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There are possiblity of replacing Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the national chairman, the source fingered former governor of kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressive Congress (APC), and aides of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have moved to replace the national chairman of the party, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, with a former governor from the North-Central, a reliable source revealed.
Reports gathered that the move by the presidential aides and associates of the president is aimed at altering the zoning of offices in the APC, which would see the national chairman of the party coming from the North-Central. In this regard, there is are speculations of a plot to make the former Governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello to replace Ganduje as the national chairman of the party.
It was also gathered from a party source that there are lack of competency from Ganduje hence he failed to deliver Kano State.
An APC chieftain who speak to MOONLIHGTNEWS on condition of anonymity, said in the interest of fairness, the party scribe must be of North-Central extraction. “If we want to be fair to all sections of the country, the National chairman should come from the North-Central”.
“I am a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress. The National Chairmanship of the APC should be retained in the North Central. We may still retain it in Kogi, because we are targeting the former Governor of that State, Yahaya Bello”.
“The APC have been led substantially by a person who possessed insufficient experience and exposure. What we fail to understand is that in Latin, we learnt that one cannot give what one doesn’t”. “The worst aspect of it is the interpretation of a Yoruba proverb that described an unfit leader as someone who ought to be sleeping on the floor but suddenly finds himself on the bed with a good mattress”. “Misbehaviour and foolishness occasioned by pride become inevitable from such people when they occupy a leadership position”, the APC Chieftain added. Another source, who pleaded anonymity, said, “The game plan is to force Ganduje out of office before the next general elections. Plans are already on to force him out. Nothing is impossible in politics. You can’t rule this out.”
MOONLIGHTNEWS gathered that, the APC replacementis aim to bring a sense of balance in the power equation of the party. The National chairman should come from the North-Central.
Efforts made to reach the national chairman chief of staff, Comrade Mohammed Garba, for reaction prove abortive.
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria has approved the award for Honorary Degrees to three deserving personalities at its 43rd Convocation Ceremony scheduled for Saturday, 27th January, 2024 as approved by His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Visitor to the University.
The deserving honorees are the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais, GCON; the late Wazirin Fika, Malam Adamu Mu’azzam Fika, GCON; and the former African Union Representative to the United Nations, Her Excellency, Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao.
Justice Uwais will be conferred with the degree of Doctor of Laws (LL.D) Honoris Causa, the late Adamu Fika is recommended for post-humous conferment with the degree of Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) Honoris Causa, and Ambassador Chihombori-Quao is to receive the degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) Honoris Causa.
ABU’s decision to confer the eminent personalities with the Honorary Degrees is in accordance with Statute 11 of the institution’s Laws.Justice Lawal Uwais, who had an excellent career in the Nigerian judiciary and international judicial organisations from 1964 to 2006, rose through the ranks by dint of hard work and dedication to duty to become the Chief Justice of Nigeria in 1995.
Uwais’ career is replete with record-breaking attainments that impacted positively on the Nigerian and international judiciary. For instance, he had the opportunity of delivering more judgements than most of his colleagues who passed through the Supreme Court.Fika, who was Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Ahmadu Bello University Governing Council, served as Commissioner of Finance in the defunct North Eastern State in 1972; Permanent Secretary in various Federal Ministries and establishments; Secretary to the Government and Civil Service of the Federation; and Chairman of several government and private agencies and organisations. The services he rendered in these capacities went a long way in enhancing efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity of the public service and educational development.
Her Excellency, Ambassador Dr. Arikana Chihombori-Quao, former African Union Representative to the United Nations, is an exemplary leader and advocate for African unity, social justice, and economic empowerment, and global issues. Born and grew up in a village of Chivhu in Zimbabwe, and later emigrated to the United States in 1977, Chihombori-Quao tirelessly works towards strengthening the relationship between Africa and the United States.
Her dedication to fostering partnerships, promoting investment, and advocating for the interest of the African Continent has been exceptional. She has consistently advocated for African unity and the empowerment of African nations on the global stage. All the three deserving honorees have since accepted the decision of the institution to be conferred with the Honorary Degrees of the University during the upcoming Convocation Ceremony.
… It will amount to witch-hunting to link him to company
Group under aegis of Forum for Transparency and Good Governance (FTGG) has come out strongly to defend the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, over his involvement in an alleged N438.1 million consultancy contract between New Planet Project Limited and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation under the suspended Minister, Betta Edu.
