/Shongom federal constituency has emerged the senatorial candidate of the PDP in Gombe-South senatorial district of Gombe State.
Binta Bello defeated the state Deputy Governor, Chales Iliyas and serving Senator, Joshua Lidani during the primary election held in Billiri local government area.
Binta polled 293 votes to beat Senator Lidani who scored 129 votes, while the deputy governor, Mr Charles Iliya 12 votes, Yusuf Manu 21 and Hassan Ahmadu Haruna 22 votes.
In Gombe North senatorial district, the state Commissioner for Special Duties, Mohammed Usman Ribadu emerged the flag bearer, while the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Nasiru Nono emerged winner of Gombe Central senatorial District.
Nigeria's Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole,
Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole,
Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has said that his country is committed to achieving the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2016-2020 road map targets and goals of the Global Strategy and Action Plan on Health and Ageing.
Adewole gave the assurance at a one-day Project and Partnership Development Outreach Programme on Healthcare for the Aged, Social Security of Elderly and the Rights of the Senior Citizens in Abuja on Tuesday.
The minister was represented by Dr Saidu Dumbulwa, National Coordinator Healthcare Package for Improving Quality Care of the Ageing Population at the programme which was to mark the 2018 Day of Older Persons.
The programme was hosted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Biscom Services.
“I am quite optimistic that given the current strong political will on the part of government, the targets as envisaged in the plan, will be attained and possibly surpassed.
“As you know, in our various cultures, the health and social care of the aged is a collective responsibility of every member of the family,” the minister said.
This, he added, was in spite of the significant rural urban migration by the youth that were supposed to look after the aged.
He stressed that it was, however, the responsibility of all to protect and ensure improve quality of health and welfare of the ageing population.
The minister added that the ministry had made some progress in the ongoing health sector response to the care of the aged, saying it had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with some universities in the United Kingdom.
He said the ministry was open to other relevant organisations in Nigeria ahead of the first national summit on healthy ageing, slated for the first quarter of 2019.
He noted that in the last decade, concerns for the ageing population had led to the introduction of new policies and programmes in which the social sector had taken the centre stage.
The minister said many governments in developed and developing economies had designed or piloted innovative policies in health, social security or welfare systems.
He added that several policy framework documents, including national plans of action on ageing, had also been enacted, saying that the ministry was working hard to ensure that Nigeria was not left behind.
He thanked the International Federation on Ageing Nigeria (IFAN) and other organising partners for marking the 2018 International Day of Older Persons.
He added that the theme of this year`s celebration which was “Celebrating Older Human Right Champions”, was in line with Federal Government’s current efforts to address the needs of older persons in the country.
According to him, government is promoting quality healthcare for the aged to ensure that they enjoyed unhindered access to affordable healthcare services.
Adewole added that this was in tandem with efforts toward achieving universal health coverage.
He commended the synergy between the private and public sectors, particularly for their support for programmes geared toward the improvement of the wellbeing of the ages in the country.
Mr Ike Willie-Nwobu, IFAN Coordinator, said the programme was to expose NAN Biscom Services and NAN huge human, physical and logistic operational infrastructure that would help enhanced elderly healthcare.
He said IFAN was partnering with the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Federal Ministry of Health, National Youth Service Corps and NAN.
Willie-Nwobu stressed that NAN was very strategic to the ministries involved and would be supportive in areas of mobilisation, advocacy, sensitisation, logistics, operation interface, documentation and research, among others.
He added that such partnership would create sub-regional development and technical partnership that would attract funding and technical assistance from diverse institutions, including country to country collaboration and cooperation.
He further added that IFAN was promoting retirees, pensioners and veterans resource centres in higher institutions across the country.
According to him, it is criminal and senseless for people to retire with their knowledge, skill, capacity and competence at their most productive time. “We will help Police, Immigration, Prison, Customs and other paramilitary organisations develop, promote and enhance and project their veterans department and explore economic empowerment for the Armed Forces Veterans and that of other platforms.
