Mamman Daura’s views on zoning personal – Presidency

Malam Garba Shehu

The Presidency on Saturday said the views expressed by Malam Mamman Daura, on zoning were personal to him and did not, in any way, reflect that of either the president or his administration.

Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.

He said that Mamman qualified as an elder statesman with a national duty to hold perspectives and disseminate them as guaranteed under the nation constitution and laws of the land.

He added that ”he does not need the permission or clearance of anyone to exercise this right.”

The statement read in part: ”We have received numerous requests for comments on the interview granted by Malam Mamman Daura, President Muhammadu Buhari’s nephew to the BBC Hausa Service.

”It is important that we state from the onset that as mentioned by the interviewee, the views expressed were personal to him and did not, in any way, reflect that of either the President or his administration.

”At age 80, and having served as editor and managing director of one of this country’s most influential newspapers, the New Nigerian, certainly, Malam Mamman qualifies as an elder statesman with a national duty to hold perspectives and disseminate them as guaranteed under our constitution and laws of the land.

He did not need the permission or clearance of anyone to exercise this right.

In an attempt to circulate the content of the interview to a wider audience, the English translation clearly did no justice to the interview, which was granted in Hausa, and as a result, the context was mixed up and new meanings were introduced and/or not properly articulated.

”The issues discussed during the interview, centred around themes on how the country could birth an appropriate process of political dialogue, leading to an evaluation, assessment and a democratic outcome that would serve the best interest of the average Nigerian irrespective of where they come from.

”These issues remain at the heart of our evolving and young democracy, and as a veteran journalist, scholar and statesman, Malam Mamman has seen enough to add his voice to those of many other participants.”

More Nigerians to benefit from rail stations naming – Amaechi

Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi says more prominent Nigerians will still benefit from the Federal Government’s naming of railway stations across the country.

Amaechi, in a statement by his Media Assistant, Mrs Taiye Elebiyo-Edeni, said the late Alhaji Waziri Mohammed would, however, be named after a bigger railway station.

The Minister was reacting to the demand by the Nigerian Union of Railway Workers (NUR) to reverse the naming of the Apapa Railway Station in honour of the late Mohammed.

The Minister recently named the Apapa Railway Station, “Sen. Bola Tinubu Railway Station.

Amaechi said: “We are naming a bigger station after Waziri Mohammed.”

Earlier, the General Secretary of the (NUR), Mr Segun Esan, demanded the immediate reversal of the naming of the Apapa Railway Station to late Mohammed.

According to him, Mohammed, until his death was the Chairman of Nigerian Railway Board.

He said it would be proper to name the Apapa Station after Mohammed, who died while in active service, as a mark of his sterling contributions to nation building.

Ogun: CAN Urges Members To Adhere To Safety Guidelines Ahead Of Churches Reopening

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The Ogun State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) has appealed to  the heads of denominations, churches, leaders and ministers in the state to work towards meeting the safety guidelines ahead of the reopening of churches on August 16.
The CAN Chairman, Ogun State, Bishop ‘Tunde Akin-Akinsanya, who was reacting to the tentative lifting of the ban on religious centres by Governor Dapo Abiodun, said it was necessary for churches to abide by the laid down guidelines to avoid  “embarrassments and sanctions.”
Akin – Akinsanya in a release made available to Newsjaunts, lauded Governor Abiodun for his understanding and support that allowed for peaceful engagements with religious leaders and other stakeholders throughout the trying period. 
The Bishop, however, reminded christians that the COVID-19 Pandemic is real and out there, advising them to adhere to the safety measures as well as faithfully and humbly seek the face of the Lord in prayers for an end to the scourge.
He stated: “To the glory of God, the Governor in his Press Conference of Wednesday 29th July, 2020 announced the relaxation of lockdown on worship centers with effect from Friday 14th and Sunday 16th August, 2020 for both the Muslims and Christians respectfully. I thank God that His Excellency granted our two requests on the duration and number of worshippers for each service.
“I hereby appeal to all Heads of Denominations/Churches and their ministers to prepare adequately according to the guidelines in our various worship centers. 
“There should be proper monitoring by each denomination to ascertain full compliance to the guidelines so as to avoid embarrassments and sanctions. This policy document will soon be made available to us.
“Our appreciation goes to the Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince ‘Dapo Abiodun  MFR and his entire team for the understanding and support that allowed for peaceful engagements through out this dark period. 
“Our profound gratitude also goes to all our Heads of Blocs, Heads of Churches, Stakeholders, CAN Officers at all levels and all ministers of the gospel across Ogun State for your patience and cooperation all this while. 
“We also appreciate all individuals, clergy and laity, who had also engaged the State Government to intervene in this matter at one point or the other.
“Also, we cannot but salute all our critics, those who felt and said; “we are not doing anything”, “we are not doing enough”, “we have collected money from the Government and sold the Church to be shutdown perpetually”,  “we are operating illegally”, and so on and so forth. 
“They really set us on our toes in this trying time and therefore, they should also part of the victory. Thank you all. We are so grateful.
“In closing, let us be reminded that COVID-19 Pandemic is real and is out there. In addition to our adherence to the safety measures, we need to faithfully and humbly seek the face of the Lord in prayers.
“It is time for the body of Christ as intercessors to stand in the gap for our dear State/Nation and seek God’s face for DIVINE INTERVENTION. I am convinced that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ shall give us speedy intervention on this plague. 
Isaiah 43:19 says, “Behold I will do a new thing, NOW it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Sallah: Sacrifices, Love Are The Reasons for Celebration – Akeem Amosun