According to the group, since documents revealed that the Interior Minister resigned as a Director of New Planet Project Limited in 2019, it would amount to witch-hunting to link him to the contract scandal.
The group, which explained reasons for defending the Minister in a press statement signed by Dr. Mustapha Ahmed Malumfashi said it is unfair and ridiculous to link the Minister to the alleged contact scam, when he resigned from the company on 4th February,2019 after he won election into the House of Representatives with a Certified True Copy of Corporate Affairs Commission as far back as 2019 to prove this.
The statement further reads : “But Tunji-Ojo, who reacted while appearing on Channels TV Politics Today on Monday night, agreed he co-founded the company ten years ago, but resigned from directorship.
“The Minister, who described the report as shocking, did say he was not involved in the day-to-day running of New Planet Project Limited and all that is expected is to confirm the veracity of his claim.
“However, form our investigation, Tunji-Ojo ,who in our estimation has being doing well since appointed as minister by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu didn’t benefited from Edu’s alleged fake N3 billion social register contract.
“We have seen legitimate documents which showed that the interior minister resigned as a director at New Planet Project Limited nearly five years ago.
“Our investigation further revealed that New Planet Project Limited, with registration number 804833, was said to have been registered on March 3, 2009 with a Certified True Copy of the Corporate Affairs Commission documents obtained ,dated August 8, the minister had alongside four others resigned as directors on February 1, 2019.
“Section A contained names of “directors ceasing to hold office” from February 1, 2019. They included Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Abimbola Tunji-Ojo, Okpanachi George Echiye, Idris Shuaibu, and Hassan Suleiman.
“The document was signed by Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo and Akinmulewo Amos Oladapo as Director and Director/Secretary/Authorised officer, respectively and it was further presented for filing at the CAC by one Abu Dennis, on February 6, 2019.
He confirmed during the interview with Channels that he co-founded the New Planet Project with his wife 15 years ago but resigned and remained a shareholder in the company.
“Of course, public service rules do not prohibit public officers from being shareholders. What public service rules say is that you cannot be a director of which I had resigned about five years ago.”
Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended Edu over corruption allegations on Monday.
Shortly after Edu’s suspension, reports emerged that the Minister paid a company owned by the Minister of Interior a total amount of N438.1 million for consultancy services.
“We therefore urge the President to summon the Minister of Interior, Tunji-Ojo, over his alleged involvement of the controversial N438 million contract scandal involving the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.”
As Nigerians await the judgement of the case concerning Kano State gubernatorial election, at the Supreme Court, the Director General of the Confederation of APC Support Groups (CASG), Engineer Kailani Muhammad, mobilizes APC supporters from across seven North West states, in anticipation of the judgement favouring All Progressives Congress (APC).
Engineer Muhammad believes that, “Without any intent for court contempt, we are hopeful, praying and committed to believing that, the case before the Supreme Court will favour our gubernatorial and deputy gubernatorial candidates, His Excellency Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna and His Excellency Murtala Sule Garo respectively.”
While commending the National Chairman of APC Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON, as one of the main brains and architects behind APC’s victory at the Tribunal and Court of Appeal, the Director General believes that, both Gawuna and Garo would be absolutely loyal to the National Chairman, the party and democracy in general.
“It is due to our fervent prayers and belief that, we are hopefully hopeful that APC will emerge victorious at the Supreme Court. That is why I am saying, on behalf of the entire members of Confederation of APC Support Groups that we have started mobilizing our members from North West zone, comprising of 7 states, to celebrate and support the in-coming administration of Gawuna-Garo,” encouraged the Director General.
Adding that, Kano would witness the participation of hundreds of thousands of supporters, that has never been witnessed in recent political history in the state. Assuring that, “Gawuna-Garo administration will replicate former governor Ganduje’s security architecture, respect for traditional institutions, youth/women empowerment, sports development, economic progress, improved healthcare delivery system, among other countless pluses.”
Engineer Muhammad concludes his message with bravo attachment to the APC National Chairman, thrilling that, Ganduje’s style of leadership as the National Chairman is not only unique, but a strong corridor for deepening party management, party politics and democracy in general.
Anwar was Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje January, 2024
The Governing Council of Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) has approved the appointment of Prof. Auwal Kasim of the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, as new Provost of the Institute.
