• Forces seek termination of tenure Nov. 11
An intense battle has ensued over Ibrahim Magu’s tenure as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

A group of politicians and others affected by the aggressive anti-graft drive of the acting EFCC Chairman, are working for the termination of his tenure on November 11.

Magu was appointed on November 11, 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari but the eighth Senate declined to clear him. He has been working in acting capacity since then.
Ahead of November 11, 2019 when Magu ought to statutorily clock four years in office, the battle over his substantive status has become intense.

It was learnt that some forces are waiting for the midnight of November 11 to raise issues bordering on EFCC Establishment Act 2004.

Investigation revealed that there are about seven forces or groups against Magu’s confirmation.

They are some former and serving governors across parties; PDP and all its former political office holders either on trial or under investigation; some serving and retired military and security officers; some of those who are already working on 2023 project; those who are desperate to demystify Magu; some elements in EFCC and influential lawyers in the country.

In the last four years, Magu has only enjoyed tremendous confidence and support of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Magu twice survived plots to send him to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS) in order to ease him out of the EFCC.

He also escaped another attempt to implicate him in a subversive plot against the government of President Buhari.

It was gathered that Magu’s saving grace was that when the key suspect in the subversion plot was brought out of detention facility, he did not even recognise Magu as he had never met him.

The latest move against Magu is to wait for November 11 to ask him to step aside until the President takes a final decision on his nomination.

It was learnt that a former chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and ex-Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum are in the forefront of the latest bid to stop Magu’s fresh nomination by the President.

But, counter groups, APC stalwarts, some legal giants and some highly-placed Nigerians have, however, opted for the retention of Magu, whose performance they rate very high.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Contrary to expectations of a smooth sail, the battle for Magu’s confirmation is still on.

“There is no doubt that Magu has redefined the anti-corruption war with huge recoveries from those who looted the treasury. His spectacular achievements accounted for the success story of Buhari’s war against graft.

“But, he ended up stepping on many toes, especially the bigwigs in the society who are desperate to stop his confirmation. A stern officer, Magu does not bow to political pressure and he treats all suspects with the same yardstick.

“Now that he is about to clock four years in office, these bigwigs who wield political clout are saying this is pay-back time. About seven forces are plotting against the re-nomination of the EFCC chairman.

“The reality is that former and serving governors, ex-ministers, ex- political office holders on trial, especially those in the opposition in PDP, and some elements in APC have drawn the battle line with the EFCC chairman because they detest Buhari’s anti-corruption war.

“Even, some EFCC officials are meeting with politicians against Magu because of his strict anti-corruption stance.

“What is delaying his renomination is sheer politics at the top.

A governor, who spoke in confidence, said: “Many of our colleagues do not want Magu because of his rigidity. He does not listen to anybody and once he begins a case, he does not consider all dimensions or perspectives to allegations.

“He is no doubt good, but he should always give suspects the benefit of the doubt. He needs to realise that he is operating in a political environment.

“Now, he needs to lobby politicians in power and in the National Assembly to be nominated again and get confirmed. His experience with the last 8th Senate will suffice.

“As for me, I have nothing against him and I will do my best to ensure his re-nomination.”

Some political office holder, interest groups, lawyers, NGOs are pushing for his retention based on merit.

It was gathered that an influential Northern governor is leading the lobbying group for Magu among power brokers and APC stakeholders.

A chieftain of the APC said: “Magu’s performance is the hallmark of our achievements in office. He needs a second chance in office. Some of us are sticking out our neck for Magu because he has done well.

“It is normal for those in the opposition to plot against Magu because he exposed their 16 years of waste. We know they will jubilate if Magu is dropped by the President.

“We are backing the reappointment of Magu. We appeal to the President to ignore any protest against Magu.”

As at press time, there was no signal on where the President headed on the fate of Magu.

“I think in the next few days, the President will take a decision in line with his constitutional responsibility,” a Presidency source added.

Sections 2 and 3 of the EFCC Act read: “The Chairman and members of the Commission other than ex-officio members shall be appointed by the President subject to the confirmation of the Senate.

“The Commission may make standing orders regulating its proceeding or those of any of its committees.

“The Chairman and members of the Commission other than ex-officio members, shall hold office for a period of four years and may be re-appointed for a further term of four years and no more.

“A member of the Commission may at any time be removed by the President for inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misconduct or if the President is satisfied that it is not in the interest of the Commission or the interest of the public that the member should continue in office.”
The Nation

Plateau PDP Gubernatorial Candidate in the 2019 election, Lt Gen (Rtd), Sen. Jeremiah Timbut Useni has approached the Court of Appeal challenging the judgement of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal delivered on October 2nd, 2019.

