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  • President Buhari’s remarks during condolence visit to Kaduna

    REMARKS BY HE MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, DURING A CONDOLENCE VISIT TO KADUNA STATE

    ON TUESDAY, 30TH OCTOBER 2018

    I wish to begin by expressing my profound sadness at the loss of lives and properties that have occurred during these tragic incidents. It is unacceptable that criminal elements can visit on citizens the wanton killings recorded in the Kasuwan Magani incident of 18th October 2018, and the unrest around Kaduna metropolis a few days later. This must stop.

    2.     On behalf of the Federal Government, I commiserate with the government and people of Kaduna State. I also wish to express our condolence on the loss of His Royal Highness, the Agom Adara, who served his chiefdom and Kaduna State with dedication. May his soul and that of all persons that died, rest in perfect peace.

    3.     It is my earnest appeal to all who call Kaduna home to do their best to uphold peace in their respective communities. Chaos and anarchy tend to worsen and exacerbate whatever issues are agitating a community.

    4.     Violence shatters and divides people and stifles the prospect of any community that succumbs to its tragic logic.

    5.     The Federal Government commends the efforts of the Kaduna State Government in responding to, and managing the crisis. More Federal Security assets are being provided at the request of the Kaduna State Government to help uphold and keep the peace.

    6.     The Federal Government will continue to work to ensure that more security assets are recruited and deployed across the country to protect all citizens going about their lawful business and to reinforce the authority of the government.

    7.     In this light, the Federal Government welcomes the decision of the Kaduna State Government and its local governments to build and provide facilities for the take-off of more police divisions and civil defense offices in the state.

    8.     On their part, Citizens also have a duty to be law-abiding in their conduct and within their communities. There is a need to avoid violence as a tool of negotiation or obtaining advantage, and learn to listen to each other and commit to resolving differences through peaceful means.

    9.     Kaduna, once the home of the Premier and home of the New Nigerian must not earn itself a new name – home of violence. The Federal Security Agencies will hunt and prosecute all those who sponsored these acts of violence.

    10.   The Federal Government will take strongest measures possible to punish perpetrators of these crimes. If, in the past they got away scot free, we shall now hold everyone to account for these latest killings.

    11.   Let it be clear to all that individuals and communities have obligations to comply with the law and uphold peace. These obligations include respecting the rights of others to live wherever they choose, to worship freely and to pursue lawful livelihoods anywhere in this country. These are constitutional and human rights that we as a government and people must uphold and defend.

    12.   We are doing our best to develop human capital and address poverty and inequality in all parts of the country. Providing decent education and health are my priority goals. I am delighted with the successful collaboration between federal institutions like the Bank of Industry and the Kaduna State Government to provide vocational and entrepreneurship skills, and low-interest credit to expand economic opportunities.

    13.   I urge Kaduna State Government not to relent in its focus on expanding equality of opportunity, promoting job creation and upholding law and order. You have a partner in the Federal Government that stands ready to provide concrete support not only to Kaduna but all states to help address the poverty and inequality that fuels some of these recurrent crises.

    14.   I have noted the concerns raised by the Governor of Kaduna State about the outstanding issues of payment of compensation and resettlement of communities that have lingered since the post-election violence of 2011. I assure you that the Federal Government will give due consideration to the matter.

    15.   Let me conclude by reaffirming my appeal for peaceful and lawful conduct at all times. We cannot kill and burn our way out of poverty and inequality. Strife can only deliver more pain and more strife. It is time to break out of mind-set that limits us from collaborating productively for the common good. Let us continue to work together, to put our people first and make their lives better.

    Thank you for listening.

  • Ex-Lagos Speaker, Pelumi, arraigned for allegedly aiding escape of murder suspect

    Ex-Lagos Speaker, Pelumi, arraigned for allegedly aiding escape of murder suspect

    A former Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Jokotola Pelumi, was on Tuesday in Lagos
    arraigned for allegedly receiving into his home, Adekunle Dabiri, who was alleged to have murdered a Deputy Superintendent
    of Police.

    The 59-year-old Pelumi, a lawyer, was brought before an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ Court on a charge of receiving a murder
    suspect and also aiding his escape.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Pelumi called the shots as speaker under the second tenure of Ex-Gov. Bola
    Tinubu.

    He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    According to Police Prosecutor J.I. Eboseremen, the former speaker committed the offence on Oct. 27 at Agbowa near Ikorodu
    in Lagos.

    He alleged that the accused had received Adekunle Dabiri into his home after he allegedly murdered Akingboju Akindele, a DSP.

    He said the accused also aided the escape of Dabiri from the hands of the police.

    The offence contravened Section 231 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    While granting Pelumi bail in the sum of N1 million, Chief Magistrate A.O. Adedayo said he should also produce two responsible
    sureties in the like sum.

    Shee said one of the sureties should be a member of the State House of Assembly and adjourned the case until Nov. 26
    for mention. (NAN)

  • Ajimobi approves payment of all outstanding salaries

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has approved with immediate effect the payment of outstanding salaries to the state civil servants and teachers under the payroll of the state government. (more…)

  • Military, Shi’ites battle: PPN berates FG for not protecting citizens

    The Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) has accused the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government of showing lack of value for the lives of Nigerians through its handling of incessant killings of Nigerians. (more…)

  • Power sector: Incremental capacity on course, says Fashola

    Power sector: Incremental capacity on course, says Fashola

    TUNJI OLANIYI

    Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, has said that as part of efforts to increase power supply, by the end of this year another 945 megawatts (MW) would be ready for supply from four power plants in the country. (more…)

  • AU seeks Nigeria’s support for single air transport project

    The African Union Commission (AUC) has solicited Nigeria’s backing in bringing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) project to fruition.

