Senator Ali Wakili: Osinbajo Visits Bauchi, Commiserates With Family

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Sunday visited the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu, to commiserate with him over the death of late Sen. Ali Wakili.

In his remarks, Osinbajo described late Wakili as a loyal party member as well as someone that could be relied on in the political development of the country.

“I have worked closely with him, especially on Social Investment Programme under the Poverty Alleviation Programme, and in specific, the N-Power Scheme, where Bauchi State has the highest number of beneficiaries in the country.

“He is so concerned about the common man on the street and rendered high-quality service to those around him; we believe that he has impacted a lot on the lives of the people,” he said.

The Vice President prayed that Almighty God would grant his soul, eternal rest and all those mourn him, the courage to withstand the loss.

In his response, the Emir of, Alhaji Adamu, thanked the Federal Government for identifying with the people of Bauchi Emirate Council and the entire state in their period of grief.

He described the deceased as a person who had strong moral character and a shining example for others to emulate.

“He has left an indelible mark that should be emulated by present and future generations; I pray to God to forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest,” the emir said.

The Vice President, who was received by Gov. Mohammed Abubakar of the state, also paid a condolence visit on the family of the deceased.

Wakili (APC) representing Bauchi South Senatorial District, died on in Abuja on March 17, at the age of 58, after a brief ailment.

37 Dead, 69 Missing In Shopping Center Fire

A devastating fire at a shopping center in a Siberian city killed 37 people and left 69 others missing Sunday, many of them children, a Russian state news agency reported.

The Tass agency quoted firefighters as saying that 40 of the missing at the four-story Winter Cherry mall in Kemerovo were children. An additional 43 people were injured in the blaze, the report said.

AP reports that there has been no immediate information on the cause of the fire at the mall, which is about 3,000 kilometers (1,900 miles) east of Moscow. But Tass reported that the fire started on the top floor and consumed an area of about 1,500 square meters (16,150 square feet).

The reports didn’t say if the victims died from burns or smoke inhalation.

The shopping mall, which opened in 2013, has a cinema, petting zoo, children’s center and bowling, Tass reported.

IN PICTURES: Lagos Senators Endorse Ambode For Second Term

You’ve Improved The Lives Of The Common Man- Sen. Tinubu
…I’ll Continue To Give My Best To Lagosians, Says Gov
The three senators representing Lagos East, West and Central Senatorial Districts on Sunday passed a vote of confidence and endorsed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for a second term in office, saying that the giant strides of his administration were being felt across the State.
The Senators- Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East); Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) and Solomon Olamilekan (Lagos West), who paid a visit to the Governor at Lagos House, Ikeja, said they were proud of his achievements and the renewed vigour he had brought to bear since he assumed office.
Reading a letter of endorsement on behalf of his colleagues, Senator Ashafa said that Governor Ambode had beyond reasonable doubt proved his mettle to lead the State to greater heights, citing massive infrastructural development, strategic solutions to traffic gridlock as well as key interventions in various sectors in the State in the last 33 months.

“Since May 29, 2015, when you took the mantle of leadership and administration, you have made it clear that you are out to deliver on all your campaign promises. Looking back today, we are Senators representing the three senatorial districts of Lagos State are very proud of your achievements and the renewed vigour which you have brought to the public service of Lagos State.


“We particularly are proud of the infrastructural development that you have brought to the entire State in general and to our districts in particular. Your smart solutions in tackling the traffic and security challenges that initially faced your administration have become template for other States to copy.
“Also, your strategy partnerships with Kebbi and Kano States have thrown more light to the capacity of Lagos State and the creative manager of man and resources which you are. We must also mention that through the course of the period which our country battled with an economic recession, your Excellency made sure that Lagos State remained well-above the curve and also ensured that workers in Lagos State did not miss their salary for one day throughout that period and indeed throughout this administration. For this, we thank your Excellency for always placing the interest of Lagosians first.
“In conclusion, the foregoing and many more reasons formed the bedrock of the decision of the Senators representing the Central, East and Western districts of Lagos State together with the political leadership of our various districts resulted in our visit today to convey our vote of confidence and endorsement for another well-deserved term for your administration,” Ashafa

