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The Vindication of Ambassador Buratai – By Best Agbese 

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Buratai

The Vindication of Ambassador Buratai – By Best Agbese 

 

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Just when one thinks that Sahara Reporters is in the process of finding its way to the path of redemption, it comes out to reassert itself as a hate-spewing platform that is committed to reporting Nigeria into destruction by targeting public office holders and attempting to tarnish their image. This is why it is no surprise that Sahara Reporters’ obsession with retired Ambassador Tukur Buratai, Nigeria’s Envoy to the Republic of Benin, is one that defies solutions.

 

 

 

 

The junk online publication’s latest installment in its bash-Buratai obsession was sensationally captioned “EXCLUSIVE: Anti-graft Agency, ICPC Uncovers Billions In Cash Meant For Arms, Ammunition To Fight Boko Haram In Abuja Home Of Ex-Chief Of Army Staff, Buratai.”

Tragically, the piece reads like something mashed together by an amateur fake news purveyor, which means it discredited Sahara Reporters’ credential as Nigeria’s leading platform for sensational fake news by the very fact that the premises on which it wants unsuspecting readers to believe that the sterling general was a thief are tenuous.

For a start, the chances are slim to nonexistent that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) would investigate and find alleged whooping N1.85 billion from any public office holder and not rush to the press to announce its breakthrough. Its sister organization, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently made headlines with arrests relating to thefts of twelve digits sums by public office holders. The natural inter-agencies rivalry would have made the ICPC make a show of its success and it would not defer this responsibility to nameless “multiple sources” for a breakthrough of such magnitude if it were true.

Also, what are the chances that a former Chief of Army Staff would leave such a huge amount of hard cash in a residence and office without posting military guards, which he is entitled to, at the residence or office? Such military guards would have ended up having some sort of confrontation with any invading team, which would have created drama and resulted in sensational and viral multimedia content that would have been more credible than the hogwash delivered by Sahara Reporters.

It is remarkable that “SaharaReporters gathered that the huge cash was part of the billions of naira earmarked for the purchase of arms and ammunition by the Muhammadu Buhari-led government.” Just that Sahara Reporters failed to prove how the theft or loss of this “huge cash” was not flagged by any investigation, audit, or probe that has taken place since Ambassador Buratai left office as Chief of Army Staff and subsequently appointed an envoy.

Comically, Sahara Reporters has another source claiming that there is pressure to report the supposedly recovered money as N30 million. This leaves one wondering if it is possible for any Nigerian to waive N1.8 billion simply because anti-graft agencies discovered the money. Those behind this story are shallow minded and confused to the point of forgetting that even N30 million in cash is already a violation of the Money Laundry Act and as such, admitting to a lesser amount does not in any way mitigate that a crime has been committed. The man they are trying to nail is not known to be irresponsible and could not have willfully violated extant legislation.

Even more nauseating than the attempt to lie about the phantom N1.85 billion is the fraudulent attempt to resurrect malicious lies that had previously been laid to rest. The story revived spurious claims about Buratai and his family owning property in Dubai. Unfortunately for Sahara Reporters, these were manipulated contents that failed in the past simply because Buratai was open about these assets even before detractors tried using them against him. He was also open about the sources of the funds he used to acquire the Dubai property and others. As expected, Sahara Reporters, maybe owing to the mental limitations of those running it, find it difficult to believe that there is money to be made from owning and running a snake farm like Buratai does. But to jump-start their brain, they should refer to an article in ThisDay Newspaper two years ago, “Harnessing Snake Farming as an Antidote.”
That article reported that “Countries like China, Thailand and the US have the largest number of snake farms in the world and snake farm owners can earn as much as $12m (N4,560,000,000) per year.” It is time that Sahara Reporters gives serious thoughts to doing actual research so that it can start believing that people can legitimately earn income, huge income from non-mainstream businesses, like snake farming, which being farming the Constitution allows Ambassador Buratai to engage in even as a public office holder.

However, in this matter, beyond ignorance, Sahara Reporters is equally running errands for certain criminals in the corridors of power. They are dead scared of Buratai for reasons best known to them. These persons have made it a duty to denigrate him on quarterly bases using the same Sahara Reporters. Even if they think they have genuine reasons to hound an upright man in the manner they are doing, to the extent that they are undermining the image of the country, they will all perish in the inferno of the bonfire they lit to roast Buratai because of their blind hatred for an innocent man.

For now, the point is that there was no N1.85 billion found anywhere or linked to Ambassador TY Buratai. If such exists then those whom Sahara Reporters serves with its malicious lies should pressure the ICPC to formally publish the findings, which would never happen because the entire thing is a hoax in the fashion of the destructive publication that Sahara Reporters is.