Useni’s legal team, led by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and Edward Pwajok, SAN with Benson Igbanoi, Chief Sunday-Gabriel Odey and ten other legal experts, has filed the notice of appeal and formulated 21 (twenty one) grounds of appeal to overturn the verdict of the tribunal dismissing his petition.

Currently, the Registry of the tribunal under the leadership of the Secretary is compiling the record of appeal for transmission to the Court of Appeal. This will be completed within ten days.

Specifically, General Useni and the PDP are maintaining that Simon Bako Lalong was not qualified in the first place to have contested for election into the office of Governor of Plateau State because he supplied false information to INEC in his form CF100.

The tribunal in its judgement had acknowledged that its findings also pointed to the fact that the information he supplied in that form was false.

Useni’s legal experts point out that “the inescapable conclusion that ought to be reached by the Tribunal is that the 2nd Respondent is not qualified to contest election into the office of Governor.” Instead, the Learned Tribunal “clearly somersaulted in arriving at its decision which was at odds with its findings and this occasioned a miscarriage of justice.”

In addition, Useni holds that the Tribunal should not have relied on the unreported case of Simon Bako Lalong vs. Jeremiah Timbut Useni & 3 Others delivered by the Court of Appeal on 19th August, 2019 to expunge the evidence of 20 of his witnesses because he did not list them in his list of witnesses accompanying the Petition.”

This is because as at the date when the tribunal delivered its judgement, that particular judgment of the Court of Appeal which Useni had appealed against had been set aside by the Supreme Court on 26th September 2019. The Supreme Court had consequently ordered that the evidence of PW.12 earlier ordered by the Court of Appeal to be expunged be reckoned with by the Tribunal. However, Useni’s Counsel said the Tribunal erroneously still relied on the overturned Judgment of the Court of Appeal to expunge the evidence of the said Appellants’ witnesses.
The legal team also maintains that INEC, being the 1st Respondent did not challenge Useni’s allegations of mutilation of election results, irregularities and non compliance with mandatory provisions of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended),
INEC did not call any witness in support of the denial made in its Reply to the Petition. And these all point to the fact the petitioners proved the allegations in the Petition entitling them to the declaratory reliefs sought in the Petition.
In the reliefs being sought from the Court of Appeal, Gen Useni and the PDP are seeking an ORDER allowing their Appeal and setting aside the judgment of the Trial Tribunal.

They also want an ORDER declaring that the 2nd Respondent was not duly elected by a majority of lawful votes cast in the election into the office of Governor of Plateau State and that the declaration and return of the 2nd Respondent by the 1st Respondent as the winner of the election is unlawful, undue, null, void and of no effect.

They also seek an ORDER nullifying the return of the 2nd Respondent as the winner of the Governorship Election and directing INEC to withdraw Simon Bako Lalong’s certificate of return; declare and return Useni as validly elected and issue him a certificate of Return as the duly elected Governor of Plateau State

It is expected that from the filing of this notice of appeal to the time of judgement will take a maximum of 60 days.

However, the Court of Appeal may sit on the appeal within the next three weeks.

Yiljap Abraham

Media Consultant to
Lt. Gen (Rtd), Senator Jeremiah Timbut Useni,
DSS, Fwc, mni, CFR

October 21, 2019

President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, has charged state chapters of the union to take over the monitoring of the implementation of the new minimum wage.

In an interview before the agreement on consequential adjustment of salaries for levels 07 and above was signed last Friday with the Federal Government, he said it was left for the leadership of the union at the state levels to open dialogue with government for implementation.

“We have finished with the first and second stages, the third which is the last stage is the implementation at state levels, which we will monitor. By signing this agreement on the consequential adjustment of salaries for officers on 07 and above, it is expected that state chapters will continue engaging their governments to implement what we have agreed upon.

“The minimum wage is a law that is biding on every employers of labour, there is no question about it that we have a law in place, the law must be obeyed and that is why we are calling on our members at the State levels to open discourse with State government and also for the Private sector to do likewise.”

Wabba added that the template for the implementation of the minimum wage will be sent to all chapters at the state and those at the private sectors, noting that progress of negotiation would be monitored.

The NLC president urged union leaders not to compromise while engaging government officials and management of companies during negotiation as he lamented that the little gains of the minimum wage had been eroded by unfriendly economic policies of the present government.

