Author Archives: News All Around

Writer,Blogger,Historian, Journalist

Nigeria Inter-Faith Alliance (NIFA) adopts Obi/Datti, As Peter Obi Storms Jikwoyi In Abuja For Endorsement Rally

The national umbrella body of inter-faith clergy, comprising both Christian leaders and Islamic clerics across the 36 states of Nigeria and FCT has adopted the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi and plans to hold endorsement rally to flag off religious communities massive mobilisation for Obi-Datti.

This was disclosed yesterday December 4, 2022 by Archbishop Prof Leonard Kawas while addressing pressmen at the headquarters of his church in Abuja shortly after the celebration of his 21st year as a Bishop.

According to the Archbishop who played host to the National Chairman of Labour Party, Barr Julius Abure and other dignitaries at the celebration of his 21 years of his ordination as a Bishop, Mr Peter Obi will storm Jikwoyi to be part of the endorsement rally slated for 10am on Tuesday December 13, 2022 at World Harvest Pavilion by Ashaka Cement Bus Stop in Jikwoyi, Abuja.

The cleric who is one of the key leaders of the inter-faith group and a co-convener of the proposed rally as well as the Chief Host of the events, further asserted that out of their teeming members, not less than three thousand (3,000) Christian and Muslim Clerics across all the states in Nigeria have strongly indicated interest to be part of the history making event and are preparing for the journey to Abuja for the occasion and to receive His Excellency Mr Peter Obi, his entourage Obi and some key leaders of Labour Party in person.

DR LAWSON NUGA HONOURED BY THE COLLEGE OF BISHOPS

Dr Lawson Nuga was yesterday Sunday December 4, 2022 honoured with Doctorate of Humanitarian Management with an International Medal of Honour by The International Charismatic College of Bishops headed by Archbishop Prof Leonard Bature Kawas in the city of Abuja in recognition of his impactful life transforming services to humanity.

Dr Nuga who is the managing director of Prevera Construction LTD and Bleneson services LTD based in Abuja with Operations Globally is a philanthropist that has affected many lives across the country.

Speaking at the occasion Dr Nuga who pledged a major donation, disclosed that he did so because of the numerous orphans and less privilege children who are enjoying the motherless/Fatherless Free education initiative of Leonard Kawas Foundation Abuja. While thanking the College of Bishops for the Prestigious Award, he promised to continue his philanthropic partnership with the Episcopal body.

Archbishop Kawas expressed profound gratitude to the Honouree and joined all the Archbishops and Bishops present at the occasion to pray for God’s favour and blessings to continually be upon Dr. Nuga, his family and all his enterprises.

Rev Pam clears the air, says commission did not suspend Christian pilgrimage

……challenges Adamawa CAN chairman on corruption allegations

The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, Reverend Yakubu Pam, on Saturday debunked claims that the NCPC has suspended the 2022 pilgrimage.

Pam also challenged the Chairman of the Adamawa State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Steven Dami Manzo over the corruption allegations he levelled against him.

NCPC Board Chairman, Rev Yomi Kasali had recently announced the suspension of all activities related to this year’s pilgrimage to Jerusalem while Bishop Manzo had accused the NCPC executive secretary of financial misappropriation.

Reacting during a news programme on TVC on Saturday evening, the NCPC boss said as the chief accounting officer of the commission, nobody had suspended the 2022 pilgrimage.

He said there was no time that the NCPC management or Board held any meeting to take a decision to suspend this year’s pilgrimage, which had already commenced and was still ongoing.

Pam clarified that due to some logistics problems encountered in the course of the pilgrimage, the Board of the Commission met in November and resolved that the commission would not continue with the airlifting of the pilgrims from the states that had paid to Israel for the November-December exercise.

He added that discontinuing the airlifting of intending pilgrims does not amount to and should not be misconstrued as a suspension of the entire pilgrimage activities.

Pam further stated that suspending pilgrimage was a cumbersome process which the Commission could not unilaterally take a decision on as its supervisory body must inform the President through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the National Assembly.

He added that the Commission’s customers, which are the state governments that have paid and the private tour operators could also drag NCPC to court if it decided to take any decision to suspend the pilgrimage.

