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My Mission and Dream For Kogi West – Hon.Abdulghafar Drisu

By: Mike Odeh James , Lokoja

The Candidate For Kogi West Under the aegis of National Rescue Movement ( NRM) had an interactive session with media men on Sunday evening after exhaustive meeting with youths from his constituency .

In the interview, Hon.Abdulghafar Dirisu succinctly x-rays his vision, mission and what he has in stock for Kogi West .

Question – Tell us, what motivated you to go into politics and to contest for the senatorial position of Kogi West ?

Answer – They say if you want something done well, you should do it yourself…

I’m not satisfied with the present state of Kogi West Senatorial District and Kogi state as a whole… Things need to be done much better and I believe I’m the man to give kogi-west the quality representation it needs

Question 2 – Under which political party are you contesting and why ?

Answer – I’m running on the platform of The National Rescue Movement {NRM}.. I’m running for senate to give the great people of Kogi West Senatorial District the quality representation they deserve

Question – Based on your interactions with the good people Kogi, your Constuency , do you believe that you have done enough for them to vote you to the red chamber this February?

Answer – The great people of Kogi West Senatorial District know me and know the antecedents of the Dirisu family. They know that we stand for human development, moral uprightness, philanthropy and the general betterment of Kogi West and Kogi state as a whole. We have a history of excellence and I’m no different. They are willing to trust me with such enormous responsibility

Question -What things ( Empowerments, grants , scholarships ) have you done for your Constuency that will convince people to vote for you?

Answer – . We have given the region 5000 slots in digital training with The Wootlab Foundation. We also want to register 500 constituents for vocational training in a United Nation’s empowerment program. We also helped in the little way we could with palliatives for flood victims

Question – Are you not threatened by PDP or APC Heavyweights in the race ?

Answer –I’m not threatened by APC and PDP in the race because the people are tired. They are yearning for quality representation which will have positive impact on their lives and livelihoods. They might have vast resources but we have the grassroots on our side

Question – Are you sure that you can beat these two party’s candidates ?

Answer – Yes i can beat them both because as i said before, the people are yearning for quality representation and tired of the old order of unkept promises, insensitivity to the plight of the common man and lack of development

Question – What are your foremost priorities if you eventually become the next Senator representing your constituency ?

Answer – I want to get down to work immediately and start bringing succor to the great people of Kogi West and start pursuing bills that will better the lives of the constituents, attracting bigger and better development projects that will move the kogi west Senatorial District forward and Kogi state as a whole

Question-What bills would you be promoting in the senate ?

Answer – I will be pursuing bills on flood eradication, bills on empowerment of women especially widows, bills that will bring about affordable to free education and health care and bills that will take care of the elderly and senior citizens in the constituency

Question -What would you be doing differently for members of your Constuency if elected ?

Answer –Finally i will make sure I’m in tune with the people, know their needs and try to affect it as much as possible from the National assembly and give them the quality representation they deserve

Thanks and wishing you success

IGP Expresses Sadness Over Demise of AIG Jimeta, Describes Him As Poetic Philosopher,

By: Mada Ibrahim, Kaduna

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba has expressed grief over the demise of AIG Lawan Tanko Jimeta.

The IGP described the deceased as a great poet and philosopher, a passionate officer and peace lover.

IGP Baba condoled the family and associates of the deceased in a statement signed and issued by the spokesperson of the police force, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Sunday.

“He hereby condoles with the immediate family, relatives, fellow coursemates, and friends of the deceased AIG who passed away in active service of his fatherland and prays earnestly for the repose of his soul,” the statement read.

Late AIG Jimeta died today after a brief illness in the morning at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Edo State.

“AIG Jimeta, who hailed from Jimeta in Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa State, served in various administrative, investigative, training, and operational capacities during his almost 34 years stint in the policing career.

“He was a one-time Director of Peacekeeping, Commissioner of Police in charge of the Police Mobile Force, Edo and Bauchi State Commands, Commandant Police Academy, and was until his death the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 5 Benin, Edo State.

“The late AIG enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on 3rd March 1990 and was a dedicated officer with a great passion for training and mentorship in the field of security intelligence and peace support operations.