On her part, Senator Tinubu commended Governor Ambode for turning every part of the State into a huge construction site and as well working to improve the lives of the common man.
Addressing the Governor, Tinubu said: “You (Governor Ambode) have done very credibly and even on our way here just seeing the masses have somewhere to go to is a testimony of how you really want to improve the lives of the common man.
“And not only that, we see that there is no where you go to that you will not find development. Anyone that will say oh they haven’t come to me, all I would say is that they should be patient; it’s going to go round. I want to congratulate you and pray that your next term in office will be better than this because they say that the glory of the latter house will be greater than the former and so we pray that you will continue to take this State from glory to glory.”
Also, Senator Olamilekan said the vote of confidence on the Governor was as a result of the good works he had done so far, adding that it was also to urge him to continue to do more for the State.
“What we are doing here today, we believe we are speaking the minds of Lagosians that you are overwhelmingly endorse for second term in office. What we can always say as Oliver Twist is to demand for more. I believe that by the time the second term commence, a lot that is yet to be done will be attended to. Once more, we want to thank you for the good job you have done so far,” he said.
Responding, Governor Ambode said he was humbled by the collective endorsement of the Senators, assuring that he would continue to give his best for the development of the State.
“I am seriously humbled by the collective presence of the three distinguished Senators from Lagos State in the State House this evening. I must also say that this is a sign that there is huge political stability in this State and to also let the people know, I am humbled by the desire of the Senators to say that I should continue with all the things I have already done for Lagosians.
“I want to say I am very proud of the three of them; they have done Lagos State very proud; they have been very active and I must also say that there is harmony and brotherhood in the political class in Lagos and we are proud of our Senators,” Governor Ambode said.

Jubilation As Dapchi Parents Reunite With Daughters

The 107 returned student of Government Girls Science and Technical College Dapchi have reunited with their families on Sunday.
The reunion, which took place today at the school premises came few days after President Muhammadu Buhari met the released girls in Abuja on Thursday.
The commissioner of information, Mala Musti, received the girls from federal government team led by Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim.

It was gathered that some of the parents went to the school as early as 8:00pm and waited for the children arrival
In his brief massage to the parents, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, who was part of federal government team congratulated the parents and advised them not to be deterred by the unfortunate incident.
“What happened should not deterred you from sending your children back to school. As Muslims, we should consider it as an act of God, and with prayers, God has returned them back to us safely”, he said.
The state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, who was represented by the commissioner of information, Mala Musti, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for keeping to his words of reuniting the children to their parents.
It was a joyful mode in the school and Dapchi town, as residents, parents and other wepull ĺlllll wishers stand on the streets and the school gate to have a glimpse of the girls, for the first time after being released from captivity.
One of the parents, Mai-sale Gadina, described the date of the schoolgirls abduction as painful and joyful for the day he reunited with his two daughters.
“The sad days had been washed away today. But, we want government to know that adequate security measures must be taken before we returned our children to school”, he said.
A member, representing Bursari/Gaidam/Yunusari, federal constituency, Goni Bukar Lawan, was among the federal government delegation.

Ben Bruce Backs TY Danjuma Over Comment

Senator representing Bayelsa East, Ben Murray-Bruce has called on federal government to heed the former minister of defence, Gen TY Danjuma’s (retired) call on the continuous attacks and counter-attacks between herders and farmers.
Danjuma, a former Chief of Army Staff, on Saturday accused the Nigerian Armed Forces of aiding attacks by bandits on communities across the country, warning that if such attacks continued, the consequences would make what happened in Somalia a child’s play.

He,further,said the military could not be relied upon for the security of the citizenry, advising Nigerians to rise up to defend themselves or risk massacre.

Ben Bruce in a tweet called on the government to heed his call considering his giant strides and sacrifices for the country.
“Can anyone accuse TY Danjuma of not being a patriot? How many Nigerians have done for Nigeria what TY has done for this nation? Few. Very few. When he talks like this, we should know that it has gotten to a very bad state. I call on the government to heed his call”.

‘David Bako Is Fake, He’s Not A Personnel of Nigerian Army’- Army

Nigerian Army on Sunday said one Sergeant David Bako who was alleged to have deserted the Army and took part in the abduction of Dapchi girls with N80 million is not a personnel in the Army.

The Army added there is no record of a Sergeant David Bako in their database whether deserted, dismissed or still in service and so the said individual cannot be telling the truth.

In a statement signed by Brigadier General Texas Chukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, he added that the Nigerian Army disassociate itself from such fictitious report.

He called on the public to disregard the confession made by the so called Sergeant David Bako who has never been in the Army at all.

The Army said that the news report making round on Facebook and other social media were to smear and drag the Nigerian Army into a politics of calumny by mischief makers.

The reports alleged that one Army deserter, Sergeant David Bako leaked how the Dapchi Girls abduction was planned in the villa and executed with N80 million.

The information was said to be provided by Sergeant David Bako who claimed to be deserted soldier and one of the abductee of the Dapchi School Girls.

‎The statement reads part, ” It is imperative to know that these baseless and inane allegations are not new in the cyber space, knowing the fact that we are in the age of information warfare.

” Open Source Intelligence reveals that the website Dailyglobewatch.eu with country code top-level domain (ccTLD) .eu used in publishing stories is obviously fake and therefore not correct”.

