Former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair has promised his support for the incoming administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a recent visit to the Defence House in Abuja.
Blair, who founded the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, said the organisation would be a willing partner with Tinubu’s administration in prioritising its goals and delivery.
“We would like to help in any way with your administration. We only need to know what the leadership priorities are and help in how to actualise them,” Blair told President-elect Tinubu.
In response, Tinubu expressed appreciation to Blair for the visit and for his offer to work with his administration. He spoke of the shared vision between him and the Tony Blair Institute in their priority areas, but underlined the importance of tackling investment challenges and the need for social investment to fight poverty.
“Yes, we are challenged. But where is our courage? We can eliminate ignorance, diseases, and poverty in Africa. We must work hard to ensure democracy works for our people,” Tinubu said.
“We have to invest more, put technology in place and keep terrorists at bay because without effective security, there is no guarantee investors will come,” he added.
The president-elect promised to provide a conducive environment that would encourage investors and open up opportunities for the people.
Tinubu was accompanied to the meeting by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima; and other top government officials.
Other top personalities at the meeting were member of Tinubu Transition Team, Mr. Wale Edun; former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District, Adetokunbo Abiru and Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council, Mr. Zacch Adedeji.
Blair’s visit to Nigeria reflects the international community’s interest in the country’s political and economic development. His pledge of support to the incoming administration is a positive step towards achieving sustainable development in Nigeria.
The North-East Development Commission has a new Board and management team in place, as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari to prevent a leadership vacuum that could disrupt the commission’s operations in the North-East region plagued by terror.
The tenure of the previous Board led by Maj-Gen Paul Tarfa had expired, and the President directed the new Board to assume their duties immediately.
The newly appointed Acting MD/CEO, Umar Abubakar Hashidu, expressed gratitude to President Buhari for entrusting them with the responsibility of running the commission during this critical time of recovery from the ravages of Boko Haram in the North-East.
The new Board comprises Bukar Baale as Acting Board Chairman and 10 other members of the Governing Board, including Suwaiba Idris Baba as Executive Director for Humanitarian Affairs (North East, Taraba), Musa Umar Yashi as Executive Director for Administration and Finance (North East, Bauchi), Dr Ismaila Nuhu Maksha as Executive Director for Operations (North East, Adamawa), and Umar Abubakar Hashidu as MD/CEO (North East, Gombe).
Onyeka Gospel-Tony serves as a member from the South East, while Hon. Mrs Hailmary Ogolo Aipoh is a member from the South-South region; Hon. Mrs Hailmary Ogolo Aipoh, Member, (South-South), Air Commodore Babatunde Akanbi (rtd), Member, (South West), Mustapha Ahmed Ibrahim, Member, (North West), Hadiza Maina, Member, (North Central) Alhaji Grema Ali, Member (North East) and a representative from the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.
Hashidu praised the National Assembly and North-East governors for their unwavering support of the commission and promised that the new management would meet expectations when confirmed.
This change in leadership is crucial for the commission’s continued efforts to rebuild and develop the North-East region.
MAIDUGURI (BNB) – The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Borno State has congratulated the Muslim Ummah on the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitri celebration.
The CAN Chairman, Most Reverend Dr. John Bogna Bakeni, Auxiliary Bishop of Maiduguri, expressed his joy and prayed that Allah would accept their acts of Ibadah and supplications.
The message conveyed the Christian community’s unity in celebrating with their Muslim counterparts, with hopes that the blessings of God would be upon the Muslim Ummah in Borno State and beyond.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has approved and released salaries for the month of April, 2023, even though the month is only on its 17th day.
This is in line with the Governor’s consistent practice of promptly paying salaries and pensions throughout his four years in office.
The Governor’s media team confirmed that the early payment is intended to enable workers in the state to prepare for the upcoming Eid-il-fitr celebrations.
With workers already receiving credit alerts, Governor Zulum’s commitment to the welfare of workers in Borno State is evident, as he continues to prioritize their well-being.
In many African countries, the payment of salaries by the government is considered a perfunctory role. However, it is often a significant challenge for many states to fulfill this non-negotiable obligation. This makes the early payment of salaries by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, Nigeria, even more noteworthy, as it demonstrates his commitment to ensuring that workers in the state are well taken care of.