“A philosopher and poet per excellence, he has a collection of poems tagged “Song of the Peacekeeper” to his credit, and has featured on every edition of the Police ‘New Dawn Magazine’ as a guest poet.

“The Inspector-General of Police acknowledges his ingenuity and commitment to duty”, the statement reads.

2023: Makarfi Ambassadors Urges Youths to Shun Money Politics ,Acts Inimical to Election Exercises

By Mike Odeh James

… Tells Electorate to Vote PDP from Top to Bottom for Better Nigeria

As the forthcoming presidential elections draw closer, a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) support Group under umbrella of Makarfi Ambassadors has charged the Nigerian youths to shun money politics and acts inimical to success of the election exercises.

The group which, warned against voting along ethic;tribal or religious sentiments, asked youths not support any candidate because such is from a tribe or has given money

It stressed ,”Money politics is the strongest tool of retrogression ,thus youths must avoid selling their votes for cheap money that would have effect on their live and future generation.

“Don’t Support a candidate because he has the character and vision to take Nigeria out of the woods and make us proud citizens of a functional nation.”

The group in a press statement jointly signed by Mr. Abdullahi Ahmed – Coordinator on General-Matters and Engr. Bolade Aina – Coordinator Planning/Strategy, said now that the February 25, presidential elections around the corner, it’s important that the youths become political conscious of taking their destiny in their hands by voting the People’s Democratic Party from top to bottom .

” The PDP Flagbearer, Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his running mate Governor Ifeanyi Okowa are a combination designed to rescue Nigeria from shackles of ravaging insecurity caused Boko Haram and banditry; dwindling economy, CBN reckless as well as bad governance .

The statement further reads,”It incontrovertible that the PDP era between 1999 to 2015 was a period Nigerians enjoyed the most flourishing economy; Good educational system , sound health care delivery systems , gradual industrial growth and agricultural development .

“We can authoritatively promise Nigerians that the future will brighter under PDP if it wins the Presidential Elections. No gain saying the difference was crystal clear during the reign of PDP as the ruling party .

“We urge the entire citizens of Kaduna State and Nigerians to restrain from the double stance of APC, not to cajole voters sympathy after sponsoring unfriendly bill and debunking it for parochial advantage at edge of electioneering course.

On Kaduna Guber race , the Makarfi Ambassadors threw it weight behind the PDP candidate, Hon. Isa Ashiru Kudan and his running mate Dr. John Ayuba .

According to the group, Kaduna State has experience to much of anti-people policies and can’t afford to the ruling party APC that has brought so much pains to the citizens in the last seven years .

“We can outrightly trace the high level of insecurity in the state to the collapse of Chiefdoms; demolition of markets areas , sacking of workers and failure to their pensions and gratuities.

“These political anomalies can never happen under the reign of PDP in Kaduna State .We therefore call on our voters to shine their eyes and vote PDP into power again and enjoy a guaranteed good governance with human face.

Re: A Man Spends 38 Months Without Salary In Bauchi : Another wild, illegitimate claim

By Sani M. Lawal

I just stumbled on an article purportedly written by a certain Comrade Mashema claiming to speak for one Haruna Ibrahim who the writer said is a Bauchi state civil servant in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry with registration number PSN821312.

The writer said he was pleading on behalf of the said civil servant for the Governor of Bauchi state and relevant organs of government to intervene and facilitate the payment of his salaries withheld for 38 months.After reading the article, several questions jumped into my mind that called for care and caution and above all suspicions of the motive behind the article and of course the writer. Firstly, the writer, essentially obscure, could not have been pleading in good faith as he claimed by choosing the media option and not through direct contact with the officials concerned.

