Author Archives: MOONLIGHT NEWS

BY COMRADE MUSA MOHAMMED

Elections have come and gone and the people have made their choices known on whom they trust to govern them.

The military often rejoice in the notion that surprise is the first element of war. However the emergence of His Excellency Senator Uba Sani as Governor-elect of Kaduna State is a tale long foretold. He did not get to this summit in one sudden political leap. Instead it has come as a prize, at the end of a long struggle, in which every mile of the way was contested, challenged and litigated until he crossed the finish line. In the end, SENATOR UBA SANI, candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kaduna was declared governor-elect having scored the highest number of votes in the March 18

Uba Sani believes in people. And APC as a party is imbued with members with huge capacity in all fields. And he is a listening person. He listens to advice and counselling. You can see the outburst of the people in his support. So he is a man that would shock people.

He is a man who has been underrated by those people who do not know him. But we are very close to him and know his capacity. You see when you allow a successful person to govern, he will deliver, because he is not looking for food to eat. In my discussion with him, he has his plans. If you see someone who is talking about education, security, health, agriculture, housing, he knows what he is doing. 

My advice to the people of the state is to pray for the successful tenure and to support the governor. You support the governor and behave in a manner that the law permits. Act in a lawful manner. Pay your taxes, support the government and pray for the governor and his team, and that is what we need for kaduna to grow.

You will see shortly as he mounts leadership, there will be more and more investment and investors in Kaduna and then there will be trade, people will be coming in and out. Many people will go back to kaduna and increase their investment, because he is going to give you a peaceful and enabling environment. And these are the prerequisite requirements for growth and development.

I am saying it with all the confidence that the new governor, Senator Uba Sani will govern the State successfully.

The fact is kaduna state are set to appreciate the true meaning of democracy because the man in the saddle today is a product of democracy and someone who understands and appreciates the tenets of democracy and the value it brings to the table of the populace.

Uba Sani is a true democrat who was involved in the struggle for the return of democracy to the country and has finally assumed the position of authority, “UBA SANI will not shy away from bringing to bear the dividends of democracy the people of Kaduna state have been yearning for.”

Recall when he was declared the winner, he still extend his hands of fellowship and bond of friendship to his brothers and sisters on the other side of the political divide, he call on them to join him in building a state that we all, irrespective of political affiliations, will be proud to call our home.”

I urged the people of the state not to allow themselves to be used as agents of violent disorder.

We remain the proud sons and daughters of Kaduna State, and no disruptive influences of politics should break the cords of our togetherness. 

The people of the state should be praying for governor UBA SANI to have a successful tenure.

The Arewa New Agenda(ANA) has welcomed the appointment of Malam Nuhu Ribadu as Special Adviser on Security, describing it as the right step taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the right direction.
A statement by the Convener of the Group, Sen. Ahmed Abubakar MoAllahyidi, noted that Tinubu has exhibited exemplary leadership and wisdom with his most recent appointments of Special Advisers including that of Nuhu Ribadu.

With particularly the appointments of Senator George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Nuhu Ribadu as SA Security, President Tinubu has signaled his intention to tackle the twin menace of security and corruption, the Group said.
Noting that he excitement following the appointment of the special adviser on security is still revibrating around the country, the Group expressed hope that Nigeria will get it right this time around.

“Prior to his appointment as the Chairman of EFCC in 2003, Ribadu served as key operational officer in the General Investigation and the Force Criminal Investigation Departments of the of the Nigerian Police. He was a member of the highly commended Failed Banks Tribunal that sanitized the rottenness in the Nigerian Banking sector of the late eighties,” the Group recounted.

According to them, Ribadu has been widely acknowledged as bringing to his job a deep passion and an exemplary sense of dedication and efficiency. In three years, the EFCC under his leadership built the now most celebrated Crimes Training and Research Institute in the-sub-region.
These achievements, they said, helped make the EFCC a reference Law Enforcement Agency on the continent; and the bold investigation, prosecution, and conviction of Nigeria’s hitherto untouchable politicians and businessmen earned him the reputation of being a foremost and respected anti-corruption crusader in the world.
“It is to his record that he rejected a N30 million bribe from one of the country’s major money laundering offenders in 2005, although the most sensational report of his ethical conduct thus far was the 2007 rejection of a $15 million bribe from a former governor from one of Nigeria’s Niger Delta states.