Borno State Governor Babagana8 Zulum has extended Easter greetings to Christians across Nigeria and urged citizens to pray for peace and progress in the state.
He also called on celebrants to reach out to those in need and commit part of their prayers for a successful second term of his administration and for the full restoration of peace, safe resettlement of citizens, and the revival of means of livelihoods.
Zulum emphasized the importance of infrastructure projects, programs, and policies that will improve living standards and strengthen economies in all senatorial zones of the state.
Additionally, he urged security agencies to sustain their efforts in preserving security during the festivities and beyond.
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has expressed satisfaction with the progress of ongoing rehabilitation works at the Maiduguri Monday market which was engulfed by fire on Sunday, February 26, 2023.
Zulum made this known today (Tuesday) when he paid an assessment visit to the market, the repairs of which is being accelerated to hasten return of trading activities.
The governor was received and conducted round the market by the Monday Market Committee chairman, Engr Zarami Dungus.
“I am satisfied with the level of work done. This committee is doing a very great job and we have to support you. Most importantly we should beef up the security here to ensure the absolute safety of people’s property”, Zulum said.
Governor Zulum had in response to the fire disaster, approved the release of N2 billion with one billion meant as emergency palliative to victims and another one billion naira for the start of reconstruction of the market.
The governor supervised the commencement of work last week.
.. All donations well documented, Governor assures
Meanwhile, Governor Babagana Zulum has explained that donations so far received in respect to the Maiduguri Monday Market fire incident have been properly documented and urged mischief makers to stop spreading misleading information on the social media.
Giving the breakdown, Zulum said, a donation of N300m was made by the Zenith Bank Ltd, N100m each by the Vice President-Elect, Kashim Shettima, the Yobe State Government, All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Chairman of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Alhaji Kashim Imam.
Others, he said, are the donation of N50m by Martix Nigeria Ltd, N20m by Al-Ansar Foundation and N10m by the Senator representing Southern Borno, Mohammed Ali Ndume.
“I heard some information going round on social media, we have to be very careful. Some people are posting ghost donations which we know nothing about. There was even a social media report that one person has donated N500m, but we did not receive such an amount, people should take note of that”, the governor said.
“At least after every two weeks, the committee as the custodian of the special account meant for the market fire incident should inform the public of the amount of money received”, Zulum noted.
Following today’s ruling by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (EPT) on the reconfiguration of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) used for the Presidential election held on 25th February 2023, the Commission met to assess its impact on the Commission’s preparations for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, 11th March 2023.
Nigerians would recall that on 3rd March 2023, the Presidential EPT had given an ex-parte order for some political parties to inspect materials used for the Presidential election, including the forensic inspection of over 176,000 BVAS used in the election which are located in INEC LGA offices across the country.
The Commission approached the Tribunal to reconsider the order, given that the BVAS Systems were to be deployed for the Governorship and State Assembly elections and that the lack of a clearly defined timeframe for the inspection could disrupt the Commission’s ability to conduct the outstanding elections. For instance, the BVAS can only be activated on the specific date and time of an election.
Having been used for the Presidential and National Assembly elections on 25th February 2023, it is necessary to reconfigure the BVAS for activation on the date of the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
While the ruling of the Tribunal makes it possible for the Commission to commence the preparation of the BVAS for the Governorship and State Assembly elections, it has come far too late for the reconfiguration to be concluded. Consequently, the Commission has taken the difficult but necessary decision to reschedule the Governorship and State Assembly elections which will now take place on Saturday 18th March 2023. By this decision, campaigns will continue until midnight of Thursday 16th March 2023 i.e. 24 hours before the new date for the election.
This decision has not been taken lightly but it is necessary to ensure that there is adequate time to back up the data stored on the over 176,000 BVAS machines from the Presidential and National Assembly elections held on 25th February 2023 and then to reconfigure them for the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
This has been the practice for all elections, including the period when the Commission was using the Smart Card Readers. However, we wish to reiterate that the Commission is not against litigants inspecting election materials.
Consequently, it will continue to grant all litigants access to the materials they require to pursue their cases in court. We wish to reassure all political parties and candidates that the data from the Presidential and National Assembly elections will be backed up and available in INEC cloud facilities, including the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV).
