Connect with us

NEWS

Presidency celebrates presidential aides that bagged Nigerien highest awards

Published

on

Presidency celebrates presidential aides that bagged Nigerien highest awards

 Presidency has honoured State Chief of Protocol (SCOP), Amb. Lawal Kazaure and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Household and Domestic Affairs, Sarkin Abba, for bagging Nigerien highest Civilian National Awards.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, organised the reception in honour of the presidential aides.

Kazaure and Abba were conferred with the awards by President Mohammed Bazoum of Niger Republic.

Speaking at the event, Gambari expressed delight over the existing cordial relationship between Nigeria and Niger Republics.

According to Gambari, those countries sharing borders with Nigeria, including Cameroon, Benin Republic, Chad and Niger Republic, share the same interests and cultural affinities which bind them together.

”All these boundaries are very much artificial.

”The Europeans in Congress of Berlin just took a piece of paper and were drawing lines across places where they have never been; they never intended to be.

”They separated people who should be united and uniting people, perhaps, who should be separated.

”But, the leaders of Africa decided that it’s wise to keep those boundaries artificial as they may be.

”This is because to change them other than peacefully, will be creating even more problems than they can solve.

”But, in any case, whether by those lines, whether artificial or not, Niger/Nigeria share common boundaries, common interests, common concerns with their families across the borders,” he said.

On Buhari’s foreign policy, Gambari said: “In his (Buhari’s) earlier incarnation, as Head of State, the defining feature of his  policies was concentric circle of Nigerian foreign policy.

”That our interests, our efforts, will be concentrated on promoting Nigeria’s interests in concentric circles at the epicenter; the defense of Nigeria’s integrity, the prosperity, the welfare of its people.

“But, next is the neighboring countries, then West Africa, then Africa, and then the rest of the world.

”And he has proved the continuity of Nigeria’s foreign policy in this sense by the fact that the first countries he visited after being sworn in were the neighboring ones,” Gambari said.

READ ALSO: Buhari to present 2023 Budget to NASS next month

The State House Permanent Secretary, Tijjani Umar, who also spoke at the event, congratulated the awardees.

He, however, said that the challenge of COVID-19, climate change and lately, the Russian/Ukraine war had impacted ”the population negatively and as such, it has become important for countries to watch each other’s back.”

He stressed that the honour conferred on the presidential aides had further strengthened the bonds between Nigeria and Niger Republics.

Kazaure, who spoke on behalf of his fellow awardees said the international award was in recognition of the enviable strides made by the Buhari administration.

He, therefore, thanked the president for exposing them locally and internationally.

Kazaure also thanked the Chief of Staff for organizing the reception in their honour. (NAN)

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NEWS

I Previously Called For Simon Ekpa To Be Shot – APC Chieftain

Published

on

A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jesutega Onokpasa, has expressed strong support for the recent arrest of Simon Ekpa, the self-styled Prime Minister of the Biafran Republic Government in Exile.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television on Friday, Onokpasa, a lawyer, described Ekpa as a dangerous figure whose actions warranted severe measures, including his elimination.

READ ALSO: Edo State Governor Sets Up Committee To Recover Missing Gov’t Vehicles

Simon Ekpa was apprehended in Finland earlier this week by the country’s Central Criminal Police alongside three other individuals.

The arrests were part of an investigation into suspected terrorist activities.

Finnish authorities confirmed the development in a statement, noting that Ekpa and others were being questioned for their alleged roles in terrorism-related crimes.

Onokpasa, who has been a vocal critic of the separatist leader, revealed that he had previously called for Ekpa to be neutralized due to his alleged involvement in violent activities in Nigeria’s Southeast.

“The case of Simon Ekpa—his arrest is long overdue,” Onokpasa said during the interview. “In fact, I had actually encouraged that he should be shot because he was killing his fellow Igbos. If the person is an enemy combatant, he is liable to be shot. I know the law. This is just intelligence stuff.”

The APC chieftain also described Ekpa as “a crazy, poorly educated fellow,” adding that his actions have led to significant bloodshed among Igbos in the region.

