Determined to ensure improved its performance in all ramifications, the Nigeria Police Force said it has forwarded a bill to the National Assembly, “Police Trust Fund” if approved, seek to improve the funding of its activities in the country.
The effect of the passage of the bill, according to Deputy Inspector General of Police, North West zone, Alhaji Dikko Maigari Abbati during a stateholders meeting in Kaduna, northwest Nigeria, Monday, noted that it would improve service delivery in the police force.
He explained that the idea of the Police Trust Fund was revisited by the present Inspector General of Police which was sent to the National Assembly in 2008 without anything done on the bill.
“The present Inspector General of Police decided to give it a retrial and with the help of concerned Nigerians on the need to improve police welfare to enhance its performance of the police force. The bill has gone through the first reading and will soon go to the second reading before the public hearing,” he emphasized.
With the Police Trust Fund, he believes that the Nigeria Police would have another source of funding different projects different from the budget, adding that with improved funding, there would be improved service delivery to the general public.
The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, had complained of the incessant cases of forceful marriage and conversion of minors to another religion without the consent of their parents, calling on the police to take decisive measures towards arresting the ugly situation for a healthy and harmonious coexistence in the country.
CAN stressed the need for continuous recruiting of police persnnel to meet the increase presence of police in every nook and cranny in the country.
The Jama’atu Nasir Islam requested that suspected criminals be made public for easy identification by members of their families and communities for immediate action against the suspects as a means of curtailing their criminal activities in the society.
The traditional rulers appealed to the federal government to improve the funding of police to enable them cope with increasing insecurity in the country, pointing out that with improved welfare package, the police personnel would be alive to their responsibilities.
The people of ungwar Jatau behind National Teachers Institute, Kaduna, northwest Nigeria, have lamented their deplorable condition leading patients in the area being carried on wheel barrow in search of medical treatment.
The situation in the area is so pathetic that there is nothing like government presence of any magnitude that one could think of except primary school constructed by the community itself.
Narrating the ordeal of the area to newsmen when Womenhood Foundation of Nigeria went on medical outreach, the traditional ruler, Mr. Musa Ayuba, said there was nothing members of the community had not done to persuade both past and present state and local governments in the state to come to their aid but to no avail.
“You people can see for yourselves what we are passing through in the community in spite of the fact we are just a stone throw to Rigachikun and the National Teachers Institute, Kaduna but without a single social amenities to show for it in this 21st century.
“The worst situation we are facing is lack of bridge that links us to the rest of the people. The moment it rains, we are completely cut off from the rest of the world sometimes for days depending with the magnitude of the water in the river.
“As a result of our pathetic situation, we have lost a very good number of people who have drown in the river moment it rains in an attempt to cross, and still, our children can not go to school or our women can not go to the market and valuable things can not be taken to the market in spite of the abundance crops being cultivated.
“We are in a different world because there is just nothing to show that we are Nigerians that have government despite our closeness to Rigachikun and Nation Teachers Institute, Kaduna.
“We are therefore still appealing to the federal, Kaduna State and Igabi local governments to please show us every sense of belonging and provide us with social amenities for a better standard of living,” he lamented.
The leader of the medical outreach and chairperson, Women Foundation of Nigeria, Hajia Mariyam Abubakar, said the outreach was carried out having received a report of the pathetic situation of the community, decided to visit the community to render free medical treatment to the members of the community.
She assured the community that the womenhood center woukd train any youth from the community as a medical personnel to take up the challenge facing the community.
Members of the community were given free medical treatment on Malaria and other related diseases.
Agboola Idris is the event coordinator and a Public Relation Associate of Best Buy Made-In-Naija, a trade fair and exhibition show, packaged by Colour world event and tours. In this chat with Alli Abiola, Idris expounds the much anticipated Trade fair and exhibition show, the reason behind the choice of Ibadan, Oyo state as the location, the influence of technology in the events and entertainment industry amongst other general issues. Excerpt below:
Why has Colour World Event and Tours (COWET) decided to have a Trade fair and exhibition show in Ibadan at this time?
Colour World Event and Tours is a brand known for its unique values. After serious of surveys and evaluation, we realized there are loads and lots of potentials in the city of Ibadan and all we need to do is – create a platform and an enabling environment.
Something unique must have inspired this, is it the economy, the entertainment industry or something more?
There is the urgent need for everyone to do something about the economic state of our dear nation. We can only improve our economy by growing the naira and (then) this is possible by promoting Made in Nigeria products and items, which explains why the theme for this trade fair is – Best Buy Made in Naija.