Agbese is scholar based in Scotland

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Call EFCC to order, Nigeria is not a lawless country – Yahaya Bello Media Office

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Confusion as EFCC names ex-Kogi Gov in amended corruption allegations perpetrated before he became Governor

Call EFCC to order, Nigeria is not a lawless country – Yahaya Bello Media Office

 

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About 9:30 am today, the 17th day of April 2024, persons who described themselves as officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrived the Wuse Zone 4 Residence of His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to effect his arrest.

This is despite a subsisting Order of injunction granted on 9th February 2024 by the High Court of Justice, Lokoja Division in Suit No. HCL/68M/2024 between Alhaji Yahaya Bello v. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, restraining the Commission either by itself or its agents from harassing, arresting, detaining or prosecuting Alhaji Yahaya Bello, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive fundamental rights enforcement action.

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The EFCC was duly served with that Order on 12th February 2024 and on 26th February 2024; the EFCC filed an Appeal (Appeal No.: CA/ABJ/CV/175/2024: Economic and Financial Crimes Commission v. Alhaji Yahaya Bello) against the said Order to the Court of Appeal Abuja division. The Appeal was accompanied by a Motion for Stay of Execution of the Order of the High Court which the Court of Appeal adjourned for hearing till the 22nd day of April 2024.

Furthermore, Judgment in the substantive case between Alhaji Yahaya Bello and the EFCC is to be delivered at 12 Noon today in Lokoja.

Contrary to all of the above, the EFCC has now laid siege to the home of H.E Yahaya Bello seeking to arrest him in contravention of the extant orders!

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It is a surprise that an agency led by a lawyer could flagrantly disobey a subsisting court order by taking actions contrary to the reliefs granted.

We are aware of the total commitment of the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the rule of law and can say categorically that the leadership of the EFCC might have offered the agency on a platter of gold to desperate politicians to convert to their score settling tool without minding the effect on its integrity and the image of Nigeria as regards the rule of law.

A situation where law enforcers disregard the rule of law is a definite recipe for anarchy, which will adversely affect every aspect of the nation’s economy.

Nigerians have perceived the desperation of the anti-graft agency to embarrass and harass the former Governor by all means through spurious allegations, especially the latest one dating back to September 2015, way before he assumed office.
We are aware that there are clandestine moves to correct the error, but with even more questionable allegations, which would embarrass the Commission and Nigeria more than the initial one.
It is unfortunate that an agency that is supposed to enforce the law is now the first culprit with respect to disobedience of court orders.
This is a big dent on the fight against corruption. He who comes to equity must come with clean hands.

We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the EFCC to order in the interest of legal sanity.

MEDIA OFFICE
HE YAHAYA BELLO

 

Call EFCC to order, Nigeria is not a lawless country - Yahaya Bello Media Office

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PRESIDENT TINUBU’S APPOINTEES FROM THE NORTH MUST TAKE A STAND

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PRESIDENT TINUBU’S APPOINTEES FROM THE NORTH MUST TAKE A STAND

Following my position on the recent attack on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by a spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, it has come to my attention that Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed who once served as the Spokesperson of the group and currently a Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Presidency took to his page on it to express a different position.

Dr. Baba-Ahmed declared that my stand against the unjust attack against the new administration of President Tinubu that is working very hard to reposition our country for better as ‘ill-advised’. He suggested I could have done a better job in my defence of the administration where I have the rare honour to serve as a Minister.

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Dr. Baba-Ahmed’s relationship and or affinity with Northern Elders’ Forum is well-known. The fact now is that he is an appointee of the administration as Special Adviser. Any committed official of the administration has a duty to work for the success of the government he is a part of, protect and defend the government against unjust and undue attack from those who hide under ethnic and other primordial interests to heat up the polity.

It is more important to state that every appointee of President Tinubu including Dr. Baba-Ahmed owe the government a duty to promote and advance the good work and commendable efforts of the government across all sectors.
As appointees of the government from the North, we must all take a stand, be unequivocal in our support and work for the success of the administration we are serving. This is not the time to dither and waiver. We must stand up to be counted for the government or take our exit.

Bello Matawalle
Minister of State for Defence

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April 15, 2024

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Sen Moallayidi: The untold story of Adamawa born politician who introduced Facility Management course in ABU By Dr Salihu Mohammed Lawal

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Sen Moallayidi: The untold story of Adamawa born politician who introduced Facility Management course in ABU By Dr Salihu Mohammed Lawal

 

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Sen Moallayidi: The untold story of Adamawa born politician who introduced Facility Management course in ABU

By
Dr Salihu Mohammed Lawal

 

 

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In the different spheres of life there exist quintessential Nigerians who have silently achieved fame and glory without making noise about such feat; rather preferring to remain silent while still creating waves and continuing to bestrode the landscape with ingenuity that breaks new grounds.