Pam said, “Because of the logistics problems we faced, we said we should not continue with airlifting, not suspending pilgrimage activities. Suspension means that everything is locked down.

“Before you make a statement on anything suspension, you must write our supervisory body and tell them that we’re suspending activities. You’ll also have to, which is through the office of the SGF, to inform Mr President that everything in the commission is suspended. You must also write the National Assembly and our customers because they have the right to take us to court as a lot of them have paid us to travel.

“But when we say airlifting is suspended, it means other activities are going on and what are other activities? Today, we have over 12 states that have already paid to travel and we’re conducting what we call screening to make sure we have those who are certified to travel, by health, and those that we feel may not abscond. This is what is going on and is part of the pilgrimage activities and just within three weeks or two weeks ago, we have more than four states that have already paid.

“And we have private sector tour organisations which registered with us and they have the licence to carry people to Israel and bring them back but through us because we also screen them and we are in charge of the visas. Until we write the authorities and Government of Israel to give them visas, they will not have visas. And right now as I’m talking, we have over a hundred of them in Israel. So, if there is suspension of pilgrimage activities, why are people in Israel? Why are people in Jordan?”

Pam also said there was no controversy about the N1.5millon paid by intending pilgrims, adding that the commission held a meeting with its private customers and the states in September where the fee was agreed upon.

“As I said, about 12 states have already paid. We start with that first before you go into procurement and then you award the contract to the contractors that will carry the people by the airlines and then the ground handlers who are there in Israel,” he said.

On the corruption allegations leveled against him by the Adamawa State CAN chairman, the NCPC boss said anyone with any proof of graft against should present his evidence to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, which is the supervisory body rather than making wild and unfounded allegations in the media.

“I’m here as the chief accounting officer of the commission to say that there is no suspension of pilgrimage anywhere. If somebody mentions corruption at NCPC, there is a way you can bring it up – bring evidence of the money and whatever it is, there is EFCC or you can take it to those who supervise us. You can come to the media level corruption allegations,” Pam said.

Rev Pam clearer the air, says commission did not suspend Christian pilgrimage

……challenges Adamawa CAN chairman on corruption allegations

The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission, Reverend Yakubu Pam, on Saturday debunked claims that the NCPC has suspended the 2022 pilgrimage.

Pam also challenged the Chairman of the Adamawa State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Bishop Steven Dami Manzo over the corruption allegations he levelled against him.

NCPC Board Chairman, Rev Yomi Kasali had recently announced the suspension of all activities related to this year’s pilgrimage to Jerusalem while Bishop Manzo had accused the NCPC executive secretary of financial misappropriation.

Reacting during a news programme on TVC on Saturday evening, the NCPC boss said as the chief accounting officer of the commission, nobody had suspended the 2022 pilgrimage.

He said there was no time that the NCPC management or Board held any meeting to take a decision to suspend this year’s pilgrimage, which had already commenced and was still ongoing.

Pam clarified that due to some logistics problems encountered in the course of the pilgrimage, the Board of the Commission met in November and resolved that the commission would not continue with the airlifting of the pilgrims from the states that had paid to Israel for the November-December exercise.

He added that discontinuing the airlifting of intending pilgrims does not amount to and should not be misconstrued as a suspension of the entire pilgrimage activities.

Pam further stated that suspending pilgrimage was a cumbersome process which the Commission could not unilaterally take a decision on as its supervisory body must inform the President through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the National Assembly.

He added that the Commission’s customers, which are the state governments that have paid and the private tour operators could also drag NCPC to court if it decided to take any decision to suspend the pilgrimage.

Pam said, “Because of the logistics problems we faced, we said we should not continue with airlifting, not suspending pilgrimage activities. Suspension means that everything is locked down.

“Before you make a statement on anything suspension, you must write our supervisory body and tell them that we’re suspending activities. You’ll also have to, which is through the office of the SGF, to inform Mr President that everything in the commission is suspended. You must also write the National Assembly and our customers because they have the right to take us to court as a lot of them have paid us to travel.

“But when we say airlifting is suspended, it means other activities are going on and what are other activities? Today, we have over 12 states that have already paid to travel and we’re conducting what we call screening to make sure we have those who are certified to travel, by health, and those that we feel may not abscond. This is what is going on and is part of the pilgrimage activities and just within three weeks or two weeks ago, we have more than four states that have already paid.