“The leadership of the union is aware that what we were able to extract from government is pittance, at least we got something to add to the pocket of our members. It means we still have many rivers to criss and we will not relent in asking for a better welfare for workers because we produce the wealth of the nation.

“If you look at it, all the gains of the minimum wage have been removed by imposition of taxes, increase in tariffs and inflation, so we are yet to reach the point of no agitation or demand for better welfare for workers,” he said.

Wabba advised governors to cooperate with unions and implement the minimum wage without delay, warning that the union will not accept excuses of inability to pay.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is poised for another showdown with the federal government over planned imposition of Integrated Personnel Payroll System (IPPIS) on its members.

The leaders of the union had summoned an emergency National Executive Council meeting where it was agreed that the leadership of the union at university levels should begin mobilisation of members for an action against the federal government.

President Muhammadu Buhari had reportedly directed that any worker not on the IPPIS would no longer receive salary.

The Chairman, ASUU University of Ibadan Chapter, Professor Deji Omole, on Sunday in Ibadan said the union is not against accountability but will resist attempt by the government to violate existing laws and autonomy of the university.

According to Omole, ASUU has offered to help the federal government design the appropriate template that will factor in the peculiarities of university lecturers in the IPPIS but the government seems bent on using the World-Bank designed exploitative template.

The ASUU boss said the template designed by government plans to enslave intellectuals as it does not make provisions for payment of arrears of promotion, study leave allowance, and responsibility allowance, among others.

According to him, the federal government’s template was designed to phase-out university lecturers who are above 60 years which is against the new policy where professors retire at 70 years.

Omole lashed out at the Buhari-led government for consistently demonstrating his hatred for public-funded universities by the introducing many illegal policies that negatively affect smooth running of the universities.

The ASUU boss noted that FG has also failed to honour any policy that will improve the quality of education in Nigeria.

“Forceful imposition of IPPIS on university workers is a violation of the University Autonomy Act. It is therefore illegal.

“While ASUU is not against accountability on the part of the university administrators, government should not be allowed to destroy public universities in its purported claims of fighting corruption.

“Our members should remained focus and committed in our struggles to protect public university education by resisting forceful imposition of IPPIS on university workers.”

Plateau State has again come into the spotlight for the negative reasons following Governor Simon Bako Lalong’s assault on our democracy and desecration of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as ameneded).

Against clear provisions of the constitution in Section 14(1) which provides that, “the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be based on the principles of democracy and social justice” and Section 7(1) which provides that, “the system of local government by democratically elected local government Councils is under this constitution guaranteed”, Governor Lalong has chosen to do the contrary thus persisting in violating the constitution and by so doing attaining notoriety in sabotaging democracy.

The latest case is the deliberate abuse of the constitution where, instead of allowing PLASIEC to conduct elections, Governor Lalong unilaterally and unconstitutionally pronounced candidates of the ruling APC as overlords on the four LGs of B/Ladi, Jos North, Jos South and Riyom.

In a democratic setting, there is no objection as to who becomes what irrespective of their religious or ethnic background provided it is in consonance with democratic tenets and practice, the rule of law and constitutionality.

Legitimately under our constitution can never be conferred by fiat. It can only be acquired through the free exercise of citizens franchise.

Governor Lalong’s action amounts to imposition of illegitimacy and illegality on the 4 LGs. This is in utter breach of the constitution. This action has no justification whatsoever and is therefore a nullity in keeping with Section 1(3) of the constitution which holds that any law or action arising therefrom that is inconsistent with the provisions of the constitution shall to the extent of the inconsistency be void.

It is rather unfortunate that Gov Lalong has turn round to violently breach and wreck havoc on the very constitution he swore on oath to uphold.

Let me however salute the PDP members of the Plateau State House of Assembly for refusing to be part of unconstitutionality and for voicing out boldly in defense of our democracy.

Governor Lalong has the opportunity to retrace his steps and give democracy a chance at the LG level by reversing the infamous illegality and illegitimacy he has confered and imposed on the 4 LGs.

PLASIEC should be allowed to immediately conduct elections. Thereafter, whichever party’s candidates ‘wins’ shall have the constitutional and moral backing to assume office in keeping with democratic tenets and practices prescribed and enshrined in the constitution.

Meanwhile, I urge all citizens of Plateau North to remain calm as we wait for the opportunity to peacefully and freely choose our LG chairmen and councillors through the ballot box.