The House of Representatives Candidate for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency under the platform of ANN in the last election who is now a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Honourable Akeem Amosun has sent his Eid-El-Kabir to all Muslim faithfuls.
In his word, he enjoined everyone to maintain good relationship with neighbours with selfless service especially during this pandemic period.
“My dear citizens, let us practice good neighbourliness during the festivity. It is in celebration with selflessness that we can genuinely fight poverty and manage the economic hardship this pandemic has brought on us all”.
Amosun also urged the Celebrants to celebrate moderately and follow public health protocols.
“Given this, I urge modesty in celebrations of this Eid; every citizen should adhere strictly to public health protocols – avoid large gathering, practice social distancing, wash hands regularly, use hand sanitizers and nose mask – if anyone must leave their house”.
“As we all know, the life and sacrifices of Prophet Ibrahim (SA) is the reason for the Eid-el-Kabir celebration. At a time of global crisis such as this, we all need sacrifices to sustain our world and win the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic”.
“Eid-el-Kabir should remind us of the love of God. As such, this celebration should inspire love”.
“Don’t forget to continue to stay safe as we celebrate”. 
“May the peace and blessings of the Eid-el-Kabir be with you and your family”. 

EID EL KABIR: Adebutu Urges Muslims To Pray For Unity, Peace and Deliverance From COVID-19 in The Country

The Federal House of Representatives Chairman of Agriculture and Rural Development in the 8th National Assembly and founder of Ladi Adebutu Development Organisation, Hon (Dr) Oladipupo Kamorudeen Adebutu, has urged muslims across the country to use this sallah festival to pray to God for unity, peace and deliverance from the Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria.
He posited that the best time to promote peace, love and unity is during this festive period. 
In a release signed by Afolabi Orekoya, Media Director, Ladi Adebutu Development Organisation, Adebutu urged all Muslim faithfuls to avoid large gatherings and observe social distancing as precautions to curb the spread of the deadly disease (COVID 19). He enjoined all Muslim faithfuls to continue to pray to Allah safe our country from the virus.  
He decried the unceasing wave of violence, killings, destruction and insurgency across the country. He described it as very unfortunate and unacceptable.
Worried by the incessant failure of true leadership and good governance, Adebutu posited that the true islamic faithfuls should pray fervently seek the face of Allah to instil the fear of God and sincerity of purpose in the hearts of our leadere.
He, therefore, admonished the Muslims to use the moment to make sacrifices, amend where necessary and uphold the cardinal principles of Islam adding that Eid el Kabir celebration is more of behavioural transformation embedded in kindness and tolerance.
While calling for the upholding of the teachings of Prophet Muhammed (SAW) at all times, Adebutu, prayed for a successful and peaceful Eid el Kabir.

EID-EL- KABIR: Trace Assures of Hitch-Free Traffic

Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, TRACE, has pledged to guarantee effective traffic management, prompt rescue service on Ogun traffic corridor and ensure strict adherence to Covid 19 protocols and guidelines, so as to flatten the curve of the pandemic during and after the Eid-el-kabir celebration.

