Hon. Amos Gombi has been confirmed the authentic Acting Chairman of the People Democratic party (PDP)in plateau state. Hon. Gombi is the Deputy Chairman to the out gone chairman of the party in the state Hon. Damishi Sango who voluntary resigned his chairmanship position amidst crisis to pave way for peace in the party. The letter to confirm the appointment of the former Deputy Chairman of the party in plateau state is dated the 13th Dec, 2019 and signed by the National Secretary of People’s Democratic Party Umaru Ibrahim Tsauri, CON. According to the letter send to our correspondent said the action is in line with section 47(6)of the party’s constitution. With the ratification of the position of former Deputy Chairman of the party now Acting Chairman the appointment is now back by law. It would be recall that the chairman of the party Damishi Sango resigned few weeks ago, following unresolved crisis that bothered on issues of miss appropriations of fund and many other party issues.
Northern Governors forum on Monday felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as he marks his 77th birthday (17th December 2019). This was contained In a congratulatory message signed by Dr. Makut Simon Macham the Director of Press and Public Affairs to the Governor Plateau State and Chairman, Northern Governors Forum. The statement reads that the Chairman of Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong said President Buhari has demonstrated unparalleled leadership, patriotism, integrity, sacrifice and courage in bringing genuine change to Nigeria. He said ” the revival of the economy, industries, railways, agriculture and other sectors by the Change Government Under your leadership has brought back confidence to the nation and is putting it on the path of productivity and self sufficiency.” Lalong emphasized that the honest and transparent leadership by the President and his achievements in the fight against corruption means that the future of Nigeria is being secured and guaranteed even as the world continues to give the country its rightful place in the comity of nations. Governor Lalong assured the President of the renewed loyalty and cooperation of Northern Governors to his administration assuring him of their prayers, support and goodwill as he continue to lead the nation to the next level. The Governors wished the President long life, good health, God’s divine protection and wisdom.
Due to the recent promotion of some senior officers, it became imperative to deploy them to appropriate appointments to the new ranks. Consequently, the Nigerian Army has just released the postings and appointments of the affected officers. The posting which was approved by the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai is a routine exercise carried out to reinvigorate the system for greater professional effectiveness/efficiency.
The highlight of the posting includes the appointment of Maj Gen EO Ogunkale from Command Army Record Lokoja to Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Standards and Evaluation, Maj Gen AO Uthman from Nigerian Army School of Signals, Apapa, Lagos to Defence Headquarters as Director Defence Communications, Maj Gen OO Soleye from Defence Headquarters to Headquarters Command Army Record Lokoja as Commander, Maj Gen YI Shalangwa the erstwhile Director Legal Services ‘Army’ now redeployed to Defence Headquarters as Director Legal Services, Maj Gen DC Onyemulu from Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi, Lagos becomes Director Armed Forces Simulation Centre, while Maj Gen HI Bature is redeployed from Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command, Minna to Defence Headquarters and appointed Director Liaison.
Others include; Maj Gen IM Obot to remain at Nigerian Army Resource Centre as Participant Senior Executive Management and Policy Course, Maj Gen BO Sawyer to remain in Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans as Director Plans. Also Maj Gen LA Adegboye the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division is to remain as GOC 82 Division, Maj Gen MA Masanawa from Army Central Ammunition Depot to Defence Headquarters and appointed Director Innovation and Combat Development.
Similarly, Maj Gen G Oyefesobi from Defence Intelligence Agency to Headquarters of the recently created Nigerian Army Special Forces Corps as Commander, Maj Gen MM Bunza the erstwhile Commandant Nigerian Military School Zaria, is redeployed to Nigerian Army Education Corps as Corps Commander Education, Maj Gen DH Ali-Keffi from Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji to Defence Intelligence Agency and appointed Director of Administration, Maj Gen GO Adesina from Army Headquarters Department of Army Policy and Plans to Nigerian Army Signals School Apapa, Lagos as Commandant while Maj Gen PE Eromosele from National Defence College Abuja to Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering Makurdi as Commandant.