Political parties can apply for Certified True Copies of the backend data of the BVAS. Also, the results on the BVAS will continue to be available on the IReV for interested parties to access.
We thank Nigerians and friends of Nigeria for their understanding as we continue to deal with these difficult issues and navigate these challenging times. Barr. Festus Okoye National Commissioner & Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee Wednesday 8th March 2023
The opposition New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Borno state has called on the state governor, Babagana Zulum to order the supporters of his party, All Progressives Congress (APC), to stop destroying the opposition campaign billboards in the state.
The opposition party alleged that about 16 of its billboards displaying the impression of their Presidential candidate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and that of a senatorial candidate for Borno Central, Attom Magira-Tom, have been destroyed or pulled down by supporters of the ruling APC in the state.
This allegation was contained in a signed statement sent to the newsroom of Bay-6 News Online by officials of the party.
The APC has however denied involvement in the alleged hostility towards rival parties in the state, while insisting that the claims were “concucted.”
But acording to state chairman of NNPP, Barrister Mohammed Mustapha, his party has the cause to replace several billboards that were destroyed by the supporters of the ruling party two weeks ago, but only to be destroyed again on the same night.
The opposition party chairman said they were informed by credible sources that their party campaign infrastructure were targeted for attack at the behest of the state governor, Professor Babagana Zulum.
The NNPP chairman said “the APC thugs” were not only destroying their billboards but also replacing same with their own (APC) Posters even though they had paid the Borno urban development board all the fees to secure the locations for the placements.
The opposition party chairman who had also shared photographs of the destroyed campaign billboard expressed disappointment at the ruling partys level of political intolerance so far demonstrated by the Governor and his ruling party.
The party, thereby, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies to deploy relevant sections of the Electoral Act to check the excesses of the APC and its government.
“We, therefore, call on the APC-led government under Professor Babagana Zulum to call his party members to order, as there is a limit to indiscretion. We will continue to call our members to maintain orderliness; but will not tolerate further onslaught on our party campaign structures,” Barrister Mohammed warned.
A billboard of NNPP allegedly destroyed by the APC thugs
Read the full text of the statement:
“The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Borno state chapter finds it highly imperative to draw the attention of the good people of Borno to the dangerous political trends capable of plunging our dear state into wanton violence and disruption of the emergent fragile peace that we have collectively fought for.
It is alarming to note that no other group is leading this mundane and archaic politics of bitterness other than the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its government under Professor Babagana Umara Zulum. A man who has been promoted as the people’s governor.
It may interest the general public to note on Friday, January 20th, 2023, a second peace accord was signed by all the political parties, their leadership and candidates to demonstrate our readiness to support the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct peaceful, hitch-free and violence-free 2023 general election.
That singular action, as organised by the National Peace Committee headed by the Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, gave all well-meaning Nigerians the confidence of having yet another democratic progress that will reflect the overwhelming wishes and aspirations of Nigerians.
It is disheartening to say that we, the people of Borno state, having crept out of one of the ugliest insurgencies in recent times across the globe, may not benefit from the dividends of the Peace Accord signed by our leaders and elder statesmen of high repute. This is mainly due to the actions and negative body language of the ruling APC and its government in Borno state.
The likes of political sages, like the Late Waziri Ibrahim of blessed memory, who was the proponent of “Politics Without Bitterness”, will be turning their grave in the face of the cruel politics being perpetrated in the state that once prides itself as the Home of Peace.
We, the members of the NNPP, have been on the front burner of the victims of the political violence of the APC and its hired political thugs in recent times.
On Friday, January 20, 2023, the campaign billboards of our Presidential candidate, His Excellency Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and that of the Borno Central Senatorial candidate, His Excellency Attom Magira Tom, were violently attacked and destroyed in strategic locations across the Maiduguri Metropolis and other major communities within the constituency.
This attack on our campaign structures was coming barely two weeks after similar destruction was carried out on the same number of billboards. As law-abiding members of a party whose principles have resonated with the electorates, we did not call for counter-violence. Instead, we urged our teaming supporters to remain calm and law-abiding while the leadership of NNPP reported the matter to concerned security agencies.