According to a release from the office of the TRACE Corps Commander/Chief Executive, Cdr. Abdul-Fatai Olaseni Ogunyemi, the exercise would involve the full strength of TRACE Corps operational machinery, which is geared towards promoting the safety of all road users, by deploying operatives to man strategic beats, choke points, as well as, diversion and construction zones across the state to check the excesses of recalcitrant motorists and their overbearing attitude.

Furthermore, the release states that TRACE Corps, in collaboration with other sister agencies, would enforce the Covid 19 guidelines, more so that a high volume of human and vehicular movement is envisaged, with its attendant traffic build-up, breakdown of ill-maintained vehicles, obstruction and road crashes.

While wishing all Muslim faithfuls Happy Eid-El-Kabir celebration, the TRACE boss enjoined all motorists to ensure strict compliance to traffic rules and regulations and in addition observe and uphold Covid 19 protocols for the safety of all.

However, for feedback calls, in case of emergency situations, the motoring public should call these hotlines: 0703 411 0281 (Text only), 0810 179 2333 and 0803 491 9165.

Ogun NUJ FEDERATED CHAPEL ELECTS NEW EXCO

The Ogun State Chapter of Nigeria Union of Journalists Federated Chapel has elected its new executive officers on Monday held at the NUJ press centre, Iwe-Irohin House, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.

During the presentation of certificates to the new executives, the Zonal Vice President noted that he was aware of the plan by few selected members within the chapel to destabilize the union through illegal election. 

Earlier, Comrade Abu Satar Hamed was elected unopposed by 13 out of 22 accredited members of the chapel through ballot voting supervised by the Zonal VP, B zone, Comrade Cosmas Oni and Zonal Secretary, Bamigbola Gbolagute. 

Other elected executive are; Juwon Opayemi (Vice Chairman), Bolaji Adekunle (Secretary), Akinola Akindele (Treasurer) Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji (Asst. Secretary) and Jaji Olamilekan as Auditor. 

In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman of the chapel, Comrade Abu Satar Hamed commended all members for their forthright and determination to reposition the chapel.

Abu Satar assured members of the new exco’s commitment to reposition the dignity of the journalism profession through transparency, constant informing, educating and entertaining the general public through fresh and authentic news publications. 

“We are poised to correct the erroneous impression in some quarters that our chapel is a platform for artisans, I have heard people calling us bricklayers, carpenters and motor mechanics.

“Our administration will not only look into the circumstances that gave rise to such attributions but will also make deliberate efforts to flush out those who are not qualified to be in our midst, these we shall do without losing sight of those who had been performing in the Industry for decades,  the ones that the NUJ constitution describes as Associate Members who can neither vote nor be voted for. 

“It is our resolve to build a virile union that will stand without the blemish of harbouring criminally minded individuals or charlatans that regards the union as mere meal tickets or the proverbial “pot of soup.”

BREAKING: Schools to reopen August 4 for final year pupils – FG

The Federal Government has said Secondary schools in the country will reopen on August 4, 2020, for pupils in exit classes to sit for their examination.

The government said students will have two weeks to prepare for the West Africa Senior School Certificate Examination organized by the West Africa Examination Council.

WAEC will commence on the 17th of August, 2020.
The government announced the decision at the end of a virtual consultative meeting between the Federal Ministry of Education, Commissioners of Education of the 36 states, the Nigerian Union of Teachers, (NUT), the proprietors of private schools, and Chief Executives of examination bodies.

In a statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, FMoE, Ben Goong, said “stakeholders at the meeting agreed that the exit classes should resume immediately after the Sallah break, from the 4th of August, 2020 to enable them to prepare for the WAEC examinations scheduled to commence from the 17th of August, 2020.

“The meeting also resolved that a passionate appeal be made to the Federal Government through the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and public-spirited Nigerians for assistance to schools across the country to enable them fast track the preparations of safe reopening, as agreed.

“Another meeting is to be convened tomorrow between the Federal Ministry of Education and Chief Executives of examination bodies namely, NECO, NABTEB, and NBAIS to harmonize their examination dates, which will be conveyed to stakeholders expeditiously by the Federal Ministry of Education.”

Happening Now: PDP holds State Congress in Ogun

The People’s Democratic Party in Ogun State is currently holding a State Congress to elect new officials to pilot the affairs of the party for another four years.

Chieftains of the party present at the congress include Bayo Dayo, Sikirullah Ogundele, Ladi Adebutu, Doyin Okupe among others.