The appointment, which was contained in a letter dated 28th December, 2023 and signed by the Registrar of the Institute, Air Commodore Mohammed Sheriff Lawal, followed Prof. Kasim’s success at the interview for the top job.
The appointment, which is for a single non-renewable tenure of five years, is in line with the Provisions of the Institute’s Laws and Regulations governing the conditions of service for academic staff. Prof. Kasim’s appointment is with effect from 8th January, 2024. He is taking over from Prof. Muhammad Dauda, also a staff of Ahmadu Bello University from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, who had just finished serving his tenure as Provost of the Institute for five years. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, congratulated Prof. Kasim on his emergence as the Institute’s Provost and wished him God’s guidance in the discharge of the national assignment.
The Air Force Institute of Technology is a tertiary institution with a blend of military and civilian staff and students accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), and Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
The Institute is also a Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) approved training organization for the conduct of Initial Aircraft License Preparatory Course (ILPC).
Until the new appointment, Prof. Kasim was the Director, Engineering Services, Ahmadu Bello University Consultancy Services (ABUCONS) Nigeria Limited. Kasim, who has over two decades of academic experience in Ahmadu Bello University, also served as the Head of Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering during which he initiated and supervised the establishment of mining engineering.
Prof. Kasim, whose research interest is on corrosion/degradation of materials, materials development and characterization, taught and supervised many students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Kasim is a Fellow of the Nigeria Corrosion Association (NiCA) and Nigerian Metallurgical Society (NMS) as well as a Member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE), and Nigeria Society of Mining Engineers (NSME).
Public Affairs Directorate, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Friday, 5th January, 2024
Governor Senator Uba Sani is more than a mentor, a father figure, and a role model.
His astute political acumen has been a guiding force, setting a motivating template for countless individuals and kaduna state as a whole.
He is a messiah and political helmsman steering the ship of Kaduna State, laying a resilient foundation for its modern development.
A man of the people who is loved by all, Uba Sani has been able to unite all the ethnic groups in the state and this is responsible for the total absence of communal skirmishes in Kaduna state.
Uba Sani has deep understanding of human nature, is a person of “deep foresight” whose actions and work rate have positively impacted kaduna State.
Uba Sani political sagacity has put kaduna State at the forefront of effective governance.
Governor Uba Sani has in the past seven months, carved a niche for himself in the area of security, qualitative education and qualitative healthcare delivery.
Due to his no-nonsense and uncompromising stance on insecurity, today, Kaduna is undoubtedly the most peaceful state in the country.
The state is indeed insecurity-free. In the area of education, governor Uba Sani has changed the faces of the education across the state, his developmental efforts has put the state on the map of educationally advanced states in the country.
Most stakeholders have argued that part of the insecurity pervading the nation today is due to illiteracy and having a leader in the mould of Uba Sani who knows the essence of education, kaduna will become a high flying state in no time.
An unrepentant anti-corruption advocate, Governor Uba Sani is running Kaduna state in the most transparent and accountable manner.
Look at the unity he has brought to the different ethnic groups in Kaduna through his appointments and spread of projects across the three Senatorial districts of the state.
The legacy he will leave is not just a testament but a living reality for all to witness.
A concerted effort led by Sen. Ahmad Abubakar MoAllahyidi under the Arewa New Agenda (ANA) banner has launched a far-reaching advocacy campaign aimed at enhancing access to Hajj 2024 for Nigerian Muslims. This initiative highlights critical issues surrounding the cost and accessibility of the sacred pilgrimage, advocating for measures to ease financial burdens faced by intending pilgrims.
ANA’s effort according the group’s leadership, was fully endorsed and supported by the leadership of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), from concept to finish.
The ANA’s campaign was marked by strategic engagements across key regions—North West, North East, North Central, and FCT—bringing together religious leaders, stakeholders, and state pilgrims’ boards to address pressing concerns ahead of the looming December 31st payment deadline for Hajj 2024.
ANA’s advocacy encompassed multifaceted challenges impacting the affordability of Hajj, including accommodation near Haram, feeding schemes, royalties, airfares, and service charges, all contributing to the overall high cost incurred by intending pilgrims.
Stakeholders voiced concerns during the engagements, notably about fraudulent activities targeting pilgrims, delayed information dissemination, and inadequate awareness within rural communities regarding the new regulations and payment deadlines for the 2024 Hajj.