Secondly, the writer, evidently unschooled, went to town without the necessary background check that could have given him a solid ground to lay his claim upon; instead, of achieving the objective he claimed, he ended up dancing stark naked in the market square and exposing himself as one of those hatchet men at hand to do mischief for a fee. In order to avoid the kind of embarrassment Comrade Mashema subjected himself to with his slanted story, I undertook a fact check before venturing this response as a concerned indigene of Bauchi state.First, it does not require any deep search to recall that the Bauchi state government of Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed did indeed set up a committee under Adamu Gumba verification to verify staff strength for consolidation with the state salaries bill in order to sanitize the civil service. Every genuinely concerned indigene of Bauchi is as well aware that the Gumba Committee had concluded its assignment and submitted a report with far reaching recommendations.It was therefore the verification committee that discovered the said Haruna Ibrahim as a non-verifiable staff and suggested appropriate measures including the suspension of payment of his salaries. In that report, the said Haruna Ibrahim was uncleared as he was discovered to be redundant without defined schedule or even a duty post.

The committee also found fault with Haruna’s claim to be attending school which he failed to back up with evidence of official release issued to him at anytime.All these facts, Mashema overlooked in his writeup in an obvious haste to deliver his dubious assignment.It is important to place on record here, that Bauchi State had in a bid to boost the state’s workforce employed over 4,000 new staff, has been paying minimum wage, and has implemented consequential adjustments and implemented financial benfits of all employees that have been promoted since previous administrations. One wonders therefore, how much is Haruna salary’s could be, that the State cannot pay if not for reasons of his been found to be an illigimate staff.

It also beats one’s imagination that Haruna Ibrahim could only find his voice now after 38 months and even that through a proxy who turned out to be unprofessional. If only Haruna Ibrahim and Gulumba, his self-appointed voice were not up to some mischief, they ought to have taken the matter up with the ministry they claimed or the Office of the Head of Civil Service. Finally, alternatively, Haruna ought to have shown decent remorse by humbly apologizing for the detected misdemeanor and seek reinstatement by the State and the Governor rather than going the wrong way of unwarranted blackmail in the media.

(Lawal a bona fide Bauchi indigene, writes from Azare)

Machina/Lawan Case : Makarfi Ambassadors Faults Supreme Court Judgement, Says Judgement Unhealthy for Democracy

… This Travesty of Justice Can’t Happen under PDP Govt

Group under aegis of Makarfi Ambassadors has faulted the Supreme Court judgement on the Machina/Lawan Senatorial issue, declaring it as travesty of Justice.

The group,which is a People’s Democratic Party Campaign Support group observed that three Apex Court Justices that over-turned the earlier judgements of the Federal High Court and Appeal Court do not appear to be helping the nation’s democracy to grow.

According to the group , the judgment is not only shocking ,but also unhealthy for democracy.

The Supreme Court had on Monday in its judgment ruled in favour of the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, in the case between him and Bashir Machina regarding Yobe North Senatorial District,which the Federal High Court in Damaturu and the Appeal Court in Abuja had earlier ruled in favour of Machina.

Reacting to the judgement in a press statement jointly signed by
Mr. Abdullahi Ahmed – Coordinator on General-Matters and Engr. Bolade Aina, Coordinator Planning/Strategy, the group described as unfortunate a situation, where Senator Ahmed Lawan didn’t participate in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary that took place in Yobe State and produced Machina and was declared winner.

Makarfi Ambassadors further said ,” The understanding the group had based on the Electoral Law, among others is that candidate must emerge from primaries conducted by political parties.

“But how logical, sensible and fair is it that a person who did not participate directly and actively in a competition would be rewarded with the prize at the expense of those who took active parts in the said competition?”

“The lower courts that adjudicated on this matter, in our view, did the right thing. The three Supreme Court Justices that over- turned the judgements do not appear to be helping our democracy to grow.

What we deduce from this action is that the judiciary , especially the Supreme under the ruling party APC would not be a last resort for the masses.

Recalled the Imo Guber race case where Hope Uzodinma ,who was number four in the elections later became number one via same supreme court judgment .

We are calling on Nigerians to vote out APC and consider the main opposition party ,PDP that will give fair grounds for democracy to thrive .

PDP is a party that respects rule of law and has demonstrated that during its sixteen years reign as ruling party .

On Kaduna Guber race, the Makarfi Ambassadors urged the Electorate to vote Hon Isa Ashiru Kudan,Stating, “we assure citizens of a progressive leadership with human face .

