Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum on Monday outrightly rejected the naming of two blocks of hostel in his honour, at the Ramat Polytechnic in Maiduguri, which is owned by the State Government.
Zulum was at the polytechnic to commission the hostels for 1,500 students, which was recently renovated and reequipped by the State’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, using funds internally generated from the Polytechnic’s commercial activities.
The twin-project was named “Engr. Professor Babagana Umara Zulum male students’ hostel” but soon as it was announced, Zulum categorically declined.
“No, no, I will not allow any project named after me while I am in office. It should be after my tenure of office” the Governor said.
Also while reading a plaque he unveiled to commemorate the commissioning, Governor Zulum skipped the part his name was mentioned and instead said, “in commemoration of the commissioning of… male students’ hostel”.
Governor Zulum however paid glowing tribute to the Commissioner of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. Dr. Babagana Mallambe Mustapha for remarkable turn around of the Polytechnic’s fortunes.
The Polytechnic has been under the Commissioner’s direct supervision since September 2021, when Governor Zulum suspended management of the school.
Zulum had undertaken an impromptu visit to the Polytechnic at which the Governor was disappointed with the state of affairs.
The Governor lamented that some facilities he knew well at the school, including laboratories, were no longer functional.
Zulum was rector of the Polytechnic from 2011 to 2015. He was also a student from 1986 to 1988 for National Diploma in Engineering, before going for Bachelors Degree, Masters, and PhD at the University of Maiduguri and University of Ibadan.
Governor Zulum is known to have open affection for Ramat Polytechnic, and as such, he had directed Dr. Mustapha to restore the school’s glory while the management was suspended for six months.
In those six months (September 2021 to March 2022), Commissioner Mustapha supervised the restoration of dysfunctional facilities at the Polytechnic and carried out renovation and expansion works on a number of existing projects, and improved general administration of the tertiary school for which he was loudly praised by the Governor.
Zulum commended deputy rectors and other management staff for supporting the commissioner and contributing to the gains recorded.
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum on Sunday led key stakeholders on humanitarian visit to Gwoza local government area, with assessment of reconstruction works in Kirawa, ahead of resettling conflict displaced citizens in the border community.
Zulum was accompanied by personalities from Gwoza who included Senator Muhammad Ali Ndume, the member of House of Representatives, representing Gwoza, Damboa and Chibok federal constituency, Ahmed Usman Jaha, the member, representing Gwoza at the state Assembly, Abdullahi Buba Abatcha, and former Chairman of Gwoza LGA, Abdullahi Dan Jato.
Residents of Kirawa were forced by Boko Haram attacks to flee to border areas in neighboring Cameroon, in the wake of destruction of their homes and public facilities.
Governor Zulum in response, had set up a committee head by the state’s commissioner for housing and energy, Engr Saleh Vungas who hails from Gwoza, charged with resettling displaced citizens in Kirawa and Ngoshe towns both in Gwoza.
Zulum undertook different visits to both towns, supervising reconstruction works and distribution of humanitarian aid.
In his last visit (on Sunday) the Governor assessed homes and basic public services being rebuilt, assuring the restoration of water sources, healthcare facilities, schools and livelihoods.
… Sets three weeks deadline
After assessing works, Governor Zulum addressed citizens displaced by insurgent attacks, during which he disclosed that the government was making efforts to fast track reconstruction works that will enable commencement of resettlement within the next three weeks.
The Governor announced that male returnees will be supported with cash amount of N50,000 each along with food and non-food items, while their wives will receive N10,000 each and wrappers.
Zulum assured families whose houses have not been rebuilt, will be supported with N100,000 each and other forms of support, to enable them rebuild their homes.
The Governor enjoined the people to cooperate with the military by giving them maximum support by reporting suspicious persons and movements
…. Visits multinational JTF
While in Gwoza LGA, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum paid a morale boosting visit to the Multi-National Joint Taskforce made up of soldiers from the Nigerian and the Cameroonian military at their base in Kirawa. The MNJTF is involved with peace-building efforts in Kirawa and other areas.
Zulum commended the forces and assured of continued support, and he conveyed to them, the goodwill of a presidential committee on repatriation and resettlement of IDPs and Refugees being chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo with him as Vice chairman.
The Governor also commended local volunteers combining youths under the “civilian joint task force, hunters and vigilantes for their patriotic and unquantifiable support to the military. He urged them to remain cooperative with the MNJTF, and assured them of sustained provision of logistics.