“Based on our findings the website was registered on the 14 of April 2017 and the last updated was on the same date and will expire on the 14th April 2018, we are very familiar with reports of this nature and will advice the general public to disregard such claim and desist from sharing such information on the New Media as this is against the Nigerian Cybercrime Act 2015″.

” However, it is really worrisome to the level at which some people could condescend so low to fabricate facetious allegation against the Nigerian Army and the military at large for cheap political gains or simply an act of pure wickedness, thus the public should disregard such facetious allegation.
The Nigerian Army wishes to reiterate its commitment to remain apolitical and non-partisan in the discharge of its constitutional roles.

” We would also like to reaffirm our unconditional support and obedience to civil authority as well as reassuring Nigerians that these Fifth columnists will not succeed in their mischief as they will be fished out and dealt with accordingly.

NAF Airlifts Dapchi Girls Back To Maiduguri

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) ‘s C-130 Hercules Aircraft on Sunday airlifted the Dapchi girls back to Maiduguri from Abuja and afterwards they would be transported to Dapchi, under armed air escort, to reunite with their families.
The return of the girls to their community took place after President Muhammadu Buhari and other top Government officials had received them at the Government House in Abuja on 23 March 2018.

All the girls, including a boy and 3 teachers from the girls’ school were seen boarding the aircraft.

This was made known by the Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force​, Air Vice Marshal Olatunbo Adesanya.

It would be recalled that after their release by the Boko Haram Terrorists on Wednesday, 21 March 2018, personnel of the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE as well as other officers of the Theatre Command received the girls at the NAF Base Maiduguri.

At the NAF Base, personnel of the Air Task Force were already waiting to give refreshments to the girls.

After the refreshments, the girls were airlifted aboard a NAF C-130 Hercules Aircraft to Abuja, where senior Government officials received them

Missing Kaduna APC Factional Leader, Ibrahim Wada Found

About 24 hours after he was declared missing, the Kaduna State Police command on Sunday said that Danladi Wada, factional Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna, has been found.

The APC had declared Wada missing after he left his home to pray at a nearby mosque.

The Commissioner of police, Austin Iwar, confirmed this in a text message to the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna on Sunday.

Iwar said, “Yes he has reported to the police and we are investigating.”

NAN reports that the factional APC spokesman Murtala Abubakar, had said that Wada was expected to report at the Police Command to make statement after his release by alleged abductors.

Abubakar also said that the factional chairman was released on Sunday by his captors in Zaria.

He added that Wada was declared missing after the morning prayers at his Angwan Rimi GRA residence at about 5:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Wada who is opposed to the leadership style of Gov. Nasir El-Rufai in Kaduna State is working with Senators Suleiman Hunkuyi and Shehu Sani.

 

The Great Eagles of 1980 – 38 Years After, By Segun Odegbami

The ‘Chief Justice’ of Nigerian football, distinguished legal luminary and Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), Chief Adokie Amiesimaka was the one who called me up and reminded me it was 38 years to the day on March 22 that a group of young Nigerian footballers won the African Cup of Nations for their country for the first time and created history.
He told me he was celebrating the team in his own way, and was calling up all those he could reach to extend his handshake and a token gift in appreciation and demonstration of how well the Lord has blessed him.
He was graciously extending his ‘token’ support to my school in Wasimi. Within an hour of his call he kept his promise and gave the school what I can only publicly reveal with his consent.
It was a sobering moment indeed. It unleashed memories that raced through my mind.

