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Tag: Bagudu

  • Gov. Bagudu tasks security on fishing out killers of district head in Kebbi

    Gov. Bagudu tasks security on fishing out killers of district head in Kebbi

    Gov. Abubakar Bagudu has mandated security agencies to immediately fish out the killers of Alhaji Musa Bahago, the District Head of Bajidda in Fakai Local Government Area.

    Alhaji Abubakar Mu’azu-Dakingari, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, made this known in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday.

    The late District Head was brutally killed with a machete on his way from Zuru to Bajidda by unidentified persons on Tuesday.

    Mu’azu-Dakingari said the governor gave the directive in Birnin Kebbi after a condolence visit to the area.

    Bagudu, who was represented by his Deputy, Rtd. Col. Sama’ila Yombe-Dabai, expressed sadness over the incident.

    “Gov. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and indeed Kebbi state government are equally disturbed about the unfortunate event.

    “Consequently, the governor directed security apparatus to be on the offensive to apprehend the culprits and remain proactive against infiltration of bandits into Kebbi from neighbouring states.

    “Atiku-Bagudu offers sincere condolences to the family of the late District Head, the people of Fakai Local Government and Zuru Emirate on the demise of Musa Muhammad Bahago,” he said.

    He reiterated the commitment of the state government to providing desired logistics and necessary material support to security agencies to operate maximally.

    The delegation on the condolence visit also included; the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Babale Umar-Yauri and the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Sulaiman Muhammad-Argungu.

    Others were; Security Adviser to the Governor, Rtd. Maj. Rabiu Garba-Kamba, Permanent Secretary, Careers and Special Services, Safiyanu Garba-Bena, security agencies in the state and other top government functionaries.

  • Gov. Bagudu, Fayemi, others paid ‘thank-you’ visit to Buhari for saving APC from claws of Oshiomhole, Tinubu

    Following the controversial dissolution of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), by President Muhammadu Buhari, some governors who are instrumental to the disbandment of the NWC, paid a thak-you visit to Buhari in Aso Rock on Friday.

    The dissolved NWC was supposedly dominated by loyalists of a National leader of APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ousted party chair, Adams Oshiomhole.

    The Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Atiku Bagudu, on Friday, said the National Executive Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress did no wrong by dissolving the party’s National Working Committee and putting in place a caretaker committee.

    He said Buhari, who is the leader of the party would never do anything that is contrary to the provisions of the party’s constitution.

    The party’s NEC had at a meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday dissolved the NWC and set up a caretaker committee led by the Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Bunu.

    However, 18 members of the dissolved NWC loyal to the party’s sacked national chairman, Oshiomhole, insisted that the NEC meeting where the decision was taken was illegal.

    They said they were consulting their lawyers and other stakeholders on the dissolution and other decisions taken at the meeting.

    After leading APC governors on a “thank you” visit to Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday, Bagudu insisted that the President received due legal advice before he took a position on the crisis that rocked the party.

    When asked for his view on those who were reported to be considering legal action on the matter, the governor of Kebbi State said, “The media says a lot of things, but Mr President is very clear that he received due legal advice.

    “Remember that before the 2019 primaries, Mr President demonstrated to everyone in this country that he will never sacrifice due process for expediency.

    “Even when it was convenient to extend the tenure of the then executive so that we don’t have a convention and primary at the same time, Mr President said ‘no, no matter how tough it is, we are going to do the correct legal thing.’

    “So, Mr President will never do anything which the constitutional provisions of the party, talk less of the country, do not allow him to do.”

    Bagudu said he was at the Presidential Villa with Buni; the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; a member of the Caretaker and Extraordinary National Convention Committee representing the North-Central and Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello; and the Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, to thank Buhari for all he has been doing for the party and the country.

    The governor claimed that media reports on the decisions reached at the NEC meeting indicated that many people were pleased.

    He lauded the present regime’s achievements in the areas of economy, food security, and accountability.

    He said the President was happy that the leadership crisis in the party had been resolved.

  • Coronavirus: Count Kebbi out of governors’ 14 days total lockdown – Bagudu

    Governor Atiku Bagudu declared Thursday that there would be no lockdown in Kebbi state, as agreed by Nigeria Governors Forum.

    Instead, the people would continue to observe all the precautionary measures against COVID-19 pandemic.

    The Governor disclosed this at a meeting with the State Task Force Committee on COVID-19.

    The meeting at Medical Centre Kalgo, was called to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures put in place to check the spread of the coronavirus.

    The Governor commended the task force for living up to expectation.

    Recall that governors under the aegis of NGF agreed to impose a 14-day lockdown in their states, with immediate effect.

    The Kebbi governor was the first to opt out of the idea.

    Bagudu announced that the Federal Government has allocated three truck-load of food items to the state, comprising 2,262 bags of 50kg rice, oil and sugar.

