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I’ll Continue To Speak To Rebuild Nigeria – Sanusi

Deposed Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has said that he would continue to speak and air his views to defend and rebuild Nigeria.
Sanusi, who is also the current Khalifah, Tijaniyat Movement of Nigeria, said this in Abuja, last Saturday, at a stage play titled “Emir Sanusi: Truth in Time.’’
The play was written by a professor of Drama at the Redeemer University, Prof. Ahmed Yerima, and produced by Executive Chairman, Duke of Somolu Productions, Mr Joseph Edgar.
The 14th emir said he has what it takes to contribute to nation building because of his long history of service to the country.
He said he served as chief risk officer at the United Bank for Africa, and at First Bank, and also as CBN governor; as Emir of Kano for six years and Khalifah, Tijaniyat Movement of Nigeria.
Sanusi argued that he would be ungrateful to God if he expressed regret or sadness over his removal as emir in spite of positions he occupied in life.
“I don’t think that God has taken anything away from me. So, I have no regret.
“I turned 61 years last year and in those years, I had the honour of having been the chief risk officer at United Bank for Africa (UBA) and the chief risk officer at First Bank.
“I was governor of Central Bank, Emir of Kano and now Khalifah, Tijaniyat Movement of Nigeria.
“If I have sadness, then I’m ungrateful. How many people have had the opportunity to be just one of those things?’’ he observed.
Sanusi added that many traditional rulers held leadership positions such as army generals, governors, Nigeria Customs chief and others before their appointment as traditional rulers.
According to him, these traditional rulers gave their bits to serve this country.
“We have a long history of service to this country. My father as first director-general of Nigeria Intelligence Agency set up the agency in1960, the record is there to see.
“My parents, grandparents and great grandparents gave their lives to build this country.
“We will continue to devote energy to build this country. It doesn’t belong to anyone; it belongs to all of us,’’ Sanusi stressed.
He said if he had a choice between sacrificing his principles and holding on to position, he would give up the position.
“History is always the best judge. The things that I said would happen, that caused me so much trouble, have happened.
“For me, I have absolutely no regret and I will continue to speak and voice my views. I will continue to defend this country,’’ he said.
In his remarks, the playwright, Prof. Ahmed Yerima, said what motivated him to write the play was when Lamido was appointed as Emir, he prayed: “O Allah, let me die on the throne.’’
He said he wanted people to watch how destiny prevailed on Sanusi’s grandfather, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi, who spent 10 years before he was removed and Sanusi, the grand son who spent six years before he was also removed.
“Also, they lived and live in a society. So, we want viewers to see the society’s attitudes towards their service to humanity,’’ he said.
The producer of the play, Edgar said it was the 14th edition produced by Duke of Somolu Productions.
“With a budget in excess of N40million, this production is truly historical,’’ he said.
Edgar thanked the more than 35 sponsors of the play who took over 50per cent of the budget for their support.
Sanusi was dethroned as Emir of Kano in March, 2020 by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, citing “total disrespect to lawful instructions from the Office of the Governor’’.
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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo
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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their living conditions.
This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.
Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s
She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.
According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.
The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.
Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.
Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.
According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.
He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.
Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.
During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.
The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.
He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.
They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.
At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.
King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.
Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.
Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.
At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.
He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.
Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.
John Bibor
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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman

The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.
Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.
Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.
Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.
In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.
However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.
Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.
In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.
Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.
“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.
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