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#EndSARS: INSIDE PMB’S PARLEY WITH FORMER HEADS OF STATE

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4 years ago

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It was very touching, poignant, as President Muhammadu Buhari met with all living former heads of state on October 23, 2020, to discuss the state of the nation.

For about two weeks, the country had been suffused with unrest, later violence, precipitated by what began as legitimate protests against police brutality, code-named #EndSARS. In the words of the President, the protests were later “hijacked and misdirected “ by hidden hostile hands, who wanted to destabilize the country.

Lives had been lost in scores, countless public and private properties burnt, there was murder and mayhem everywhere. So it was needful that all former leaders of the country meet to put heads together, and fashion pragmatic ways forward.

All those who had ruled the country, and who were still alive, turned out for motherland, in the virtual meeting hosted by President Buhari. Imagine the collective weight of age and experience in that room. General Yakubu Gowon, 86, had ruled for nine years. President Olusegun Obasanjo, 83, had led cumulatively as military and civilian leader for 11 years. Gen Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, 79, held sway for eight years, while Chief Ernest Shonekan of the Interim National Government lasted only about 84 days, before the military struck.

Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, 78, administered the country for just about one year, while Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, 62, superintended over the land for six years.

All that weight of experience was available at the meeting on that day, for the country to draw from, in restoring peace and cohesion after about two angry weeks.

Fittingly, the opening remarks were given by Gen Gowon, after the National Anthem. He was not only the oldest among the former leaders, he stayed longest, and was most senior in terms of hierarchy.

Lapses in PMB’s  Effort To Fight Corruption

‘Go On With One Nigeria’ (Gowon) thanked President Buhari for accepting to host the meeting, and said what had started peacefully, and now taken over by “organized miscreants in Lagos and other parts of the country “ was of great concern to them.

“Peace and genuine protests by youths have been hijacked,” he lamented, and wished the youths had stood down after their initial requests had been granted by government.

Drawing from experiences in 1967, before the Nigerian Civil War, Gen Gowon gave some recipes for the government to consider.

President Buhari made remarks next. He gave the former leaders a comprehensive brief on all that had happened since the protests began, up to his address to the nation, which had come up only the previous night. He enumerated what government had been doing to meet the needs of youths, and make life better for them.

The President did not mince words that what started as legitimate protest by youths, was hijacked and misdirected by enemies of the country.

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo spoke next. We know his antagonism to the government of the day, which had returned to power last year for a second term in office, in spite of an anti-Buhari coalition put together by Obasanjo.

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Would sparks fly? Would there be barbs and snide remarks? The fears turned out to be unfounded. The former President was frank, but affable, and no tension was discerned.

“Let me commend your speech of last night, which the nation had been waiting for,” Obasanjo began. “You made points that I believe need to be commended. You said peaceful protests were part of democratic practice. You also indicated that the demands of the genuine protesters had been accepted, and you were working on implementation.”

The former President said the activities of hoodlums who hijacked the protests should be condemned, “as they took away the protests from those who initially planned them.”

On the job and economic situation in the country, he said the interventions being made were good, but not far-reaching enough for a population of 200 million people.

“We need heavy local and international investments to make the impact we need to make. Our Foreign Direct Investment is inadequate. And we need to get better results in security, so that the investments can come, “ he submitted.

When it was the turn of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) to speak, the President called out to him: “Ibro, it’s your turn.” There was general laughter. That must have been how the President addressed his colleague as Comrade-at-arms in the military.

IBB condoled with the families of those who died in the protests and riots. But he expressed concern on the quality of intelligence available to the security agencies.

“With adequate intelligence, some of these things can be nipped in the bud,” he stated, adding: “I commend the government for the efforts so far, to end the protests.”

Chief Ernest Shonekan was brief. Preventive actions were to be considered for the future, rather than curative. He added: “please call us for more of these meetings. We need to frequently discuss very important national issues.”

General Abdulsalami Abubakar also talked about the need for intelligence gathering and synergy among the security agencies, whom he says should avoid “multiple mandates.”

He canvassed more interaction with the international community, so that they can adequately understand what is going on in Nigeria.

“Funding of security agencies should also be looked into, while the media should be adequately engaged,” the former head of state added.

The youngest of them all, and the immediate past President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, began by saying he didn’t have the confidence to call the former leaders “my colleagues.” So, he opted for “my most senior colleagues.”

He commended the broadcast of the previous night, and asked pertinent questions: what led to the crisis? How do we stop such in future, even after the Buhari administration?

He said the root cause of the crisis had been with us far before the advent of the current administration, and that it may last into future governments, except some immediate steps were taken. He enumerated them.

President Buhari rounded off the meeting with remarks,thanking all the former leaders for their contributions, which he said had all been well noted.