Mr Idris Abdulrahman, NAN Editor-in-Chief, assured that the agency was open to partnership and would give publicity to all, adding that it had the capacity and personnel to reach the world.
Abdulrahman added that the agency had over 500 editorial staff within and outside the country and that it was 90 per cent subscriber-based.
Abdulrahman used the opportunity to inform stakeholders of the agency’s diverse services, which he said, included SMS alert, multimedia services as well as general news service.
He charged government functionaries and stakeholders at various levels of government to talk to NAN always to get a wider coverage of their activities, adding that the agency also had strong presence in the social media.
The Electoral Commission has published a notice inviting comment from interested stakeholders including political parties and members of the public on the proposed quantum of election deposits for next year’s national and provincial elections.
“The proposed election deposits are R200 000 for parties wishing to contest national elections and R45 000 for each provincial election contested. The amounts are the same as those used in the 2014 national and provincial elections,” the Electoral Commission said in a statement on Tuesday.
In terms of the proposal, a party contesting the national and all provincial elections will be required to deposit R605 000.
The Electoral Commission said the use of election deposits is common practice around the world as a way to balance the constitutional right to contest elections with the need to obviate frivolity in the electoral contest.
There are currently 262 nationally registered parties. These parties will be in a position to contest elections next year subject to fulfilling the candidate nomination requirements and placing the prescribed election deposits.
“Parties receive their deposits back if they win a seat in the National Assembly and/or provincial legislature. Any money from deposits forfeited accrues to the National Revenue Fund,” the Electoral Commission said.
A total of 29 political parties contested the national election in 2014. Thirteen of those won seats in the National Assembly.
Stakeholders who wish to comment on the election deposits can email their comments to deposits@elections.org.za or deliver written comments to Election House, Riverside Office Park, 1303 Heuwel Avenue, Centurion for the attention of Mr Kgosietsile Tshoke.
The closing date for the submission of comments is 26 October 2018.
President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria (right) raises hand of Yobe State APC Governorship candidate Mai Mala Buni
President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria (right) raises hand of Yobe State APC Governorship candidate Mai Mala Buni
It is doubtful, almost near impossible, if there is any governorship candidate in Yobe State who can match the political machinery of the All Progressives Congress (APC) not to talk of defeating the party’s candidate, Mai Mala Buni, in the forthcoming elections.
For a political party that became a behemoth over the years in Yobe, to contemplate defeating it in a fair electoral contest is a forlorn hope. The APC, which is an amalgam of the legacy parties including the defunct ANPP, had been in the opposition between 1999 and 2015 when it clinched the presidency. Yet it dominated the political landscape in Yobe.
Even with the federal might of the then ruling PDP, backed by political heavyweights from the state, the highest the PDP could ever get was the seat for the Southern Senatorial Zone.
The ANPP in Yobe State, which formed the APC, had its roots in the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), which formed government under the diarchy rule of General Ibrahim Babangida in 1992 with Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim as the governor. Therefore it is safe to say that the APP, which later metamorphosed into the ANPP and then became APC has been governing Yobe in a democratic setting since its creation in 1991.
With the foregoing, the emergence of Mai Mala Buni as the governor of Yobe State in the 2019 general election is a fait accompli because of the rich history and political exploit of the APC and the galaxy of rated politicians who populated the party in the state. Of course leading the way in the campaign for Mai Mala is no other person than Governor Ibrahim Gaidam himself, who is ably supported by Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Senator Ahmed Lawan, Ibrahim Bomoi, the Senatorial Candidate for the Southern Zone, Party Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Chilariye, Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana, the Deputy Governor, Engineer Abubakar Aliyu, among other politicians too numerous to mention.
The unity of purpose in the Yobe APC was amply demonstrated when other aspirants of the party’s governorship ticket sacrificed their ambition and agreed to rally round and work for the victory of Mai Mala Buni at the polls. With such a formidable structure, victory is guaranteed by God’s grace.
Mai Mala is a thorough party man and a grass roots politician, who rose through the ranks to become the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legislative Matters, the pioneer Chairman of the APC in Yobe State as well as the National Secretary of the party. He played a stabilizing role in the APC, which earned him a re-election into the post.