Others are – Maj Gen KO Aligbe from Defence Headquarters Abuja to Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji and appointed Commandant, Maj Gen AB Ibrahim to remain in Army Headquarters and appointed Director Training, Maj Gen GK Nwosu to remain in Nigerian Army Special Forces School Buniyadi as Commandant, Maj Gen FB Fakrogha to remain in Nigerian Army Women Corps as Commander Women Corps, Maj Gen S Idris from Defence Headquarters to Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership Peace Keeping Centre and appointed Commandant.
Similarly, Brig Gen JC Ogbonna from Headquarters 81 Division to Headquarters 82 Division appointed Division’s Training Officer, Brig Gen BH Mohammed from Headquarters Nigerian Army Education Corps to Nigerian Military School Zaria as Commandant, Brig Gen GO Omorogbe from Headquarters 4 Brigade Benin to Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre Jaji as Chief of Staff, Brig Gen AJ Fagge from Defence Space Agency to Ministry of Defence and appointed Principal General Staff Officer to Honourable Minister of Defence, Brig Gen NI Najaja from 6 Military Intelligence Brigade Portharcourt to Open Source Intelligence Command as Commander and Brig Gen AO Quadri from Headquarters 81 Division Lagos to Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command Minna as Director Training.
Also, Brig Gen FG Dimlong from 105 Division’s Equipment Support (DES) to 101 DES and appointed Commander, Brig Gen M Danmadami from Headquarters 3 Division Jos to Office of the Chief of Army Staff as Ag Director Procurement, Brig Gen OJ Akpor from 1 Division Garrison Kaduna to Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna appointed Director Military Training, Brig Gen BU Yahaiya from Ministry of Defence to Nigerian Army Resource Centre Abuja and appointed Subject Expert South East Asia, Brig Gen IM Jallo from Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna to 4 Brigade Benin as Commander, Brig Gen HE Akpan from Army War College to Directorate of Army Recruitment, Resettlement and Reserve and appointed Commander, Brig Gen O Nwachukwu to remain in Defence Headquarters as Ag Director Defence Information, Brig Gen MK Gara from Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations to 8 Division Garrison as Commander and Brig Gen MU Wambai from SI List (SEC 41) to Headquarters Directorate of Legal Services as Acting Director Legal Services among others.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai whilst wishing all the officers well in their respective appointments charges them to take their new responsibilities seriously and discharge all duties professionally with utmost loyalty to the Service and the Nation. All the appointments take immediate effect.
SAGIR MUSA Colonel Acting Director Army Public Relations 16 December 2019
The Northern Governors Forum has condemned the alleged execution of four aid workers by terrorists in North-eastern Nigeria.
Chairman of the Forum and Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong in a statement decried the heinous act, describing it as regrettable and a conduct that will not go unpunished.
Lalong said he was saddened by the development which is not only condemnable, but a crime against humanity and good conscience.
He commiserated with the family and loved ones of the aid workers for the anguish which befell them simply because their relatives offered themselves to serve humanity and help those in need.
The aid workers were reportedly abducted near Damasak, Borno State, in July, and had been in captivity despite all efforts to secure their release and freedom until their alleged execution.
Lalong reiterates that “as Northern Governors, we are determined to continue working with the Federal Government, Security Agencies, the Citizens and all stakeholders in overcoming this evil that is perpetrated by criminally minded persons”
The Chairman urged aid workers and those offering essential services to IDPs and other needy people in the North East and other areas not to be deterred by this set back which cannot be allowed to rubbish the sacrifices and good work that has been put into the fight against insurgency.
Dr. Makut Simon Macham ANIPR
Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State & Chairman Northern Governor’s Forum
16th December 2019.