    The commission’s Chairperson, Mr Moussa Faki, made the appeal on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, when he led a delegation of AUC on a visit to Nigeria.

    Faki thanked Nigeria for supporting his candidature and emergence as the AUC chairperson.

    According to him, Nigeria has always been in the forefront of achieving a free and prosperous Africa.

    He said that at the celebration of its 50th anniversary, the AU adopted Agenda 2063 – a vision of Africa that was integrated, free, peaceful and prosperous.

    “The agenda is now on the table of the AU – peace and security – that is to make sure that we silence the guns by 2020, and economic integration of the continent on which important decisions have been adopted.

    “At the beginning of this year; AU adopted the Continental Free Trade Area, protocol on free movement of persons, the African passport and SAATM.

    “ECOWAS has adopted free movement which is a reality in Nigeria.

    “ECOWAS is one of the most advanced regional economic community and when it comes to air transport, we know that Nigeria is there to help AU and with the support of Nigeria, this will become a reality.

    “You can imagine that you cannot travel from one African capital to another if you do not go through Europe or Asia.

    “Abuja to Ndjamena is just one hour flight but sometimes you have to go to Addis Ababa; sometimes you come to Abuja; this is something that cannot continue on the continent,’’ Faki said.

    He said that agenda 2063 of AU could not be achieved without reforms and appreciated the support that had been given by Nigeria for the reforms.

    The chairperson said that with regards to peace and security, AU had established a Peace Fund, adding that Nigeria had made contributions to the fund since 2017.

    He said that the US had contributed 55 million dollars to the Fund.

    The AUC boss said that a five-member Board of Trustees would be inaugurated for the fund among whom was Nigeria’s Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

    He said that he was in Nigeria to bolster cooperation between the country and AU, exchange views and interact on how to work better towards achieving the African dream.

    He commended Buhari for his fight against corruption and described him as an exemplary leader worthy of emulation by other African leaders.

    Earlier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, had said that it was an honour to receive the AUC chairperson in Nigeria.

    “We know how much you value Nigeria and you always stress the importance of Nigeria to the African project.

    “`How you believe that when you talk of African integration, it means nothing without the active participation of Nigeria; you are of the belief that Nigeria is the engine of African continent.

    “In addition to the 2063 roadmap, there are also ongoing reforms, a reform agenda of the Secretariat and of course, for the AU to succeed in all these, the member-states have to key in and support the process.

    “It is not the easiest of tasks to get 55 countries to work in consonance towards these objectives.

    “So, we want to take advantage of the presence of the AU Commission’s chairperson in Abuja for us to horizontally, as a government be able to key in and interrogate the reform process,’’ he said.

  • Fayemi’s “free and compulsory education”, declaration of emergency in the sector -Ex-Speaker Bamisile

    A former speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Femi Bamisile, has lauded the new governor of the state, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on his new education policy of free and compulsory education for all primary and secondary school students as well as 200 million naira car and housing loans for teachers in the state. (more…)

  • 2019 Polls: Senator cautions women to guard utterances

    Caution

    Abuja, Oct 22, 2018 (NAN) Senator Rose Oko, a Senator representing Cross River North in the Senate on Monday cautioned women to guard utterances in the build up of campaign for 2019 elections.

    Oko gave the warning in a paper presented at a conference organised by Nehemiah Apostolic Centre in Abuja.

    She explained that women who were contesting for elective offices must play by the rule and base their campaigns on issues not by insulting opponents.

    “Men may do that and get away with it but the the society does not expect that women engage in campaign of calumny.

    “Women must be courageous, focus their campaigns on issue based and convey their messages in a more dignified manner” she said.

    The Senator decried low participation of women in the politics of the country pointing out that citizens and democracy would benefit more when they were more women in elected offices and in other sectors.

    She disclosed that there were only seven females which represents five per cent in the senate of 109 and 20 females in the House of Representatives, representing 5.6 per cent while the male counterpart had overwhelmingly 93 per cent.

    According to her, available data shows that out of 1,534 elective positions available at national and state levels in 2015, women only occupied about 86 while the men had 1,449.

    “The record is even more depressing at state level, no female Governor in the 36 states of the federation, the closest women have attained is the position of Deputy Governors, which we currently have six of them”

    The Legislator attributed the challenges to lack of funds, patriarchy and cultural barrier as well as lack of adequate mechanisms for monitoring electoral outcomes and protecting women’s mandate.

    Earlier, the Convener of the conference, Obi Pax-Harry said that the objective was to build capacity of women and the youth for national development.

    Pax-Harry noted that every stakeholders must come together to promote good governance in the country.

    According to her, her centre is open to collaboration with any organisations both government and non governmental in achieving the goals. (NAN)

  • Curfew: Air Peace temporarily suspends Kaduna flight operations

    Curfew: Air Peace temporarily suspends Kaduna flight operations

    Nigerian carrier, Air Peace has temporarily suspended flight operations on its Kaduna route due to the 24-hour curfew imposed on Kaduna metropolis and its environs following reports of violent clashes.

    Mr Chris Iwarah, Air Peace Communications Manager, confirmed the development to newsmen on Monday in Lagos.

    Iwarah said the airline took the decision after the Kaduna State Government imposed the curfew due to security threats, adding that the operations would resume as soon as normalcy was restored.

    He said: “If it was a half day curfew, we would have taken another approach to it but now what we heard is that the curfew is for 24 hours.

    “We expect that this will not last for long, maybe a day or two and we can change our position, but for now, there is nothing we can do because we cannot risk the lives of our valued guests and crew.

    “We don’t want anybody to be caught up in the clashes around that environment. We believe the government knows better and are on top of the situation.

    “We are calling for the cooperation of our guests that they should understand that it is something that is temporary and that they should make this sacrifice for their own safety,” he said.