Month: October 2023

 

By Biola Lawal

Abuja (Flowerbudnews): The Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has clarified that his convoy was not attacked by any alleged assassins over the weekend.

 

In a briefing monitored online by Flowerbudnews, Gov. Bello said a minor disagreement between some soldiers on the highway and policemen in his convoy was spread by possible mischief makers as Assassination attempt.

The Governor said that the minor issue between the soldiers and policemen was resolved in less than five minutes after which the convoy moved on. (Flowerbudnews)

However, Agency reports by Thompson Yamput of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also stated that the Kogi Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello  denied alleged assassination attempt on his life on Sunday.

Addressing newsmen in the evening of Sunday, Bello explained the incident on Lokoja-Abuja Highway as a mere altercation between his security details and some military personnel at a check point.

But his Information Commissioner, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, in a statement, alleged assassination attempt on the governor’s life along the Lokoja-Abuja Road around 4.20.p.m. of Sunday.

Fanwo had claimed that the assassins were in military uniforms during the attack, which was repelled by security men attached to the governor.

A contrary statement in Lokoja by Bello’s Media Aide, Onogwu Mohammed, said: “What happened along the Lokoja-Abuja road was a minor disagreement between the security details attached to him and some military personnel providing security on the road.

In an interview granted to newsmen a few moments ago at his residence in Abuja, Bello stated that there was no attempt whatsoever on his life.

He clarified that while there was a minor fracas between men of the Nigerian Police Force attached to his convoy and those of a military unit manning the highways, it was in the course of both units performing their lawful security duties.”

The governor commended the security agencies for their joint contributions to the improved security of lives and property enjoyed by the residents of Kogi.

Bello, however, called on the high command of the agencies involved to investigate overzealousness or unprofessional conduct by any of their men involved in the incident and apply the necessary sanctions.

The governor also called on residents of Kogi to ignore any attempt by political profiteers to use the incident to unsettle the polity as the state’s 2023 governorship elections slated for Nov. 11 drew nearer.

He assured the state of both his safety and the adequacy of security arrangements to ensure that the elections were peaceful, free and fair. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)/ Flowerbudnews

 

 

Abuja: The Attorney-General (A-G) of Borno, Mrs Hauwa Abubakar, says the state is not a war zone contrary to insinuations in some quarters.
Abubakar made the remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the sideline of the 4th Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) National Validation Conference in Abuja.

She stressed that contrary to a media report that there was escalation of Boko Haram atrocities in Borno lately, the state had been peaceful.

She said though there were challenges inhibiting against tackling the issues of human right abuse in the country, the state government was not resting on its oars.

“The state government is up to it to tackle all the issues.

“For instance, there was a recent news by one of the newspapers reporting an incidence of escalation of Boko Haram atrocities (in Borno).

“But the truth is that Borno has been peaceful. Of course, we are still in the insurgency, it hasn’t stopped.
“So it is inevitable for us to hear one or two attacks here and there,” she said.

The A-G recalled that few years back, there were lots of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri camps but that the state government had been able to relocate many of the IDPs back to their communities while some of the IDP camps had been closed down.

“That’s to tell you that we are on top of it and all that we need is support, especially from the media, to show the effort the state government is doing in tackling all these issues because Borno State is not a war zone as a lot of people think,” she said.

She said the government was making effort to uphold the rule of law, especially the provision of Chapter 4 of the constitution about fundamental human rights, in its effort to bring back peace to the state.

According to her, the Borno State government is making a lot of efforts; a lot of bills were passed into laws in upholding rule of law, human rights protection, to make Borno better.
“The policy of His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Zulum, is to see that all the victims of Boko Haram Have been treated fairly, rehabilitated and resettled back into the communities.
“We are doing so much and doing it so well notwithstanding what we have gone through.
“Borno State is coming out better and stronger out if it,” she said.

She said kinetic approach to war against Boko Haram by Gov. Babagana Zulum-led government had yielded results and stil yielding results for the state.
“The insurgents will come out and surrender and there is an entry point where they are being received.
“When they are received, we have a rehabilitation centre for them to be rehabilitated.
“Their welfare is being taken care of and I think that is a great effort by Borno State government in rehabilitating them and making sure that they don’t go back to that criminalities again,” she said.
Earlier, Mr Abdulraman Yakubu, Director of Civil and Political Rights, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), said the essence of the event was for Nigeria to comply with UN guidelines by preparing its national report to the UN Human Rights Council under the mechanism of UPR.
Yakubu, who was also the Co-Secretary of Inter-Ministerial Committee on UPR, said the guideline was that any country being reviewed and preparing its report must consult widely and broadly.
“Today, we are having a larger gathering of stakeholders coming from across the country to validate the draft report that has been prepared by the committee and the consultants,” he said
The Lead Consultant, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, SAN, said UPR was about peer review mechanism where members state of UN judge other state members on their human rights records

Ezeilo, who was former UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, said Nigeria had done well on issues of human rights in some areas and regressed in others.
“But it is a constant continued process. That is why this is important,” she said.
NAN reports that the UPR is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Members States.
The Abuja meeting was to help to contribute to Nigeria’s ability to develop an objective and Independent report on the efforts to promote and protect human rights in compliance with international obligations.