“In acknowledgement of these modest achievements, he was promoted Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), in March 2007; the African Union put him on its advisory board on anti-corruption matters; and he was lately invited to join the advisory board of the friends of the World Bank/UNODC initiative on stolen-asset-recovery,” the said.
Other notable achievement of Mallam Ribadu according to the Group, include but not limited to the de-listing of Nigeria from the Financial Action Task Force (on Money Laundering) (FATF) List of Non-Cooperative Countries & Territories, admission into the prestigious The Egmont Group and the withdrawal of the US Treasury the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Advisory on Nigeria.

“This No 1 crime fighting czar on the continent of Africa; Mallam Nuhu Ribadu it was who led the conviction, jailing and the return of £150 million ill-gotten wealth of the most powerful Police Man on the continent of Africa.
“This astute and fearless police officer it was who diligently investigated and provided evidence that helped prosecute foreign businesses who turned our country into one in which bribes must be offered while doing business in Nigeria,” they said.
They listed major achievements and recognitions Ribadu has garnered during his service to the Nigerian nationc to includes World Bank’s 2008 Jit Gill Memorial Award for Outstanding Public Service, the Global Lifetime Achievement Award on anti-corruption campaign from Qatar-based think-tank, Rule of Law and Anti-corruption Centre (ROLACC) and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Award from the Rule of Law and Anti-corruption Centre (ROLACC).
“On Friday December 7 2018, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu won the Sheikh Tamim Bn Hamad al Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award.
“In May 2010 he made the list of the 20 most influential Nigerians alongside people like Philip Emagwali, Aliko Dangote, Emake Anyoku, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Wole Soyinka and others,” the Group noted.
The Group said it has followed with keen interest how the administration has approached and put forward its intention to provide leadership and discharge the responsibility of governance. “President Tinubu has in two weeks exhibited the ability to tackle key issues in the country by taking some tough decisions. Many commentators have spoken about this new breath of ‘Governance-fresh-air’ it is not out of place for us to revisit some of the popular decisions and actions the President has taken in his less than three weeks of being President,” they said.

A political analyst and member of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kaduna State, Comrade Musa Mohammed has debunked the allegations, against the executive Governor of Kaduna state Sen. Uba Sani, that “In Jan 2019 Emefiele was Alleged to have handed over 137 BDC Licences for Distribution to National Assembly members, which Senator Uba Sani is the link” describing t as a mere propaganda to smear the person of Uba Sani.

Comrade Musa Mohammed said such allegations were shocking described the claim as a figment of the imagination of opposition’s.

“I think we should know that CBN is the creation of the law, and is an institution with statutory flavour. There responsibility is to keep up with the law.
“They keep a record of all transactions, that is why even when the CBN hear such allegations, are shocked.

He further stated that Uba Sani is one among many not only in Kaduna, but the country at large with approved licence to operate the business of Forex (DBC).

Therefore, Musa Mohammed had challenged anybody with prove or evidence of such allegations to substantiate before the law.

However, Musa Mohammed has called on the public disregard such allegation to the number one citizen of Kaduna state.
“Such faulted allegation has polical links to dent the leadership of the governor, especially opposition parties”.
” However, we the good people of Kaduna state, will continue to rally round his Excellency the Executive Governor of Kaduna state Senator Malam Uba Sani”.

On the assumption of Uba Sani as the governor of Kaduna state, Comrade Musa Mohammed said, the governor early steps in the administration of the state, the dynamic governor, apart from appointing his kitchen cabinets, who are versatile, competent and hard-working, is a testimony that Uba Sani is ready to deliver the state to higher level.

Similarly, the constitution of a 10-man high-powered committee to review the performance of all parastatals of the State government, is another serious attempt by the governor to tanned financial misappropriation, visa_vis his meeting with Ambassador of Kuwait to Nigeria, Abdelaziz Albisher, in a bid to form a strong partnership between the State and the Middle Eastern nation, which is a welcome development, he added.

…Wants Northern Elders to Understand need for fairness

Ahead of formal inauguration 10th Senate and election the President Senate, Senator Shehu Sani has thrown his weight behind the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima on the appeal for the senators to vote a Christian to occupy the highly coveted seat against the position of Northern Elders Forum that either Islam or Christianity, should not be a deciding factor in who leads the Senate.