Let us not allow anti democratic forces to create disaffection amongst us on the basis of ethnicity or religion. Let us stand for democracy and respect the will of the people by identifying with persons who emerge victorious in a free and fair LG elections as our legitimate elected chairmen and councillors in the 4 remianing LGs of Plateau North where elections are yet to be held.

On democracy we stand! Government of the people, by the people and for the people!

Hon. Musa Ashoms
SA Media and Protocol
To Senator I.D. Gyang
Plateau North District.
21/10/2019.

President Muhammadu Buhari departs Abuja Monday to attend a three-day Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi, Russia, October 23rd – 25th, with focus on exploring and expanding opportunities in security, trade and investment, science and technology, and gas production.

During the summit, President Buhari will meet with President Vladimir Putin of Russia to further strengthen relations in security, trade and investment, and building partnership that will enhance Nigeria’s huge gas potential, following Russia’s remarkable success in gas exportation.

The summit, which will be attended by African Heads of State, will bring fresh perspectives on some global issues and challenges like nuclear technology, energy development, digital transformation, environment, technical security, mining and steel, education, agriculture, infrastructure and development strategies.

An African Business Forum, which will bring together African and Russian business leaders, will be held during the event to enhance Russian investments in Africa, and promote African business interest in the host country.

President Buhari will be accompanied by Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State and Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.

Others on the trip are: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite and Minister of State, Petroleum, Timipre Sylva.

The President will return to the country after the summit.


Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)

Councilor representing Kasgwong ward in Pankshin local government area, Hon Luka Yohanna has embarked on some major projects in his constituency, this follows the construction of Culverts and drainages that linked main road to Nbot-Tambes and students village opposite Federal College of Education Pankshin Staff quarters.

The Councilor says that he embarked on the project to eased the difficulties experienced by people plying the roads.

Yohanna who is also the chairman house committee on agriculture at the Pankshin local government legislative Arm, dislosed that the gesture is in fulfilment of his campaign promises, pointing out that the money used for the projects was part of his monthly savings not constituency allowance and advised his coleaques to embibe the culture of savings from their monthly salaries and not to wait for the constituency allowance before embarking on projects for their electorates. He emphasized that it was through execution of projects that the people will enjoy democracy dividends through pledges made during electioneering campaign.

The Councilor commended Governor Simon Lalong for his developmental projects across the state, stressing that the All Progressives Congress will continue to give Nigerians quality service as exemplified by the present adminstration in the state in terms of projects execution.

Galadiman Tambes and Lecturer with the Federal College of Education Pankshin, Silas Sarkyes, applauded the Councilor for his foresight in embarking on projects that have direct bearing on the lives of his people and assured him of his continued support.

Chairman Youth Development Association in the area, Sati Danladi appreciated the Councilor for the giant steps taken in executing the projects , stressing that the Councilor has justified the confidence which was reposed on him by the electorate by fulfilling part of his campaign promises, while describing him as a good representative of his people.

PRESS STATEMENT



The attention of the Federal Ministry of Communications has been drawn to the viral text message allegedly sent by the Mobile Network Operator MTN Nigeria and other Mobile Operators notifying subscribers of a four naira (N4:00) charge per 20 seconds on USSD access to banking services from the 21st of October 2019.

The office of the Honourable Minister of Communications Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami FNCS, FBCS, FIIM is unaware of this development and has hereby directed the sector regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) ensures the operator suspends such plans until the Honourable Minister is fully and properly briefed.

Signed
Uwa Suleiman (Mrs)
Spokesperson to the Honourable Minister of Communications