He said he was pleased that the former leaders commended steps taken by government on the protests, but added: “I wish we could have stopped the hijacking of the protests. Burning of police stations, freeing of prisoners, can’t be tolerated. Judicial enquiries have commenced, and we will work as reports get back to us.”

The President said agriculture was on an upswing in the country, but opined that investors would need stability, noting: “If you burn factories, release prisoners, then it is anti-investment. We need to behave ourselves.”

Yes, we need to truly behave ourselves. It is only then that things will look up for this blessed but blighted country. If we sow the wind, we reap the whirlwind. If we foment lawlessness, we reap anarchy. If we don’t calm down, and let government serve us, then we would have nobody to blame, except ourselves.

*Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity

More… https://www.femiadesina.com/endsars-inside-pmbs-parley-with-former-heads-of-state/

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Opinion

From Vision To Impact: How Comrade Waiya is Redefining Information and Internal Affairs in Kano

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8 hours ago

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April 20, 2025

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By Tijjani Sarki

On the 7th of January,
2025, His Excellency the Executive Governor of Kano State made a decisive appointment—Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya was entrusted with the leadership of the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs.

In just 100 days, the Honourable Commissioner has not only embraced his role with remarkable energy and clarity of purpose, but he has also redefined what it means to serve with passion, strategy, and a deep sense of responsibility.

At his inaugural meeting, the Commissioner outlined a forward-looking vision for the state’s media landscape, emphasizing his commitment to implementing innovative strategies that will enhance the performance, credibility, and reach of state-owned media outlets. He highlighted the importance of strengthening staff welfare and investing in professional capacity building as key priorities, noting that these efforts are essential to ensuring the delivery of high-quality, impactful services to the public.

From the outset, Comrade Waiya hit the ground running, embarking on a comprehensive familiarization tour across key parastatals under his ministry—ARTV, Triump publishing company,Kano Printing Press, and Radio Kano. The goal was clear to foster unity, establish cordial working relationships, and lay the groundwork for a collaborative, performance-driven ecosystem.

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EMPOWERING THE INFORMATION MACHINERY:

Recognizing the vital role information officers play in governance and grassroots communication, the Commissioner organized a three-day capacity-building training for information officers across the 44 local government areas of the state. This unprecedented step has reinvigorated the public information machinery, ensuring that the government’s developmental strides are effectively communicated and well understood by citizens.

Furthermore, Comrade Waiya engaged with Senior and Special Reporters (SR & SSR) in a strategic dialogue to enhance the amplification of the Kano state Governor’s developmental agenda—an initiative that underscores his commitment to transparency and proactive media engagement.

He also breathed new life into the once-dormant Gauta Club, creating a vibrant platform for cultural and social exchange among ministry staff and stakeholders.

DRIVING DIGITAL ADVOCACY:

Understanding the evolving media landscape, the Commissioner inaugurated the H.E Project Promotion Advocates, a team dedicated to projecting the achievements of His Excellency via platforms like Facebook, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram. This has significantly improved the state’s digital visibility and public engagement.

He also held sensitization meetings with online media operators, ensuring a responsible and credible media presence in the digital space.

PROMOTING DECENCY AND DIALOGUE:

In a time when political discourse often falls prey to toxicity, Comrade Waiya’s leadership stands out. He has held meetings with political programme presenters to encourage the use of decent language, as well as engaged political activists on the need for clean and constructive engagement.

Further, he extended a hand of partnership to Friday mosque Imams, seeking their support in promoting peace, unity, and progressive messaging within the communities.

BRIDGING MEDIA AND GOVERMENT:

In a bid to strengthen relationships between the media and the state, the Commissioner organized strategic meetings with media executives and held an interactive session with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel. These engagements have fostered mutual understanding and streamlined communication between the government and the media.

He also facilitated a productive meeting with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) aimed at sanitizing the media space and ensuring that content shared with the public adheres to ethical and professional standards.

WELFARE AND INNOVATION:

To tackle the growing trend of misinformation among journalists in the state, the Honourable Commissioner has underscored the urgent need to restore accuracy, integrity, and professionalism within the media space. As a strategic response to this challenge, he established the Kano State Ministry of Information Advisory Council—an initiative designed to elevate the standards of information management and public communication in the state. The Council, initially composed of seven distinguished members and chaired by veteran broadcaster Alhaji Ahmed Aminu, is expected to play a crucial role in guiding media practices and improving the overall quality of information dissemination. Beyond curbing misinformation, the initiative aims to foster a more informed and engaged public, strengthen the credibility of media institutions, and promote a culture of responsible and ethical journalism in Kano State.

One of the hallmark achievements within these first 100 days is the establishment and inauguration of a cooperative society for staff of the Ministry. This not only reflects the Commissioner’s concern for staff welfare but also his vision for long-term economic empowerment.

