Shehu Sani Empowers Kaduna Based Journalist with Fingerlings

In his avowed commitment to encourage media practitioners to shun any form of inducement and maintain ethics of the profession, the lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central senatorial district in the 8th National Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani has donated Fingerlings to a Kaduna based journalist.

According to the former lawmaker, the decision to donate the Fingerlings was informed also by the need to help journalists overcome the devastating effect of COVID-19 that ravaged the world.

Speaking shortly after presenting the Fingerlings to the beneficiary, who is the Secretary of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Kaduna State Council, Comrade John Femi Adi on Friday, Senator Shehu Sani urged the federal and state governments to create financial pool via the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Agriculture and Bank of Industry for workers and businessmen to borrow money to investment in any form of productive activities.

“Apparently, the Coronavirus pandemic has grossly affected the revenue base of government and income of individuals. So, I urge all workers, professionals and businessmen in the country to resort to any for production that can help generate revenue and income outside the contemporary salary based jobs.

“The ethics of journalism kick against any form of gratification, hence the need for privileged Nigerians to support journalists to diversify in order to have alternative source of income.” Sani said.

In his response, Comrade Femi Adi who was elated with joy said he never knew that Senator Sani picked interest in his recent Facebook post that he was diversifying into Agriculture.

“And after some weeks when I received a call from the distinguished Senator he asked me which aspect of agriculture was I venturing into, and I told him fisheries. There and then he promised to support me with some fingerlings.

“Today, I want to thank the former lawmaker and Human Rights Activist immensely for the laudable gesture and fulfilment of promise by donating to me 5000 fingerlings to boost my fisheries”. Comrade Adi said.

According to the fish farmer, though Senator Shehu Sani is no longer in government, he has again proved to Nigerians that his concern for the growth and development of the masses remain intact.

Fielding questions from his colleagues Journalists shortly after the donation on why he embraced fish farming, Comrade Adi said, “Journalism profession frowns at gratification and since COVID-19 has crippled business growth, including the media I decided to start fish farming business as an venue and means for alternative income for the family “.

He however urged his colleagues to emulate him and go into other areas of agriculture like poultry, bees keeping, snails farming, among others in order to stay afloat in the face of economic hardship.

How I intend to choose new emir of Zazzau – El-Rufai

The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Thursday, gave an insight into steps he is taking to appoint a new Emir of Zazzau to replace Shehu Idris, who died on Sunday.

Mr Idris is expected to be replaced by a prince from any of the four ruling houses of Katsinawa, Barebari, Mallawa and Sullubawa.

Mr El-Rufai, who has the duty of deciding who occupies the throne said “he is consulting a book on the emirate to help him in making a decision”.

Keen race

Four princes are said to be on the forefront in the race.

They are Yariman Zazzau, Muni Ja’afaru; Iyan Zazzau, Bashir Aminu; Magajin Garin Zazzau, Ahmed Bamalli and Turakin Zazzau, Aminu Idris.

In a Facebook post Thursday evening, Mr Elrufai posted a picture of a seminal work on the old Hausa kingdom of Zazzau which he said he is consulting while awaiting the submission of the Zazzau kingmakers.

The book is ‘Government in Zazzau, a sociological exploration of the old emirate’ and was written by a former colonial officer.

“KADUNA UPDATE: While awaiting the recommendations of the Zazzau Emirate kingmakers, I am re-reading Prof MG Smith’s authoritative epic on the selection of Zazzau Emirs from 1800 to 1950 to guide me in taking a decision. “Government in Zazzau” was published in 1960.

“The kingmakers recommend but ultimate responsibility to choose rests on my humble. I must be knowledgeable about the process as the aspirants and kingmakers,” the governor wrote on his verified Facebook page.

Ondo Poll: INEC pledges professionalism, neutrality

Ahead of October 10 governorship election in Ondo state, Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Prof. Yakubu Mahmood has assured Nigerians that the commission would remain neutral and professional in the conduct of the gubernatorial election.

The INEC chairman also stated that sensitive materials for Ondo state governorship election will arrive Akure on Oct. 5.

He said the commission would work on the lapses observed in Edo state election with a view to improving on its performance in the coming poll.

Mahmood said this in Akure during interactive session with newsmen on the October 10, 2020 poll.

We have delivered all, but a few of the non-sensitive materials required for the elections. What remains can be accomplished within the days remaining to the polling.

“It is exactly 16 days to the election. If we exclude the election day, which is Oct 10, we have 15 days. So, we have two weeks and a day to the election.

“The sensitive materials for the election are ready. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will deliver them to their branch here in Akure on Monday, Oct. 5,’’ Yakubu said.

He said that the commission had moved enough card readers to Ondo State for the conduct of the election, adding that they were being configured and charged in Akure.