Why I am Contesting For Senate -Hon Abdulghafar Dirisu

Hi,

My names are Bala Abdulghafar Dirisu
I’m contesting for senate to change the fortunes of Kogi West and to give the great people of Kogi West quality representation.

As a Senator, I want to push bills that will put a stop to incessant flooding and ensure the major rivers and flood plains are dredged, bills to ensure more affordable and quality education and health care for the people of Kogi West

Furthermore, I would ensure that women are properly empowered, while children, widows and the aged are adequately provided for via welfare schemes

I also want to be in the red chamber of the National assembly to bring empowerment to my constituents to help eradicate poverty

I am in the race to ensure that Kogi West Senatorial District and Kogi State enjoy the benefits of postive leadership which I would provide when I get to the red chamber

To this end, I urge you all to go out on February 25 and cast your ballot for Bala Abdulghafar Dirisu on the banner of National Rescue Movement ( NRM)

Thanks and God bless you

COUNT DOWN…21 DAYS TO THE RESCUE DAY FOR NIGERIA: ON 25TH FEBRUARY, 2023.

The 6th and 7th of the 30 Reasons Why I Need Your Support To Serve As Member, House of Representatives.

NO 6:
YOU CAN BE SURE TO HAVE A PROACTIVE PARLIAMENTARIAN.

Since October 2022 Nigerians have been groaning under the yoke of artificial fuel scarcity, the Petroleum Minister appears not to even be aware and the National Assembly that suppose to serve as Checks and Balances appear not to know their constitutional power again.

Fellow Nigerians, with people like me at the National Assembly, you can be sure I would have moved a motion that would have put those concerned on their toes long before today and get out of our way, the dehumanizing artificial scarcity that some wicked elements are benefiting from at the detriment of the good people of Nigeria.

NO 7:
NO SKELETON IN MY CUPBOARD THAT THE EXECUTIVE CAN CAPITALIZE ON TO SILENCE ME

Majority of those serving at the National Assembly are those that have held elected positions before and have their hand soiled with corruption. Hence, even if they try to check the recklessness of the Executive, they will just flash the record of their past corruption at them and they will maintain immediately and look away, as if they don’t know about the plight of the suffering Nigerians or they don’t know their constitutional power.

My dear country people, won’t you rather support a man like me that has no trace of skeleton in his cupboard and cannot be coaxed into silence?

Watch out for the 8th and 9th of the 30 reasons why I solicit your support to represent you as Honourable member of the House of Representatives.

Support Yours Sincerely,
Rev. Emmanuel Sunday Olorunmagba
For House of Representatives,
Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency
Of Kogi State.

Under the platform of National Rescue Movement (NRM)

THE DESPERATION OF ATIKU AND THE CONSEQUENCES TO THE NORTH

-By Rev. Emmanuel Olorunmagba

It is so pathetic and hypocritical that the Atiku Abubakar that had consistently said the presidency was the turn of the north since 2014, has not bought his way to jettison the PDP zoning he had insisted must be followed when it was in favour of the north. And he as a northerner, Fulani and a Muslim is now desperately canvassing and plotting the possibility of taking over from another northerner Fulani who is also a Muslim man, without caring about the consequences to the north.

However, despite the fact that it’s obvious Atiku knows the consequences, but chose to ignore it due to his inordinate ambition; it’s important to clearly state that:

After eight (8) disastrous years of a northerner, Fulani who is also Muslim man; for another northerner Fulani and Muslim man to take over immediately will definitely result in the following:

A confirmation that the north assume they are the “born-to-rule” and other tribes are mere slaves or glorified second class citizens.
A total breakdown in anything that has to do with political alliance between the north and the south, which will clearly manifest in future elections.
Total collapse of trust between the north and the south, since it would have been so clear that despite the north holding to power more than the south during the military era, they have decided to play on the intelligence of the south during the democratic administration, using rotation as a tool when it favours them and jettisoning it when the rotation now favours the south.
Complete collapse of the rotational system resulting in avoidable unhealthy rivalry even in all major political parties in Nigeria.
The serious challenge that will bring about selfless and unbreakable alliance between the South East, South South and South West that will eventually results in the south also retaining power for minimum of sixteen (16) uninterrupted years or even more.
In summary it is obvious that Atiku Abubakar actually does not care about the political future and image of the northerners and has decided to sacrifice them on the altar of his desperation to achieve his inordinate ambition at all costs.