LOOKING AHEAD:

One of the most impactful events during his early tenure was the Iftar lecture, where veteran journalists and NUJ members gathered to reflect on the way forward for journalism in Kano and beyond. It was a moment of unity, introspection, and shared purpose.

As Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya marks his first 100 days in office, his tenure is already a blueprint for what visionary, people-centered, and media-savvy leadership looks like. With a firm foundation now in place, expectations are high and justifiably so. If the last 100 days are any indication, the future of the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs is bright and promising.

The journey has only just begun, but the impact is already being felt—loud and clear.

Tijjani Sarki
Wrote from Zawaciki,Kano
18th April, 2025

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Opinion

Legislative – Executive Cohesion : DSP Barau’s Multiple Efforts

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4 days ago

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April 17, 2025

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By Abba Anwar

Being from the Legislative arm, with outstanding performances, the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin, makes extra effort to remind Nigerians the salient achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, after rigorous and cumulative legislative engagements by the National Assembly.

This singular act from the DSP, of showcasing deliverables from Tinubu’s executive responsibilities, speaks volumes of amplifying federal government feats, being achieved and at the same time, promoting cohesion, in many instances, between the two arms, legislature and the executive.

Without abandoning his legislative territory and responsibilities, he clearly understands the need for helping the executive to tell the electorate and beyond, how commendable and stressful are democratic dividends trickling down to the citizenry, in a globally challenging spaces. Of which Nigeria is a political entity.

In his un-paradoxical analysis of trending discussions DSP gives bit-by-bit, unambiguous and enhanced account of Tinubu’s fulfillment of his (President’s) part of the social contract entered in the Nigerian project.

The Deputy Senate President is not doing this at the expense of his legislative responsibilities. His legislative primary responsibility ha never been at the receiving end since the inauguration of the 10th Senate /Assembly on 13th June, 2023.

In fact as at December, 2024, he was the highest sponsor of private member Bills, with 21 Bills to his credit. For that he was honoured with the Award of the Highest Number of Private Member Bills Sponsorship by the Senate Press Corps, then. An umbrella platform of both Nigerian and foreign journalists reporting from the Senate.

In my decades of being on this planet, this is the first time I came across a very senior legislative member creating awareness on the activities, programmes, policies and projects of the Executive arm, for posterity purposes. Without feeling short-changed, shortsighted and shorthanded.

Even the nature of Bills he privately sponsored, says a lot in giving you the picture of his resourcefulness, creativity, deeply rooted sensitivity and unwavering responsibility. A dull legislator, cannot do half of what he faces, treats and achieves.

One can spot Senator Jibrin’s intellectual capacity, when you see the nature of Bills he sponsored. Among them are, Development Planning and Projects Continuity Bill (2023) – informed by his worry on abandoned projects all over the federation -, Cyber Crimes (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill (2023) – emanates from his concern for safer and better Nigeria -, North West Development Commission (Establishment) Bill (2023) – stemming from his quest for quicker regional development for the overall national development- and Federal Polytechnic, Kabo, (Establishment) Bill (2023) – influenced by his zeal for literacy and numeracy for his primary constituency, Kano North and the nation by extension/implication.

As aforementioned, the Distinguished Senator, did bit-by-bit analysis, of the administration’s strive in many spheres of national development, goodwill posture and genuine political engagement. A de facto Tinubu’s spokesperson, of sort, with his higher legislative position, an improved player in the art of legislation and unassuming orator.

As he reminded people the real launching pad of the nation’s woes, he aptly captured the global perspective of the tainted experience. He argued, “In the past decades, all spheres of our country—power, road infrastructure, agriculture, education, health, water, housing, and others—have been begging for genuine attention.

This is coupled with the fact that this government came on board at the time that the entire world economy was and is still quite turbulent due to the high cost of basic goods and services all over the world arising from Russia -Ukraine, and Israel–Palestine wars. Nigeria is certainly not an exception.” This is modernity with scholarship.

He still acknowledges that, “By May 29, it will be exactly two years since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration came on board in the country. Yes, we are not there, and we cannot be in the promised land in less than 23 months when the numerous challenges facing our beloved country have weighed us down for decades.

But a journey has started—the road is rough, but it’s for the restoration of our country’s glorious days. It is not easy to rebuild a shattered building.” Doing justice to the entire argument.

The Senator courageously requested Nigerians “… to support Tinubu in his quest to address the challenges facing the country.”

Raising hopes that, “The good news is that the President is genuinely committed to addressing these challenges. Fresh air is already permeating all the country’s spheres, nooks and crannies to the admiration of lovers and good people, irrespective of differences and persuasions.”

On the improved security system and coordinated network, he has this to say, “For instance, admirable success has been recorded in the area of security. Hundreds of terrorists have been neutralised in the North West geopolitical zone. Yes, there are pockets of cases of kidnapping and attacks, but they are minimal compared to before the coming of this administration. The instances of incessant kidnapping on the Abuja/Kaduna road have become history.