From your serious preparations, a successful trade fair can be predicted even ahead of time. What happens thereafter?
After this trade fair, we hope to ensure that this initiative is repeated every year and also carried out in other cities, starting with the South-West region of Nigeria.
You are a veteran in the industry, what would you say is the most challenging part of putting together an event? And what are the key elements of a successful business event?
Putting an event together is a very serious and tedious job; especially in a town not so familiar with things like this. But with good and focused team members at COWET, it’s been perfect and so far so good, the response has been encouraging. If you wish to organize a successful event, you must first be determined and focused.
There must also be a proper and detailed analysis of the event, then a good understanding of the environment. Good teamwork and With God, all things are possible.
In the business of Event and Tour, where do you think technology stands and what are your prediction about the industry in the next 5 years?
Technology has been of tremendous help and added so much value to the business of Events and Tours. I’ll give you a typical example. Many years ago, people travel to an office just to pick forms and fill, but technology has made it possible for anyone to fill any form online – even you make payments online. In the arrangement of tours, you can monitor your clients comfort without having to be with them wherever they are.
Five years from now, I believe technology would have helped reduced manpower and stress. Though it has a major disadvantage – this will mean that – so many people will lose their jobs as machines will now do the jobs made for men.
How do you rate entertainment shows and its acceptance in Ibadan?
I can categorically tell you that the acceptance of entertainment shows in Ibadan as we speak is more than that of Lagos. I know many people will doubt that. I will give you an instance. The Easter Collaboration Show recently organized at Ibadan International Conference Center that brought Olamide and other contemporary artistes to Ibadan; the ticket was sold out before the event and that was the same day AY Live was been organized in Lagos. Another truth is that you spend less in organizing a show in Ibadan compared to Lagos and you make more profit here in Ibadan than you will in Lagos- offering the same, even better services.
How has Colour World Event and Tours (COWET) remained a well-respected player in the event industry? What has brought you this far?
At Colour World Event and Tours, we have a very vibrant C.E.O who values standard and she ensures that everything and anything handled by the company is done with finesse and its done perfectly. Then, dedication, hard work, and commitment from every member of COWET family has brought the company this far.
How do you measure the success of your events and what lays ahead for AGBOOLA IDRIS (and the brand – COWET)?
The success of this event matters a lot on the numbers of vendors we have on our stands to display their goods and also the turnout of buyers to buy from them. The sellers have to be happy for making good sales and the buyers to be very happy too for making best buy and we hope this help our people to also see that made in Nigeria products are also of good quality.
An arrest warrant has been handed for the arrest of two army officers in Gambia for allegedly shooting a journalist –Deyda Hydara in 2004.
The warrant is for Sanna Manjang and Kawsu Camara, who were said to have be absent from the country as at the time of the issuance of the arrest warrant.
Hydara who had been shot dead in 2004 was before his death was a co-founder and managing editor of a local Newspaper called (The Point) and a correspondent for ‘Agence France Presse’ and ‘Reporters without Borders.
He was also an advocate of press freedom and a fierce critic of the government of then President Yahya Jammeh, who was openly hostile to Gambian journalists and the media.
On 14 December 2004, the Gambia passed two new media laws. One, the Criminal Code (Amendment) Bill 2004, which allowed prison terms for defamation and sedition.
The other law was that the Newspaper (Amendment) Bill 2004, which required newspaper owners to purchase expensive operating licenses, registering their homes as security.
Hydara announced his intent to challenge these laws, but on 16 December, he was assassinated by an unknown gunman while driving home from work in Banjul. Two of his colleagues were injured. It was believed that the act was carried out by the then government of Yahya Jammeh.
Gambia’s information minister earlier this month declared his intention of bringing to book crimes committed under the country’s former President, Yahya Jemmah.
Rights groups say Jammeh oversaw a regime accused of torturing and killing opponents, including journalists. Jammeh flew into exile in January after losing elections.
Following controversies surrounding recent statements made by the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi ll, a Non-Governmental Organization, National Tranquility Movement, NTM, has observed that the issues raised should be discussed rather than the person himself.
Addressing newsmen Saturday in Kaduna, Northern Nigeria on issues raised by a cross section of people following the Emir of Kano’s recent statements, the founder of National Tranquility Movement, Alhaji Mohammed Ibrahim Gashah, enjoined Nigerians to look at what was causing conflict rather than the prrson on the other side of the conflict.