It would be recalled that for some years, the party has been maintaining two factions in the state with Bayo Dayo leading the faction loyal to Buruji Kashamu before the emergence of Samson Bamgbose and Sikirulahi Ogundele leading the faction loyal to Ladi Adebutu.

Speaking about the conduct of members, the Chairman of the PDP Electoral Committee for the State, Deji Ogunsakin says the atmosphere has been peaceful and that aggrieved members have come together to operate under same umberella, nothing

He noted that the presence of the two former rivals and other notable party leaders in the state indicate that all is well within the party in Ogun State.

He confirmed that there is no court restriction or judgement restraining the party to conduct the state Congress in Ogun State and assured members to be resolute, as the party is now united and ready to take over the affairs of the state by 2023.

NDDC Probe: Akpabio Names Senators, House Members Awarded NDDC Contracts

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has finally picked up the gauntlet thrown down by the National Assembly to name lawmakers who got contracts from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The minister, in a document attached to his response to the threat by the House of Representatives to sue him over the allegations that federal lawmakers were the major contractors of NDDC, listed four senators as receiving 74 contracts from the commission between 2017 to date.
He also accused the Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, of inserting 19 contracts worth N9 billion into 2019 NDDC budget.
House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, had last week given Akpabio a 48-hour ultimatum to identify lawmakers that are NDDC contractors as he alleged during his testimony before the House Committee on NDDC.
However, a few hours after the expiration of the ultimatum, Gbajabiamila had signified the House’s readiness to head to court to seek the prosecution of the minister for criminal defamation.
He was to later read a letter from Akpabio, in response to the one written to him by the House Clerk, in which the minister reportedly denied making the allegations.
However, it was learnt at the weekend that Akpabio’s annexure to the letter included a list detailing the names and NDDC jobs given to the lawmakers.
According to the list, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, allegedly executed 53 NDDC projects from 2017 to date.
He also accused three other senators namely: Matthew Urhoghide, James Manager and Sam Anyanwu of executing a total of 21 NDDC contracts during the period under review.
But in a swift reaction, Nwaoboshi described Akpabio as a confused individual.
He told THISDAY yesterday that he is challenging Akpabio to publish the names of the directors and shareholders of the companies that executed the said 53 NDDC contracts.
“He (Akpabio) is confused. I challenge him to publish the directors and shareholders of these companies. I don’t award contract and I don’t pay for contracts. My brother, go to CAC and find out the truth. I pity him,” Nwaoboshi said.
But in the bulky document with a three-page covering letter entitled: “Some Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Contracts Allegedly Given to some Members of the National Assembly – Senate and House of Representatives,” Akpabio also fingered the Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC in 19 contracts worth N9 billion inserted into the 2019 NDDC budget.
The contracts listed against Nwaoboshi’s name included Emergency Repairs of Asue Street, Owa Phase 2; Emergency Repairs of ldumuogbe Road via Ojemaye; Emergency Repairs of Otolokpo College Road, Otolokpo; and Emergency Repairs of Police lshu Ani Ukwu Road, Issele Uku in Delta State.
They also included Emergency Repairs of old Sapele Agbor Road, Obiaruku; Emergency Repairs of Ehwerhe Obada Road Agbarho Road; Emergency Repairs of Hon. Ifeanyi Eboigbe Street, Boji Boji Owa/Goodwill Street, Owa Alero; and Emergency Repairs of Ahiama Okwu to Obuocha Okwu among others, all in Delta State.
Other lawmakers that Akpabio listed projects against are, Senator Mathew Urhoghide (six projects), Senator James Manager (six projects); former Senator, Sam Anyanwu (19 projects), and others simply identified as Ondo and Edo representatives while the project cost was not supplied by the minister.
Akpabio also listed one Mutu’s name against 74 projects which included various emergency road projects in Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Rivers States.
In accusing the Chairman of the House of Representatives committee on NDDC, Tunji-Ojo, of padding the 2019 budget of the NDDC with 19 contracts worth N9 billion, the minister revealed that “in the 2019 budget, the Executive Director in charge of projects forwarded to me the attached list of 19 Nos. old contracts amounting to almost N9billion after tax, that the House of Representatives Committee Chairman on NDDC, Honourable Tunji-Ojo, insisted that the IMC of NDDC must pay before 2019 budget details could be released to the commission.”
In the letter addressed to the House speaker routed through the Clerk of the House of Representatives, Akpabio further stated, inter alia: “It has always been known that the two chairmen of the committees on NDDC in both chambers yearly exhibit unusual influence to the exclusion of committee members and even the management of the NDDC in appropriating funds to details embellished in the budget after the passage of line items at the plenaries.