The MNJTF’s commander showed Governor 517 bicycles and a number of motorcycles siezed from insurgents, which were deployed by the MNJTF for transportation of food and non food items between Sambisa forest and Mandara Mountains.
Kaduna APC Guber Aspirant, Mohammed Sani Dattijo (Credit: ThisDay)
By Ibrahim Mohammed
One of the gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi popularly known as Dattijo, has sought support of the Zazzau Emir Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli in his bid to clinch the seat.
Dattijo, a Prince of the Zazzau Emirate, drew his royal lineage from the late Emir of Zazzau His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dalhatu Usman Yero, of the Fulato-Borno ruling dynasty of Zazzau.
Dattijo told the Emir that he was in Zaria as part of two-day consultation visit to receive the blessings and prayers of the Emir before the official declaration of his gubernatorial aspiration which comes soon.
Similarly, Dattijo conversed with members of his ancestral home Amaru, where leader of the entire family, Walin Zazzau, Engr. Aminu Umar offered prayers for him and blessed him.
The Emir, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli who gave the advised while receiving the aspirant at his palace also extolled his leadership qualities and moral upbringing.
The emir advised him to carryout his campaigns with decorum and respect for other aspirants seeking same electoral positions across party lines.
Aside visiting his Kwarbai A Ward, and the Zaria Local Government APC offices, Dattijo also consulted with leaders and executives from the 13 political wards of the party in Zaria., where party executives and members were visibly excited and declared support for his aspiration.
The APC Chairperson of Zaria Local Government, Hajiya Rakiya Adamu in a remark said “Dattijo is our own Son, so this is our project. We will lead in mobilizing every support in Zaria and beyond for him”.
Muhammad Sani Dattijo also consulted with the Local Government Council Chairman, Hon Engr. Aliyu Idris Ibrahim and the member representing Zaria Birni Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon Suleiman Dabo, Wakilin Birnin Zazzau, and other key stakeholders of the party in the Zaria local government area.
*__The Judgment of the Court is per incuriam *Political Appointees are not public servants *The National Assembly is a necessary party and has a right to set same aside on Appeal *Compliance with the judgment of the trial court is a booby trap for the ruling APC__
*Introduction*
My attention has been drawn to the judgment of a Federal High Court sitting in Umaiha which declared the provisions of Section 84 (12) of the fledging Electoral Act, 2022 as unconstitional, null and void.
In a rather obfuscating manner, the Learned trial judge further directed the Attorney General of the Federation to “delete” the said section of the Act.
While the position of our Laws are clear to the effect that judgments of courts are vaild until set aside on appeal, no matter how erroneous they might be, however, considering the ratio decidendi of the decision of the court viz-a-viz the expidency and imminent consequence of the decision of the court on our political administration and party politics, it is therefore imperative to pensively dissect the judgment of the court in the light of the spirit of the Constitution and position of the Apex Court.
*Power of Court to Declare an Act of the National Assembly Unconstitutional*
Let us get a point clear, it is undoubted that Courts of Superior record by virtue of Section 6 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), have the power to declare an Act of the National Assembly unconstitutional, null and void to the extent of its inconsistency.
Moreso, plethora of authorities have established the principle that where a provision of an enactment by the legislature conflicts with the express provision of the Constitution, the said extant law shall be declared null and void. That is the essence of S1(3) of the 1999 constitution as Amended. It provides that “If any other law is inconsistent with the provision of this constitution, this constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void”
It is however instructive to note that in cases where legislation is contested for being in conflict with provisions of the Constitution, the courts have only one duty: “to lay the article of the Constitution which is invoked beside the statute which is challenged and to decide whether the latter squares with the former… See the cases of U.S. v. Butler et al (1936) 297 U.S 1 (and Marwa & Ors v. Nyako & Ors (1980) LPELR-2936 (SC).
In the case under review, the learned trial judge noted that the provision of Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act is inconsistent with the provision of Sections 66 (1) (f), 107(1) (f), 137 (1) (f) and 182 (1) (f) of the Constitution.
Suffices to state that a pensive justapoxing of the Sections of the Constitution relied upon by the learned trial judge require persons employed in the public service of either the federal government or state governments.
What is more, the provision of Section 318 of the Constitution as to who qualifies as a public servant is unambiguous. Similarly, decisions of Court abound on this clear position. See Dada V. Adeyeye (2005) 6 NWLR (Pt. 920), Ojonye V. Onu & ORS (2018) LPELR-44223) where the appellate Courts have held that political appointees or political office holders are not public servants as provided for under the Constitution.
