News
NASSA Multicultural Carnival: Hon. Bawa Urges Students To Be Ambassadors Of Peace
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The former Revenue Chairman of Karu Local Government Council, Hon. Bawa Enam Rabo, made an impactful appearance at an event organized by the Nasarawa State Students Association (NASSA) at Nasarawa State University on saturday 7th september 2024.
The event, held under the theme “Peaceful Coexistence in Cultural Diversity,” attracted students from various institutions across the state, all gathering to promote peace and unity in Nasarawa.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Bawa Enam Rabo emphasized the importance of peace in driving the development of Nasarawa State. Addressing the university community and the members of NASSA, he urged everyone to embrace peace and make Nasarawa State’s progress their top priority.
“Peace is priceless and paramount; without it, no society can thrive,” Hon. Bawa stated.
He stressed that the lack of peace only breeds conflict and stagnation, highlighting the role of students as peace ambassadors both within and outside the university setting.
Hon. Bawa also encouraged students to rise above differences in religion, culture, and ethnicity, promoting the idea that unity is the key to prosperity.
He reminded them that regardless of their background, it is essential to protect the collective interests of Nasarawa State.
He said, “Wherever you go, be democratic and embrace peace. Your diverse backgrounds should not hinder your dedication to ensuring that Nasarawa State continues to progress.” His words were met with applause, as the message of unity resonated with the crowd.
In a show of his dedication to the student body, Hon. Bawa pledged to support the growth of the association and its members.
He promised to refund all registration fees paid by students from every tribe, a gesture that was warmly received by attendees.
The former Chairman expressed his desire for all students, irrespective of their background, to benefit equally from opportunities and resources available within the state.
Hon. Bawa used the platform to caution against tribal and religious discrimination, urging students to resist the temptation of dividing themselves along these lines. He encouraged them to foster a sense of collective responsibility and to promote the wellbeing of Nasarawa State and, by extension, the world.
He said, “Let us avoid the spirit of tribalism and religious bias. Our focus should be on creating a better, united Nasarawa State where everyone, regardless of their origin, can thrive.”
Hon. Bawa expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the leadership of NASSA for extending the invitation to him and for allowing him to chair such an important event.
He praised the association for their efforts in promoting peace and unity among students, and reiterated his ongoing support for their initiatives.
General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, has assured that all security challenges facing the nation will be effectively addressed by the year’s end.
This statement was made during the launch of attack drones and the demonstration of locally produced bombs, developed by a homegrown technology firm.
The event was attended by security specialists and senior government officials, as General Musa showcased the indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to the audience.
Accompanied by Ajao Adewale, the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, and Caleb Mutfwang, the Governor of Plateau State, General Musa emphasized the ongoing bureaucratic obstacles in acquiring military equipment from abroad.
Governor Mutfwang stressed the urgency for decisive measures against insecurity, calling on leaders to prevent any entity within the nation from possessing military capabilities.
The operational features of the UAVs were also demonstrated, with General Musa expressing satisfaction with this advancement, labeling it a pivotal step in combating insecurity in the country.
A coalition of youth organisations has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to reconsider its wanted tag on socialite, Dr Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu, OFR.
The organisations, Niger Delta Youth Council for Good Governance and Middle Belt Youth Stakeholders’ Initiative said this in a joint press statement they issued on Thursday in Abuja.
According to them, the declaration of Achimugu wanted by the anti-corruption agency came to them as a rude shock.
The joint statement was signed by Comrade Emma Niboro and Ali Ameh for Niger Delta Youth Council for Good Governance and Middle Belt Youth Stakeholders’ Initiative, respectively.
They described Achimugu as a dedicated friend of the youths, who had always shown commitment to the welfare and care of the downtrodden.
According to the youth coalition, “we know the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, as a man who came with utmost zeal to sanitize the agency. He has already demonstrated this and we are proud of his achievements so far.
“However, we urge him to resist pressure from politicians, which is a plague that has dwarfed EFCC for several years of its existence.
“The commission had hitherto remained a tool for politicians to undue their perceived political foes and this has always rubbed off on the credibility of the agency.
“The case of Achumugu doesn’t appear to be different in any way, as the haste with which she was declared wanted showed there is a hand of Esau and voice of Jacob.
“Our appeal is that the commission should withdraw the wanted tag on her and give her ample time to report to the commission, as she has never been indicted of any offence whether in Nigeria or outside the country.”
While noting that Achimugu is a global figure, they added that they can always vouch for her integrity.
“We know her, she has always been of immense help to the youths and other members of the society.
“Her closeness to certain politicians should not be used as a tool to persecute or harass her,” the youths further stated.
The Supreme Court has overturned the Court of Appeal’s decision that recognised Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP). In a decisive ruling, a five-member panel declared that the Court of Appeal lacked the legal authority to determine the party’s leadership matters.
In a unanimous verdict, the highest court in the land stated that the Court of Appeal had no jurisdiction over the matter. The panel observed that since the case revolved around the internal leadership structure of the Labour Party, it fell outside the jurisdiction of the courts.
The ruling reinforced the long-standing principle that leadership disputes within political parties should be resolved internally, rather than through judicial intervention.
The Supreme Court stressed that leadership struggles within political parties are purely internal matters. According to legal principles, courts should not interfere in such issues, as they fall under the party’s constitution and governance framework. By upholding this legal doctrine, the apex court reaffirmed that political parties must settle their leadership crises independently.
The Supreme Court upheld the appeal lodged by Senator Nenadi Usman and a fellow appellant, ruling that their claims were valid. Their appeal challenged the earlier judgment, arguing that it was flawed due to jurisdictional overreach. After thorough legal scrutiny, the Supreme Court found merit in their argument and ruled in their favour.
The legal battle also involved a cross-appeal filed by supporters of Julius Abure, who sought to challenge the decision against their leader. However, the Supreme Court dismissed this cross-appeal, declaring it unsubstantiated and lacking merit. The ruling effectively ended the legal contest over the Labour Party’s chairmanship, cementing the judiciary’s stance on non-interference in party leadership disputes.