Connect with us

News

1995 Constitutional Conference: Abacha Almost Overthrown-Ofanogoro

Published

on

 

Former Minister of Information and Culture during General Sani Abacha regime, Professor Walter Ofonagoro, says the ex-military leader was almost overthrown by ‘his boys’ during consultations on the adoption of the 1995 constitutional conference report.

The Imo State-born elder statesman, said Nigeria would not have been in its current challenges if Abacha had converted the report of the conference to a constitution.

Speaking in an interview with the Tribune, Ofonagoro said the constitutional conference attracted prominent Nigerians, hence, the document churned out by it was in the best interest of the country.

Late Dr Ahmad Bamba:The Exit Of An Icon

He said : “I was the chairman of the committee that organised the constitutional conference elections in conjunction with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to make sure that there was full participation in the conference and ensure that the West doesn’t boycott the elections so as not to sabotage the efforts of Abacha to get the country back to the civil rule.

“So I say okay, what do we do? How do we ensure that the election takes place when a whole region is determined not to participate in it? So we had to find a solution. In that case, there is no point in going through the normal process of using the voter›s card. So I said what we are going to do is universal adult suffrage, in which on the election day, everybody that is 18 years and above, queues up behind his candidate and we then count manually. And at the end of the process nobody went to court as they all saw transparency in the process.

#

Oluwole Awolowo was at the conference. Even [Odumegwu] Ojukwu, who led the civil war, was there in person. Alex Ekwueme was also there. Virtually all the big wigs in the country then were at the conference and we sat down for one and a half years and drafted a constitution that would have saved Nigeria all the troubles we are going through now. But Abacha refused to sign the constitution into law after all our efforts in June, 1995.

“And from that time till 1998 that he died, Abacha did not sign the constitution. He was just seeking opinions from all kinds of people, while his own boys were at the same time planning a coup to remove him.”

Asked if that constitution had been signed, Nigeria won’t be in the current mess, Ofonagoro responded in affirmative.

Yes, if the 1995 constitutional conference reports had been signed into law, Nigeria will not be in the mess it is today. Abacha split Nigeria into six zones (three majority zones and three minority zones), not majority in numbers, but in language like the British, which has four tribes or nations. The Welsh have the Welsh language, while the English have the English language. Then, the Scots have the Scottish language, while the Irish take the Irish language. But four of them make up the United Kingdom or Great Britain. So they rule in four and rotate their leadership. So, if we are going to have a united federation, why force everybody to stay on one unit and concentrate all the powers at the centre, making one ethnic group to dominate the rest? You are simply asking for disaster; it will never work. We have done our best to produce the structures and documents. I took part in the designing of the presidency and the rest.

We have done our parts to make the Nigerian project work. But now, what we see is mass killings. Before, Nigeria used to be one of the most secured people in the world. But now, it is the opposite.

” If you look at the 1995 constitution, which Nigerians agreed to, we said for the six regions, give each of them autonomy, so as to make the federation work. Each of the regions should be allowed to control its own resources and then pool a part of the resources to the central government. And this is what everybody is hoping and ready for, ” he said.

 

 

News

Operation Safe Corridor Alerts Kano Residents on Phone Snatching Moves During Traditional Tashe

Published

on

 

The Chairman of Operation Safe Corridor Ahmad Muhammad Nana has raised alarms over an emerging threat posed by phone snatchers who intend to exploit the traditional Tashe celebrations to wreak havoc in Kano. This cautionary note was sounded during a visit to Kano State Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ibrahim Waiya by conglomeration of Operation safe corridor at his office.

The Chairman revealed that some unscrupulous individuals plan to use the traditional Tashe, celebrated towards the end of the first ten days of Ramadan, as a cover for their nefarious activities, including phone snatching. He urged these individuals to desist from such actions and called on their parents to warn them against engaging in criminal activities.

