Headline

PDP Kicks as Niger Republic Govs Attend Buhari’s Campaign in Kano

Published

6 years ago

February 1, 2019

Eric

Governor Issa Moussa of Zinder and Maradi State Governor, Zakiri Umar, both from the Republic of Niger, were on Thursday in Kano to rally support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election.

Salihu Yakasai, media aide to Kano State Governor, Umar Ganduje, said this on his Twitter handle beneath a photo of the governors and Ganduje.

Yakasai said, “H.E @GovUmarGanduje with his deputy H.E Dr Nasiru Gawuna, his former Dep H.E Prof Hafiz Abubakar, Minister of Interior Abdurrahman Dambazau and that of Water Resources, Suleiman Kazaure, Governors of Zinder and Maradi from Niger Republic, & others getting ready to receive @MBuhari #PMBinKano.”

Yakasai added that the two Nigerien governors were in Kano to rally support for the President Buhari’s re-election.

But the Peoples Democratic Party has berated Buhari and the All Progressives Congress over the presence of two governors from the Republic of Niger at the presidential rally of the APC in Kano.

The PDP accused Buhari of mortgaging the future of Nigeria.

He alleged that the President and his party, the APC, would also import voters from neighbouring countries for the February 16 Presidential election.

The National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, who spoke with one of our correspondents, called the attention of the international community to the alleged plan by the ruling party.

Elections, he said, were internal affairs of Nigerians, wondering why the two foreign governors would be in Kano to welcome the President to his own country.

He said the presence of the two foreign governors had also vindicated the PDP’s claim that President Buhari and his party had been importing foreigners to attend the APC rallies.

Secondus said, “We have been saying it that the President does not consider the interest of Nigerians first in any of his actions. The President of Nigeria has sold the country to those who he loves more than the people who own the nation.

“The present of the two foreign governors is significant in many ways. One, it shows that the President and the APC, like we said, have been importing foreign leaders to the country to attend their rallies.

“We have been saying this and I’m happy Nigerians now that God has exposed them. Their evil plot has come to the open.

“You know that even in almost all the states where the President and his party have become unpopular, they keep on boasting that they will win with a landslide victory. One of the ways they planned to get the votes is the illegal importation of foreign voters, who are also underage.

“We want to call the attention of Nigerians to this assault on our sovereignty. We want the foreign and developed democracies to take note of this action and hold the President responsible if there is crisis before, during and after the elections.

“It is sad that the minister in charge of internal security of the nation was present. We know that they are planning negative things ahead of the elections. We just want to warn them not to plunge the country into crisis.”

Secondus added that the President had also demonstrated why his government had been treating the killer herdsmen with kid gloves.

But the President, Nigeria Voters Assembly, Mashood Erubami, said, “There is nothing unusual about the presence of the two governors with President Buhari. It could be coincidental but having to do with the joint efforts between them and the Kano State Government to confront the scourge of insurgency in Nigeria.

“The two governors are not registered voters in Nigeria and there is no possibility that they will mobilise their citizens across the borders without PVC to come and vote in Nigeria. It is unfortunate that opposition politicians always turn red to blue and would want gullible Nigerians to accept their agenda for the truth.

“I will advise those suspecting to be extra-vigilant during the elections. Also voters must be vigilant too in their different voting centres to ensure that those who did not register in their vicinity are exposed and are not allowed to vote.”

The Punch

Headline

Tinubu Reshuffles Cabinet, Sacks Five Ministers, Merges Ministries

Published

20 hours ago

October 23, 2024

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has dismissed five ministers from his cabinet and appointed seven new ones as part of a cabinet reshuffle.

The President re-assigned 10 ministers to new portfolios and nominated seven new ministers for Senate confirmation.

He dismissed Uju-Ken Ohanenye as Minister of Women Affairs, Lola Ade-John as Minister of Tourism, Tahir Mamman as Minister of Education, Abdullahi Gwarzo as Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, and Jamila Ibrahim as Minister of Youth Development.

Among the nominees, Tinubu selected Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, marking the official end of suspended Betta Edu’s tenure.

