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Again, Buhari Replaces his Chief Security Officer

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President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the redeployment of his Chief Security Officer (CSO) and accepted a replacement.

Bashir Abubakar was Mr Buhari’s CSO until this week when he was ordered to proceed on an immediate “strategic course” at a university in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

He was promptly replaced by Idris Kassim Ahmed, top sources at the Presidential Villa told PREMIUM TIMES.

Whenever Mr Ahmed is not in the villa, he is to be assisted by another State Security Service (SSS) official, Abubakar Maikano.

Mr Buhari had two months into his administration in July 2015 replaced his erstwhile CSO, Abdulrahman Mani, and requested the SSS to redeploy him out of the Presidential Villa.

The president thereafter appointed Mr Abubakar to replace Mr Mani.

Until his appointment as CSO, Mr Abubakar was an assistant director in the Bayelsa State command of the SSS.

Mr Ahmed, the new CSO, was deployed from the headquarters of the SSS.

Our sources, who are familiar with the development, said the removal of Mr Abubakar was at the instance of the Director General of the SSS, Yusuf Bichi.

“The DG wrote and informed Mr President of the plans by the service to send the former CSO for further training at Argentina and it appears that request was granted because a replacement has already been named,” a source said.

Another source who asked not to be named because of the “sensitive nature of the matter” said those around the president have never been happy with the way the former CSO operated.

A source said those around Mr Buhari do not like the “independent method of operation” of Mr Abubakar.

“They may not have approached the president to complain officially but most of them do by their body language and they did so because they know the president easily knows everything going on around him even if he never showed it,” the source said.

For instance, we gathered that Mr Buhari’s media team were not happy with the way Mr Abubakar expelled the State House correspondent of Punch Newspaper, Olalekan Adetayo, without recourse to the media team.

Mr Abubakar thereafter defended his decision to expel the reporter, saying journalists have a responsibility to be patriotic in reporting matters of national importance.

In an internal memo he distributed in April 2017, to several presidency officials, including Femi Adesina, the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Mr. Abubakar detailed alleged transgressions and ethical concerns observed in Mr Adetayo’s reporting of activities of the State House, and pronounced him unfit to continue on the beat.

“You may wish to advise the Punch Newspaper that it reserves the right to send a more matured, professional and patriotic representative that will work in the overall interest of the nation rather than self-serving and parochial interests,” Mr. Abubakar, said in the April 25, 2017 memo, which was also copied to the President and the then Director-General of SSS, Lawal Daura.

Although Punch newspaper demanded an apology from Mr Abubakar and vowed not to name a replacement for Mr Adetayo, we gathered that the newspaper had sent in a replacement to the State House beat but the former CSO failed to grant approval for the new reporter’s credentials.

When PREMIUM TIMES contacted the spokesperson of Mr Buhari, Garba Shehu, Friday evening, he denied knowledge of the new security officer.

He said he has not yet been briefed on the matter and will revert whenever he receives any information.

Premium Times

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Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, Oyebanji, Obasa to Be Honoured at Awo-UK

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Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Abayomi Oyebanji and Dapo Abiodun of Lagos, Ekiti and Ogun states respectively, will, in addition with the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Mudasiru Obasa, be given Special recognitions for their roles in supporting the creative industry and leveraging on it as a strong vehicle for socio-polictal development.

The Honours would be presented to the deserving awardees at the premium show of Awo, the Musical, which would be taking place at The Shaw Theatre in Euston London in May, 2024.

In a statement, made available to The Boss, the Executive Producer of the Play, Mr Joseph Edgar, who doubles as the Chairman of the Duke of Shomolu Productions, opined that the awardees through a very well thought out policy initiatives, continue to explore the full potentials of the Creative industry in achieving significant milestones, especially in the areas of job creation, infrastructural development, education, tourism among others.

He further stated that Governor Sanwo-Olu has remained a strong driving force for theatre in Lagos.

“Gov Sanwo-Olu has remained a main backer of theatrical productions, and even attended a few including the debut showing of Awo at the Glover Hall in Central Lagos.

Prince Dapo Abiodun, on his own part, has also remained a driving force in the artistic renaissance Arts and culture is receiving in Ogun State.