It is by the Grace of God that we are alive in this wilderness of daily, known and unknown dangers that lurk in every corner of our country and our lives.
Adokie came up with an idea for us to establish a Foundation to cater to the needs and challenges of the less privileged amongst us and amongst the generations of the footballers after. The foundation will provide ‘fishing’ skills rather than fish itself for those in need. Of course, I am game.
So, do not be surprised if in the next few weeks, or months, we launch out on such a project to make a difference applying the gifts and opportunities that God has blessed us with to bless others.
Permit me to recall the members of that 1980 team in my own humble celebration.
(1.)  Best Ogedegbe. Late and resting with the Lord. Brave, and almost ‘arrogant’ in the uncommon level of his confidence in goal. He was almost as good a field player as he was a goalkeeper.
(2.)  Emmanuel Okala. ‘Man Mountain’. Tall, agile, and imposing. His best training was ensuring that the Eagles’ best strikers never scored him in training. He is alive but, like all of us, facing the consequences of the stresses and strains we put on our bodies as players.
(3.) David Adiele. Alive. Now lives in Houston, Texas. Enigmatic. Streetwise. Still doing his ‘thing’, hustling in the US and doing very well.
(4.) Johnny Orlando. Alive. Shuttling between Ghana, where he came from, and the USA where he settled in after the Nation’s Cup. No one can explain how he got into the Nigerian national team and played as well as he did.
(5.)  Sylvanus Okpala – Alive.  ‘Quick Silver’. One of the younger players in the team – strong headed, versatile, all-round player, very hard, very confident on the ball, and a great shot. He rose through the ranks from the junior national team where he was captain. One of the early Nigerian professional players to Europe. Played in Portugal.
(6.)  Okey Isima – Passed on.  Another early export to the professional ranks in Portugal. He was that good. Don’t quite understand how and why he was converted from his attacking midfield role to a left full back even though he was right footed.
(7.)  Mudashiru Babatunde Lawal – too young to have passed on even before the dust of 1980 had settled. He was so good he was the first African player to go to the African Cup of Nations five times; Nigeria’s first official football Ambassador; First Nigerian athlete to be awarded two national honours; One of the best all-round midfield players to don the national colours of Nigeria.
(8.)  Alloysius Atuegbu – Passed on. ‘Block Buster.’ Endless running and tireless worker in the centre of the midfield, with the additional gifts of a great shot and short passing skills.
(9.)  Henry Nwosu – Alive and surviving in the turbulent and uncertain world of Nigerian coaching. The youngest in the team at the time, with such prodigious skills he could have played for any team in the world. ‘The youngest Millionaire’. Played professional football briefly in Africa during the twilight years of his career. Midfield general in the true sense.
(10.) Ifeanyi Onyedika – Alive. One of the younger players. A great centre-forward with silky skills and sharp reflexes in the crowded box of opposing goals. A quick thinker.  I still do not understand why he did not last for a lot longer in the national team.
(11.) Adokie Amiesimaka – Alive. ‘Chief Justice.’ The fleet-footed master of the dribble. Right footed player that mastered playing from the left wing, a system that is now sweeping global football. Graceful and elegant on the ball. Added intellectual depth to his football, always thinking, always creating as he dances and meanders through defenses with such consummate ease. Great crosser of the ball.
(12.) Tunde Bamidele – Passed on. A cool and calculative player in the heart of Nigeria’s defense. His effectiveness was made less apparent because he shared the same space with the great ‘Chairman’ Chukwu. He was the hard-tackling destroyer and hatchet man whilst Chukwu cleared the mess of his tackles.
(13.) Kadiri Ikhana – Alive. A very versatile, effective hardworking player. Not one ounce of flamboyance in his game. Did the dirty work of keeping dangerous players quiet.  ‘Kawawa’, very wise, with a sharp mind. He became one of the most respected and most successful coaches in domestic football in Nigeria.
(14.) Godwin Odiye – Alive. Living a quiet life in the US with an unfortunate ‘scar’ on a great footballing career that was truncated with his move to the US at a young age. Hard, stylish, very fast and dependable defender. He is doing well developing young football talents… for America.
(15.) Shefiu Mohammed – Alive. He is struggling to survive in the hard and harsh environment of Taraba State in Nigeria, away from the glare of stardom and celebrity. Great running and tackling defensive midfield player. A pest to opposing attackers. Not finding life after football easy at all.
(16) Martin Eyo – Passed on. An academic and football player. At any other time but when he appeared on the football scene he would have been better known. Against the array of regular first team attackers in the national team, he became a fringe player. But he was effective whenever he was called upon to add some pep. Fast, strong, good with both feet and had a unique dribbling style.
(17) Frank Nwachi – Alive – Did not play any match during the Championship. One of the players with a degree in the national team. Left for the US shortly after the Nations Cup, and has shuttled between the two countries ever since.
(18.) Charles Bassey – Alive and doing well in Calabar where he was discovered in the great Rovers team of the late 1970s and to where he returned and has remained ever since. Very good player with one of the best shots at goal in the team, but remained on the fringes because of the sea of other exceptional talent.

(19) Moses Effiong – Alive and kicking in Calabar. Third Goalkeeper in the team. Very quiet on and off the field. He was such a gentleman the football fraternity hardly ever remembers him. He stood little chance with Best and Okala in the same team with him, but a great goalkeeper nevertheless.
(20) Felix Owolabi – Alive. ‘Owoblow’. What does one say about this great player who plays like a one-man army? It does not matter where he played on the field, he covered more ground than most others, attacking, defending, marking, shooting, and was felt everywhere on the field. He was like a tornado, unstoppable.
(21) Christian Chukwu –  Alive. ‘Chairman’. The great Chairman was true legend. Majestic and dominating in the defense. A true libero and leader on the field. His actions spoke more than words. Very calculative, immaculate passing skills over long distances, a great shot from incredible distances and a man who led by physical example. He was a born captain, respected and loved by all.  He coached and managed different national teams at different times. Slowed down now by arthritis – the ailment of retired footballers.
(22) Segun Odegbami –‘Mathematical’. He was just one of the boys in a great squad that made history. He played his part.
Please put us all– the living and the dead – in your thoughts and prayers.