Nigeria was reviewed by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2009, 2013 and 2018 during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd UPR Cycles respectively, and preparations have been ongoing for Nigeria’s 4th review scheduled between January and February 2024.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello, has reportedly escaped assassination.

 

This was disclosed in a statement by the state commissioner of Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo on Sunday.

 

Fanwo’s statement further said, “the Kogi state government wishes to inform the general public that there was an assasination attempt on the governor of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, CON, a few kilometres away from Abuja, on his way to an official engagement from Lokoja.

 

“The attack occurred at about 4pm on Sunday. The attackers who were dressed in military uniforms waylaid the governor’s convoy and started shooting sporadically at his vehicle and other vehicles in the convoy. It took the swift intervention of the security personnel attached to the governor to foil the satanic plans of the unknown soldiers.

 

“The attacks were at three different points, the last barricade being around Kwali Federal Capital Territory at about 4.20pm

 

“The report of these strange attacks has been properly documented at security offices in the state and at the national level for prompt and thorough investigations to avert future occurrences.

 

“We are not oblivious of the fact that certain elements are bent on painting Kogi unsafe ahead of the governorship poll slated for November 11, 2023. As an administration, we will spare nothing to ensure our citizens are not subjected to security threats by desperate politicians sponsoring violence and terrorism.

 

“We call on the citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements in the domain to relevant security agencies. It is the responsibility of the Government to ensure security and we want to assure you that the peace we have enjoyed as a state in the last eight years won’t be lost on the altar of violent politics. ”

Ahead of the elections in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa, the White Witches and Wizards of Nigeria have predicted the outcome of the gubernatorial polls slated for November 11, 2023 in three states of the federation.

 

Speaking with journalists at the weekend in Lagos, Okhue Iboi, the spokesperson of the group, warned Imo Governor, Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Kogi, Dino Melaye, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Bayelsa, Timipre Sylva against losing their elections if they fail to heed wise counsel.

 

Iboi said there will be bloodshed in some of the polls if care is not taken.

 

In Imo, Iboi said the fight would be between the candidates of the Labour Party (LP), Athan Achonu, and the Peoples Democratic Party’s Samuel Anyanwu, contrary to speculations that the incumbency factor will favour Governor Uzodinma.

 

Oboi urged security operatives to tighten security in the politically charged and volatile states to avert a bloodbath during the poll.

 

“When we met in the coven to review the three off-cycle governorship elections, we examined all the political parties and their candidates and their chances of winning the election.

 

“We noticed that Uzodinma is terribly hated by his people. Also, remember that he’s governor not by popular will but by legal technicalities of the Supreme Court.

 

“To date, his people derisively refer to him as Supreme Court Governor. The senseless killing in the state is another albatross he is carrying.

 

“His people thought that he was the brain behind the spate of killings perpetrated by Unknown Gunmen (UGM) and the destruction of property of the people. So, the people believe he is their sponsor. This is very unfortunate anyway, but that is what we saw in the coven,” he stated.

 

In Kogi, the White Witches said the election is between the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Murtala Ajaka and PDP’s Dino Melaye, stressing that Governor Yahaya Bello had already lost over failure to field his deputy to succeed him.

 

He said, “The Social Democratic Party (SDP) is as strong as the APC and the PDP in the state. When we met in Idah, Okenne, Ankpa, and other parts of the state, Governor Yahaya Bello’s candidate would have won easily in the state, but he appeared to have shot himself in the foot by listening to wrong advice.

 

“The people that advised him not to field his deputy will cost him the election victory in the state. When we got to the coven, we were told that all his strategies of destabilizing the election by fomenting trouble would not fetch him victory. There will be a bloodbath in Kogi, but Bello will still lose the election. So, we saw the election is between PDP and SDP.

 

“For Dino Melaye, he’s very recalcitrant. We’ve invited him a couple of times for a strategic meeting, but you know, pride goes before a fall. His vain pomposity will be his undoing. And if he fails to heed our call, he will be shell-shocked about the outcome of the election.

 

“Governor Bello has already lost out of favour with his people by not fielding his deputy governor to succeed him, but preferring to field his brother.”