He observed, “If we as Nigerians are going to bring our country out from the problems we are facing today, we need to look at how to harness our best minds and hearts and talents to bring about change.
“If we feel that Emir Sanusi is not honoring the Emirate by his utterances, let us look not only at the uttrrances, but let us also look at what role the Emirate can play in today’s world, a world of the young, the Emmanuel Macrons, the people who see the world in a new way.
“Nigeria is our country and we can lose our way by focusing on what is in the past instead of embracing the future. I have not spoken to Emir Sanusi in many years but l believe that he has always had the interest of Nigeria at heart.”
He explained that Emirs have been expected to be largely ceremonial leaders. “They are seen at auspicious occasions where it is mainly their presence that is noted, and seen as a sign of support, “What type of father is it that will allow his children to be cheated, brutalized, degraded, demoralized, and will sit on his throne and be silent?” he asked.
Alhaji Gashah observed that the notion of Emirs has been largely that, they should be seen as ceremonial leaders, stressing, “As a famous philosopher said, not to act is to act.”
He enjoined those who are threatened by the Emir’s utterances to see how they can improve the country by pointing to the Emir where he has mistakes with a view of correcting each others for a better tomorrow.
He opined, “If he has made mistakes, they can be pointed out to him. If his reasoning is wrong, someone can show him where and how it is wrong. If it is correct and he is making valid points, wisdom mandates that what he says be considered with a calm and inquiring mind and spirit.” END
Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service, KDRIS, in northwest Nigeria, has obtained an order of the court to seal off the premises of Kaduna Electric and five other companies for failure to pay tax amounting to N216,367,453.64.
The Executive Chairman of KDIRS, Muktar Ahmed, made this known to newsmen in Kaduna, explained that Kaduna Electric Distribution Company premises, known as Electricity House, No 1-2, Ahmadu Bello Way, Kaduna, would be sealed off for not settling outstanding Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax liability to the tune of N210.6 million.
He added that Rosehill Luxury Ltd known as Deluxe Suite at No 3, Ali Akilu Road, Kaduna would also be sealed for not settling N2,181,888.32 PAYE tax liability from 2011 to 2012.
Katsina Ventures Petroleum at Marabar Jos, Zaria Road Kaduna, he said, belonging to one Alh. Nuhu Katsina, for not settling N905, 608.56 outstanding tax assessment for 2012 to 2015 would be sealed off.
The Executive Chairman said Value Oil Petroleum at Nnamdi Azikiwe Way, Kaduna, belonging to one Alh. Abdullahi Adams, for not settling N905, 608.56 outstanding tax assessment for 2012 to 2015 would be sealed off.
Similarly, he stressed that Mashasha Petroleum at Nnamdi Azikiwe Way, Kaduna, belonging to one Alh. Mohammed Danlami, would equally be sealed for not settling N905, 608.56 outstanding tax assessment for 2012 to 2015.
Another company belonging to one Alh. Abubakar Sidi, Sidi Global Petrol at Zaria, would also be sealed by the service for not settling N800,000 outstanding tax assessment for 2012 to 2015.
According to Ahmed, the service had liaised with all relevant stakeholders to seal the premises of the affected companies by next week.
He said that the state would no longer tolerate the negative culture of not paying tax.
“Currently, tax payers are owing the state government N5 billion tax. “We would use all legal means at our disposal to ensure that all unremitted tax are paid.
“We have over 50 tax related ongoing cases at various courts in the state and any one who fails to pay his tax as at when due would be prosecuted, “he emphasized.
The Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service had recently threatened to seal all banks operating in the state that failed to pay its communication mast and Signage fees as required by law.
They showed their pernicious hands again last Sunday, and have been on the prowl since then, roaring like a lion, seeking who to devour. Purveyors of death they are, and they have killed President Muhammadu Buhari many times over, cloned the websites of international media houses to announce the hoax, but their wishes did not become horses, so they remain stranded, with nothing to ride.
Between January 19, this year, when the President first proceeded on vacation, and March 10, when he returned, they had announced his demise many times. They even created apocryphal images and footages to back up their inhuman claims, but God showed them He was the ultimate. The Real Deal, the Special One. President Buhari came back alive, and disclosed that he would still return to London at a later date for medical follow-up. He eventually left on the night of Sunday, May 7.