The Friday incident of an attack on our billboard was carried out in a coordinated fashion on the night of the very day we replaced our duly authorised billboards.
It is even more saddening to note that the APC and its thugs did not only destroy our billboards, but they also went ahead to replace the banners on them with those of some of their own APC candidates even though we have paid the Borno state government all the required fees for the advertisement permit.
For the avoidance of doubts, we want the public to fact-check our claims by visiting the West-End Roundabout, the Dandal Police station Roundabout, the Post Office Roundabout, Opposite Metro Police Division, the Adjacent Government College Maiduguri, Adjacent FGC Monguno, Adjacent Umaru Shehu General Hospital, Airport Roundabout, LM Bakery Junction at GidanMadara, Bulunkutu Yan-Nono, Bama Road/Lagos Street Junction, Adjacent UBA along Sir Kashim Road, and host of many other places to verify our claims.
We want to kindly remind the general public that this attitude of violence by the APC and its government did not start today.
It was on record that on August 25, 2022, the Borno state Secretariat of our great party NNPP was, in the most shameful manner, sealed by the Borno state Urban Development Board on the directives of the state governor. That incident happened about three days to the day the National leader and presidential candidate of the NNPP, His Excellency Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, was expected to visit the state and commission the Secretariat.
On the same day, our Senatorial Candidate, and party leader in Borno state, His Excellency Attom Magira Tom, was unlawfully arrested and detained by the Nigeria police for many hours simply because he showed up at the Secretariat to find out what was going on.
Similarly, on August 28, 2022, when our Presidential candidate visited Maiduguri to launch our party, NNPP, his convoy was brutally attacked on the way to the airport, and not less than ten of our vehicles were vandalised.
All these unfortunate happenings are going on in our state at a time when the state is governed by a University Professor and member of the National Institute, who is supposed to be an intellectual and above board.
In light of these ugly trends, coming weeks of the conduct of the general election, we call on the INEC to take disciplinary measures against the violation of the Electoral Act by the APC and its government.
We are also worried that most of the destruction perpetrated on our billboards by the APC was done at locations where the offices of the security agencies are located, and nothing was done to prevent its continuous recurrence.
We, therefore, call on the APC-led government under Professor Babagana Zulum to call his party members to order, as there is a limit to indiscretion. We will continue to call our members to order but will not tolerate further onslaught on our party campaign structures. ”
Chairman of the APC, Hon Dalori insisted that, “the NNPP is crying foul on the crushing victory by the APC-led government under the leadership of governor Babagana Zulum who in the last three and half years, was able to put smile on the faces of Borno people through dividends of democracy and inclusiveness.”
Meanwhile, a mainstream newspaper has quoted the APC chairman, Ali Bukar Dalori, denying the allegation and stressing that “the NNPP is concocting lies against the ruling APC.”
“The APC and its teaming supporters are peace-loving individuals who are poised to ensure Borno sustains its developmental strides under the good leadership qualities of Governor Zulum,” the reported quoted the APC chairman who this newsroom has not been able to reach at the moment.
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The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has described as irresponsible the attempt by the campaign of the Labour Party’s Presidential candidate Peter Obi to drag him into the murky water of the 2023 election.
The foremost Islamic religious leader was quoted in a doctored document saying he should be held responsible if Peter Obi didn’t perform well as President of Nigeria. A statement which ostensibly infers that he has endorsed Mr Obi’s presidential ambition.
The purported message went wild in circulation even though many Nigerians who knew the Islamic leader and statesman discountenanced it.
The issue is just a confirmation of the volume of fake news that has shrouded the information space from where Nigerians are supposed to make informed decisions on their right candidate.
Reacting to the sad development, the media team stated to absolve the monarch even as they did not hide their anger toward the Obidients for falsely attributing such uncanny information to His Royal Majesty, the Sultan.
The response reads:
IGNORE IRRESPONSIBLE ATTEMPT TO DRAG SULTAN INTO POLITICS of 2023 BY PETER OBI CAMPAIGNERS
The attention of Media Team of Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, has been drawn to a statement circulating on social media titled, “BREAKING: SULTAN OF SOKOTO WRITES” with an opening credited to Sultan purportedly saying, “Hold me responsible if Peter Obi didn’t perform well, the problem of the North is from the north, not Peter Obi or an Igbo man, it will be worst and more deadly for the North if Tinubu wins, if they tell you an Igbo man is the problem of Nigeria, tell them Igbo man never rule Nigeria before and north is world poverty capital”.