“The Kano state government is fully committed to ensuring the safety of its citizens during this holy month,” he stated. “We are calling on their parents to warn them. The government is doing its best to ensure the safety of its citizens.”

#

In solidarity with the Chairman’s message, other representatives, including Kamilu Baban Boy, echoed strong warnings to the youth against using the Tashe to create mayhem. They emphasized that the traditional play is intended to bring joy and should not be exploited for criminal purposes.

Abubakar Miji, the PRO of Operation Safe Corridor, reinforced the commitment of the operation’s members, who hail from Kano, to maintaining peace in the state. “We are from Kano; our origin is Kano, and we will not allow the disruption of peace in the state using Tashe,” he asserted. “We know who are behind these moves.”

Therefore, he called on the people of Kano to ensure peaceful coexistence and contribute to a harmonious environment for everyone.

Tashe is a beloved traditional play performed by children and adults alike at the end of the first ten days of Ramadan. It serves as an important cultural event, symbolizing the communal spirit and joyous festivities of the season.

As the Tashe celebrations draw near, on the 9th and 10th of Ramadan, citizens are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.

The concerted efforts of the government, Operation Safe Corridor, and the community aim to preserve the peace and ensure a safe and joyous celebration for all.

Continue Reading

News

Urban Renewal: Gov. Yusuf Flags off Rehabilitation of 17 Roads in Kano Metropolis

Published

on

 

 

Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has flagged off the rehabilitation of 17 dilapidated roads in Kano metropolitan area.

Flagging the reconstruction of the urban renewal network with the popular Club road in Nassarawa local government, Governor Yusuf said the initiative was part of his administration’s agenda targeted to transform Kano into mega city.

Governor Yusuf’s statement was contained in a press release issued by his spokesperson Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa and made available on Saturday.

The statement quoted Governor Yusuf reaffirming that “I feel highly delighted, I feel happy and I feel fulfilled, as your governor who made promise during our NNPP electioneering Campaign, especially in the metropolis, we made a promise when elected, by the Grace of Almighty Allah we are going to make Kano in terms of infrastructural development as one of the best cities in Nigeria.

“Today, we are flagging off one of the gigantic projects for the rehabilitation of dilapidated metropolitan roads which were deliberated and approved by the State Executive Council,” the governor hinted.

Governor Yusuf disclosed that the amount approved for the 17 projects are being reserved in the treasury to ensure timely payment as well as quality job.

Governor Yusuf assured people of the state that any project under his administration must meet global standards before handing over.

He then expressed satisfaction with the quality of work being executed by the contractor and appealed to him to maintain the standard.

The governor said contractors should expect his unschedule visit to the site anytime to ensure accountability.

Responding, Managing Director, Metropolitan Construction Company who handles the project, assured to do an excellent job and promised to complete the project within the specified time frame.

On his part, Commissioner of Works and Infrastructural Development, Engr. Marwan Ahmad said the Urban Renewal Programme For Kano Metropolis was initiated by Governor Yusuf and approved by cabinet members.

He said this particular project commenced from Club Road to Ashton Road to Airport Road to Murtala Muhammad Road.

#

Continue Reading

News

Tsangaya education: Jigawa Govt. signs MoU with Arabic, Islamic studies board

Published

on

 

 

The Jigawa Board for Tsangaya Education, has signed an MoU with the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS), to enhance Tsangaya education in the state.

Dr Abubakar Maje, the Executive Secretary of the board, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Dutse.

Maje said the gesture was part of the partnership between the two boards to enhance Tsangaya education.

He explained that the partnership, formalised through the MoU signed on Wednesday, focused on teacher training, curriculum development, and resource allocation.

The executive secretary added that a key aspect of the agreement was a six-month teacher training programme at five centres across the state, which led to its certification by NBAIS.

“The initiative seeks to modernise Tsangaya education, preserve its traditions, and improve educational outcomes.

“Both parties are committed to the timely implementation of the programme,” Maje said.

 

#

Continue Reading

Trending