Freetown, Sierra Leone, Thursday 8 April 2021 – His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has continued his citizens’ engagement, using the most popular national breakfast programmes on Radio Democracy 98.1 and Star Television, and taken questions on three years of his administration.

He said it was very necessary for a genuine leader to directly engage the citizens of their nation through independent channels of communications on things that had happened or were expected to happen around their administration. He added that it was, therefore, his responsibility to directly engage with and give the citizens some firsthand information on his administration since 2018.

He said he had toured many parts of the country, in the last three years, to see things for himself, particularly to monitor the Free Quality School Education, which was his government’s flagship programme.

“To have a happy nation, the people should be happy. That is why I have taken the burden of paying school fees for about 2.5 million school children in the country. The parents of those children, who now put those school fees into other use, are quite happy because government has taken away that burden from them. No nation can ever develop without education. The future of this nation is our children. So, we have to invest hugely in educating the children and to have a happy and progressive nation in future,” he stated.

He also noted that in the international arena, the Sierra Leone everyone was calling all sorts of names was now a subject of admiration because of the disciplined leadership he was providing in the day-to-day running of the state.

President Julius Maada Bio further assured the nation that other governments would one day come and see that he did a very good work by rebranding the image of the country, investing in the children and committing to the fight against corruption. He assured that over the years he had taken time to diagnose the true nature of the challenges in the country and was calling on everyone to play their parts as a citizen to see a better Sierra Leone.

Speaking on corruption allegations in his government, President Bio said he had no sacred cow to protect, adding that all those who continued to accuse his office and that of the Office of the First Lady had not provided any evidence to support their claims. He called it a calculated effort to smear the image of the country and those with good intentions to help transform Sierra Leone.

“The First Lady used government’s money to support government activities. The “Hands Off Our Girls” is in every district of this nation. She used the money for the desired purposes. That can be proven, and it does not amount to corruption,” he stated.

He maintained that the country’s efforts at fighting corruption were being recognised internationally, adding that concerted efforts were also being made by the Anyi-Corruption Commission to ensure that corruption became unfashionable.

Speaking at the Star Good Morning Show, President Julius Maada Bio stated that there was no quick fix to national problems, but assured that deliberate actions had been taken by the New Direction administration to revamp the economy that would support government’s aspirations. He added that that was why he had also prioritised agriculture as an important pillar to national development.

“My government has provided more than 400 tractors and their facilities are available everywhere in the country. We are working with our development partners and registered agricultural businesses. Our target is to have viable agricultural enterprises that will take care of societal problems,” he asserted.

He further urged everyone to make farming a way of life and a lifestyle to be able to provide food for the country, saying that no Sierra Leonean should be left out in the development of the nation.

On the part of women’s empowerment, President Bio said his government had done a lot to protect, promote and dignify women and girls. He added that women were important partners in development and who should not be left out in the planning and development of the country.

“The national campaign by the First Lady is to raise the self-esteem of women and girls and to protect them. The Sexual Offenses Act, the establishment of the Sexual Offense Model Court, the one-stop-centre for Sexual and Gender Based Violence matters, the Male Involvement Strategy were done to signal the seriousness of my administration to empower women and girls in the country,” he concluded

Nothern groups, Wednesday converged on Kaduna, to proffer solutions to Nigeria’s numerous challenges particularly the Nothern part of the country.

This is just as the Chairman, Northern Elders Forum, Prof Ango Abdullahi also advised the national leadership to view with seriousness the secession threats by certain parts of the country.

Tagged “Nothern Peoples Summit” the 2 day event is being held at the Area House with the hope that the unity of Nigeria can never be overemphasized.

In a key note address by Professor Ango Abdulahi who is the Convener of the Summit, observed  that secession is not the solution to the challenges facing Nigeria, adding that there are needs to ensure that the labour of past heroes do not end in vain.

“The North has its issue with Nigeria, but we believed they will be best addressed by Nigerians agreeing to collaborate and find solutions to them, as well as those of other regions.

“Groups that threatens to walk out of this Union should read our history again. We have all contributed to the development of every inch of Nigeria and no group should contemplate ceding with our common wealth. We do not see secession as a solution for any grievance and we strongly advise our national Leadership to take these threats with all the seriousness they deserved.”

Professor Ango further expressed that the moment is indeed very challenging for Nigeria, but the country has had other trying times in the past and came out victorious therefore there is no need for complacency; saying that the current challenges are unprecedented.