They saw the Deux ex machina, the Invisible Hands of God, between January and March, but they are so steeped and marooned in unbelief, evil wishes and malediction, that they have started all over again. Last Sunday, they cloned popular websites for the umpteenth time, using them to announce the figment of their diseased imagination. They learnt nothing, and forgot nothing from the immediate past experience. And you begin to ask yourself, just as the Good Book also asked:”Why do the heathens rage, and the people imagine vain things?” Why do they arrogate to themselves the power that belongs only to God? “I can kill, and I can make alive,” says God in His word. But these purveyors of hate possibly don’t know God. That is why they declare a man dead, when God has not said so. Once has God spoken, and twice have I heard it, that power belongs to God.
Millions upon millions of Nigerians love President Muhammadu Buhari. They love his simplicity, his forthrightness, incorruptibility, love of country, and many other virtues. And they are praying. Bombarding Heaven with petitions. Baba o, Baba o, Baba o. Olorun da Baba si fun wa, Baba o, Baba o, Baba o. Olorun da Baba si fun wa. Oh God, spare our Baba, the father of the country. Spare him for us, O Lord we pray. And Heaven is listening to the supplications. We await the full manifestation.
Millions of us can follow Baba blindfolded into battle. We love him that much, and it is within our rights. But have you seen a man ever loved by everybody? Show me. Even if you feed an entire city daily, some people still won’t like your guts. So, those who are not Buharists have a right to their convictions. But must any human being be hateful to the point of wishing another person dead, and indeed broadcasting a death that never happened? Shame. Shame upon evil wishers, purveyors of lies and wickedness. Do they have blood running in their veins at all? Do they realize that wishing another person dead, is sin before God? Yet they go to churches, mosques, and other worship houses. Who are they worshiping? The Unknown God.
Why do some people, a tiny but vocal minority, wish the President dead? Do they know that if God wills, the man they wish dead could outlive them by many years? There was a lady who was very active on social media in 2015, before the presidential election of that year. She was in the league of anti-Buhari elements. Oh, he was too old. Oh, he was sickly. Yes, he would soon die. The lady was rabidly pontifical in her convictions, parading herself as someone with a charmed life, who would live forever. And then, it happened! Sometime last year, she died! When I saw the news online, I just shook my head, and prayed for the repose of her soul. I did not gloat. No need to. Not in her wildest imagination could she have thought that she would pre-decease President Buhari. But who has the final say? Jehovah has the final say. The breath of man is in his nostrils, and God can decide to extinguish his candle at anytime. Jehovah has the final say. It is not by age, not by how healthy you seem, or how sickly you are. It’s a lesson some people have not learnt. They learn nothing, and forget nothing.
Back to the earlier question. Why do some people want their own President dead? Why do they want the eclipse of a man who is actuated by nothing other than love for his country? Why have they constituted themselves into enemies of national progress, haters of all that is good? Why do they prefer the dark jungle of infamy to the light of a clear and bright day, signposted by freedom from rapacity and lootocracy? Who then are these enemies?
“Our enemies are the political profiteers, the swindlers, the men in high and low places that seek bribes and demand 10 percent, those that seek to keep the country divided permanently so that they can remain in office as Ministers or VIPs at least, the tribalists, the nepotists, those that make the country look big for nothing before international circles, those that have corrupted our society and put the Nigerian political calendar back by their words and deeds.”
Those were the words of Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, after the country’s first military coup in 1966. You may like Nzeogwu, or you may not, depending on how you view his actions and inactions. But you can hardly deny the veracity of what he said. And 51 years later, the words still ring true.
The enemies of Buhari are the political profiteers. To them, political office is not about service, but about making profit. Ordinary people can go to hell, and stay there. Personal profit is the name of the game. The swindlers, too. Enemies of righteousness and transparency. They swindle man, and even try to swindle God. Of course, they wouldn’t want a new sheriff in town. They’d rather shoot him, and sing the reggae song:”I shot the sheriff…”
Those that seek bribe and demand 10 percent. Enemies. Only that they are not satiated by 10 percent again. They take the entire 100 percent, and leave the country prostrate. But when a Daniel comes to judgment, and hurls them before the law, knowing neither friend nor foe, they wish that he dies. Gerrout, so that business as usual continues, they shout.