Other nominees include Maigari Dingyadi for Minister of Labour and Employment, Jumoke Oduwole for Minister of Industry, Idi Maiha for the newly established Ministry of Livestock Development, Yusuf Ata for Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, and Suwaiba Ahmad for Minister of State for Education.

“The appointment of Shehu Dikko as Chairman of the National Sports Commission.

“The appointment of Sunday Akin Dare as Special Adviser to the President on Public Communication and Orientation working from the Ministry of Information and National Orientation,” the President said.

The President appreciated the outgoing members of the Federal Executive Council for their service to the nation while wishing them the best in their future endeavours.

He then charged the newly appointed ministers and their reassigned colleagues to see their appointment as a call to serve the nation.

Source: Nairametrics

Headline

FG Drops Money Laundering Charges Against Binance Chief, Gambaryan

Published

1 day ago

October 23, 2024

Eric

The Federal Government on Wednesday withdrew the money laundering charges preferred against Binance Holdings Limited executive, Tigran Gambaryan.

Binance, its U.S. head of financial crime compliance, Gambaryan, and the exchange British-Kenyan regional manager for Africa, Nadeem Anjarwalla, were facing money laundering charges to the tune of $35 million brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Gambaryan and Anjarwalla were initially both detained in the custody of the office of the National Security Adviser.

Anjarwalla, however, fled lawful custody on March 22, 2024, while his counterpart, Gambaryan, was arraigned in April.

Following his arraignment, the court ordered his remand to Kuje Correctional Facility.

Headline

Our Commitment to Culture, Reason for Ofala Sponsorship – Glo

Published

3 days ago

October 21, 2024

Eric

Technology company, Globacom, has explained that its commitment to culture and tradition is the reason for sponsoring Onitsha Ofala and other leading festivals across the land.

This year’s event, the 23rd since the incumbent Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, ascended the throne, kicked off with Iru Ofala on Friday and ended with Azu Ofala on Saturday.

Globacom’s Divisional Head, South, Mr. Tochukwu Okechukwu, who represented the company at the Ime Obi venue of the event in Onitsha, Anambra State, said Globacom is mindful of the critical role that culture plays in national development and its ability to foster national identity and bring people together around shared values, traditions, and history adding.

According to him, cultural industries, such as festivals, tourism, arts, and crafts, could contribute significantly to the economy, create jobs, generate revenue, and promote local products. “Culture influences education systems and can inspire creativity and innovation. Cultural knowledge can enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Moreover, a vibrant culture enhances a nation’s soft power, improving its international standing and influence through diplomacy, trade, and cultural exchange”, he added.

He further noted that communication is the livewire of human coexistence especially in an increasingly interconnected world. “It is through dialogue and connection that we foster understanding and collaboration. Our mission is to empower every voice within our community to be heard through affordable telecom services and digital solutions”, he said.

He also disclosed that technology was evolving at an unprecedented pace, and affirmed that Globacom was dedicated to harnessing its power to benefit society. “We envision a future where innovation does not stand apart from tradition, but instead enhances it. We believe that connectivity can strengthen the bonds within our community, bridging generations and fostering collaboration among all our citizens. Together, we can create an environment where our cultural heritage and technological advancements coexist harmoniously, enriching the lives of all. These are the reasons why we will continue to support our cultural festivals such as Ofala and Ojude Oba.”

The Obi of Onitsha had, in his remarks, thanked Globacom for its support for the festival over the years saying the company’s collaboration had enhanced the profile of the festival. According to him, a request had been made to the Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy to support ongoing efforts to enlist Ofala on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The festival peaked with the regal emergence of the Obi from his annual seclusion and his traditional majestic dance round the Ime Obi in his full regalia on the two days of the ceremony. His palace chiefs also danced to the “Egwu Ota” in turns after which they paid homage to the traditional ruler. Several age groups also ranging from the newest such as Ifedioranma, Ugoamaka, Oganiru Onicha to the much older groups, also danced round in flamboyant uniforms and paid homage to Igwe Achebe.

A Royal Banquet organised by Globacom in honour of the monarch will mark the end of this year’s edition of the festival at the Ime Obi on Wednesday, October 23.