It therefore implies that the decision of court, with respect, is per incuriam and the ratio of court cannot find coverage under the Sections of the Constitution cited by the learned trial judge to arrive at the decision.
Based on the doctrine of judicial precedents, it is quite apposite that the Appellate Court will set aside the decision of the trial court.
*On forum shopping and failure to join the National Assembly as a Necessary Party* .
For those who have mind to think, the perdurable questions to ask include:
Why was the suit filed in far away Umaiha, Abia State? Why were the National Assembly and Independent National Electoral Commission not joined as parties to the suit?
To answer these thought provoking questions, attention must be readily drawn to the fact that the National Assembly who is the authority empowered by Section 4 and 228 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the Independent National Electoral Commission who is empowered to regualte the conduct of elecrion in Nigeria by virtue of Section 153 of the Constitution respectively ought to have been joined by the Plaintiff as necessary parties to the action.
While it is not the duty of a judge to force on a Plaintiff the party to be sued, however judicial authorities abound to the effect that where a judge considers that a necesssry party has not been joined to an action, it can suo motu make an order for the joinder of such necessary party.
Without prejudice to the decision of the learned trial judge, we must reiterate that confidence in the judciariy must be upheld by all means and a reasonable man at all 1time must be able to retain his confidence in same. We must not allow political jiggery-pokery and desperacy destroy the fabrics of the Nigerian Judiciary. By way of allusion to the words of Niki Tobi JSC (of blessed memory) in the case of Buhari v INEC & Ors. (2008) LPELR-814(SC), the learned legal luminary from his wealth of wisdom advised on the need to be circumspect on issues bothering on politics and the judiciary thus:
The two professions do not meet and will never meet at all in our democracy in the discharge of their functions. While politics as a profession is fully and totally based on partiality, most of the time, judgeship as a profession is fully and totally based on impartiality, the opposite of partiality. Bias is the trade mark of politicians. Non-bias is the trade mark of the Judge. That again creates a scenario of superlatives in the realm of opposites. Therefore the expressions, “politician” and “Judge” are opposites, so to say, in their functional contents as above; though not in their ordinary dictionary meaning. Their waters never meet in the same way Rivers Niger and Benue meet at the confluence near Lokoja. If they meet, the victim will be democracy most of the time.
*The judgment of the court is a Bobby trap for the ruling All Progressives Congress*
The reaction of the Federal Government and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation to the evanescent decision of the Court leaves too much to be desired of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
It is instructive to note that the Peoples Democratic Party including other prominent political parties has concluded its Convention, if the All Progressives Congress should rely on the ephemeral judgment of the Court and proceed to permit Political Appointees vote and contest at its primaries and conventions, same is a disaster going somewhere to happen.
What readily comes to mind is the decision of the Supreme Court in Zamfara State where the Apex Court held that there were no validly elected candidates in the various elective position in the state from the APC.
In lending my two cents, it is not a triumph neither is it z time for drunk fanfare for the All Progressive Congress. The leadership of the party must be very circumspect in preventing a repeat of what happened in Zamfara State.
*Conclusion*
It is quite glaring that the tale of the future of the provision of Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act is not that of an unrivalled woe, the National Assembly and Independent National Electoral Commission have a right to challenge the decision of the trial court as same is likely to set aside on
As the race for the 2023 Presidential Election gathers momentum across Nigeria, Northern based groups under aegis of Arewa Coalition for Rotational Presidency (ACRP) have come out strongly against aspirants from the North, saying it would be unfair for north to retain power after eight years.
The group also vowed to practically rise and mobilize against all Presidential candidates from the North,who dared to contest under any political party during the general elections.
In statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of ACRP, Comrade Abdullahi Biu and Hamza Malumfashi said it will be fair and just for the seat of the President to return to the South after President Muhammadu Buhari from the North, would spend two terms of eight years in power.
The statement further reads : “The current brewing political tension stirred by the call for power shift to South by Southern Governors and groups can only be doused , when all Stakeholders from the North, Governors and political parties agree to the Presidency.
“In the interest of peace ;equity and Justice, more so, that the North has been in power for eight years now, the idea of North even contesting for the highly exalted position of the President should be immediately jettisoned .
“All those who pick nomination forms, especially from the People’s Democratic Party should step down if they are true democrats .
“As a group of democrats from the 19 Northerner States, we strongly believe in the principle of equity and fairness as a panacea for peace , progress and, thus our resolve to support rotation of power to our brothers in the southern region .
