Connect with us

Nation

Buratai, Oyeyemi, Arewa, Others Mourn Attahiru

Published

on

Immediate past Chief of Army Staff and Ambassador Designate, retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, says the late Chief of Army Staff was at the verge of making the nation proud before his tragic end.
Buratai in his tribute to late Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, said he was making tremendous progress in the counterinsurgency and counterterrorism efforts when the tragedy occurred.
He described the incident as tragic to all Nigerians and peace-loving people, adding that Attahiru and the officers that died with him were top-level officers whose records of service were meritorious.
According to him, this unfortunate incident deeply saddens me as it robbed us of the services of the Chief of Army Staff who had left no one in doubt as regards his determination to succeed in the various military operations across the country.
Buratai however, urged the armed forces to close ranks and make sure that the legacy of the officers lives on by consolidating on the gains made in the various operations.
According to him, they gave their lives in the line of duty and patriotic service to the nation.
Similarly, The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, has expressed shock over the death of late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and other military personnel.
Oyeyemi disclosed this in a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO), Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) Bisi Kazeem, yesterday in Abuja.
He described the unfortunate incident as saddened and a great loss to the nation at this critical period when the Armed Forces was committed to winning the war against insurgency in Nigeria.
He prayed for the reposed of the souls of the gallant officer, COAS and other officers as well as cre, who died in the ll-fated crashed NAF aircraft
He described Attahiru as a disciplined, forthright, committed and professional military officer, who was unwavering in fighting and winning the war not only against insurgency but returning peace to the nation.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has prayed for wisdom as President Muhammadu Buhari selects a new Chief of Army Staff to replace General Ibrahim Attahiru who died in a plane crash in Kaduna last Friday.
The northern Nigerian socio-political organisation stated this in a condolence message to the president over the death of General Attahiru and 10 other military officers who died in the accident.
The ACF, in a statement signed by its chairperson, Audu Ogbeh, said the security situation in Nigeria “calls for the best, nothing but the best.”
The ACF said the death of the gallant officers on active service came as tragic news to all members of the forum.
“We condole with members of their families in this their hour of distress and emotional trauma. Only God can alleviate the pains they are facing now.
“We similarly pray for the other gallant members of the armed forces who lost their lives,” the statement said.
On its part, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has condoled with President Muhammadu Buhari over the death of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt- Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military personnel.
This is contained in a condolence letter signed by the NMA President, Prof. Innocent Ujah, and Secretary, Dr Philips Ekpe, made available to newsmen in Abuja.
NMA prayed for the peaceful repose of the victims and prayed God Almighty to grant their families the fortitude to bear the losses.
In similar vein, The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a pressure group, has called for investigation into the circumstances surrounding last Friday’s plane crash involving the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and others.
The President of PSM, Mr Bestman Okereafor, said this in a statement in Enugu yesterday.
“We are imploring President Muhammadu Buhari to set up an independent body to investigate the circumstances surrounding the airplane crash involving the COAS and others,’’ Okereafor said.
He also condoled with the President and the Nigerian Army over the incident.
He also extended the group condolence to 10 other personnel of the military, made up of top senior officers of the army and rank-and-files within the army and Nigerian Air Force.
Okereafor said that PSM found it absolutely worrisome the rate of military jet/airplane crash in spite the huge amount been allocated to the military in recent time.

Continue Reading

Nation

Anglican Bishop Urges Politicians To Lead With Integrity

Published

on

The Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Niger Delta, Dr Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, has called on Nigerians, especially those in positions of authority to uphold moral standard and integrity.
Oko-Jaja said this at a thanksgiving service to mark the 90th birthday of Prof. Sylvanus Cookey at Saint Paul Anglican Church in Opobo Town, Rivers yesterday.
The Tide’s source reports that Cookey was the second Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in 1982.
Oko-Jaja advised political leaders to always be self-aware and avoid actions that could damage their reputation.
“In today’s Nigeria, hardship has changed how the people behave, as lies have become more popular than the truth.
“We now live in a country where injustice is now celebrated and lowering moral and social standard have become the new normal.
“Leaders must follow the exemplary legacies set by our forebears by becoming upright and live a life that would not bring shame to their family and community,” he said.
He attributed the country’s current economic challenges and declining living standards to leaders failing to prioritise the well-being of citizens.
“The younger generation should emulate the virtues of our predecessors like Prof. Cookey, who prioritised integrity over material gain.
“Good reputation was the norm back then, and I hope that God will restore it to Nigeria, where leaders’ goal will be to have good names.
“If anyone wants to commit evil, they should remember that their actions can bring a bad name to their family and community,” he cautioned.
Addressing the celebrant, the King of Opobo Kingdom, HRM Dandason Jaja, praised Cookey for his impact on society and described him as a mentor and philanthropist.
He said that the celebrant was a distinguished academic, who had impacted numerous youths through vocational training, leading to their successful employment in different sectors.
Speaking earlier, Cookey expressed gratitude to God for attaining 90 years and acknowledged the support of his family and friends.
Reflecting on his contributions to the country, he encouraged leaders to leave behind positive legacies for future generations to celebrate.

