News
FG Confirms Abba As Substantive IGP …As Peterside Cautions On Tambunwal
The acting Inspector General of Police,Mr. Suleiman Abba was yesterday confirmed as substantive Inspector General of Police by President Goodluck Jonathan.
He was confirmed at a Police Council meeting held in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, and thereafter admitted into the Council.
The President’s media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, said on his Twitter handle @abati1990 – “At Police Council meeting today, President Jonathan confirms Suleiman Abba as substantive Inspector General of Police.”
Abba was appointed the acting IGP on August 1 after the retirement of erstwhile police chief, Mohammed Abubakar. He is the country’s 17th indigenous police helmsman.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has inaugurated the first batch of Close Protection Unit for Judicial Officers and Judges, trained by operatives of the Royal Military Police of the British Army.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu yester in Abuja, said the IG in his address admonished the graduands to employ professionalism, discipline and courage in the discharge of their duties.
He stated that the unit was necessary to reassure Judges, especially the ones handling terrorism-related cases of adequate Police protection, to enable them discharge their duties without fear.
Abba thanked the British Government and sought greater collaboration in areas of capacity building and intelligence sharing.
The ceremony was attended by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Andrew Pocock, other senior staff of the British High Commission, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Justice Ibrahim Auta and senior Police officers.
Meanwhile, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources, Downstream, Dakuku Peterside has described the decision of the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba to withdraw of security detail of the Speaker of House of, Aminu Tambuwal as crass partisanship and subversion of Nigeria’s constitution.
Speaking on Monday on Africa Independent Television, AIT, Peterside described the police chief’s action as an act of impunity and an invitation to anarchy.
The House member who represents Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro federal Constituency in Rivers State called on every Nigerian to reflect deeply on this sad turn of events and to be dispassionate in apportioning blame.
According to him, “Impunity is fast becoming the nature of the PDP-led federal government. Withdrawal of Tambuwal’s security has no basis in law. It is crass abuse of office by the IGP. But we must not desecrate our high offices because of politics. It is Tambuwal today, how about tomorrow? Therefore we must all condemn this threat, not just to our democracy but also to our stability and survival as a nation. And it is tragic that the police are an accomplice”.
He warned that every Nigerian must be vigilant and cautious as election year approaches. “Nobody is more Nigerian. We are all equal stakeholders and we must ensure that our country survives these difficult times. That, for me should be the focus, not the cheap politics of withdrawing security detail from such an important office”, he said.
The law maker who is also worried about the dictatorial tendencies which is evident in political parties today, cautioned against the lure of absolute power because of its consequences.
He called on the parties to be fair to every aspirant, insisting that his party, the All Progressives Congress, guarantees a level playing ground for political office seekers.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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