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday ordered the transfer of Soku oil field from Bayelsa State to its rightful owner, Rivers State. Delivering judgment in a suit instituted by Rivers State, Justice Inyang Ekwo, ordered the National Boundary Commission to rectify the error in its 11th edition of Administrative Map, which designated San Bartholomew River as the boundary between the two states, instead of River Santa Barbara. The NBC was said to have in its letter dated July 3, 2002 in response to Rivers State Government’s protest admitted its mistake and promised to rectify it in the 12th edition of the administrative map. Failure of the NBC to rectify the mistake as promised made the Rivers State Government to file a suit against the Attorney-General of Bayelsa State and the Attorney-General of the Federation before the Supreme Court in 2009. The Supreme Court in 2012 ruled in favour of Rivers State and ordered the rectification of the error. By August 2019, when the mistake had yet to be corrected, Rivers State Government instituted a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja solely against the NBC, seeking an order of mandamus compelling it to correct its error. Granting the plaintiff’s prayers in his judgment delivered on Monday, Justice Ekwo ordered the commission to immediately produce the 12th edition of the Administrative Map restoring River Santa Barbara as the inter-state boundary between Rivers and Bayelsa States, as it was in 1996 when Bayelsa State was carved from Rivers State. He added that the commission was duty-bound to obey the July 10, 2012 judgment of the Supreme Court which had affirmed River Santa Barbara as the boundary between the states, by immediately correcting its self-admitted error of designating River San Bartholomew as the boundary. He also ordered that the judgment be served on the relevant statutory bodies, especially, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission and the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation for them to immediate recompute the amount of oil revenue accruable to it with the transfer of the Soku oil field to it.
Residents of Asaba, Delta State are still living in bewilderment as a 19-year-old boy allegedly impregnated his mother while testing his love charm. According to reports gathered, the boy, popularly called Ekenem had gone to a native doctor, who prepared a love charm for him to use on his mother who is one of the matrons in the college where he is a boarding student. The Guardian reports that the husband of the woman, who has been away for some time to his Port Harcourt operational base, denied being responsible for the pregnancy during interrogation. But the victim, the suspect’s mother, while speaking to journalists said: “I did not know how it happened, but all I can say is that a young man who looked like my son suddenly found his way into my room at the wee hours and I was speechless”, adding that the whole exercise had remained inexplicable. Speaking at the police headquarters to journalists, the suspect said: “I am deeply sorry for all that has happened, I did not mean to do this. I saw myself falling in love with her after the love charm prepared for me. I have to confess because I know by so doing, God will touch her mind and I know she will forgive me. “I suddenly found that I was making love to mum when I thought the charm will not work, and upon the revelation, I threatened to kill her and the matter was reported to the police”, he said. DSP Celestina Kalu, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, who confirmed the report, disclosed that the boy was arrested over threat to life.
Governor of Ondo State, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN has presented the staff of office to the new Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye. The governor presented the staff office on Saturday at an event attended by royal fathers from far and near, including Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, Deji of Akure, Oba Victor Kiladejo, Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom and other prominent traditional rulers from the state and beyond. Akeredolu expressed his administration’s commitment to non-interference in any transparent process of selection of traditional rulers in the state. The Governor said the people’s tradition will not be violated for political expediency, adding that he will continue to support all practices and traditional norms which affirm life. While thanking the Omo-Olowos and the kingmakers for a rancour-free selection process, Governor Akeredolu said the wide acceptance enjoyed by the Olowo ensures unanimity of purpose and unforced collaboration among the people. He said: ”The spontaneous expression of joy, affectionate jubilation and fraternal camaraderie, which enveloped the whole kingdom, on the announcement of the choice by all the Omo- Olowo, compelled approval. “The new Olowo, a comely, calm, principled, honest and unassuming personality, has become the veritable tool employed by both terrestrial and celestial powers to unite our people. It has never been this good.“ While emphasizing his administration’s determination to ensure even distribution of social and economic benefits of good governance, the Governor said good governance has been deepened under his watch by listening to the people on the challenges encountered and taking decisions based on priorities. “I want to emphasise the fact that our administration is determined to ensure even distribution of social and economic benefits of good governance through the provision of infrastructural facilities and social amenities not only in urban cities but also in all communities in the State. “Some of the facilities being provided are road rehabilitation and construction across the State, renovation of public schools, rehabilitation of damaged boreholes, and massive provision of hospital equipment and consumables.”