“It is against this background that we are advising all the political parties , especially the two major parties, APC and PDP to field only southern Candidates”.
Village Heads from Bishini 1 in Kachia and Kufana in Kajuru Local Government Areas have commended the Kaduna State Government for the creation of Kachia and Kufana Chiefdoms.
Speaking with Journalists in Kaduna Thursday, the village Heads also acknowledged what they called development strides of the e-rufai administration across the State.
Spokesman for the leaders and Village Head of Kalla, Makama Audu rebuffed Mr. Dio Maisamari and 1 other, who claimed representing Adara Development Association, but said to have spoken against the creation. Dissociating themselves from the stance of the two persons, the Village Heads said they were the true representatives of the communities and were not consulted by any one with opposing views
“We have come out to tell the World that we are the true community leaders .We are in support of all government policies and programmes that enhance development. We equally appreciate the Executive Governor of Kaduna State for his developmental strides which cut across all the Local Government Areas of the State”, they said.
While pledging their loyalty to the Governor, the Village Heads however appealed for the upgrading of the status of the new Chiefdoms in Kachia to First class and Second Class for Kufana. They also urged the Governor to appoint Adara natives as the new chiefs of the Chiefdoms considering their population which constitutes 90% . The village heads enjoined their people to remain law abiding and support government’s program for the over all development of the State.
Officials of the Kaduna State Council and Chapels of the Nigeria Union of Journalists have been tasked to think about how they use their position to bring out the best in those they lead.
How they use their power is not only a reflection of who they are, but a key determinant of how successful they would be.
The Executive Director, Africa Media Development Foundation, (AMDF) Mr Iliya Kure made the assertion in Kaduna at a 2-day Workshop on Leadership and Management Styles organised for the officials by the AMDF in collaboration with the Council.
Participants at the workshop brainstormed on Leadership and Management , Supervision and Delegating Tasks, Qualities of a Good leader, Mentoring and Coaching , Conflict Management and Communication, among others.
Leadership, Mr. Kure emphasized, is the ability to influence the behaviour and way of work of other people towards achieving a common goal.
He advised the participants to ensure that they have a shared vision which could outlive them and also adopt the spirit of coaching and mentoring others who could perform their exact roles in their absence.
As leaders, Mr. Kure emphasized, they should set their objectives without being selfish and self centric, provide vision, people focus, motivate, goal oriented and risk taking as well as inspiring others to do better in their work.
They should also be courageous to take responsibility for failure and own credit collectively when succeeded.
On time management, Mr. Kure told the participants that good time management leads to improved efficiency and productivity, less stress and success in life.
Touching on Democratic and Autocratic leaders, the AMDF Boss told the participants that democratic leader looks for consensus, open to opinion or approachable, but autocratic leader might not be pleasant for underlings although it could be effective..
He charged them to imbibe the spirit of team work and friendship to enable them rise to meet their challenges.
In her presentation, AMDF Deputy Director, Mrs Sekyen Dadik who spoke on conflict management said one of the ways to resolving clashes is to focus on problem solving rather than pointing fingers.
She also identified accommodating, stay calm and listen to understand, as tools for managing conflicts.
This was after she had identified causes of conflicts to include poor communication, assumptions, opposing interest, different values, ignorance and desire for power.
The Chairman, Kaduna State council of the NUJ, Hajia Asma’u Yawo Halilu and her Vice, Mr. Daniel Duniya who spoke respectively acknowledged the rare opportunity provided the Council by the AMDF. They urged their colleagues to utilize the knowledge they have acquired from the training for the growth of their respective chapels.
The training was part of the memorandum of understanding signed last month between the African Media Development Foundation and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kaduna State Council.
Fatu Sulei, 32-year-old widow residing in Billiri, northeast Nigeria, will not quickly forget the 2021 Christmas. It was a memorable one, filled with joy and many reasons to ‘give thanks to God’. Hours to Christmas Fatu received gifts of what to cook for her three children, as well as a wrapper, to sew a dress for herself.
Fatu, who was thinking of what to cook on Christmas day, was full of Joy when she got an invitation from Community Life Transformation Ministry (CLTM), on 22rd December, to receive Christmas support alongside 29 other widows.
“I am full of gratitude to God, and to you for providing these items to us,” Mrs Sulei told officials of CLTM, the Christian Ministry that presented her with a bag of Rice, Spaghetti, Salt, Maggi seasoning and wrapper for the Christmas celebration.