“These are indeed very trying times for our country. But we have had trying times in the past and we overcame. I do not want to encourage complacency, so I must advise that the challenges we face today are unprecedented.” He said.

He further contended that the challenges of Nigeria call for Leaders and citizens to rise and collaborate with good Patriots, admonished that the country is better together.

Also, speaking, a representative of the  Arewa Consultative Forum, and  former senator representing Katsina Central,  Senator Ibrahim  noted that Nigeria has a diversity that they cannot manage well, on the ground that there is an absence of inclusion in the way its affair is being managed

Participants attending the Summit include the Presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, Usman Bugaje as well as Coalition of Nothern Groups, CNG, Arewa Youths Consultative forum.

A communique is expected at the end of the summit.

After spending a night in Bama, Borno state governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum on Wednesday supervised the distribution of N200m and food items to over 70,000 displaced households.

The displaced persons have been denied access to their farmlands, markets and other means of livelihood for years as a result of the over a decade long insurgency

Zulum’s sustained humanitarian intervention, which is combined with agricultural activities to create livelihoods, is part of multidimensional approach to deny Boko Haram opportunities of using social and economic means of recruiting fighters from displaced persons.

The following day’s cash and food distribution, the latest in series, took place in five centers across Bama town.

Each 40,000 female heads of households received two packets of sugar, a wrapper and a token of N5,000 amounting to N200 million naira.

30,000 male heads of households each received a bag of rice, a bag of maize grill and a carton of spaghetti.

Zulum later addressed the beneficiaries.

“We share your pains and we are appealing to everyone of you to continue with the prayers for peace to return to our dear state” Zulum said.

The governor arrived Bama on Tuesday during which he ordered the immediate construction of 500 houses in Nguro Soye, a community in Bama.

The Governor also announced the rehabilitation of additional 1,000 private homes in the town, which were destroyed by insurgents, in order to facilitate resettlement of displaced residents.

Zulum was at the palace of the shehu of Bama, Shehu Umar Ibn Kyari Ibrahim El-kenemi, during which he told the monarch that he was in the town for on the spot assessment of schools, promising to work towards educational access for all school aged children in Borno State.

The Governor also granted the Shehu of Bama’s  request for increased agricultural support to farmers ahead of rainy season.

Zulum directed the strengthening of agricultural supplies and activities in Bama to meet increasing number of returnees that might engage in farming.

The General Assembly, the highest decision making organ of the Tangale Community Development Association in Gombe State, has extended the tenure of the Caretaker Committee of the association led by Agur Sankace by Six (6) months with effect from the 20th April 2021.

The decision to this effect was taken at the meeting of the TCDA General Assembly held on 5th of April 2021.

The extension , according to the General Assembly, was due to the prevailing circumstances at home and having noted the expiration of the present caretaker committee on the 20th April 2021 .

In a statement, the General Assembly says it emphatically repudiates the existence of any other caretaker in any form or intent other than the one led by Agur Sankace

” That the public should disregard and avoid any dealings with any committee unknown to the GA

“That the caretaker leadership are given the mandate to endorse any litigation processes, which is of interest to the TCDA

” The General Assembly directs the caretaker to ensure to convoke another General Assembly meeting at least one month to the expiration of this extension

It appreciates the Board of Trustees, well meaning Tangale sons and daughters at home and in diaspora for their unconditional support, in all ramifications

The Nigeria Labour Congress, Kaduna State Council has kicked against Plans by the State government to carry out another round of mass sack as well as casualisation in the state civil service.

It says any sack of workers whose appointments are statutorily protected must be based on strict compliance with the disciplinary procedure as provided in the public service rules.

At a news conference in Kaduna on Wednesday, the State Chairman and Secretary of the council, Comrades Ayuba Magaji Suleiman and Christiana Bawa expressed regret that Kaduna State has woken to a new style of governance where there is no security of tenure in the public service

According to the Labour leaders, the Kaduna state government, recently in a manner defying of all rationality and logic especially in the face excruciating economic reality, sent a letter to the Head of Service apparently preparatory to another round of mass sack in
the public service .

In the letter which was signed by the PPS, they said, requested for the comprehensive list of staff from all the MDAS as categorized below:

“1. Officers that are 50 years and above – Compulsory retirement

“2. Officers on GL/14 and above, even if they are less than 50 years – Compulsory Retirement

“3. All categories of officers on GL 01 -06 – Conversion to casual

“4. And that no Local Government should have more than 50 staff strength.