Governor Oyebanji of Ekiti State was the main backer of the phenomenally successful play – Fajuyi, which depicted the life of the late Col. Adekunle Fajuyi, who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country. Under his administration, Ekiti State has won several international laurels in arts and culture which could be traced to his administrations direct involvement in the sector.

Rt. Hon. Obasa also leads the most visionary sub-national legislative house, providing secure legislative framework for the continued delivery of cohesive dividend of democracy to the people of Lagos.

Awo is a descriptive musical that traces the life of the great Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, through the eyes of his beloved wife, the divine Chief (Mrs.) HID Awolowo. In very well curated song and dance sequences, the Play takes audiences through the life of one of the greatest African political stories.

Awo has been shown twice in Lagos and was recently unveiled in Ikenne during celebrations to mark the 115th post houmous birthday of the late Sage.

Dr. Mrs Tokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu, the last surviving daughter of Chief Awolowo and Executive Director of the Awo Foundation, was in attendance with other dignitaries like Mr Kunle Soname of BLFA Football Academy.

Other dignitaries expected at the London showing include Khalifa Mohammad Sanusi II, Chairman, Nigerian Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Segun Awolowo among others.

Awo is written by influential theatre director, Makinde Adeniran fta, but will be produced for the London market with an all Nigerian cast by Dr Lookman Sanusi’s Heavy winds Media Limited under franchise from the Duke of Shomolu Foundation.

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Adeleke Unveils Rehabilitated Govt House, Says Upgrading State Assets’ a Policy

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Saturday opened the newly rehabilitated Government House at Osogbo with top officials and dignitaries joining the Governor for inspection of the facilities, prayers and commissioning.

The rehabilitation, according to a statement signed by the governors spokesperson Rasheed Olawale, covers the main house, the completion of an abandoned multi-bedroom Guest House, remodeling of many of the structures, refixing of many derelict facilities and facelift of the entire Government House.

Accompanied by the *Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; the House Speaker, Hon Adewale Egbedun; the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Igbalaye Teslim; the Chief of Staff, Alh Kazeem Akinleye and members of the State Executive Council*, Governor Adeleke officially moved into the Government House amidst prayers and heavy rain across Osogbo yesterday.

Clerics across the faiths were on ground to offer prayers and bless the House while top leaders presented goodwill messages.

Addressing the dignitaries in a short programme, the Governor said his administration is committed to upgrading state assets irrespective of whether such programmes are inherited or commenced by him.

“I have upgraded the Government House just as I rehabilitated the Governor’s office. We ensured the Government House is rescued from the open neglect we inherited. You can all see the upgraded facilities which now places our state in good stead in the comity of states.

“I met an abandoned Guest House where top dignitaries can be hosted instead of huge bills on outside accommodation. I ordered its rehabilitation and today it is completed. The presidential Lodge I met on the ground was in a terrible state. Our team fixed it.

“Our administration is passionate about upgrading state assets because they are for generations even yet unborn. We must act genuinely on the mantra that government is a continuum. Abandoning projects or state assets as Osun witnessed in recent past is a sign of bad leadership

“As our government is completing old projects and initiating new ones, we are also maintaining and upgrading the old structures, refixing them for effective usage of the state.

“To the good people of Osun state, your Governor has moved into the Government House. I pledge to redouble our efforts at delivering on the five point agenda. We are truly fixated on sustaining the delivery of good governance,” the Governor was quoted as saying.

The Orangun of Oke Ila, HRH, Oba Dokun Abolarin was present to give royal blessings.

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Residents Flee As Community Where 16 Soldiers Were Killed is Razed

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According to a report on Channels Television, the Delta community where 16 soldiers were killed on Thursday has been razed.

The military on Saturday confirmed the killing, and said inveatigation is on to unravel the perpetrators. The slain officers include the commanding officer, two majors, one captain and 12 soldiers.

Tukur Gusau, a brigadier general and Deputy Director, Information, of the Nigerian military, had in his Saturday statement said the military would investigate and bring the culprits to book.

The troops were deployed to restore order between two warring communities: Okuama and Okoloba communities in Delta State.

According to Channels Television, the Okuama coastal community where the killing of the soldiers took place was razed Sunday morning.

It is not clear who razed the houses in the community or if anyone died from it but the television station reported that residents have fled to the neighbouring Ughelli community for fear of reprisals by soldiers.

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