Just as a reminder, it was Atiku Abubakar who, when he insisted it was the turn of the north, quoted John F. Kennedy that, “those who make peaceful change impossible will make violent change inevitable.”

And in 2014 when former president Goodluck Jonathan was about to complete six years as a president and was seeking for one more term that he was constitutionally entitled to, Atiku Abubakar insisted it was the turn of the north. And he (Atiku) did all in his power to frustrate him (Jonathan) as he led five governors to storm out of Eagle Square. He then sponsored them to form New PDP (NPDP) before they moved to All Progressive Congress (APC) to support Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner to emerge as president in fulfilment of the turn of the north.

Again in 2109, Atiku insisted it was the still the turn of the north that the north is entitled to eight (8) uninterrupted years as president. Hence he offered himself to contest under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to serve the term of the north according to the constitution of PDP on power rotation. In agreement with the gentleman principle of power rotation between the north and the south, we massively supported Atiku Abubakar in 2019 to complete the tenure of the north. But his fellow Fulani man defeated him and continue to complete the eight (8) years for northerners.

Despite that it was the same Atiku Abubakar that was screaming that it was the turn of the north and the north had consistently occupied Aso Rock it in the last two administration; the same Atiku Abubakar has in 2022 used his dollar power to conner the leadership of PDP and bought over the delegates of PDP to still take PDP presidential ticket when it’s now the turn of the south.

The questions to ask Atiku Abubakar and all of the people promoting him are:

After eight (8) disastrous years of a northerner, Fulani man and a Muslim, are they assuming that the northerners remain the so called “born to rule”?
Are they insinuating that the Southerners are totally subdued slaves, especially the South East people that have not ruled Nigeria since the first Republic?
Do they want people to believe that there is no Southerner that is good enough to also be the president of Nigeria at this time?
If by mistake Atiku Abubakar, a Northerner, Fulani and a Muslim becomes the next president after eight (8) years of a northerner, Fulani and a Muslim; can there ever be political alliance between the north and south again; since the northerners would have succeeded in confirming the notion that they believe they are the “born-to-rule” while others are second class citizens?

In conclusion, it is now the turn of the south and precisely the South East that has not produced any president since the first republic. And the South East has credible candidate, a man of integrity who has vast understanding of the myriad of problems befalling Nigeria and how to tackle them towards the birth of a new nation.

Come onboard and let’s rescue our beloved country together through ballot revolution on Saturday 25th February, 2023. We can do it.

SIGNED:

Rev Emmanuel Olorunmagba,
Candidate for House of Representatives,
Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency
Of Kogi State.

Hawwa Abdullahi Gambo Trains Women On Cosmetology

*One thousand women to benefit

* Beneficiaries to get starter packs

The African Democratic Congress ( ADC) Party Candidate for Kajuru/Chikun Federal Constituency (House of Representatives) in the forthcoming election, Hajiya Hawwa Abdullahi Gambo has commenced the second phase of the 1000 Women Skills acquisition and Empowerment Scheme .

About 100 women drawn from Sabon Tasha, Maraban Rido, Ungwan Bulus and environs are currently been trained on how to make soap, jelly and air freshener at the Kadara Township Hall in Sabon Tasha kaduna

According to Honorable Hawwa, after the training program each of the women would be given starter packs in due course The African Democratic Congress ( ADC) Candidate for Kajuru/Chikun Federal Constituency (House of Representatives) in the forthcoming election, Hajiya Hawwa Abdullahi Gambo has commenced the second phase of the 1000 Women Skills acquisition and Empowerment Scheme .

According to Honorable Hawwa, after the training program each of the women would be given starter packs in due course to enable them to start some forms of trade or business. She revealed that the training program would be a continuous exercise with the aim of empowering women in order to reduce their dependency on male folks.

The ADC candidate further explained her choice of training and empowering women .

“Women are the pillar and builders of the society, when they are weak, it means the society would be weak, but when women are empowered, they would build up a very strong and virile society .