Whenever a great iconic leader departs for the Heavenly realm, the church heavily feels the impact of such a void left behind by such a colossus.
However, while here on earth we are pained by such death, in Heaven the host of angels and the Saints departed stand in the presence of the Lord of Hosts to welcome such a good and committed servant of the Lord.
Such I believe, is the scenario currently playing out in Heaven as a great Christian Leader and Missionary Colossus, The Rev. (Dr) Baba Panya, appears before the throne of Grace.
When I received the news of the passage of Baba Panya, early morning on Saturday, 19 October, 2019, I was disturbed that the Church would no doubt miss a man full of wisdom and with the mighty power of the Holy Spirit of God.
Baba Panya before his departure to glory, had done exploits for the the kingdom of Jesus Christ, not only in Nigeria, but across the World. He was a one time president of one the largest evangelical churches in Africa, the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA). This apart, Baba Panya had spent his entire life working in the Lord’s vineyard as a pastor, missionary, and a great leader of not only in his church, but in the entire global evangelical Christendom.
I first met Baba Panya while I was a teenager back in my home town of Akwanga in Nasarawa State, where the first congregation of the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) now christened Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) was planted. I was at the time, one of the first set of Sunday School pupils in that church.
Baba Panya’s visit to the congregation at that material time, was what provided me with the opportunity to see him face to face. My dad, Mallam Bassau, and his friend, Mallam Aboki Kyauney, alongside two others, were led by the unction of the Holy Spirit to plant the first ECWA Congregation in Akwanga; and so, Baba Panya, was among the few leaders of the church who visited to encourage them to stand firm in faith in the face of the raging storm they were facing as a result of planting that church in the town.
That Church today, still stands in Akwanga town and is known as ECWA Bishara 1, Akwanga. Baba Panya was on a pastoral visit at the time alongside one of the current trustees of ECWA, The Rev. Dr. Waya. In spite of the fact that I was still a teenager, both Baba Panya and Waya were an inspiration to me. Waya was to after that visit, returned to Baptize me and some few others into the fellowship of communicants of the church at Akwanga. And I must add here that, that was the first baptism to be conducted in that church.
My dad discipled and prepared me in the things of God through constant teachings from the scriptures. We listened together to radio broadcasts from Radio ELWA every evening with my dad and at the same time, took correspondent courses in theological studies conducted at the time by Challenge Publications and the Igbaja theological Seminary.
These discipleship studies became the spiritual foundation that prepared me for the journey towards working in the Lord’s Vineyard. When this was going on, I never had any inclination that the instructions impacted on me would lead me to cross the path of Dr. Baba Panya again.
Shortly after graduating from my journalism studies, and a brief stint in Journalism practice with the Nigeria Standard Newspaper, published by Plateau Publishing Company (PPC), I moved over to the ECWA Headquarters, Jos, where Dr. Baba Panya was the ECWA President. It was indeed, a privilege working under the leadership of such a great leader of the Church.
A few months after becoming the Editor of Today’s Challenge Magazine, and later, Editorial Manager of Challenge Publications, a department of ECWA Productions Ltd, and the literature ministry of ECWA, Baba Panya and his executive members appointed me into the publicity committee of ECWA Centenary Celebrations; and that was in 1993.
I recall how we worked hard alongside Rev. Bolarin, who was at the time, our General Manager, in order to publicize the event. One of the major tasks too, that I handled at the time, was the editing and supervision of the publication of the book, History of SIM/ECWA, written by The Rev. (Prof) Yusuf Turaki, who too, became one my mentors at the ECWA Headquarters.
One year on, after the marking of ECWA Centennial, the case of litigation between AMORC and ECWA, over series of articles published in Today’s Challenge Magazine, became a thorn in the flesh of not only the ministry of Challenge Publications, but to the entire ECWA as the body of Christ. And as the Editor of the Magazine, I had to in addition to writing materials, be frequenting court sittings at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Lagos. During this period, I received great support from my management and the ECWA Executive under the leadership of Dr. Baba Panya.
To the glory of God, the Supreme Court Judges passed a judgement in favor of ECWA. This sparked up revival fires in ECWA and I eventually came up with a book on the case. This book became very popular, not only in ECWA, but across all churches in and out of this country.
The leadership style of Baba Panya impacted on me so much such that, many organizations were attracted to me, as many of such organizations either wanted me to serve as a resource person at their church events, or outright desire to have me transfer my services to them.
I recall that I was invited severally to become a resource person by the African Leadership Forum’s interfaith seminars, which brought together both Christian and Muslim leaders across Nigeria. This organization was the brain child of former Nigeria’s President, Olusegun Obasanjo.
Furthermore, myself, Baba Panya, and Rev. Dauda Maigari, the then Director of Evangelical Missionary Society (EMS) of ECWA, attended an international missions conference in Abuja. Soon after the conference, an international missions organization, FRONTIERS, requested that I should be released by ECWA to join them for missions work in Israel. Unfortunately, this request was turned down because the leadership of ECWA felt the Church needed me more back home in Nigeria at that material time.
