HOPE FOR KANO

Engineer Kailani Mobilizes North-West APC Supporters To Welcome Gawuna-Garo Administration

By Abba Anwar

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

DAGA BUNI SAI BADE DAN MADAMIN YUSUFARI SUPPORT GROUP CELEBRATES HON MUSA COOLERS VICTORY IN YOBE EAST SENATORIAL PRIMARIES

Daga Buni Sai Bade Dan Madamin Yusufari Support Group Congratulates Hon Musa Mustapha, Popularly known as Coolers, for his success in the just concluded Senatorial APC primaries Election in Yobe East senatorial district.

In a press statement signed by the Director General and Founder of the group, Engr Hassan Mohammed Dan Madamin Yusufari, the group expressed their joy and satisfaction with the outcome of the primaries. They commended all the delegates who participated in the election processes for their contribution to a peaceful and successful exercise.

Yobe state is known for its peaceful and united political atmosphere, and the group believes that the peaceful primaries further demonstrate the state’s commitment to democratic processes.

The statement also highlighted the group’s appreciation for the political leaders of the state, including His Excellency Sen Ibrahim Geidam, Minister of Police Affairs, His Excellency Mai Mala Buni, Executive Governor of Yobe state, and Sen Ahmad Ibrahim Lawal, President of the 9th Assembly, for their leadership and support.

The Daga Buni Sai Bade Dan Madamin Yusufari Support Group was initiated with the aim of urging and encouraging the president of the 9th Senate Assembly to accept and contest for the governorship position in Yobe State. The group is committed to campaigning tirelessly in every nook and cranny of the state to ensure the success of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming By-Election.

Engr Hassan Mohammed Dan Madamin Yusufari, the leader of the group, expressed his gratitude to all members for their dedication and support. He emphasized the group’s commitment to conducting a professional and effective campaign, promoting the ideals and policies of the APC.

The Daga Buni Sai Bade Dan Madamin Yusufari Support Group is confident that their efforts will contribute to the overall success of the APC in the coming By-Election and the continued progress and development of Yobe State.

ABU don, Prof. Auwal Kasim, is new Provost of Air Force Institute of Technology

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

Sadiya: I applied to EFCC for extension of time for my client to appear for interview- SAN

● She did not shun commission’s invitation

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.

Dan Madamin Yusufari Wholeheartedly Accepts Appointment as Deputy Chairman of Yobe Desert Stars Football Club

In a recent press conference held in Abuja, Engr Hassan Mohammed Dan Madamin Yusufari announced his wholehearted acceptance of the appointment as the Deputy Chairman of the Yobe Desert Stars Football Club. This appointment was made under the approval of the Executive Governor of Yobe State, His Excellency Mai Mala Buni CON.

During the press conference, Engr Hassan Mohammed expressed his gratitude to Governor Buni for giving him the opportunity to serve his people in this capacity. He emphasized that no assignment is too small or big when it comes to serving the people, and he has dedicated his life and time to the development of the state and the country.

Engr Hassan Mohammed also urged his supporters and well-wishers to pray for him and support him in his new task. He acknowledged the social media call by some groups in Yobe state urging him not to accept the appointment and pleaded with them to join him in making the Yobe Desert Stars the team to watch on a national and international level.

In response to Engr Hassan Mohammed’s acceptance, the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, approved the appointment of a new management team for the Yobe Desert Stars Football Club. The team will be responsible for overseeing and managing the day-to-day affairs of the club, with the aim of ensuring its success.

The appointment letter, signed by Abdulkarim Mai Umar, the Permanent Secretary (Administration) for the Secretary to the State Government, states that the management team will work diligently to ensure the progress and development of the Yobe Desert Stars FC.

This appointment comes at a crucial time for the club, and the dedication and commitment of Engr Hassan Mohammed Yusufari Dan Madamin Yusufari are expected to bring about positive changes and advancements. The people of Yobe state are encouraged to support and rally behind the team as they strive for excellence in the world of football.

With the appointment of a new management team and the acceptance of Engr Hassan Mohammed Yusufari Dan Madamin Yusufari as the Deputy Chairman, the Yobe Desert Stars Football Club is poised for a new era of success and growth. The team aims to make a mark both nationally and internationally, and with the support of the people, they are determined to achieve their goals.