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Na’Abba Cares About Unity, Progress Of Nigeria – Obi
The Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has described late Ghali Na’Abba as a man, who cared about unity, peace and progress of Nigeria.
Na’Abba, a former speaker of the House of Representatives, died on Wednesday after a protracted illness.
He represented Kano Municipal Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 1999 to 2003.
Obi said this during a condolence visit to the family members of the late politician on Saturday in Kano.
He described the deceased as a fine gentleman who had made sacrifices for the entrenchment of nascent democracy in the country.
“The late politician was a great and good man who participated in the project of better Nigeria.
“As for the vacuum he left, we strive everyday to fill vacuum left by great men in Nigeria,” he said.
Obi extolled Na’Abba’s qualities, saying the deceased was a parliamentarian par excellence, who promoted and defended legislative independence during his tenure as the speaker of the lower chamber of the National Assembly.
Obi also advocated for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians irrespective of ethnic or religious background.
“I, therefore, want to commiserate with the Na’Abba family, in particular, Kano State and Nigeria.
“I pray to Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannat firdaus.” he said.
Obi is accompanied in the visit by his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed and some party stakeholders.
Mr Na’Abba died in Abuja on Wednesday morning at the age of 65.
He represented Kano Municipal Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 1999 to 2003.(NAN
In a diplomatic engagement aimed at bolstering international cooperation, the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, MON, welcomed a high-level delegation from Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday.
The delegation, led by the Prime Minister of the Goražde Region, Mr. Edin Ćulov, was received at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Abuja.
The visit, as confirmed by Matawalle’s media aide Ahmad Dan-Wudil, marks a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to deepen bilateral ties with global partners who share its commitment to security and sustainable development.
Representatives from Rain Integrated Nigeria Ltd, headed by Alhaji Alhassan, were also present at the meeting, underscoring the involvement of private sector stakeholders in driving international cooperation.
During the engagement, Dr. Matawalle conveyed the unwavering support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for international partnerships that enhance Nigeria’s defence infrastructure and contribute to peace and stability on a regional and global scale.
“Nigeria remains open to strategic collaborations that fortify our national security and promote lasting peace,” the Minister stated, highlighting the government’s intent to foster meaningful alliances with like-minded nations.
The honorable Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing local defence production and military innovation through strategic partnerships with the private sector.
Speaking during a meeting with the leadership of Homeland Protectors and Supplies Ltd, led by Chairman Muhammad Ali bin Aadi, at the Ministry of Defence in Abuja, Matawalle outlined plans for a long-term joint venture between the company and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
The discussions, held at Ship House, focused on capacity-building training and the deployment of advanced technological solutions to strengthen Nigeria’s defence and security framework.
In a statement issued by his Personal Assistant on Media, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, Matawalle emphasised that such collaborations align with the newly enacted DICON Act, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The legislation mandates that all military procurement be channelled through DICON, cementing its pivotal role in Nigeria’s defence industrial ecosystem.
“The Federal Government is dedicated to enhancing indigenous capabilities in defence production,” Matawalle said, underscoring the importance of private sector involvement in achieving these goals.
The partnership is expected to bolster Nigeria’s ability to address security challenges through homegrown solutions, reducing reliance on foreign military imports.
Over 500 anti-corruption lawyers on Wednesday stormed the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) at the Ministry of Justice in Abuja, demanding the immediate probe of Mele Kyari, the erstwhile Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
In a remarkable show of patriotism, the lawyers, under the aegis of the Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law said they are out to rid the nation of corruption especially in the oil industry where Kyari and his allies sold the nation for a piece of porridge.
According to a petition co-signed Barrister Emmanuel Agada and Jonathan Uchendu, the lawyers lamented that Kyari’s leadership of the NNPCL was plagued with countless allegations of corruption, which were allegedly made inevitable by the opaque way he ran the organization.
The lawyers cited the controversy surrounding the rehabilitation and restreaming of government-owned refineries, where billions of dollars were spent, but the figures and facts do not add up.
The petition highlighted the case of Matrix Energy Limited, which allegedly invested $400 million in the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery, even as the Federal Executive Council had approved $1.5 billion for the repairs of the same facility.
The NNPCL is now reportedly owing Matrix Energy more than $2 billion, with the debt being serviced through daily crude oil allocations to Matrix Energy that are not being paid for.
The lawyers demanded that the AGF review all agreements entered into by the NNPCL under Kyari’s administration, launch a fact-finding investigation into the questionable transactions, and institute a commission of inquiry into the NNPCL’s handling of the refineries’ repairs under Kyari.
The protesting lawyers vowed to continue their agitation until Kyari is brought to justice and the truth about the alleged corruption is uncovered.
The petition added: “The Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law strongly believe that getting to the root of this matter will help the Federal Government to account for how public resources were squandered on the controversial refineries’ repairs undertaken under the Kyari leadership.
“In view of the facts stated above, we request that the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation to immediately review all agreements entered by the NNPCL under the Mele Kyari administration.
“An investigation into the questionable transactions would also point the government in the direction of what funds to recover and from whom, which is sorely needed now considering Nigeria’s economic condition.
“Furthermore, investigating all that transpired will set the stage for holding even the current leadership accountable while equally identifying potential pitfalls for those who are now in charge so that Nigeria is not caught in a loop of repeating the same mistakes.
“A fact-finding investigation be launched to ascertain how much the Federal Government has lost to such agreements and recommendations on concrete steps to recover identified funds. We demand for an immediate judicial review of all matters related thereto.
“The Guardians of Democracy And Rule of Law will appreciate it if the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation can escalate the issue to a point where the Federal Government institutes a commission of inquiry into NNPCL’s handling of the refineries’ repairs under Kyari and the sacked board. “
A deputy Director at the office of the AGF, Winifred Adekunle who received the petition promised to deliver it to the Justice minister and assured them that prompt action will be taken.