 

On Bayelsa poll, Iboi said Sylva would not go anywhere in the election.

 

“Recall that I had in a statement predicted that he would suffer a setback in his candidacy for the ruling APC.

 

“Now, he is fighting the battle of his life to retain the candidacy of the party, which the court had taken away from him. If he gets it, we don’t see him going far with it,” he said

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has described the appointment of Mr Bashir Adeniyi as substantive Controller General of Custom Service as a perfect decision, commending President Bola Tinubu for the step.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Sunday, the Governor commended the President for recognising Adeniyi’s capability to drive the administration’s agenda for the service.

On behalf of the good people of Osun State, I heartily rejoice with a distinguished professional, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi on his confirmation as the Comptroller-General of Customs by President Bola Tinubu,” the Governor was quoted as saying in a congratulatory note.

 

“Mr. Bashir’s confirmation is a testament to his enticing public record, competence, and devotion to the Customs service over the years. It equally underscores President Tinubu’s commitment to giving people with proven capacity increasing responsibility in the task of moving the country forward.

 

“While expressing his full confidence in Mr. Bashir to continue to serve with dedication, professionalism and integrity in his new role, the entire nation look forward to improved contribution to the country from the Customs under his leadership”, it added.

 

Similarly, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdurosheed Akanbi in a statement described Adeniyi’s confirmation as a plus to strengthen the country’s boundary and solidify the striving economy.

 

“The appointment of an Osun-born Adewale Adeniyi as the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) is timely and laudable. I’ve strong hopes for his wealth of experience in strengthening the security of our border and solidifying our economy.

 

“I commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing a round peg in a round hole. He will reposition the service and improve the tempo of her performance.

 

“I enjoin Nigerians to drum support for the government and the service to strengthen our economy and restore the nation’s glory”, it reads

 

The Companion, an association of Muslim men in business and in professions, has described the immediate-past Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NACHON, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan as an astute hajj administrator whose indelible mark at the commission would stand the test of time in Nigeria.

A statement by the National Amir of the faith-based non-governmental organisation, Engr. Kamil Olalekan, and the Public Affairs Secretary, Alh. Muideen Adeleke, on Sunday said that Alhaji Hassan had succeeded in raising the bar of hajj administration in Nigeria albeit in Africa, with the ground breaking reforms adopted to revolutionise all aspects of the operations of the commission.

The Companion recalled that despite the fact that the former NAHCON chairman faced daunting challenges posed by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in the wake of his appointment, he hit the ground running and never looked back in making Nigeria a role model in hajj management globally.

“His appointment coincided with the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic which prevented intending pilgrims from countries outside Saudi Arabia including Nigeria to participate in the 2020 and 2021 pilgrimage.

“Yet, Alhaji Zikrullah Olakunle Hassan picked up the gauntlet by seizing the window offered to lay a ground for innovative hajj reform s in Nigeria”, the statement states.

The group contended that Hassan would be fondly remembered for ensuring the take-off of Hajj Saving Scheme; establishment of the Hajj Institute for the training of hajj operators; making NACHON self-sustaining; increased awareness and sensitisation on hajj by taking the message to the grassroots and for driving the policy of inclusivity and openness in hajj management.

The Islamic organisation congratulated the legal practitioner for his enviable track record spanning about two decades, including his times at Tafsan Private Hajj Operators and as the Amirul-hajj for almost eight years in Osun State.

It lauded Hassan’s painstaking efforts at repositioning hajj administration in Nigeria while in office as the chairman and chief executive officer and wished him good health and more successes for the future.

“The former NAHCON Chief deserves commendation for adding value to hajj management by working tirelessly combing all nooks and crannies of the country. The Companion notes your ground breaking achievements and congratulates you for the feat recorded in office”, the statement added.

While commending the present government for its policy of meritocracy in the appointment of Nigerians into positions, the faith-based non-governmental organisation said: “There is need to embrace inclusivity to engender sense of belonging that cuts across ethnic and religious divide.

“We particularly observed the lopsidedness in the appointments so far made from the South West geopolitical zone, which have been largely skewed against adherents of Islam despite the overwhelming support the President received from Muslims.

“We are hopeful the administration would correct this anomaly forthwith.

“A careful appraisal of the political appointments so far made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the South West geopolitical zone has not justified the yearnings and aspiration of the Muslim Ummah in the zone who overwhelmingly worked for his election on February 25, 2023 and this calls for urgent redress,” the statement bemoaned.

According to the group, to our scion, Alhaji Zhikrullah Olakunle Hassan, we thank you immensely for making Nigerian muslims proud of your brilliant performance in office as chairman/CEO of NAHCON.