The northern elders had knocked Vice President Kashim Shettima for saying, “under the current dispensation, the worst incompetent Southern Christian is better than the most puritanical Northern Muslim for the Presidency of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

But in a reaction on the matter, Senator Shehu Sani via his Twitter handle explained :I watched the video clip, where the VP Shetima spoke about the comparative suitability and competence of a Northern Muslim and Southern Christian.

“My understanding is that he spoke within the context of their effort to balance the religious scale with regards to who becomes the Senate President. He is evidently making a case for a Christian Senate President in view of the lopsided religious configuration.

“With a Muslim President and VP and a Muslim Speaker and CJN,the ruling party’s only opportunity to score a balance is the Senate Presidency.If they lost this,definitely the accusation against them will be a proven case.

According to the Human Rights Activist, It was very clear that Shettima made a statement of appeal. Adding, “I viewed him as making a case for Akpabio as the only possible option left for APC to clear the air over the issue of alleged Islamization Agenda.”

He said a situation where, “The President is a Muslim;the Vice President is a Muslim , the Speaker is a Muslim, the Chief Justice of Nigeria is a Muslim is capable of creating more disharmony and certainly the reason Shettima said, the worst Southern Christian is better that a Northern Muslim as far position of Senate is concerned.”

He however said the Northern Elders must have quoted Vice President Shettima out of context. Noting ,” I didn’t see where Shettima said a Christian Senate President is better than any Northern Muslim candidate in the race.”

Shehu Sani, who said ,”Professor Ango Abdullahi as the leader the Northern Elders Forum(NEF) and Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed are respected elder statesmen, whose contributions remained invaluable on issues of National discourse and development, noted , “But on matter of the election of President of the 10th Senate ,I want our elders to see reasons for fairness, equity and justice.

” If a Christian is denied the seat of Senate President, it will only corroborate the claims of alleged Islamization Agenda.”

He therefore, urged the the 109 senators to consider a Christian to emerge as the President of the 10th Senate to avoid undue political friction and tension.

The entire People of Nasarawa State have been called upon to give all the needed super port and cooperation to Governor Abdullahi A. Sule to enable them enjoy move dividends of democracy in the State.

 The call was made by a Kaduna based transporter and Ciroman Agbolagu, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa in a press statement he issued. He said the support should be in the areas of prayers, unity, and maintenance of peace among others. 

Alhaji Abdullahi Musa commended the developmental activities of Governor Sule in the last four years, explaining that the governor has done well in all the sectors such as: Education, Health, Agriculture, Security, Roads Construction, Human Development among others. 

Chairman Agbolagu Congratulated Governor Sule and urge him to continue to use his wealth of experience as an Engineer and Administrator for the overall development of Nasarawa State.He described Governor Sule as a man of discipline and believes in the rule of law, due process, fairness and stands against indiscipline.

 He however appealed to Nasarawa State House of Assembly to always put the interest of the state above any other interest with a view to ensuring the speedy passage of laws and bills that would ensure peace, progress and development in the state.Ciroman Agbolagu also appealed to Governor Sule to as a matter of urgency construct a road from Ashige – Agbolagu linking Nasarawa Eggon so as to enhance the economic activities of the area.

He said “Agbolagu people through Community Development had constructed a community secondary school in Agbolagu, we are urging the Nasarawa State Government to take over the school with a view to providing education tools and manpower for the overall development of the school’’.

The Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre Jalingo Taraba state, Dr. Aisha Shehu Adamu, has bagged an award of Excellence as ‘EPITOME OF HUMILITY.

The Commonwealth Tourism Journalists Nigeria, conferred the award on the Medical Director at an event marking its annual lecture series and award held in Minna Niger state on Saturday.

According to the President, Mr. Victor Daniel, the award was in recognition of Aisha Adamu’s efforts towards the progress and patronage of the Pen profession which had impacted the Journalists in Nigeria positively.

Mr. Daniel stated that the Commonwealth Tourism Journalists found the medical director worthy of the award as a result of her hard working, selfless services (stewardship) in the health sector, whereby she contributed immensely, and her good relationship and gesture of goodwill between her and Journalists across nigeria.

In his remarks, the representative of Dr. Aisha Adamu, Comrade Musa Mohammed thanked the organizers of the award for finding the MD FMC Jalingo Worthy. 