Regional observations revealed promising trends in some states meeting their Hajj quotas, while others faced challenges due to pending court decisions and delayed commitments. The need for deadline extensions and subsidies emerged as key recommendations to make Hajj more accessible.
The North Central region particularly highlighted a lack of comprehensive information and suggested intensive educational campaigns to bridge the awareness gap among intending pilgrims and rural communities.
Stakeholders advocated for intensified enlightenment drives, closer collaboration with financial institutions to alleviate payment hurdles, and a call for governments to subsidize Hajj fares, addressing concerns about fraud, improved management, and early savings schemes.
Encouragingly, government officials in various states, including Kano, Kebbi, FCT, Zamfara, Kwara, and Nasarawa, expressed confidence in their governments’ interventions to ensure a successful Hajj 2024, affirming their commitment to addressing affordability challenges.
Sen. MoAllahyidi conveyed gratitude for the support extended by the National Hajj Commission and various state pilgrims’ boards, acknowledging their collaborative efforts to advance the cause of making Hajj 2024 more accessible for Nigerian Muslims.
Counsel to former Minister of Humanitarian Services, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar-Farouq, Sir Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN) has clarified the erroneous media report doing the rounds about his client, saying that she did not shun the invitation extended to her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Okpeseyi said that on the contrary she was eager to make herself available to offer clarifications to operatives of the anti-graft agency who were looking into the books of two financially independent agencies under the ministry, including the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA).
“I was at the headquarters of the Commission on Tuesday to submit a letter to that effect and to seek extension of time (a shift in date) to enable my client, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, to make herself available at another opportune time to offer clarifications about activities of some agencies under the ministry she superintended in the immediate past administration.
“Although, the EFCC has yet to send me a formal reply, the leadership availed us of its understanding, which resulted in parties amicably agreeing to have the interview originally scheduled for Wednesday (January 3, 2024) postponed to a time that the Commission would subsequently fix after looking through its schedules,” Sir Okpeseyi said in a chat with the media.
He said that once the coast was clear and a new date was fixed by the Commission, his client would be available to answer questions and offer clarifications on the areas of her stewardship that are not clear to the Commission.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria took the opportunity of the chat to attack the impression being created in a section of the media that his client was being invited for alleged misappropriation of funds.
According to him: “That is not the case in this circumstance. She has been invited to offer clarifications into certain expenditures by some agencies under her ministry.”
Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier said it would not arrest the immediate past Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, for the alleged N37.1 billion fraud in agencies under the ministry.
The EFCC had also said that the former minister did not shun its invitation.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said this on Thursday, January 4, 2024.
Oyewale noted that the former minister sent a letter that she couldn’t honour the invitation because she was indisposed [due to health challenges].
“It is true that she didn’t show up, but she sent a letter pleading for more time explaining that she had some health challenges.
“She didn’t shun EFCC invitation; she actually gave reasons why she couldn’t meet up
“Her lawyer was also at the commission to brief the anti-graft agency of why she couldn’t come or honour the invitation,” he told NAN.
Oyewale said the EFCC had considered her plea and expected that she would honour the invitation without further delay.
The EFCC spokesperson said there might not be any reason for her arrest as she had done the needful through her lawyer.
“The position of the commission is that she should turn herself in without further delay,” he added.
Oyewale further stated that the N37.1 billion being branded might not be a correct figure of the money misappropriated under the ministry.
He said: “On the figure that is being branded, I cannot categorically confirm the figure because it is an ongoing thing. We are still tracing all the transactions here and there; it may be more than that.
“We can’t publish a figure now until we finish the tracking, and it may be more than what is being brandished now.”
The EFCC spokesperson added that the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA), Halima Shehu, had been released.
Shehu, who was arrested on Tuesday, was, however, directed to be coming to the EFCC office for interrogation until the end of the investigation.
She was arrested in connection with the ongoing probe of the humanitarian affairs ministry.
“She was the National Coordinator in charge of the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme under the ministry during Buhari’s tenure, and she has been queried over some of the money that left the ministry’s coffers through her,” Oyewale said.
It would also be recalled that the former minister had, through her media aide, Alexander Udeh, issued an initial response to the media report that insinuated her into business relationship with a contractor.
Read her: “My attention has been drawn to publications in some online media outlets trying to link my name with the activities of one Mr. James Okwete who is reportedly being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial improprieties.