    He also announced that the Minister for Humanitarian Services, Sadiya Umar Farouq would visit to disburse money to vulnerable persons on behalf of the Federal Government.–

  • Abacha loot: FG speaks on plot to pay $100m to Kebbi gov, Bagudu

    Nigeria’s Federal Government has rubbished allegation that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration plans to hand about $100 million the American authorities said was stolen by former dictator, Sani Abacha to Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi state, describing the report as mischievous.

    The government said the allegations were figment of the imagination of mischief makers who are bent on destroying the good efforts of the Federal Government.

    Bloomberg had reported that the U.S. opposed plans by the Buhari government to hand about $100 million of the money to Bagudu.

    It said the disagreement may hamper future cooperation between the two nations to recover state money moved offshore by Abacha, who Transparency International estimates may have looted as much as $5 billion during his 1993-98 rule.

    The U.S. Department of Justice accused Bagudu of being involved in corruption with Abacha.

    The DoJ also contends that the Nigerian government is hindering U.S. efforts to recover allegedly laundered money it said it has traced to Bagudu.

    However, Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami said on Saturday in a statement that “The story regarding paying a Governor certain amount of the repatriated Abacha loot is unfounded and baseless. It is only a fiction and figment of the imagination of mischief makers who are bent on destroying the good efforts of the FG.”

    Malami, in the statement issued by Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations,
    Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, described the report as baseless and untrue.

    “Nigeria is also cooperating with the United States in the recovery of several other assets including corruption proceeds linked to former Petroleum Minister Deziani Alison-Madueke and her associates, and former Governor James Ibori as well as several others.

    “The 2020 Agreement which will be managed by Nigeria’s Sovereign Investment Authority, will also be monitored by civil society organizations and will be used to support the completion of critical road infrastructures, namely Abuja to Kano Road, Second Niger Bridge and the Lagos to Ibadan Expressway. These projects will support socioeconomic development across the country,” Malami said.

    The statement added that the 2017 repatriated funds were deployed to the implementation of the National Social Investment programme and was being monitored by civil society organizations across the country.

    “The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has engaged and continued to engage with international partners, including the USA, in the recovery and return to Nigeria of stolen assets. Nigeria and the USA are continually cooperating in the recovery and return of those assets,” he added.

  • Banditry: Kebbi govt. to sustain welfare of soldiers families

    Banditry: Kebbi govt. to sustain welfare of soldiers families

    Kebbi Government says it will continue to support families of soldiers engaged in various security operations including fight against banditry and insurgency in the state.
    Gov. Atiku Bagudu made this known while addressing Muslim faithful at the Duku Barrack’s Juma’at Mosque, Birnin Kebbi on Friday.
    The governor observed the Friday prayer at the mosque along with his Deputy, Alhaji Samaila Yombe, Chief of Staff, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammad, former House of Representatives member, Alhaji Bello Dantani and retired Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Abubakar Shatiman- Gwandu.
    Bagudu expressed appreciation to the soldiers for their sacrifices, gallantry and love for the nation, while leaving their families behind to secure peace and unity for Nigeria.
    In his sermon, Chief Imam of the Barrack, Capt. Tukur Hamisu admonished Muslims to always be God fearing and adhere to Islamic injunctions.
    Hamish thanked the governor for rehabilitating the mosque and Islamiyya school in the barracks and his benevolence to families of soldiers.
    The chief Imam prayed for Allah’s guidance on President Muhammadu Buhari, Governors, Military leadership, soldiers at war fronts as well as for peace and prosperity in the nation.
    Also in attendance were Prof. Muhammad Gulma, Alhaji Usman Bakore and the Commanding Officer of the Battalion, Maj. Mohammad AbdulKarim.
    Before his departure, Bagudu also visited the Computer Centre at the Islamiyya school in the barracks where he operated one of the softwares to ascertain its efficiency.
    The governor, however, directed the Ministry for Basic and Secondary Education to acquaint the students with the facility and install necessary information on WAEC, NECO and JAMB to provide access to users on all subjects before examination.
  • US attacks Buhari over alleged plans to ‘settle’ Kebbi gov $100m out of Abacha loot

    US attacks Buhari over alleged plans to ‘settle’ Kebbi gov $100m out of Abacha loot

    The U.S.has opposed plans by the Buhari government to hand about $100 million the American authorities said was stolen by former dictator Sani Abacha to Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi state.

    According to Bloomberg, the disagreement may hamper future cooperation between the two nations to recover state money moved offshore by Abacha, who Transparency International estimates may have looted as much as $5 billion during his 1993-98 rule.

    A commitment by Nigeria to transfer the funds to Bagudu appears to undermine Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s pledge to quell rampant graft in Nigeria.