He added that the importance of Journalists in the country could not be underestimated because of their role in keeping the government and the governed adequately informed.
He assured the organizers that the medical director will always promote the ideas of Journalists in Nigeria.
The award presentation which took place at the Ajooba Hotel and Resort was well attended by prominent personalities within nigeria.

Other awardees at the ceremony included: The Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye; the former Executive Governor of Niger state, His Excellency, Dr. Abubakar Sani Bello able represented Dr. Ahmed Ibrahim Matane SSG Niger state, Hon Femi Bamisile; a member of the House of Representatives in Abuja representing Ondo South Federal Constituency II, Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele (MOB); a Senator representing Ekiti Central senatorial District and Chief Benedict Olufemi Ajayi; a through bred media practitioner and former member House of Representatives, Abuja, among others.

By Comrade Musa Mohammed

His Excellency The Executive Governor of Kaduna state, Senator Uba Sani is a foremost Politician and nationalist figure who championed the emancipation of the ordinary citizen, without ethnic or religious barriers.

He is a pathfinder and leader of an inestimable value, ‘a pathfinder and ’emancipator of the less privileged’.
He is an icons of political leadership whose contributions to the politics of Kaduna state and the country can not be quantified.

The national assembly (red Chambers) would immortalize the former law maker selfless services and contributions to the national development.

Uba Sani is a leader with intellect, great ideas, oratory prowess and immense capacity for mobilization and organization of the people.
The leadership style of UBA SANI in the political evolution of Nigeria; a Politician who had great ideas for the socio-political and economic development of the country.

Senator Uba Sani’s success and victory, it heralds the rising into mother earth of a man of destiny. 
A man whose life has impacted and has continued touching many lives across kaduna state and nigeria positively. 

A quintessential leader and a proud son of Kaduna; a man who bequeathed kaduna Central senatorial district with great testimonials of service to the masses during his time as a Senator.

I have always held the opinion and consistently found it to be truly so that the Almighty God has a purpose for all that happens to a man. 
After all the sage, whatever happens to a man happens to him for his own good! It is therefore not by coincidence that the Almighty Allah (God) has chosen the month of May to bless our dear state with a unique man of purpose; SENATOR UBA SANI.
Uba Sani was born into and bred by humanism. 

He grew learning the art and science of struggle for emancipation. His adulthood was thus baptized into a life that could best be described as embodiment of the struggle to emancipate the downtrodden! He was not deterred by the unpalatable experiences and difficulties growing up in less privileged environment; having not been born with the fabled silver spoon! Rather, he deployed his humble background as a tonic for sharpening progressive ideological worldview. Imbued by the circumstances of deprivation under which he was raised, he became determined and committed to championing the cause of poor masses.

His quest to pursue progressive ideals with passion has continued to define political activism and leadership.
Uba Sani is a man driven essentially and irrevocably by progressive ideology. 

As the new governor of Kaduna state, he will not only transform infrastructural architecture he will also impacted on all facets of human capital development as manifested in education, health, and social development sectors etc. 

Uba Sani is a man blinded to primordial sentiments. He is not ruled by where you come from and what religion you practice but believes in rewarding excellence and exceptional talents. He is not afraid of seeking out talents, nurturing them and encouraging them to grow and become better so that the community and the kaduna project can become better served. 

Without sounding immodest, we would boldly say that kaduna state is blessed to have UBA SANI as it’s governor.
We pray that God Almighty will continue to be the source of his strength and have a successful tenure. 

…Says Payment of 12 Trillion Naira to few Cabals ridiculous, insensitive

Group under umbrella of Muslim League of Nigeria (TML) has called on Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress and other labour unions to shelve the planned nationwide strike scheduled to commence on Wednesday in protest of the pronouncement made by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit otherwise known as petrol.

The group also urged Nigerians, especially the workers across the 36 states of the country to consider the long term merit of removing the fuel subsidy above the demerits.

According the Muslim group, the payment of over 12 Trillion Naira on Subsidy to few cabals under guise of subsidy over the past 4 years is not only ridiculous, but insensitive to economic realities.

“As a group of religious leaders, it is our duty and responsibility to ensure we always pray for progress and development of our country as well as messages of peace and unity to our adherents.”The group stated .

In a statement signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Muslim League of Nigeria (TML), Sheikh Musa El Yakoob
and Mallam Mustapha Harris, the group said,”We can’t fold our arm and pretend all is well, when we see impending tension and crisis brewing that are capable of destroying the existing peace.