“Ordinarily I would have ignored such publications, which at best could be seen and regarded as speculative but doing so will give energy to the adventure of those who take delight in mudslinging, especially against those who are, or have been privileged to hold public offices.
“In this age of digital media when unverified materials are easily dumped and recalled from the cyber space, it would be inappropriate to ignore such a malicious linkage.
“I wish to state categorically that I neither know the said Mr. Okwete nor has ever had him represent me in any way whatsoever. Therefore, linking me with him in whatever guise is bogus and ill-intentioned.
“I remain proud to have served my country as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with every sense of responsibility and would defend my actions, stewardship and programmes during my tenure whenever I am called upon to do so.
“While I resist the urge to engage in any media banter whatsoever on this issue since my name was never expressly mentioned by the agency reportedly investigating Mr. Okwete, I am nonetheless prepared to seek redress legally and clear my name if there is any such defamatory reference to my person from any source.”
Meanwhile, sundry reports said that the agencies, which financial activities caught the interest of and scrutiny by the anti-graft agency had their budgets independently and exclusively administered by them as long as spending did not go above a certain threshold.
It was learnt that if proposed expenditures went above the threshold, the agencies would have to revert upstairs for ministerial approval.
But the agencies, as learnt, ensured that expenditures for contracts were below ministerial approval.
These, as gathered, are some of the areas the former minister would be expected to clarify or shed light on in her rescheduled interview with operatives of the EFCC to enable it [the Commission] track the “expended” funds being investigated.
Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Beta Edu Allegedly Withdraws N3 Billion in a Month , Triggers NSPIPA Boss Suspension Amidst Transparency Rift
Shocking revelations have emerged regarding Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, who allegedly withdrew a staggering sum of N3 billion from the National Social Investment Programme Agency (NSIPA) within just one month.
According to insiders at the agency, this large withdrawal sparked a contentious dispute between the Minister and the suspended NSIPA National Coordinator/CEO, Hajia Halima Shehu. Shehu reportedly resisted the unjust depletion of public funds under the guise of National Social Register (NSR) Verification, without proper evidence or authorization from the NSIPA account.
Insiders revealed that the funds were withdrawn without the knowledge of the NSIPA boss. To safeguard against further unauthorized withdrawals, the NSIPA Accounting Officer decided to secure the remaining funds in safe custody. Hajia Shehu, the suspended NSIPA boss, redirected the remaining funds from accounts designated for Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) and Grants for Vulnerable Groups (GVG) to protect them from misuse.
Ahmadu Bello University Endowment Foundation has received a boost from the Chairman of the Mainstream Energy Solutions Company, Dr. Sani Bello, who donated another N50 million.
Dr. Bello, who was a one-time military governor of old Kano State, first donated N50 million to the University in March 2022 based on his total conviction about the transformative power of education, especially at university level. The donation hit the account of the Foundation on Wednesday, 3rd January, 2024, a great gesture well acknowledged and appreciated by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, and the University as a whole.
Col. Bello’s unwavering zeal for education transformation manifested through the companies he chaired and is still chairing. He ensured that as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), his companies extend valuable assistance to universities.
A good example is the establishment of the MTN-Library Connect at Kashim Ibrahim Library in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 2010.
This digital hub was equipped by MTN with 120 computers, 2 servers, 3 databases, and a self-operated timer. The facility is used extensively by undergraduate students to support their learning and research.
Similarly, his Mainstream Energy Solutions Company, which functions as an electricity generation enterprise, graciously provided and heavily discounted electricity for Lagos State University in Lagos.
The Foundation is intended to give the University the much-needed financial stability, flexibility, and confidence to make capital improvements, build capacity in emerging academic areas, engage in cutting-edge research, and adapt to the changing needs of the institution’s students.
The Board of Trustees for the Foundation was recently reconstituted with the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, Ajiyan Katagum, CFR, as Chairman, as well as other illustrious alumni and friends of the University as members.
The reconstitution of the Board followed approval of the University Governing Council as its 194th (Regular) meeting held in February, 2021, and the 12-member Board had since been inaugurated.
Additionally, the University has automated the alumni registration process in order to maintain close contact with its alumni from all walks of life, a genuine effort largely seen as a step towards harnessing the huge potential of the ABU alumni family to ensure prosperity of the University.
Public Affairs Directorate, Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Thursday, 4th January, 2024
REACH-24 