Mai Mala Buni has developed a political network of friends across the country particularly when he served as the National Secretary of the APC. In fact his office was the rallying point for state governors, members of the National Assembly, ministers, party faithful and political bigwigs. He discharged his function with such precision and efficiency, which earned him silent visibility across the country.
From my interaction with some journalists who cover the APC national secretariat in Abuja, I have gleaned that Mai Mala Buni is not a noise-marker. The only period journalists heard from him was when the Acting Spokesman of the party was suspended so he had to step in and issue statements on behalf of the party. But the journalists were unanimous in their opinion of him as a hard-worker and a smooth but silent operator, who is highly principled.
Some of the journalists actually confided in me that they were utterly surprised when his name came up as the consensus governorship candidate of the APC in Yobe State. In fact, he could only break the news to them through the secretary of the Press Corps. He never granted interviews or issued statement on his political elevation.
With his background as a core politician with network of friends across the country, Mai Mala is definitely an asset to Yobe because of his capacity to bring the state into national political limelight and attract various projects from the Federal Government.
Yobe is a rural state with various challenges of development. The state also had its own bitter taste of the Boko Haram insurgency, which practically stalled development in areas that have direct impact on the human capital development indices. The insurgency caused economic dislocation and disrupted the social life of the state.
The out-going Governor Gaidam has performed excellently in building the confidence of the citizenry in the government as well as the provision of infrastructure and social services ranging from health care delivery to schools, roads, agriculture, etc. Indeed, he has acquainted himself creditably as the governor of Yobe in the most challenging period of the history of the state.
All eyes are now on Mai Mala Buni to consolidate on the achievements on Governor Gaidam and equally expand the frontiers of development in Yobe State.
The Police Minister said a Tactical Response Team Unit will be deployed here from today. They join a team of 20 already in the area to patrol the streets. (Photo: SAPS)
The Police Minister said a Tactical Response Team Unit will be deployed here from today. They join a team of 20 already in the area to patrol the streets. (Photo: SAPS)
Police Minister Bheki Cele has tasked Police Commissioner Khehla Sitole with investigating alleged corruption and misconduct at the Sophiatown Police Station, which services the violence ridden Westbury.
The intervention was just one of several announced by Cele during a community meeting at a local sportsground on Tuesday, amid protests. Since Thursday, angry residents have taken to the streets, blockading roads, burning tyres and littering, complaining of escalating levels of gangster wars and drug peddling.
Cele was accompanied by Sitole, Gauteng Community Safety MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, Member of Parliament Vincent Smith and City of Joburg Community Safety MMC Michael Sun, among others.
The investigation into alleged police misconduct will be completed in seven days.
“The National Commissioner will as from today institute an investigation into the behaviour of the station. The results of the probe will be released in a week,” Cele said.
The probe will establish if, as alleged, police were involved in corrupt activities.
“Sometimes they are [allegedly] in cohorts with the drug lords [and the] issue of station management at times were not cooperating with the community. Police will investigate those accused of being corrupt. We’ll work with you so we can immediately act,” he said.
He conceded that the community had every right to voice concerns. However, he warned that this did not mean they had to be violent while doing so.
“The right they do not have is to be violent as they do that. To say we’ve waited for the community to rise before coming here is not true,” he said.
During the engagement, the community requested that the police deploy a Tactical Response Team Unit. The police have obliged to the plea, Cele announced to loud cheers.
“That unit will be here from today. They join a team of 20 already in the area to patrol the streets.”
In 24 hours, Cele said, another police unit working on drug trade allegations would be announced.
Regarding impassioned pleas for the release of community members arrested during the violent clashes with police, Cele said the matter was beyond the control of the police.
“Bail is a question of the justice department, I don’t want to lie to you and say it will happen and it doesn’t. What we will do is, I will speak to [Justice] Minister [Michael] Masutha that you have made this request. Secondly, I’ll urge him to come with me so we can address these matters,” he said.
Cele said he and other relevant departments would be back in the area next week to deal with all matters raised.