Those that seek to keep the country divided permanently. Evil souls. They use all the fault lines. Religion. Ethnicity. Language. Everything. We saw it all in the 2015 elections. They cashed in on all things that divide us as a people. But Nigerians were resolute for change, and they got it. But did those people give up? Did Pharaoh desist from pursuing the people of Israel? Hell, no! Till he ended in a watery grave. The stubborn fly follows the corpse into the grave. For the greater part of this year, President Buhari has been away from home. But whether present or absent, he still looms large. The mere fact that his shadow hovers over the land riles evil workers to no end. But what can anybody do? Jehovah has the final say.
The old order is giving way for a new one in Nigeria. In just two years, the back of insurgency has been broken, corruption is taking a shellacking, and the comatose economy is turning round. Despite it all, some people still wish the President dead. Sad and sorry. But thankfully, they don’t have the final say.
However, if they refuse to repent, we can repent on their behalf, lest judgment comes speedily on them. How dreadful it would be.
Lord, we are sorry, We’ve turned around and gone astray, Your trust for us we have betrayed, Your power we don’t recognize Your Lordship we have all despised, We cannot pretend We all now repent Forgive us Lord we pray Bring down your glory…
May God bless Panam Percy Paul, who sang the song. May God accept our repentance on behalf of evil wishers. May God spare our President, and restore him to full health.
Baba o, Baba o, Baba o, Oluwa da Baba si fun wa.
Lord, please spare our President. Spare him for us, to the glory of your name. Let those who learn nothing, and forget nothing, be purged of all evil. Let them turn new leaf.
Amen somebody!
Adesina is Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari
The Coordinator, Africa Media Develppment Foundatoon, AMDF, Mrs Sekyen Dadik, has noted with delight that the emergence of the Internet and the proliferation of different social media platforms have widened the space for interaction for people around the world.
“Not only has it provided ease for the media in terms of disseminating information, it has proven a dependable tool for the Civil Society Organization, CSO, in tracking and engaging government and the general public,” she added.
Speaking in Kaduna, northwest Nigeria on, “Social Media Etcetera”, organized by Africa Media Development Foundation, she noted that the event provides participants an opportunity to showcase how the social media could be further harnessed to enhance public good, engaging public officials for development and promote peaceful coexistence among diverse groups of people.
Mrs Dadik explained, “As a Media Development Organization that provides professional support to the journalists, AMDF had trained a number of journalists in ‘Online Journalism’ and ‘Social Media for the Journalists.’
“This has led to the formation of different platforms like the League of Professional Online Journalists’ (LEPOJ), to promote effective use of social media for information dissemination for the journalist.
“AMDF has also successfully supported the formation of NextMerge, a group of IT professionals working on innovations that will be of benefit to the journalists in carrying out their assignment.”
The Coordinator expressed hope that at the end of the event, participants would see the need to engage the social media in advancing their causes through networking, information gathering and sharing, research, setting of goals, engaging public officials and tracking of personal and community progress. For the sake of those meeting us for the first time, she added, AMDF in its over two years of existence had successfully trained over a hundred journalists in fundamentals of journalism, specialized reporting, development and investigative reporting.
“We have worked closely and supported a team of investigative journalists in Kaduna. They have investigated and reported stories which drew the attention of government and philanthropists to plight of communities. All their stories have been acted upon – some drawing intervention from patriotic Nigerians, including students. Others have forced government to sit up, while others led professional medical union to ensure discipline among health workers in specific hospitals investigated.
“AMDF had partnered with the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association and Haemophilia Foundation of Nigeria in training journalists on reporting zoonotic diseases and haemophilia respectively; we also facilitated a media forum for National Democratic Institute to promote participation of women in politics, among other activities.
“We have been engaging media executives through round table discussions like the annual Media Clinic; to discuss media development issues to identify better strategies for agenda setting,” she observed.
Mr. Jonathan Gaiya, who presented a paprr on, “Use of Social Media Tools to Advance Human Cause and Civic Engagement” noted that the social media has come to stay in the development of the society in information dissemination.
He explained that ICT has played a crucial role in advancing the work of journalists and other professions through the use of the social media, adding that the social media has changed and shaped the way people all over the world communicate.
Also, a panel discussion on, “Experience in Use of Social Media Tools by Diverse Groups in Nigerian Society and way forward” was extensively deliberated on by three specialists on the best way to use the social media in business, media and other aspects of your life.
Participants were drawn from Civil Society Organizations, media, government, private organizations and individuals for better understanding and use of the social media.
Determined to ensure improved its performance in all ramifications, the Nigeria Police Force said it has forwarded a bill to the National Assembly, “Police Trust Fund” if approved, seek to improve the funding of its activities in the country.