In spite of this development, the ECWA Executive and the EMS, supported me for short term mission service to countries like Niger Republic etc. it was a great privilege working under the leadership of such great men like Baba Panya, Yusuf Turaki, Dauda Maigari, Bolarin, and many others at the ECWA Headquarters.
Aside my writing ministry and involvement in missions efforts, these Christian leaders ensure that my skills and knowledge were effectively harness and put to use in other departments of ECWA. I was appointed to serve as a Board member of the ECWA Media and Information, and as well as, that of ECWA Gospel Outreach. All these gave me the needed exposure to the things of God and assisted me in my spiritual growth. Even after I left ECWA and joined an American Christian organization, I was still invited back to serve on the Board of ECWA Productions Ltd, a service gladly offered.
In the course of my research and writing, and in my interactions with Baba Panya, I discovered that he was full of godly wisdom, was a reputable International Christian leader and Missionary. I recall that in one my interviews with him, he advocated the use of Missionaries by the United Nations (UN) as peace Ambassadors in areas engulfed in conflicts across the world.
In fact, Baba Panya, alongside the late Dr. Byang Kato, a highly respected African Theologian from Kaduna State, were listed in a global Christian dictionary as the most influential evangelical Christian leaders in the twentieth century.
Apart from relating with Baba Panya at the official level, we became very close at the personal level. We lived together in the same quarters of the church at Dawaki close by the Hill Station Hotel in Jos. In fact, his apartment was directly opposite mine, and our families became knitted like one family.
It was at this time that I got close to some of his children, grandchildren and other relatives; Some of these include: Yaya, his wife; The Rev. Stephen Panya (Current ECWA President), Barrister Musa Baba Panya, Rev. Eleazar Baba, and Duza Baba Panya. Some of his grandchildren who were living with him and became very close to my family too are: Melvina, Joyce, Tina, and Hannatu.
At that time also, myself and the late Amos Idakula became friends because he frequently visited Baba Panya’s family. Amos Idakula was to become a mentor to me as we freely discussed political developments in Nigeria and this made him picked interest in my writing ministry. Unfortunately, Idakula could not live long to put his ideas and the dreams he had for Nasarawa State into use. It was also through the Baba Panya family that we came to know the family of Dr. Daniel Iya, a former Commissioner in Nasarawa State.
I cannot forget too, how Baba Panya and his wife, Yaya, supported me and my family while my dad took ill and was hospitalized at the Evangel Hospital (Bingham University Teaching Hospital), Jos. I recall the nights my dad had crisis and Baba Panya and Yaya, were up, leaving the comforts of their bed to be beside us as we moved my dad to the hospital on several occasions. And when my dad passed on to glory, the Panya family were there to comfort us.
When Baba Panya, eventually retired from the ministry at ECWA Headquarters, and went back to his hometown of Karu in Nasarawa State, our relationship was kept alive as we made time to visit him and his family in Karu. And on each occasion we went visiting, it was a great time of reunion for both families.
As we meditate and reflect about the passage of our leader and mentor, we are assured that his passage to glory is a great event being celebrated in Heaven.
I can see that there’s already a great rejoicing in Heaven, as my Dad, Mallam Bassau, his friend, Mallam Aboki, and the likes of Dr. Byang Kato, Rev. Gin Maigari, Rev. Maikudi Kure, Rev. Gaius Musa, and all saints departed, are up standing and beaconing on Baba Panya to join them for a peaceful rest in the presence of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen!
Photos: Rev. Dr. Baba Panya with my family, the Minchakpus, during one of our visit to his home in Karu, near Abuja (L-R) Sharon, Rev. Dr. Baba Panya, Justice, Arnold, Mbeki, and their mom, Victoria.

Members of the Otunba Gani Adams-led Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), yesterday arrested a suspected kidnapper in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The suspected kidnapper, who identified himself as Taofeek Lawal, said he hailed from Osogbo, Osun State.
Lawal confessed he had been engaged in the kidnapping business to sponsor his wife’s education in a higher institution in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The suspect, who confessed that his targets were children between the ages of four and six years, said the ransom for any kidnapped child was N100,000.
According to him, he had successfully kidnapped three children in Osogbo and three in Lagos, and had sold his own child to take care of his family.
Lawal said his 15-man gang was working for politicians and a traditional ruler in Osun State whenever they needed their services.
“I have built two houses, a mosque and a church. I do take care of my family from what I do and my parents know about what I do,” he said.
The suspect further said that he had intended to quit the kidnapping but the said traditional ruler in Osogbo encouraged him to keep doing it.
He said he had been caught five times in Lagos and Osogbo, but that the traditional ruler in Osogbo was always securing his release.
An OPC official at Olaifa zone, Mr Babatunde Atiba, explained that the Congress got hint of the activities of the suspected kidnapper through a woman.
Lawal has been handed over to the Oyo State Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for proper investigation and prosecution.

© Daily Trust