“We are not unaware that Nigerians continue to writhe in agony over sudden hike in the pump price of petrol and soaring cost of good and services due to the removal of fuel subsidy.”

Similarly, Forum of Nigerian Christian Leaders(FNCL) also called on labour unions to consider the economic implications of embarking on nationwide protest on Wednesday.

In the statement jointly signed by the Chairman, Pastor James Adeleke; Vice Chairman ,Pastor Moses Onuoha
Secretary ,Pastor Eziekel Kanyip and Asst. Secretary ,Pastor Garba Dickson,the Christian group urged President Tinubu to convey an enlarged stakeholders meeting with markers; entrepreneurs, labour unions and other pressure groups to discuss and reach amicable resolutions on the matter.”

“We reliably gathered that the NLC insisted on the announced plans to down tools from Wednesday, if the pump price is not reversed, but are appealing to the unions to consider exhausting all tools of lobbying and negotiation to avoid subsequent hardship the strike action will cost the country.

“While we appeal to President Tinubu to remain focused and committed to his campaign promises ,we are calling on him to see the labour unions more as partners than enemies”.

Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and National Chairman of Confederation of APC Support Groups, Engineer (Dr.)Kailani Muhammad has called on Nigerians to be more patience with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the removal of fuel subsidy, saying that the policy aimed at improving the wellbeing of Nigerians.

He said that the N12 trillion spent on subsidy in the last 4 years is more than sufficient to develop the 2,400 hospitals of 1000 bed capacity across the 774 Local Government Areas of the country.

The APC chieftain disclosed this at the weekend while addressing journalists in his Kaduna resident.

While speaking, he explained that with the fuel subsidy removal, government can easily provide 500,000 new houses to over 3.5 million Nigerians, just as he also said that the policy will pave way for the provision of 27GW of electricity generation in the country.

According to him, “subsidy removal creates a market reflective downstream which invariably stimulates more downstream investments especially in the domestic refining space, thereby creating more jobs, prosperity and growth.”

Kilani who was the National Coordinator of the TSN and National Chairman of Confederation of APC Support Groups, further said: ” the removal of fuel subsidy eliminates the unhealthy price arbitrage with neighboring countries, thereby preventing the diversion and smuggling of gasoline outside the Nations borders which bleeds our economy.

“It also reduces corruption surrounding internal product diversion as many marketers procure gasoline at subsidized regulated wholesale prices but still sell at deregulated retail prices.”

He however, said that with the fuel subsidy removal, it will creates an opportunity to redistribute this benefit directly to Nigerians in general.

” Another benefit of the fuel subsidy removal is that it will bring in more players, creates a more efficient market thereby reducing fuel scarcity and its adverse effects on the economy.

” Subsidy removal reduces the growing and unsustainable Budget deficit and consequently the debt burden and creating a more robust economic and sustainable future.

He therefore, urged Nigerians to support the government, adding that money generated from the removal of subsidy will be used for meaningful infrastructural development programmes which will be more beneficial to Nigerians and grow the economy

By Comrade Musa Mohammed

Undoubtedly, the sterling achievements and leadership of Professor Armaya’u Hamisu Bichi, Vice-Chancellor Federal University Dutsanma katsina state, is at this moment adjudged the best in the history of the Educational institution.
This statement is confirmed by the majority of staff and students of the university.

His concern from inception of his tenure to date always borders on staff welfarism and improved good services for all. 

Without mincing word, staffers including the students are living witnesses to an unprecedented improvement his administration had been able to record.

An administrator who has a listening ear and interacts with the union leaders on issues affecting members of staff is surely bond to succeed. Such is the administration of PROF. ARMAYA’U HAMISU BICHI and his leadership style. This is described as a trait that distincts his administration from previous ones.

The mantra of Prof. Bichi is freedom to existing staff Unions which represent staff interest and discuss matters relating to staff welfarism with Management and proffer workable solutions. 

Instances of staff welfarism, courtesy of her administration include but not limited to; payment of arrears, allowances, regularization of staff appointments, regular promotion and conversion exercise and regular staff training/ development sponsorship other entitlements for the staff.
The current administration has done fantastically well in terms of structural ediffices, such as; RENOVATIONS, ONGOING CONSTRUCTIONS, EQUIPMENTS, etc.