Yakubu said that the Z-pad used in Edo for the transmission of Polling Units (PUs) results to the commission result view portal would be deployed to Ondo State.

Explaining that the interaction was important because the commission wanted to know about the observations of the stakeholders both in Edo election and the pre-election happenings in Ondo state that could help the commission in its preparation and making further perfection for the October 10,election.

Mahmood disclosed that the commission has delivered all non sensitive materials for the election, while the all sensitive materials would arrive at Central Bank of Nigeria in Akure on Monday where it would be distributed to all its branches.

He assured that all the 3009 polling units in the state, including the riverine area, would be adequately supplied with all necessary election materials and voting would commence at the appropriate time.

The professor also assured the people of the state that the commission had got over the challenges created by the fire outbreak that razed over 5000 smart card readers in the Akure office.

“We have fully recovered from the fire incident. We are purging and configuring the smart card readers ready for the election. They were moped up from Oyo state.

“We are moving the Z-Pad from Edo to Ondo State for the 3009 polling units,” the INEC boss said.

While speaking on the spate of political violence in the state, Prof. Mammud disclosed that the commission would meet security agencies and traditional rulers with view to stemming the crisis.

Mahmood said, : “We are aware of violence. We are meeting security agencies and traditional rulers and relevant stakeholders, appeal to participating candidates and party leaders need to allow peace reign before, during and after the election.

He adding that the”former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar and other members of National Peace  Committee  would arrive Akure on October 6, 2020 to sign oeace accord with all candidates.”

The INEC boss, therefore, charged all journalists covering the election to report to the commission any malpractice noticed through its media platform and allow professionalism in the conduct and discharging their duties during the poll.

EFCC probe: Magu kicks as Malami refuses to appear before Salami panel

THE suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, has concluded his defence before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the activities of the anti-graft agency.

But, Magu was shocked that Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) refused to honour the invitation of the panel.

Malami, who was subpoenaed by the commission, said his non-appearance is constitutional.

Malami said the terms and wordings of the invitation extended to him were against constitutional provisions.

Magu, it was learnt, will ask the Salami panel to declare all the allegations against him as frivolous, should Malami fail to appear.

The source said: “It was a strange and bizarre twist of events as Malami refused to appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry headed by the retired President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, despite a subpoena issued to him by the Chairman of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by the President to investigate the allegations he leveled against Magu.

“Magu has consistently requested the opportunity to confront his accuser before the Panel. “Malami failed to appear before the commission to substantiate the allegations he leveled against Magu in the memo he wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari which was the basis upon which the Judicial Commission of Inquiry was set up.

“However, upon conclusion of presentation of witnesses before the Commission of Inquiry, Magu was called upon to present his defence which he has done by presenting volumes of written responses to all the allegations against him backed by numerous exhibits and truck load of documents showing his achievements as the acting chairman of the EFCC.
There were also official documents showing that no recovered assets were missing or diverted to personal use for his benefit or those of his close associates.

“Magu had also requested before the Tribunal to issue subpoenas to certain persons to appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to give evidence in support of their allegations and to be cross-examined upon such wild and unsubstantiated allegations.

“In line with Magu’s request, Justice Ayo Salami who is the Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry signed and issued a subpoena to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), at the instance of Magu to come and substantiate the allegations he made against him.

It was learnt that the subpoena to the Attorney-General read: “You are hereby commanded in the name of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to give evidence in respect of your allegations against Mr. Ibrahim Magu”.

A source said: “Malami wrote a letter saying he would not appear as a witness. He hinged his refusal on the fact that he only made charges against Magu based on the petitions he received against him in his office.”

Magu’s defence team has faulted Malami’s action, saying “The above excuse is untenable and clearly a contempt of judicial authority and shows total disregard for the authority of President Muhammadu Buhari on whose authority the subpoena was issued.

“A few weeks ago, Malami said he would appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry if summoned to do so.

“Now that the opportunity has been presented, he is shying away from that call because his allegations cannot be substantiated with facts or any shred of credible evidence.

“The position of the law is clear, whenever a petitioner refuses to substantiate his petition before the appropriate authority, such a petition is declared frivolous.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, the minister said: “The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN has said that his non-appearance at Justice Ayo Salami Panel of Inquiry probing the suspended Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, was purely Constitutional and not based on any ulterior motive.

“The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice said the appearance or otherwise of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) to serve as a witness in any investigation should be a constitutional matter.

“In establishing propriety or otherwise of the presence of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice whose responsibility is to hold constitutional order one must root same within the constitutional provisions.

“The terms and wordings of invitation extended to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice by Justice Ayo Salami’s Panel of inquiry against Magu runs contrary to the Constitutional provisions.

“The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice is by the provision of the Constitution and extant laws empowered to serve supervisory role. In the case of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been discharging the role effectively.”