    The U.S. Department of Justice accused Bagudu of being involved in corruption with Abacha.

    The DoJ also contends that the Nigerian government is hindering U.S. efforts to recover allegedly laundered money it said it has traced to Bagudu.

    Buhari’s administration in response said a 17-year-old agreement between Bagudu and the Obasanjo administration entitles Bagudu to the funds and prevents Nigeria from assisting the U.S., according to recent filings from the District Court for the District of Columbia in Washington.

    “This case illustrates how complex and contentious repatriating stolen assets to Nigeria can be,” said Matthew Page, an associate fellow at London-based Chatham House and former Nigeria expert for U.S. intelligence agencies. “Instead of welcoming U.S. efforts, Nigeria’s lawyers appear to be supporting the interests of one of the country’s most powerful families.”

    Neither Bagudu nor a spokesman for Attorney General Abubakar Malami responded to requests for comment. A spokesman for Buhari said the settlement and the litigation were matters for Malami. A spokesman for the DoJ declined to comment.

    Successive Nigerian governments have sought to recoup the money looted by Abacha, who died in office, and have so far repatriated more than $2 billion with the cooperation of other countries, according to U.S. court filings.

    In the case involving Bagudu, the U.S. in 2013 initiated a forfeiture action against a host of assets, including four investment portfolios held in London in trust for him and his family, according to the district court filings.

    The DoJ said in a Feb. 3 statement that Bagudu, 58, was part of a network controlled by Abacha that “embezzled, misappropriated and extorted billions from the government of Nigeria.” Bagudu is the chairman of an influential body of governors representing the ruling All Progressives Congress.

    Despite the forfeiture action being initiated following a Nigerian state request in 2012, Buhari’s government now says it can’t assist the U.S. because it’s bound by a settlement Bagudu reached with the administration of then-President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2003, according to the court filings.

    Under the terms of that accord, which was approved by a U.K. court, Bagudu returned $163 million of allegedly laundered money to the Nigerian authorities, which in exchange dropped all outstanding civil and criminal claims against him “stemming from his involvement in government corruption,” according to a Dec. 23 memorandum opinion by District Judge John D. Bates in Washington D.C.

    That meant “Nigeria renounced any interest whatsoever” in Bagudu’s trust assets, including those the U.S. is attempting to recover for the West African nation, the opinion stated.

    Bagudu was able to return to Nigeria after concluding the settlement and was elected as a senator in 2009. Six years later, he was voted in as Kebbi’s governor in elections that brought Buhari and his party to power.

    Investment Portfolios

    After Bagudu successfully sued Nigeria for violating the 2003 settlement, Buhari’s administration reached a new agreement with him in October 2018, according to the court filings. That would result in the transfer of ownership of the investment portfolios, worth 141 million euros ($155 million) to the Nigerian state, which would then pay 98.5 million euros to Bagudu and his affiliates, according to Bates’ Dec. 23 opinion. The funds are currently restrained by the U.K. at the request of the U.S.

    Nigeria’s government claims the updated 2018 agreement with the Kebbi governor, which requires court approval in the U.K., will “curtail and mitigate its looming exposure” from the judgment in Bagudu’s favour.

    Buhari’s administration submitted the 2018 deal to the U.K. court in September to support its application to unfreeze the assets so they can be sent to Nigeria, according to the opinion. The court has yet to make a decision.

  • Kebbi guber: Tribunal dismisses petition challenging Bagudu’s victory

    The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Birnin-Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital on Monday dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu in the last 2019 governorship Election.
    In the ruling, the Tribunal Chairman, Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu leading other two Justices affirmed that the petition of the PDP lacked all necessary evidence that can portray the election as full of irregularities and election malpractices as claimed by the PDP and its candidate, Senator Isa Galaudu.
    Justice Amina Aliyu, therefore, submitted that the case is therefore struck out for lacking merit.
    Reacting to the judgement, Counsel to Governor Bagudu and the APC, Yakubu Maikiyau SAN, told newsmen in an interview that the pronouncement by the Tribunal Justices was in order in its entirety, adding that himself and his team of Lawyers feel great and good.
    Maikyau, however, said that in case the PDP feels dissatisfies with the judgement and headed for the Appeal Court, they would not be distracted but follow them accordingly.
    He pointed out that to challenge the decisions of the Tribunal at the Appellate Court is a fundamental right of anybody.

  • Buhari condoles with Bagudu over brother, others death

    President Muhammad Buhari on Saturday condoled with Gov. Abubakar Bagudu and people of Kebbi state over the death of the governor’s younger brother, Alhaji Faruk Bagudu.

    He also condoled Bagudu on the demise of Alhaji Bala Sakaba who was the former Secretary to the State Government and Alhaji Muhammad Danteni who was a member, House of Representative, representing Shanga, Yauri, Ngaski federal constituency.