“And we have private sector tour organisations which registered with us and they have the licence to carry people to Israel and bring them back but through us because we also screen them and we are in charge of the visas. Until we write the authorities and Government of Israel to give them visas, they will not have visas. And right now as I’m talking, we have over a hundred of them in Israel. So, if there is suspension of pilgrimage activities, why are people in Israel? Why are people in Jordan?”

Pam also said there was no controversy about the N1.5millon paid by intending pilgrims, adding that the commission held a meeting with its private customers and the states in September where the fee was agreed upon.

“As I said, about 12 states have already paid. We start with that first before you go into procurement and then you award the contract to the contractors that will carry the people by the airlines and then the ground handlers who are there in Israel,” he said.

On the corruption allegations leveled against him by the Adamawa State CAN chairman, the NCPC boss said anyone with any proof of graft against should present his evidence to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, which is the supervisory body rather than making wild and unfounded allegations in the media.

“I’m here as the chief accounting officer of the commission to say that there is no suspension of pilgrimage anywhere. If somebody mentions corruption at NCPC, there is a way you can bring it up – bring evidence of the money and whatever it is, there is EFCC or you can take it to those who supervise us. You can come to the media level corruption allegations,” Pam said.

I will reposition Kaduna State Economically,Socially Enhance Peace – Jonathan Asake of LP

By Rejoice H. Stevens

The Kaduna state labour party (lP) gubernatorial candidate, Hon.Jonathan Asake has promised to create an economic alternative in reducing the dependent for oil generated revenue in the state.
He made the promised during a media parley organised by the Nigeria Union of journalist Kaduna state council, which recently held at the Union secretariat in Kaduna.
According to the gubernatorial candidate the “each of our 23 local government areas in the state have endowed with either natural and human resources, promised to explored and utilized the available resources in providing with social amenities and infrastructural development in various local government areas.
He however promised to priotise insecurity dwelling the state as important, if elected as the governor, ” why because;security and welfare of citizens are the primary purpose of government.”
“our party slogan is to secure Kaduna restored all the farmland deserted, also we will make sure that introduced strategies to our security personnel’s in fighting the menace of banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping.”
Hon Asake also mentioned inclusive economic, infrastructural development, youth and women empowerment, education and health as his party agendas in securing the state economic and promoting conducive environment and well being of citizens.
The former SOKAPU president also promised to provide more then 35% for women involvement in his cabinet, and also allocate and appoint them to various to managed the state resources in the state ministries and parastatals if elected.

We rescue and intervene in Adamawa State Christian Pilgrims trip to Rome-NCPC replies Catholic Bishop Steven

… Channel your grievances to the state Pilgrims board, NCPC tells Dami

In a swift reaction to dissociates itself from the alleged misconduct leveled against the Nigeria Christians Pilgrimage commission (NCPC) by Bishop Steven Dami Mamza, a Catholic Bishop of Yola Diocese and the Adamawa Christian Association of Nigeria Chairman.

The Commission issued a press statement dissociated all allegations raised by Dami through its Deputy Director/Head of Media and public relations, Celestine Toruka calling on Dami Mamza to channel his grievances to the Adamawa State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board who handled all aspects of the Rome pilgrimage except visas.

NCPC in reply they exonerated the Executive Secretary, Rev Pam Yakubu by putting the record straight that Adamawa State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board wanted to airlift intending pilgrims to Rome in November last year without recourse to NCPC.

“NCPC insisted that the board had no such powers to airlift such number of intending pilgrims to Rome because it is only the Commission through its establishment Act of 2007 is mandated to coordinate and superintend all Christian pilgrimage activities by supervising the movement of Christians to the Holy sites around the world.

“This was put to rest following the intervention of the Governor of Adamawa State, His Excellency Ahmadu Fintiri and both the Secretary of the State Government and the Chief of Staff who pleaded that NCPC should help the board to procure visas to the intending Adamawa pilgrims.

“This presupposes that all ground handling issues and flight arrangements for the pilgrims had been concluded before recourse to NCPC.

“I want to reiterate that NCPC only intervened because of the need to properly carry out extreme vetting on the intending pilgrims for the purpose of securing visas.