“This will greatly help me and my children in the celebration of Christmas. We were disturbed on how the Christmas would be for us. My kids kept saying we don’t have rice for the Christmas. But see how God worked it out through this Ministry,” she told AFRICA PRIME NEWS.
Fatu, who lost her husband three years ago, is a fulltime housewife with three children – the first is seven years old, the second, six years and the last, two years.
Little Support Big Impact
CLTM is a Christian organisation that is progressively empowering and touching the lives of the needy in Tangale community, northeast of Nigeria.
The Ministry has been doing that through provision of basic life support items like food and clothing, as well as provision of financial support for education, business and spiritual growth.
Pastors supported by CLTM
The Ministry has over time been consistent in supporting its target groups, mainly widows, orphans and pastors.
CLTM also runs workshops where it equips young people through a mentoring programme. It provides educational and socio-economic empowerment in an effort to create flourishing communities.
Last July, the group distributed grains to widows and orphans in Billiri worth over N200,000.
In August, it distributed food items and cash to 55 pastors in Tangale communities of Billiri and Akko Local Government Areas of Gombe State.
During the 2021 Ramadan, bags of millet were distributed among Muslim faithful and bags of rice were given to them during the Sallah celebration.
The Ministry also disburses educational scholarships, covering full tuition fees, to 13 University students under its “MAFEELDA Scholars” programme – all the beneficiaries are classified ‘under-privileged’ individuals.
In the last two years, CLTM gave out over N1,000,000.00 as scholarship to 15 orphans towards their tuition fees.
Kefas Ezra Audu, a 200 Level Medical Student of Gombe State University, an orphan and recipient of the students’ scholarship scheme told AFRICA PRIME NEWS that he has been receiving the support for two consecutive years.
“I am one of the 15 students that are benefitting from the educational scholarship scheme,” he explained.
“In 2021, I was given N50,000.00 for the second year in a row, to support my school fees,” he said.
MAFEELDA Fellows attending a workshop organised by CLTM
Pastor Samaila Kallabi, who was among the recipients of the support in August told AFRICA PRIME NEWS, that the support was timely, “it was during the raining season, you know things are usually difficult at that time – it was a bit difficult for me too, my food store had depleted and I had no single rice in my house,”
Pastor Kallabi who said he has known the organisation for some time now, expressed appreciation for coming to the aid of Pastors in Tangale land, especially in the time of their need.
“You know, when you are in Ministry you need support to help fill up gaps.” He added.
So far, CLTM assisted 700 women in 10 years, and 150 pastors in 2 years. It also gave out over N1,000,000.00 as scholarship to 15 orphans towards their tuition fees.
Partnership and Sponsorship
To effectively carry out these activities, the Ministry enjoys support from individuals and bodies within and outside Nigeria. Its sister partner is the USA-based African Centre for Mentorship (ACM).
Food items for distribution to the target group
CLTM identifies one of its foreign sponsors as Christian Assembly Church in Friend, Nebraska, USA. Pastor of the Church, Eric Black, served as missionary in Billiri, northeast Nigeria, between 2012 and 2018.
To highlight it in form of appreciation, shortly after undertaking one of its intervention activities in August last year, the Ministry wrote on its website, “CLTM/ACM distributed rice and funds worth more than half a million Naira to 55 pastors. Glory be to God.
“This project was sponsored by the Friend Christian Assembly in Friend, NE. They sent us $1,000 and someone added $100. This was exchanged at N495 plus the N5,500 CBN bonus of N5 to any $1 withdrawal. This totalled N550,000.”
Speaking with AFRICA PRIME NEWS, President of Ministry, Rev. Andele Tadi, said CLTM/ACM is hopeful that beneficiaries of its programmes, mainly the youth, will be developed and well-equipped to mentor and develop others in the future.
Andele expressed appreciation to sponsors and supporters of the Ministry’s projects, saying “thanks to all our sponsors for their love and generosity. Thanks for helping in shaping the lives of the future leaders of Africa.”
Also speaking, Director of the Ministry, Mr. Sabastine Timothy, said they target the July/August period to help people break out of the circle of poverty, knowing very well that majority of people, especially the widows, would have exhausted what they stored by the rainy season.
According to him, the poor are forced to borrow at that period from neighbours or business persons who would usually demand four or five times the amount in repayment after the harvest.
Mr. Timothy called on well-wishers to join the ministry in alleviating the needs of the orphans and widows, saying the space is wide, no support is too small in helping the needy. We need to join hands and do our best,” he said.