    The federal government delegation to the governor, led by the Interior Minister Abdulrahaman Dambazau, included FCT Minister Musa Bello and Justice Minister Abubakar Malami.

    Dambazau said: ”President Buhari extends his condolence to the people of the state and Governor Bagudu over the death of his younger brother Alhaji Faruk Bagudu and other elderly statemen, Alhaji Bala Sakaba and Alhaji Muhammad Dantani.

    “Mr President is supposed to be here but due to national issues and commitments, he could not make it; that is why he delegated us to be here on his behalf,” he said.

    Dambazau added that the incident was a great loss to the nation, the state and the families of the bereaved, praying that the souls of the departed rest in peace.

    Bagudu thanked the Presidential delegations, and prayed to God to grant Buhari long life and good health as well as peace and unity in the country.

  • Bagudu’s wife, Zainab bags NMA merit award [Photos]

    Bagudu’s wife, Zainab bags NMA merit award [Photos]

    The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) on Saturday bestowed a merit of honour on a doctor colleague, the wife of the Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu.

    The award was presented to her by the outgone President of NMA, Mike Ozovehe Ogirima at the 58th annual general meeting held at the international conference centre (ICC), Abuja.

    It was gathered that Bagudu was honoured due to her advocacy for women’s health with major interest in cancer care, establishment of the first high tech radio-diagnostic centre in Abuja and subsequently the medical cancer foundation known for creating awareness, funding diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients in Nigeria.

    As a champion of girl child education in Kebbi State, Bagudu also mentored and sponsored various school programs such as voices for girl child, nursing education, school health clubs with concentration on cancer and sickle cell, menstrual health, VVF, drugs abuse and creative writing.

    She also fast tracked the implementation of the CONMESS salary scale for the first time in Kebbi State which worked on with the state NMA.

    Receiving the award, Bagudu said despite a resolve to discourage awards, she did not hesitate when the highest body of her profession deemed her fit. She expressed gratitude to her husband, her family, the health team in Kebbi, the Medicaid family and the NMA.

    She stated her commitment to continue team work with the Kebbi State health professionals to improve poor indices of the state. Finally, She called on doctors to actively seek political platforms so that they can be a part of policy making at higher levels promising to support those who wish to do so in her locality.

    Bagudu's wife, Zainab bags NMA merit award [Photos]

    Recall that the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osibajo and Senate President, Bukola Saraki had earlier in the week given assurance that the law stating 1% of the Consolidated Revenue Fund is set aside for Primary Healthcare in Nigeria would be adhered to.

    Established in 1951, the Nigerian Medical Association is the largest medical association in the West African sub-region with over 40,000 members from 36 states and about 19,000 in Diaspora.

    It’s membership spans six major specialties of Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Public Health and Laboratory Medicine/Pathology.

  • OBJ@81: My parents didn’t wait to see the results of their sacrifices – Obasanjo

    OBJ@81: My parents didn’t wait to see the results of their sacrifices – Obasanjo

    Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, disclosed that his major regret in life is that his parents left too early in life without reaping from the fruits of their sacrifices in his life.

    The two-time Nigerian leader who is marking his 81st birthday, said the early death of his parents and their failure to enjoy the fruits of the sacrifice they made while raising him continues to make him sad.

    He made the disclosure at a ceremony to mark his birthday at Marque Events Centre located within the premises of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.

    Obasanjo said he wished his parents lived long to witness his success in life.

    “One thing I always miss and remember is that my parents left this world too early. The sacrifice they made, they did not wait to see the results. How I wish they had waited to see and eat fruits of their labour,’ Obasanjo said.

    The former president, however, said he draws consolation from the Yoruba belief that the dead always look behind to see happenings after them on earth.

    With that belief, he said he was sure his late parents would still be happy in their graves even now.

    “But going by what Yoruba believe and say, that the dead always watch over their beloved ones and see happenings around them, I am convinced that my parents are happy in their graves, as they watch over me,” he said.

    On his birthday, Mr. Obasanjo said he would continue to appreciate, praise adore and worship God, just as he admitted that all those who worked and are still working with him are loyal.

    He expressed his appreciation to his aides and workers. Obasanjo said his success would not be without their commitment and loyalty.

    He advised people to serve humanity, noting that it is when humanity is serve that one can serve God.

    He said he did not believe that God has created a bad situation for Nigeria, or in any particularly country in Africa.

    “We must be able to serve humanity, if we can’t serve humanity, we can’t serve God. I do not believe God had created bad situation for Nigeria, or any particular country in Africa. If things are not going right, we must blame ourselves,” he said.

    The former president urged Nigerians to take seriously governance and moral values among other things to get things right in the country.