 

Sen Moallayidi: The untold story of Adamawa born politician who introduced Facility Management course in ABU

By
Dr Salihu Mohammed Lawal

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Sen. Ahmad Abubakar MoAllahyidi is one of such great Nigerians, who represented Adamawa southern Senatorial District in the Senate between 2015-2019 comes readily to mind. A fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, a Certified Public Private Partnership Professional (IP3,Washington DC) also holds a Facility Management Professional (FMP) of (IFMA,USA). Moallayidi is a 1980 graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours in Quantity Surveying and an Masters Degree in Construction Management.

This amiable gentleman in the year 2010, pioneered the designed and institutionalization of a facility management course in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (ABU). He single handedly served as the sole lecturer for it (Post graduate studies in Facility Management ABU). His pioneering efforts were the basis for having facility management courses in Nigerian Universities.

The None serving Senator is an accomplished professional in managing facilities, resources and humanity is leading the private company called Integrated Facility Management Services Ltd among other endeavors that handled some of the most complex facility management services in Nigeria. These facilities include; Management and improvement of the Abuja International Conference Center (ICC) Management of Eagle Square Abuja Kaduna International Trade & Investment Centre, Kaduna (1997-2010). Murtala Mohammed Square Kaduna,and Nigerian Export and Import Bank, Abuja. He also managed Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) Headquarters & Residential Quarters in Abuja, Presidential Complexes in Lagos (Dodan Barracks and State House, (Marina) and Nigerian Army Strategic Bulk Storage Facility in Enugu.

The Rehabilitation and start-up operations of Health and Medical Industries Jos, a company specializes in the manufacture of cotton wool, bandages and gauge.

MOALLAYIDI AS A MEMBER OF VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND ASSOCIATIONS

Senator Moallayidi is an acumen of managing facilities was the pioneer President of International Facility Management Association in Nigeria (Abuja City-based Chapter) IFMA and is a Fellow Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, a Fellow of Nigerian Institute of Management Consultants (NIMC) and a Fellow Association of Facility Management Practitioners of Nigeria (AFMPN).

He participated in the Technical Committee on Commercialization and Privatization T.C.P.C. that commercialized government companies for improved performance.

This is the highly revered personality that is leading the management of the Abuja International Conference Center as the Managing Director of integrated Facility Management Services Ltd for which he has set an unprecedented record of upgrading the ICC to global standard in the management and improvement contract after the noticeable failure over the years before the coming of IFMSL.

MOALLAYIDI AS A POLITICIAN

The political journey of this personality of unique humble character, Senator MoAllahyidi is a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Legacy Party. He contested and won the Senatorial election and represented Adamawa South Senatorial District and sworn-in as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015. MoAllayidi while in the Senate, he distinguished himself as a vocal Senator in the red chambers and served as a Vice Chairman/Member of various standing and Ad-hoc committees.

Some of the communities is belonged to were; Vice Chairman Committee on Oil & Gas, Vice Chairman Culture and Tourism, Member Banking and Other Financial Institutions, Member Education (Basic & Secondary), Member Legislative Compliance and Member Federal Character and Inter Governmental affairs.

Other committees he belonged to were Member Committee on Bureaus of Public Procurement (BPP), Member ECOWAS Parliament and also held strategic positions where he played critical leadership roles for the APC such as: 2015 Senatorial Candidate (APC), Adamawa Southern Zone, 2014 Secretary APC Reconciliation Committee North Eastern Zone, 2014 Member of APC Congress Committee, Yobe State
(2014).

MoAllayi Joined APC as a result of the merger of CPC, ACN and ANPP (Legacy party) in 2011 Joined CPC and Contested for Adamawa South Senatorial Seat, 2007 he was the Director of Logistics of ANPP Presidential Campaign. While in 2003 the Man MoAllayi was the Director of Logistics ANPP Presidential Campaign.

His political might grew mightier for having a stronger voice for a common Man. in June (2022) the Senator convened the setting up of Arewa New Agenda (ANA) a Pan Northern socio-political organization with the aim and objectives as follows :

Setting up an agenda for the continuing relevance of the North in Nigerian Governance. It is to harmonize and project Northern positions on critical national issues. And to protect Northern interest in the Nigerian Political discourse and evolution.

ANA is an umbrella organization comprising of over 126 network affiliate groups across the 19 Northern States and FCT which Moallayidi became its extended leader as its Patron of Fulbe United for Peace and Development. It’s
the association of over 33,360 Ardos (The Fulbe Umbrella group) leaders across Nigeria.

The distinguished Senator was honored with the respected commander of Nigerian Students (CNS), an award by National Association of Nigerian Student NANS

Dr. Salisu Mohammed Lawal
Writes from Zangon Kataf, Kaduna State
And be reached through this means; emeles20o1@yahoo.com

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