“The Commission was never part of any logistics arrangements for Adamawa pilgrims. It is therefore surprising that the respected Catholic Bishop of Yola Dioceses, His Grace, Bishop Mamza is accusing the Commission of gross misconduct and corruption even though he knows that the Commission was only called to save the Adamawa Rome pilgrimage trip from collapse.

“It is even strange that the Chairman of the State Chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN is the one talking about pilgrimage exercise, the Commission does not deal with CAN State Chapter rather it deals with the State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Boards. This is an aberration except there is an ulterior motif behind it.

“The Adamawa Rome Pilgrimage took place between 23rd -28th May, 2022 and a formal report was submitted to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, our supervising body.

“How can a pilgrimage that took place over five months ago become an issue of criticisms and alleged corruption?

“The Chairman of CAN Adamawa State should not usurp the functions of the Adamawa State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board; let them speak for themselves as the facts and figures of that pilgrimage are intact.

“One would have expected that the Catholic Bishop would have channeled his concerns to the appropriate authorities rather than granting press conference.

“The fact remains that what the Commission did in the Adamawa Rome trip was a rescue and intervention Mission.” The statement read

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YPP soaring high in Adamawa as community agog for Nuru, HoR candidate flags-off campaign in grand style

….over 200 PDP members defect to PDP to give him support

Activities in Mayo Belwa town on Saturday came to a halt as the Young Progressives Party (YPP) candidate vying to represent Mayo-Belwa, Toungo, Jada and Ganye federal constituency in the house of representatives, Nuruddeen Hammanyero, flags-off campaign amidst pomp, pageantry and unprecedented camaraderie.

During the flag-off which was attended by members and leaders of other political parties including PDP and APC, the candidate also unveiled his five-point manifesto centered around the development of Trade, Education, Agriculture, Security and Empowerment.

The ambition of Nuruddeen Hammanyero got a boost as a PDP stalwart in the area Nuruddeen Okocha, led over 200 stalwarts from other political parties to join the campaign train of Hammanyero because of the belief that the budding politician has what it takes to turn around the fortunes of the people of the area.

Meanwhile, the ancient town was virtually shutdown as thousands of supporters of the candidate left their activities and joined the long motorcade of supporters as the candidate moves round the town to fraternize with the people.

Movement through the town was hectic as it took the candidate hours to finish activities line up for the day including visitation to the palace of the district head and unveiling of the party’s campaign office as security operatives had a hectic time trying to control the ever surging crowd of supporters.

While thanking the teeming people of Ganye, Toungo, Jada and Mayo Belwa for their uncommon gesture and show of goodwill, Hammanyero who was visibly overwhelmed with emotion pledged not to disappoint them if elected.

He noted that if elected, he will channel considerable energy to ensure the revival of the constituency’s potentials through proper border security, and attract investments to the area in order to usher in peace, stability and trade prosperity.

Hammanyero said he is in the race to right the wrongs of the past noting that the area has suffered neglect since the advent of this democratic dispensation in 1999.

He however expressed optimism that all hope is not lost as the messiah who will save the constituency from from further drift has appeared in the horizon.

Hammanyero urged the people not to despair in the face of serial disappointments they suffered in the past as he is mindful of the verdict of posterity on him.

He enjoined the people to go out en mass and collect their PVCs noting that the voter’s card is the only weapon at their disposal to elect good leaders come 2023 general election. He also pleaded with the other constituents to reciprocate the gesture Mayo Belwa has been extending to them over the years by voting him this time around.

Speaking during the occasion, the Director General of Nuruddeen Hammanyero campaign council, Hammadu Jada called on the people of Ganye chiefdom to support Mayo Belwa to produce the next federal lawmaker in the area so as to reciprocate the gesture Mayo Belwa has extended to the chiefdom over the years.

“Since the advent of democracy, Mayo Belwa has been supportive to Ganye chiefdom making its sons to represent the area in the house of representatives. In reciprocity, we should also support Mayo Belwa now as one good turn deserves another.

“More so, our candidate has the wherewithal, capacity, experience, exposure and the youthful energy to translate our hopes and aspirations into reality,” he said.