A man has changed his son’s name from Muhammadu Buhari to Suleiman in Dutsinma, Katsina state. In an elaborate event on Saturday, the man invited his family and friends to witness the renaming of his son, the man also slaughtered ram to mark the ceremony. According to our sources, the man named his first child Muhammadu Buhari shortly after the 2015 general election so that he will be called ‘Muhammadu Buhari’ before but now he has rechanged to Suleiman. Speaking during the event, the man said what necessitated the change of name is because he is disappointed in President Muhammadu Buhari. According to him, he named his son Buhari hoping that President Muhammadu Buhari will change the narrative of Nigeria but things are getting worse hence his decision to change his son’s name.
Suddenly, the media were awash with the screaming breaking news headlines: “Nigeria’s Chief Justice Wants Constitution Amended To Accommodate Sharia Law”; “Nigeria’s chief justice wants more Shari’a in constitution”; “Constitution should be amended to accommodate peculiarities of Shari’a – CJN.” In the media reports, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad was reported to have publicly called for the amendment of the country’s constitution to “accommodate some of the concerns of Muslims and the Shari’a Law“ (Daily Trust). He made the call on Wednesday in his keynote speech at the 20th Annual Judges Conference at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU). His speech was read by the Grand Khadi of Niger State, Justice Muhammad Danjuma. Not only that, the CJN was also reported to have urged the academics to champion the cause of redesigning the methods of teaching Shari’a law; discard English as the language of instruction in Shari’a law and for a separate faculty dedicated to Shar’ia. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) notes that Nigerians are well aware that there are sections of the constitution which allow the implementation of Islamic Personal Law. CAN observes that the CJN has neither denied any of the reports attributed to him nor has he clarified it. No person or association has come out with a contrary opinion. And we therefore regard it as a settled fact: the CJN did indeed say it. And much more, he meant it. He called for amendment to alter Nigeria’s current constitutional status to be religiously inclined – inclined toward one religion – Islam. Clearly, this looks like the path to making Islam a state religion. No one can begrudge the CJN from peacefully practicing his faith. But to seek to transform it into having greater space in our constitution for only one religion is the height official immodesty. CAN views this as the most reprehensible, reckless and insensitive statement made by a public officer, a jurist, the very head of Nigeria’s judiciary at that. It is one more glaring case in our recent history where public officers, rather than see themselves in privileged positions to discharge responsibilities that promote national cohesion, dialogue, and understanding, remove suspicion and project Nigeria’s leadership, have instead turned around to be local and humdrum in their dispositions toward other parts of the country. Related cases are the heads of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force who chose to cite specialised universities in their home areas using the public treasury. Perhaps the CJN is reinforcing the same mentality, this time using religious self-indulgence. But then, we may pause and ask ourselves the following questions: are these actions by the military chiefs and the pronouncement of the CJN deliberately synchronised to promote regionalism and religious bias? Are we seeing the implementation of part of a much bigger plan to turn the country into one behemoth of a region and also one grand religion? Is Nigeria about to witness the sure move toward becoming an Islamic State and the possibility of the country being forcibly transformed into a Shari’a state? Could all these be part of the motivation for calling for laws that could stifle any national debate or crush opinions that are branded as Hate Speech and for the regulation of the social media? Was the CJN Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohamed already speaking on behalf of those who are conspiring to allow Islam dominate and subjugate other faiths? Was this agenda the reason Hon Justice Walter Onnoghen was crudely and hastily removed and Hon Justice Tanko hastily sworn in as CJN? Hon Justice Tanko is obviously aware that there is a constitutional barrier to his dangerous idea. Section 10 of the constitution specifies: “The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion.” The very first provision of the constitution states clearly in Section 1 (1): “This Constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on all authorities and persons through the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” So, he throws in what he believes is the solution: Amend the Constitution. And to do that, he is not talking of a national consensus. No. He simply states, “As we all know, there are sections of the constitution that allow the implementation of Islamic personal law and apart from that, we cannot do more. “However, we have the number to