Ordinarily the statement should not be dignified with a pinch of reaction but because of the need to put the record straight for the sake of truth seeking Nigerians. Recall that this is not the first time such misleading statement would be circulated in effort to climb on the influential personality and name of the Sultan to score political goals. Unfortunately for the these pitiable political campaigners, Sultan of Sokoto is – strictly speaking – a traditional ruler and leader of Muslims of Africa’s most populous country. Moreso, as a retired Army General, his discipline, commitment and unalloyed to Nigeria is non-nogotiable.
For the avoidance of doubt, the statement is fake because such an irresponsible write-up, credited to him, could not have emanated from anywhere near or around His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
Between Wednesday and Thursday, the Sultan played host to several figures including the outgoing and new General Officers Commanding (GOCs), Eighth Division Nigerian Army, Sokoto, Major Generals O. Bassey and Godwin Mutkut, respectively, Vice Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Kashim Shettima, among others.
It would interest Nigerians to know that Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Dr. Peter Obi, was not one of those that paid visit to the palace, be it on Wednesday or Thursday. So, how some agents of discord whose stock-in-trade is to thrive on cooking falsehoods and peddling of Fame news think that they can get through with this remains unknown to common sense.
The simple challenge is to ask them to publish a copy of the letter purportedly written by the Sultan or a video or audio clip where he endorsed Peter Obi and denied APC Presidential Candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as contained in their peddled fakeness. If they cannot, and of a surety they cannot, they should desist from this indefensible claim and unpardonable lie using the good bane of his His Eminence because it will backfire.
It should, however, be made clear to the good people of Nigeria that this , like many others in the past by the Peter Obi campaigners, would not stop the Sultan from continuing to play his role as a multifaceted leader and father of all and so, his doors will remain open to all aspirants across all parties and other meaningful people from across the country.
More important to Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar at this time and always are security, peace and unity of Nigeria, especially as the nation is fast moving into its long planned and heavily invested general elections. He will continue to support all efforts that will lead to success of the election process. So, let any incoherent claims of naysayers be ignored. Sultan is not a politician.
PRINCE BASHIR ADEFAKA, For: Media Team of the Sultan of Sokoto
All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has sent out a hearty birth day wish to his party’s former Interim National Chairman , Chief Bisi Akande, who clocked 84 years today.
A statement from Tinubu Media Office said the leading 2023 contender for Nigeria’s Presidential seat hailed the elder statesman “for his courage and extraordinary leadership.”
The statement released by head of the APC Candidate media office, Tunde Rahman, the APC flag bearer “commended Chief Akande for his helpful contributions to Nigeria and dedication and commitment to progressive politics and good governance.”
Mr Rahman said Tinubu “noted the unblemished public service record of Chief Akande from the start of the Second Republic when he was a member of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the 1979 constitution, Secretary to the Government of old Oyo State and Deputy Governor of the state in the administration of late Chief Bola Ige, and later governor of Osun State.”
Rahman’s statements continue that While thanking God on behalf of Chief Akande and his family for the grace to witness another year in good health, Asiwaju Tinubu acknowledged that the former Osun State governor served Nigeria and the people of Oyo and Osun States with integrity, and used public office to improve their lives.
Tinubu’s media aid directly quoted his thus:
“I rejoice with Chief Bisi Akande on his 84th birthday celebration. Baba Awon Omo ke ke ke as he is fondly called is a role model, mentor and extraordinary man of courage who has served the people with dignity and rare honour.
“His life continues to inspire us who are his younger ones and associates as a shining example to emulate.
“Baba Akande has been at the vanguard of progressive politics and good governance, ideals for which he has not compromised even with attendant inconveniences and challenges including detention and other risks to his life.
“We remain grateful to God for sparing his life in good health and fecund mind.
“I join family, friends, associates and all lovers of this venerable elderstatesman across Nigeria and beyond to wish him happy birthday and many memorable returns of the day and more years of joy and happiness.”
Bay States News 