“To show you some typical examples, herewith attached are documents showing nature of contracts amount of such contracts (in some cases), date of awards and beneficiaries. Some were awarded to the two chairmen of both committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate, respectively, serving at the period of the awards (Annexure ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’). However, due to the 48 hours’ notice, the forensic auditors could not sift through the thousands of files in their possession to provide more.
He stated: “The investigating Committee on NDDC refused and/or neglected to give me the opportunity to explain that reference to most NDDC contracts yearly being awarded since 2001 from the records allegedly to members of the National Assembly in both Chambers were done without the knowledge of the alleged beneficiaries.
“However, the two Chairmen of the Committees in both Chambers had adequate knowledge;
“I never referred to members of the 9th National Assembly as beneficiaries of NDDC contracts as NDDC is yet to fully implement any NDDC budget since the commencement of the 9th National Assembly. In fact, the 2019 budget passed in February and harmonised between the 4th and 5th of March 2020 was received by the commission in the middle of April 2020, when same was designated to expire on the 31st of May, 2020.
“However, it is pertinent to point out that the Clerk of the National Assembly forwarded a letter Ref. NASS/CNA/115/VOL.38/1175, dated March 20, 2020, without attaching the budget details indicating that the 2020 budget of the NDDC passed into Law was being forwarded (copy of the letter is attached as Annexure ‘A’). This anomaly was brought to the attention of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee investigating a purported financial recklessness by the management of the commission in July 2020, though the first outcry was on allegation of missing N40bn which was totally untrue.”
Rising in his won defence, Tunji-Ojo described the Akpabio’s allegation as spurious and diversionary.
In a telephone interview with THISDAY yesterday, he insisted that the allegation made by NDDC was a ploy to divert the attention of Nigerians from the real issue, which has to do with the mismanagement of NDDC resources by the Interim Management Committee (IMC) from January to date.
The committee chairman denied padding the budget and even challenged the IMC to provide evidence to back the claims.
He said: “He didn’t say I padded the budget; what he wrote in his letter that was read which I heard was that the Executive Director in charge of Projects told him that I said they should pay for 19 old contracts before we could pass their 2019 budget. That is what he said, not that I padded the budget, they are two different things.
“I have never made such request and I have challenged them to bring evidence that I told them to do that. These are just spurious allegations as usual. And again, thankfully, he did not say the contracts are my contracts; he said 19 old contracts; that is, they are already existing contracts, not new contracts.”
The lawmaker said even though there was nothing criminal in asking the NDDC to pay contractors being owed, he insisted that he did not make such a request.
Tunji-Ojo said: “Even though there is nothing criminal to say go and pay your debtors. After all, I’m not asking them to pay me. But I did not even say so and I have challenged them since last week Thursday publicly that they should go and bring evidence.
“There is nothing like that; all these things is just to divert attention from key matter and of course, that’s what they are trying to achieve. There is absolutely nothing like that. They started by saying I have 17 kilometres of road, later on, they came back and said it is six kilometers, later on, they came back and said that I told them to make payment. They have said too many things over too many times. Lies are variables, only the truth is constant.
“They keep changing their stories just to get public sympathy to divert the attention of Nigerians away from the crux of the matter, which has to do with the activities of the IMC from January till date.”
Meanwhile, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has asked the House Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to make public the list of federal lawmakers, who benefitted from the contracts awarded by the NDDC, as contained in a letter sent to him by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Akpabio, last week.
President of the group, Mr. Solomon Adodo, who made the call, while addressing the press declared: “Mr. Speaker did not do us justice when he did not disclose to the National Assembly that the list of the beneficiaries he demanded had been disclosed and attached to the letter sent to him.”
According to him, the speaker’s decision to cover up his colleagues is unfair to the fight against corruption, the quest for transparency, and to the commonwealth of the nation.
The group stated: “We, therefore, urge Mr. Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, to rise up and expose the lawmakers, who were awarded contracts but failed to execute them.
“All the National Assembly members who benefitted from the contracts without executing them should be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to those who may want to follow a similar path. It is a clear case of organised crime to have individuals who benefitted from illegality now rising to probe the fact that their illegality is being exposed.
“We call on all the anti-graft agencies and security agencies to, in line with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari, immediately proceed and go ahead with their investigation of the matter.”
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