News

Jonathan, Wike, Others Condole Buhari Over Abba Kyari’s Death

Published

6 years ago

April 20, 2020

The former military President of Nigeria, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, yesterday, condoled with President Muhammadu Buhari over the demise of his Chief of Staff, Malam Abba Kyari.
Babangida, in his message to the President, described Kyari as a very dedicated, conscientious, forthright, roundly qualified, astute, and patriotic servant of Nigeria.
According to him, as chief of staff, he pre-occupied himself to always stand by you as a loyal staff, friend, and adviser, who always answered the call to duty.
Babangida said: “He was always ready to render you the necessary support in line with the policy principles and objectives of your administration.
“I have no iota of doubt that Kyari had performed all his tasks creditably to your absolute satisfaction believing in his capacity and competency, he was honest, simple, humble, and transparent.
“He always puts the people, the nation, and your good self first in all his actions and duties.
“Undoubtedly, you and his family will miss Kyari the most, as Muslims, we believe and accept that we shall all return to Allah, the Supreme Giver of Life.
“It is stated in the traditions of our beloved Prophet Muhammad, that whosoever dies as a result of an epidemic affliction is a martyr, and I fervently pray so it shall be for Kyari.
“I pray that Allah will accord him the reward and honour as a martyr.
“Additionally, Kyari also passed on one of the most auspicious days for Muslims, namely Friday.”
Babangida said that the President had lost a great ally, friend, admirer, and compatriot who served him and the nation with extreme loyalty and patience.
He urged the President, as a committed Muslim with a depth of faith and as a gallant military officer who fought to unite this country, to take solace in the legacies left behind by Kyari.
“Please, remain steadfast in the challenging tasks heaved upon you, our country, and people by the Covid-19 epidemic. I pray for the quick end of this deadly scourge,” he said.
He also prayed to Allah to shower His Mercy and Forgiveness on Kyari by placing him among the dwellers of His Highest Paradise.
“And to his immediate family, I pray to Allah to grant you the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss of a decent man with equanimity,” he said.
Also, the former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan condoled with the President and the Kyari family over the death of the late chief of staff, who was buried earlier on Saturday in Abuja.
A statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said Buhari also received condolence messages from Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State on behalf of the Progressive Governors Forum, Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong on behalf of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi on behalf of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum as well as Governor Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman of Kawra State and Senator Umar Ibrahim Kurfi.
Similarly, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari over the death of his Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari.
A statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, in Port Harcourt, last Saturday, quoted Wike as stating that “the death of Abba Kyari was a great loss not only to President Buhari but the entire nation”.
He described him as a patriot, trustworthy, humble and caring leader who contributed immensely to the development of the country.
In the same vein, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari over the death of his Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari.
A statement by Acting Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr Daniel Alabrah, said, Diri also condoled with the Kyari family, saying his departure was a huge loss to Nigeria.
He prayed for the repose of his soul and for his memory to be blessed continually.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, had last Saturday, received several messages of condolences from foreign and national leaders over the death of Abba Kyari, his late chief of staff.
A statement by Garba Shehu, indicated that the President received telephone calls from Ghanaian President, Nana Akuffo-Ado, and President Muhammadou Youssoufou of Niger Republic.
He also received calls of condolences from ex-President Yayi Boni of Benin Republic and two former Nigerian Heads of State, Generals Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar.
Buhari also received similar messages of condolence from the embassies of friendly countries, including Egypt, Chad and Liberia, as well as US President Donald Trump.
Messages were also received from Governors Nasir El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State; Yahaya Bello of Kogi State; Prof Babagana Zulum of Borno State; Abubakar Bagudu, Kebbi; Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State; former governors of Katsina, Sa’idu Barda; Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari; and Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara as well as the former Senate President, Ken Nnamanni; the Sultan of Sokoto, Dr. Sa’ad Abubakar 111; and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Samson Ayokunle; and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal.
The Emirs of Kazaure, Najib Hussaini Adamu; Gwandu, Gen Muhammadu Ilyasu Bashar (rtd); and that of Machina, Alhaji Bashir Al-Bashir Bukar; APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the Chairman of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia; President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; and the Executive Secretary of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, Amb Mamman Nuhu; were among the early callers.
Calls to the President were also received from Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi; former ministers, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma; and Gen Ike Umaru Sanda Nwachukwu; Senators Monsurat Sunmonu; and Kabiru Marafa as well as Pastor Tunde Bakare.

News

Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD

Published

1 day ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has sued for patience on the ongoing installation of the state’s new independent power project.

The Tide gathered that the 60-megawatt gas turbine project, which installation commenced in October this year, was earlier scheduled to be completed by December but suffered logistics related delays.

The governor called on people of the state to have an open mind about the project, which he said now requires a new completion date due to unforeseen challenges.

?The Tide further reports that the State’s Chief Executive who undertook an on-the-spot-assessment of the project at Elebele in Ogbia Local Government Area on Wednesday, said like other citizens of the state, he was also disappointed that the December completion deadline could not be met.

However, he stated that his reaction to the delay had been that of understanding rather than being angry as had been noticed, particularly on the social media.

?”You can see I’ve gone round the whole facility. It was based on the working agreement and information available at my disposal that I gave the December date. But as it is with every human endeavor, we must all have an open mind, when it comes to issues, particularly technical matters like this.

?”I am as disappointed as any other Bayelsan because I believed that we were going to celebrate the 2025 Christmas with our own independent power, but it turned out not to be so.

?”I call on Bayelsans to have an open mind. These technical experts are working virtually 24 hours, but delays like this will certainly come”, he said.

He implored the people 9f the state to appreciate the work of the engineers, stressing that a minor mistake was capable of jeopardising the millions of dollars expended on the project.

?”For 29 years Bayelsa has been in darkness or has endured epileptic power supply. Now that we are getting close to the day of liberation, some people have become impatient.

“Let us not behave like the proverbial tortoise in the prison for years that asked to be released immediately as the place was smelling the moment he knew it would regain freedom the next day”, the governor added.

?The Bayelss Governor gave a thumps up to the technical partners, Jampur Group, and its team on ground as well as the Managing Director of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Ltd, Engr. Olice Kemenanabo, saying they were working round the clock to ensure the job was completed.

?”Those who have been following me on this inspection would know that work has not stopped even for one day since it started. I am sure the job is more than 90 per cent complete. So let us hold our fire.

“Engineer Olice, I am not putting you under any pressure. From the reports I have, Olice is one of the best electrical engineers in Nigeria”, governor Diri said.

The governor, however, hinted that the government was looking at inaugurating the project during its sixth anniversary in February.

The MD of the Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited, Kemenanabo, who also spoke, said the state was on the right track towards actualising the project and assured that the alignment of the entire system, including the gas generator and alternator were on course.

He also stated that the remaining two turbines would be delivered to the project site in a few days.

?Speaking on behalf of the Jampur Group, Mr. Sherrif Abu-Anif said the company was in good position to meet its own end of the bargain and appreciated the state government for playing its part very well.

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

News

Akpabio Withdraws All Defamation Suits After Priest’s Sermon

Published

1 day ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.

Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.

He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.

“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”

In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.

In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.

Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.

Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.

The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.

With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.

News

‘Best Way To Show Gratitude Is To Deliver Tinubu in 2027’

Published

1 day ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.

Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.

He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.

“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”

Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.

He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.

“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.

Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.

In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.

She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.

Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.

“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.

In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.

He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.

The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.

Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.

Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.

Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.

By: Taneh Beemene