Continue Reading

Nation

Senators, Reps To Resume Plenary In Remodelled Main Chambers

Published

on

Nineteen months after federal lawmakers movement to  temporary chambers,  the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives would finally resume sittings in  their  newly remodelled main hallowed chambers tomorrow
Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jnr, and the Clerk to the Senate, Barrister Chinedu Akubueze confirmed the planned movement to the main chambers in separate written announcements made penultimate week on the change in resumption date by lawmakers from their ongoing recess.
Hon. Rotimi, who is the chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, in the official announcement dated April 4, 2024 to the honourable members, cited the need to resume plenary at the renovated and reconfigured main chamber, as reason for the postponement in line with the general wish of the lawmakers.
“The House of Representatives wishes to inform the public and stakeholders of the rescheduling of the resumption date from the ongoing recess, originally slated for Tuesday, April 16, 2024, to  Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
“This adjustment is necessary to accommodate the completion of renovations to the main chamber of the House of Representatives to ensure its readiness for plenary sessions, henceforth,” he stated.
Two days after, the Clerk to the Senate also issued a statement, postponing resumption of plenary by the Senate from April 16 to 23, 2024.
Akubueze ‘s statement reads in part: “Distinguished Senators are hereby invited to note that the resumption of the plenary sitting of the Senate, which was scheduled for Tuesday, 16th April, 2024, has been postponed to Tuesday 23rd April, 2024”
It would be recalled that ahead of the projects delivery, the Site Engineer of Visible Construction, Tajudeen Olanipekun, had early last month informed journalists covering the Senate, that the two main chambers, would be ready for use by both the Senate and the House of Representatives in April this year.
Olanipekun’s assurance on delivery of the fully transformed and reconfigured hallowed chambers to management of the National Assembly, coincided with call by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to the Clerk to the National Assembly, CNA, Alhaji Sani Magaji Tambawal that both the Senate and the House of Representatives, want to move to their main chambers as soon as possible after close to two years of using temporary ones.
In carrying out the subtle marching order, the construction firm in the last five weeks has carried out the required finishings on
the upgraded and reconfigured hallowed chambers fixed with state-of-the-art chairs, parliamentary equipments,  appliances and extended sitting terraces.
Physically, the entire ambience of the space in and around the hallowed chambers have been transformed, just as barricades used to restrict movements at the foyer have been removed.
The  Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, had in March 2021 awarded a N30billion renovation contract to Visible Construction Limited to rehabilitate critical segments of the National Assembly complex.
The law makers had in September  2022 vacated the main chambers to enable the Contractors;   handle the renovation work of both chambers
Some of the critical segments are the office buildings housing the office accommodation for the senators and honourable members, watertightness of the roof of the complex, the cooling system, replacement of lifts that are inoperable in the White House as well as in the House of Representatives and in the new Senate Wing among others.

By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja

 

Continue Reading

Nation

Police Commence Recruitment Process In Anambra, Enugu

Published

on

The Zone 13 of the Nige- rian Police Force, comprising Anambra and Enugu States, has announced the venue and time for both General Duty and Specialist Constable recruitment medical screening in the two States.
This is contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Ihunwo, yesterday in Enugu.
Ihunwo said that prospective candidates from Zone 13 should note that the exercise would take place at Police Hospital, Awka.
She said that the medical screening would commence simultaneously nationwide on Tuesday, April 16, and end on April 30, 2024.
“Candidates are advised to visit the recruitment portal: https://apply.policerecruitment.gov.ng to know their status, specific time, date and other mandatory requirements.
“So also, qualified applicants are to appear in clean white T-shirt and short with the following requirements;
“National Identity Card/Slip; Print Out of Medical Examination Slip and all necessary documents.
“The Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 13 Command, AIG Godwin Aghaulor, wishes all prospective candidates success as they embark on this exercise,” he said.

Continue Reading

Trending