Kaduna State Government, they said,  should weigh the effect and cost implication of the mass sack on the society and the implication it will bear on families and already compromised security situation in the state.

The labour leaders recalled that the last mass sack of workers in the public service of Kaduna state, were  undertaken without recourse to the payment of Gratuity. Section 210 of the
1999 constitution which guarantees Pension Rights and also without any fair hearing accorded the affected

” If the workers that were sacked in 2016 are yet to be paid their entitlements, how can the KDSG guarantee the payment of terminal benefits of those being sacked now”, they asked.

They observed that the State is already faced with issues of insecurity, unemployment, poverty, the devastating effect of Covid-19 pandemic and dwindling business prospects, therefore
any additional pain on
citizens will reasonably be repulsive to conscience.

The labour leaders who frowned at the sacking of thousands of workers in the Local Government Services of the State on Tuesday 6th Apri 2021 also called on the State Government to reverse the unpopular decision on the mass sack of workers, and seek alternative means of running government without inflicting additional pains on the public.

They said it would interest everyone to note that the N5bn monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) which the government was celebrating was generated through the hard work of the workers in public service of Kaduna whose only reward regrettably, seems to be mass sack, arbitrary/inconsistencies in salaries which most often fluctuates.

The NLC therefore enjoined people of goodwill such as senior citizens, the political class, the clergy, traditional rulers among others to partner with
organized labour with a view to save the state from needless skirmishes.

Former President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has paid a courtesy visit to  the Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu at his palace.

Former Nigerian leader appreciated the Emir for the warm reception accorded  him and members of his entourage.

GEJ described Governor Bala as his good son and reliable person who maintained his relationship with him despite leaving office.

He told the Emir that Governor Bala has performed well as FCT Minister which resulted to many successes recorded by his administration.

Governor Bala who accompanied GEJ to the Emir’s Palace, said he was happy with the visit of his boss and for finding him worthy to be his FCT minister.

His Royal Highness, the Emir of Bauchi, Dr Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu acknowledged the love of the former Nigerian leader to the people of Bauchi State.

The Emir expressed gratitude to former President Jonathan for the appointment of Governor Bala as his FCT Minister during his administration.

Dr Rilwanu Adamu said Governor Bala is fulfilling his campaign promises through execution of developmental projects as well as maintaining good working relationship with traditional rulers in the State.

Dr Rilwanu Suleiman Adamu used the medium to confer the Former President with the traditional title of Jigon Bauchi in appreciation to his support and care to Bauchi State.

South-West women on Monday accused the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, of threatening peace and security, obstructing justice, distorting facts and embarking on a campaign of blackmail.

“We will not fold our arms and allow Gani Adams to rubbish the good name and excellent track record Mrs. Ngozi Onadeko has built over the years” the descendants of Oduduwa said.

They also tongue-lashed Adams for his apparent disregard for law.

“ Gani Adams and his co-travellers are behaving like a pack of juveniles. They don’t mean well for this country.”

In a statement in Osogbo, the women praised Onadeko for her extraordinary courage and absolute understanding of security issues in Oyo State.

They accused Adams of pushing the real issues aside and employing sentiments and blackmail to explain the security situation in Oyo State.

The notable South-West women expressed delight and satisfaction with the high degree of determination so far exhibited by Onadeko to address the security challenges in Oyo State.

Signed by the Chairperson of Yoruba Women in Government (YWIG), Chief Fumilayo Adesanwo, the women commended the courage and patriotism of Onadeko to rid Oyo State of kidnappers, arsonists and other criminal elements.

The women underscored the shameful show of power, uncivilized tactics and the rights of citizens.

They condemned the   uncouth language, arrogant demeanor and use of brute force by Gani Adams and members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC).

“Gani Adams did not put on his thinking garb before calling for the redeployment of the police commissioner. He is misinforming the people.”

Specifically, they took a swipe at the action of the OPC members in Kajola community, Ibarapa North Local Government, describing it as unacceptable.

“The solution does not lie in the use of blackmail or force.”

The women further praised Governor Seyi Makinde for protecting the lives and property of the people of Oyo State

They also urged the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu and the Police Service Commission to ignore Gani Adams.

“The South-West people are solidly behind Mrs. Ngozi Onadeko. We are very proud of her. She has given good account of herself in Oyo State” the statement added.

Credit: Ebireri Henry Ovie