Also speaking, Adamawa State chairman of YPP, Musa Maigana congratulate those who pitch tent with his party noting that they will be carried along and will be treated like old members of the party.

He expressed hope that with the massive grassroot support his party is garnering across every nook and cranny of the constituency, his party will comprehensively win the 2023 polls.

Prosecute Tinubu For Drugs Trafficking, Group Petitions Attorney General

*says Nigeria can’t be a pariah in comity of Nations

Following the release of certified true copy of the indictment and forfeiture of $460,000 for drugs trafficking and money laundering by a United States Court, a group, the Centre for Reform and Advocacy (CRA), has petitioned the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to prosecute the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, for narcotics trafficking and money laundering.

It also issued a five days ultimatum to the AGF to comply with the demands or face legal actions.

CRA in a letter dated November 14, 2022, further urged the AGF to direct the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to investigate and take necessary legal actions against the APC candidate.

This is even as it recalled an earlier correspondence tagged annexure “A” where it asked the NDLEA Chairman to invoke Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, against the former Lagos State governor for his involvement in the alleged crime.

The letter signed by CRA Legal Adviser, Kalu Kalu Agu, and made available to newsmen Sunday in Abuja, reads in part; “It is our honour and privilege and in total fidelity to our objective that we, respectfully, call your attention to the letter attached hereto as annexure “A”.

“As evident ex facie the letter we, on the 8th day of November, 2022 served annexure “A” on the Chairman of NDLEA and therein we demanded for the prosecution of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu under Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, for his involvement in Narcotics Trafficking and Money Laundering.

“In line with the above, and in consonance with the utmost need to ensure that Nigeria does not end up a pariah in the comity of nations for condoning narcotics dealings and allied offences we hereby demand that you direct the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to yield to our demand in annexure “A”.

Sports Complex: Prof Auwal Uba Sets Bauchi State University On A Higher Pedestal

By; MIKE ODEH JAMES

Bauchi State University Gadau recorded another milestone as the sporting complex of the university was completed and put to use by the students.

A brainchild of the Vice Chancellor, Professor Auwal Uba, the ultramodern complex boasts of basketball court, volleyball pitch, football field, tennis court and host of others.

The sporting complex can compete favorably with any international sporting complex within and outside the country. So far, the high standard of the complex and the way and manner it was built is still generating positive comments from Bauchi residents as well as sports analysts across the country.

According to a popular blogger, Hafeez Wakilin Amana, “Professor Auwalu Uba proved his name to the world, as it’s part of his great mission and vision of restructuring modern Bauchi State University Gadau, the workaholic Vice Chancellor has facilitated a global standard stadium on the campus.

“The stadium serves multipurpose for different sporting activities, well furnished with the best grass carpet and other facilities,” he added.

The Consulting Editor of Authentic Newspaper and the Secretary of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria ( SWAN) Kaduna State Chapter, Okpani Jacob Onjewu Dickson said that after viewing the complex, he concluded Bauchi State University is ready to host Nigerian Universities Games (NUGA) anytime.

Okpani Dickson said, “What the Vice Chancellor did was to bequeath a lasting sporting edifice for the institution.

“The standard of the courts, pitches and dressing rooms are all of international standard that one would say that Professor Uba have already made preparations for Bauchi State University to host NUGA.

Accolades are also coming from the varsity community as staff and students are full of praises for Prof Uba for building the complex.

Abubakar Shuaibu, a political science staff averred that Prof.Uba has set a precedent that subsequent Vice Chancellors may find very difficult to match.

He added, “the new sporting complex will strengthen our athletic programmes, dramatically improve the student athlete experience, enhance the experience of visitors and it match global standard.

He went on “Our students can now practice and compete on a safe track surface comparable to those of their competitors from other schools. We say kudos to our workaholic vice chancellor, the architect of modern Bauchi State University.

Another student thrilled by the Sports complex, is Grace Garba a final year student of Sociology.

She said, “my gratitude is to Prof. Uba because he has been doing the right things all along. The complex is not the only positive thing that he has done for us. God will bless him,” she concluded.

So far, many analysts are saying that Professor Auwal Uba as the Vice Chancellor of Bauchi State University, has with the commissioning of the sports complex etched the his name and and that of Governor Bala Mohammed in gold.