In the Southeast, the activities of unknown gunmen terrorising the region have been on the downward side. In the North East, Boko Haram was almost completely eradicated until the recent attacks in some parts of Borno State.”

Adding that, ” I am confident that our gallant members of the Armed Forces will act decisively to smoke them out permanently. The people of the remaining five states in the North East live peacefully and conduct their lawful businesses—commendation to our gallant officers and men of the Armed Forces and other sister security agencies.”

The result of which he highlighted, ” With the enhanced peace across the country, the Federal government has recently launched phase one of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) to revolutionise and industrialise the agricultural sector. SAPZ aims to transform Nigeria’s agriculture landscape through innovation, private-sector investments and strategic public partnerships.

The zones are designed to create agro-industrial hubs that integrate farmers with processors, reduce post-harvest losses and expand rural economic opportunities. Seven states, namely Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Imo, Cross River, and Federal Capital Territory, have been selected for phase one, while Bauchi, Borno, and Gombe are listed for phase 2.”

For taking development to grassroot, Senator Jibrin appreciated Tinubu administration for the establishment of the North-West, North Central, South-East, South-West, and South-South Development Commissions. And for the overall development of the regions. It is still fresh in our memories that it was him who presented private Bill to the Senate for the establishment of North West Development Commission.

For infrastructural development the architect of our regional development cited and appreciated Abuja—Kaduna—Kano highway reconstruction, which was dragged on under Muhammadu Buhari administration for eight years. And few years before him.

While touching on the introduction of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) under President Tinubu, as thousands of students across the country benefitted, their parents and guardians were relieved of the ever-present stress of school fees, he reviewed in summary, policies directed at turning around nation’s economy.

As a de facto Spokesperson, if you will, the Deputy Senate President critically observed that, “President Tinubu has been working genuinely to correct the fiscal misalignments. He has attracted Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) worth Billions of Dollars, paid the forex backlog and cleared the ways and means of the Trillion Naira he inherited from the last administration.”

With all these the Distinguished Senator representing Kano North Senatorial District, has not left his legislative responsibilities as his primary task-shouldering engagement. As acknowledged by the Nigerian – American Chamber of Commerce (NACC), when they honoured him recently with Excellence in Legislative Leadership Award.

The Award acknowledges that, “In recognition of his outstanding leadership skills, stakeholder engagement for peace and unity in Nigeria and support for education and agriculture in Kano and beyond.”

His outings and speeches around the country show how glued his heart is with national development. As he made his remark to the organizers of the Award by NACC, he said this out of genuine patriotism,” Let us continue to work together, serving with passion, integrity and dedication as we contribute to building a better Nigeria.”

Anwar was Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON and can be reached at fatimanbaba1@gmail.com
April 17th, 2025

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Opinion

The Punch And Busy Body Business-Dr Ike Okogwu

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5 days ago

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April 16, 2025

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By Dr Ike Okogwu

The recent declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State has triggered diverse commentaries from a wide range of Nigerians.

Almost everyone hailed the presidential proclamation because of the visible threat to law and order in the state at the time the action was taken. Of course, there were a few naysayers who read political meanings into an otherwise sincere and prompt intervention.

One such negative interpretation is the position taken by the Editorial Board of The Punch newspaper. In one of its editorials published on the matter, the national daily claimed that the entire crisis was caused by what it described as “the needless meddlesomeness in the governance of the state by its former governor and Tinubu’s Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike….” It is unfortunate that this narrative and others like it have become commonplace in the media space.

How did the Editorial Board of a reputable newspaper arrive at such a conclusion? Their claim that the Sole Administrator, Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (rtd), has been acting a script purportedly written by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is also faulty and has no iota of truth.

They also faulted the sacking of all political appointees who served in Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration, insinuating that their replacements were drawn from Wike’s political camp. Again, nothing can be further from the truth.

Since his appointment as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas has been running the state with the abundant human resources available in the state and has not imported anybody from outside the state. Did the Editors of The Punch really expect him to run the administration with the politicians loyal to the suspended governor?

Do they not know that the crop of political appointees who served Fubara would have found it difficult to work with the Sole Administrator?

Certainly, they know the truth, but they have chosen to stoke the fire to generate more tensions in Rivers State.

Certain interests might have commissioned this editorial to cast aspersions on the Sole Administrator and raise doubts about his capacity to run the state.

It may also have been the handiwork of Wike’s political detractors, the man whom many politicians love to hate for no other reason than envy and jealousy.

We urge the Punch newspapers to seek a better mode of intervention in the political situation and not dwell on innuendos and unsubstantiated allegations against certain political actors in order to blackmail them.

Dr Ike Odogwu writes from PH. He is a Public Affairs Commentator

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