Onokpasa emphasized his unwavering support for Ekpa’s arrest, which he believes is a necessary step in addressing the violence linked to separatist agitation. “In that case, I am in full support of his arrest,” he added.

Ekpa has been a polarizing figure, often accused of fueling unrest in Nigeria’s Southeast through his advocacy for Biafran independence.

His arrest is being hailed by some as a crucial step toward restoring peace in the region.

 

Continue Reading

NEWS

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah Laid To Rest In Nnewi Amidst Tight Security

Published

on

On Friday, November 22, 2024, the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was laid to rest in his hometown of Nnewi, Anambra State.

The funeral, held at his residence in Umuanuka, Otolo Nnewi, was attended by a multitude of mourners, including political figures, business associates, and community members, all paying their final respects to the esteemed businessman and politician.

The burial proceedings commenced with a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m., followed by condolence visits and other funeral activities. The ceremonies are scheduled to continue through the weekend, culminating in a Thanksgiving Mass and Outing Service on Sunday, November 24, at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Otolo Nnewi.

READ MORE: JUST IN: Anambra Senator, Ubah, Dies In London

In light of security concerns, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, ordered the closure of schools in Nnewi for a week. This decision followed threats from separatist elements who vowed to attack those attending the burial. A circular from the state Ministry of Education directed school principals to inform parents and ensure students remained at home during this period.

The Anambra State Police Command addressed an incident that occurred on Wednesday night, clarifying that it was not related to the burial. According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the incident involved security operatives mistakenly engaging police personnel, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The situation has since been brought under control.

Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District, passed away in London in July 2024 at the age of 52. His death was met with an outpouring of grief from across the nation, with many acknowledging his significant contributions to the development of Anambra State and Nigeria.

As the community of Nnewi and the nation at large bid farewell to Senator Ubah, his legacy as a philanthropist, businessman, and public servant continues to resonate, leaving an indelible mark on those he served and inspired.

Continue Reading

NEWS

Simon Ekpa’s Arrest Will Restore Peace In South East, Says Enugu Gov’t

Published

on

The Enugu State Government has commended the Republic of Finland for the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based leader of the proscribed separatist group, Autopilots.

Ekpa has been accused of orchestrating violence and chaos in Nigeria’s South East region.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the government described Ekpa as a “common criminal, con man, and terrorist” who has exploited the Igbo people while claiming to represent their interests.

RELATED NEWS: Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations

“The Enugu State Government welcomes the arrest of the Finland-based terrorist, Simon Ekpa,” the statement read.

“His arrest and trial will no doubt go a long way in strengthening peace, security, and stability in all parts of the South East.”

The state government accused Ekpa of sponsoring violent activities that have resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and disruption of the region’s economic activities.

It stated that Ekpa’s actions were driven by personal greed and not genuine concern for the Igbo people.

Onyia said, “Ekpa is a murderer and fraudster who delights in killing his people and living large off their misery.

“He thrives on manipulating, exploiting, and extorting the people on the pretext of fighting for their interest and for the restoration of Biafra.”

The government emphasized its readiness to provide evidence of Ekpa’s alleged crimes to support his prosecution, whether in Finland or Nigeria.

“This arrest is in line with the demand of the Governor Peter Mbah Administration, which has repeatedly made it known that Ekpa is a megalomaniac, common criminal, murderer, and fraudster who takes joy in feeding fat on the manipulated emotions of Ndigbo and inflicting misery on the South East region,” the statement added.

The government further criticized Ekpa for fostering a climate of fear and insecurity that has harmed the entrepreneurial spirit and economic growth of the Igbo people.

“Ekpa has for long, and unfortunately from Finland, made a living by creating a siege climate and mentality in the South East, destroying lives, property, and the Igbo trademark of entrepreneurship and hard work,” Onyia said.

The Enugu State Government expressed optimism that Ekpa’s arrest would mark a turning point in the quest for peace and stability in the South East, urging residents to remain vigilant and supportive of ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the region.

 

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.