amend the constitution to suit our own position as Muslims.” Definitely by this position of the CJN, he has shown his religious partisanship on constitutional matter which without doubt is most likely to affect his sense of judgement in matters affecting Christians and Muslims before his court. Christians are not part of his people from this statement and he appears to be prepared to set the nation on fire by provocative statement that would set two religious practitioners against one another. If the less educated, the unenlightened, the mischievous and the politically extreme can tinker with such permutations, certainly not a man of the learning, age, experience, exposure and publicly centred personality as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. Does his position speak positively of a man who can still be trusted to hold the judiciary together as belonging to one nation with one people of various opinions, religious convictions and political persuasions? Hon Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad has ushered in a potentially volcanic and voltrous debate. He, and those supporting and prodding him on expect to receive a feedback. Here is one: it is dangerous; it is condemnable; it is impractical; it is unwise, it is highly divisive, and unnecessarily so. Nigerians should rise with one voice and condemn it. They should tell their national and state legislatures to disregard it. We instead call for national unity based on the current constitutional provisions. CAN counsels the CJN to instead show greater concern to the elements that will keep the country peaceful, serene, united, steadily growing and, with inclusive governance. He should focus on how to bring greater reforms that will bring justice closer to the people devoid of technicalities, and the ridiculous complications we all saw during the sitting of tribunals, appeal panels and even the Supreme Court over which he presides. CAN observes that Nigerians want to see safer highways, highly improved electricity supply, failure-proof roads, affordable and available health care and housing, jobs and empowerment for our youth and women as well freedom to ventilate their opinions. On the other hand, CAN calls for the implementation of the 2014 National Conference Report. This will help give a balanced and proper expression to all parts of the country in how they wish to live and be governed in this 21st Century. Hon Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad should think again. He hasn’t helped our country with this ignoble position. As an eminent jurist and head of a very critical arm of the government of the federation saddled with the responsibility of interpreting laws, what we generally expect of the CJN is patriotism in the course of his official function, not partisanship. We finally advise him to resign his appointment immediately because he is no longer fit to sit at the seat of judgement as unbiased umpire. Can anybody convince Nigerians again with this statement that Islamization agenda is not real? Within a short time in office, the CJN has come out in his true colour to reveal what his agenda in office is. This is quite unfortunate and shameful. Evang. Kwamkur Samuel Vondip National Director, Legal and Public Affairs, CAN.
Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC) has advised the Federal Government to complete the abandoned Panyam-Bokkos-Wamba road. Mr Ibrahim Dauda, a Director with the commission gave the advice at the weekend in Mangu. Dauda led other staff of the commission to inspects and verify all federal government capital projects. The contract for the construction of the road was awarded in 2009, but abandoned in 2012. The team leader decribed the road as key to the growth of agriculture and other economic activities in the area, adding that if completed the road would enable farmers move farms produce to the market with ease According to him, the road if completed would also ease movement of goods and services from Plateau to other parts of the country. “This road is is very important to farmers in Plateau, and if completed it will link the state other states in the north Central zone and the eastern part of country. “Plateau people are predominantly farmers, so, it will ease the suffering of the farmers in moving their produce to the market. “So, we are urging the federal government to complete this road because it will boost agricultural activities which is in line with it’s agenda,” he advised. The Director explained that the monitoring exercise is in tune with the commission’s mandate to verify all capital projects being executed by federal government in all states of the federation. He added that the exercise aimed at ensuring accountability and prudent management of resources to enable government have value for thr money being expended on the projects He said after the exercise the commission would submit a comprehensive report to government to enable it complete all abandoned projects for the benefit of the populace. The team was also at the Yakubu Gowon Airport, Hiepang, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where it inspected the remodeling of the terminal building and construction of paremter fencing atbthe airport.
MiddleBelt Reporters 