While responding to questions from journalists, the politician cum activist also said plans are afoot to train youths and men as well .

Ann Gwaza, the women leader and the Hajiya Hawwa Gambo campaign Organisation said that the project is aimed at empowering women because empowering women is like empowering the whole nation, she therefore, urged the beneficiaries to make proper use of the skills they would learn to make sure they better their lives and that of their society

She further added

“Hawwa been passionate about the people in Chikun and Kajuru have started doing things for her constituency members even when she has not been elected yet

“If she is elected, Hawwa would do more ,Gwaza concluded

The Chairman of the ADC in Chikun Local Government Area, Victor Boniface while speaking to the beneficiaries of the scheme urged them to vote for the candidate of the ADC , Hawwa Abdullahi Gambo promising that she would not disappoint them.

Some of the women beneficiaries also expressed their appreciation to Hawwa while vowing to vote for her in the coming election enable them to start some forms of trade or business. She revealed that the training program would be a continuous exercise with the aim of empowering women in order to reduce their dependency on male folks.

The ADC candidate further explained her choice of training and empowering women .

“Women are the pillar and builders of the society, when they are weak, it means the society would be weak, but when women are empowered, they would build up a very strong and virile society .

While responding to questions from journalists, the politician cum activist also said plans are afoot to train youths and men as well .

She further added

“Hawwa been passionate about the people in Chikun and Kajuru have started doing things for her constituency members even when she has not been elected yet

“If she is elected, Hawwa would do more ,Gwaza concluded

Some of the women beneficiaries also expressed their appreciation to Hawwa while vowing to vote for her in the coming election

CSOs Form Group to Resist Sale of NNPC , Other Public Assets

… Threatens to Go to Courts over any attempt to Sell

Coalition of Civil Society members have formed a group under umbrella of the Movement Against Privatization(MAP) to resist the sale of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and other National assets by any government .

According to group, since the idea of selling national assets ,such as: NITEL , National Fertilizer,NEPA , Steel companies and several others didn’t favoured the ordinary Nigerians and masses in past, there should be no reason to consider selling for now .

The group, which threatened to mobilise Nigerians if any government decides to consider selling NNPC, said it’s not only prepared to mobilise Nigerians should there be any attempt to sell public assets ,but also vowed to go to court and stop it.

In a press statement signed by the Secretary General, Usman Dabo,the group said part of the reasons for coming together to form the group is to ensure that it protects innocent Nigerians from being deceived or hoodwinked to believe that Privatization of public assets is the only solution to effective production and adequate supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as Petrol.

The statement further reads : “We formed the Movement Against Privatization because cannot afford to adopt a “Siddon-Look’ approach and watch our sensitive companies that touch live of Nigerians in almost all ramifications to be out sold under any guise by selfish politicians and their cronies.

“No sensitive leader and government will consider selling a critical national oil company ,such as NNPC limited especially, considering the monopoly of price involved in such companies .

“We have watched and listened to all the presidential candidates and observed that most of the Presidential candidates appeared to be talking in favour of privatisation and this we would vehemently resist.”

It however described as unfortunate , that the situation ,where the crop of Presidential candidates are not talking about creating policies that will encourage both local and international investors to invest in building new refineries.

Stressing ,”This is why we crying out loud now to anyone that will succeed President Muhammadu Buhari to know early enough that this movement is out to resist any attempt to auction NNPC and other public assets.

“We have put up structures across the 36 States of Nigeria , including the Federal Capital Territory,Abuja to mobilise Civil Society Organizations, Traders , Students and other Nigerians to return the street for mother of all protest,if there is any government that mutes the idea sale of public assets .”

Meanwhile, the Group which threw its weight behind complete removal of subsidy disclosed, “We have set up a special unit to begin a process of Sensitisation with a clear message of “Don’t Sell NNPC” in particular ,but open Windows for individuals to invest in private refineries, so doing, there would be opportunities to tackle the problem of perennial scarcity ; Create employment , transfer technology , expand scope of industrial growth and development .

“This group insist that whoever wins the elections should leave the existing refineries to operate as a government entity and create policies that will be friendly to investors” .