TheNewsGuru

Tag: Daura

  • Buhari reunites with primary, secondary school classmates

    Buhari reunites with primary, secondary school classmates

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Daura, Katsina State, had an emotional reunion with his primary and secondary school classmates coming to pay homage to him to mark the Sallah celebrations.

    The President inquired about each individual’s wellbeing, their health and wellbeing of their family members.

    A Statement by the President’s spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, said president and his classmates prayed for the repose of those that died between last year, when they last met and this year.

    Buhari expressed his joy and happiness for the meeting, saying he got the same feeling that he used to have when they were young.

    The president and classmates also chatted for a while, talked about the school days and shared a lot of memories.

    He thanked the schoolmates for their respect and feelings for him which they have retained for all the time.

    The leader of the class association, Sen. Abba Ali, commended the sacrifices the president had been making and urged him to maintain focus on the nation which he said was more important than all else.

    The presidential aide revealed that the classmates presented a gift to the President and joined him in a memorable group photograph.

  • There was a Nigeria – By Owei Lakemfa

    There was a Nigeria – By Owei Lakemfa

    It was one of the sad days that reminded Nigerians the deep trouble to which they have been led. Tuesday, July 5, 2022. On that day, a convoy of presidential vehicles conveying the advance team of  military, presidential guards, media and protocol officers was on its way to Daura, the home town of President Muhammadu Buhari when it was “ambushed” by bandits.

    The convoy extricated itself and went on to its destination. A number of questions arise. Why would such a team travel four days ahead of the Sallah holidays the President was going to celebrate? Who pays for their upkeep and travel allowances? It might be understandable that security men were going to join the presidential team permanently on ground in Daura, but deploying media officers four days before a private celebration, surely is wasteful.

    But that is not the main  issue here; what is primary is: what did the convoy do after escaping the so- called ambush? Did it take the civilians in the convoy to a safe distance and return to fight the bandits? If it had insufficient men and arms at that point, did it call for back up? Did it make sense that the presidential convoy went on its way while hapless, unarmed Nigerians were left at the mercy of those bandits to be killed, kidnapped and extorted?

    Nigerians have always known that the Buhari government has abandoned them to their own fate. But that was not all for that day. At about 10pm, groups of armed terrorists marched undetected to the Kuje Correctional Centre, blew up the wall and operated for two hours with little challenge. They had enough time to call out their members from the cells, preach to the frightened inmates, distribute money for detainees to transport themselves and then set the facility on fire.

    A total of 879 inmates were freed, four died in the attack, while 16 sustained injuries. A security personnel is known to have died in the attack. It is not clear who killed the inmates or how they died as they were not the targets of the  terrorists. For the terrorists, it was mission accomplished as they successfully freed their 64 members held in the facility, carried out serious damage and inflicted a deep wound in the psyche of the country.

    It was a general assumption that the correctional facility which housed high profile detainees would be a target of the terrorists and, apparently, measures were put in place to defend it.

    Interior Minister, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in assessing the attack, lamented: “I am disappointed by the level of defence by the team that was deployed here to protect the facility. We had enough officers and men to protect this facility but unfortunately, they could not hold their grounds effectively and that was the reason for the breach. Otherwise, the facility itself is a world class custodial centre…Kuje is the most fortified in the country, if fortification for security is the determinant of whether it is medium or maximum; it is medium by size but maximum by the security being put there. We have a platoon of soldiers deployed here. We have the high grade of military and police and other security forces deployment for protection but strangely something happened most of which I cannot say on camera.”

    So what happened? Apparently the bulk of the security forces on ground either ran away or lied low for the insurgents to complete their mission. It should also be noted that Kuje is within reach of various security formations, including army, immigration and prison barracks, and the whole security system  at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. So, why no immediate coordinated response? The answer may partly lie in the lack of commitment, motivation and readiness of the security forces to sacrifice for the country.

    The next day, President Buhari, on his way out of the country to participate in a development conference in Dakar, stopped over for 30 minutes to examine the wreckage of the prison.  Some felt that with the brazenness of the attacks that day, the killing of 30 soldiers and seven policemen at Shiroro three days earlier and growing  insecurity, Buhari should have stayed on in the country to personally handle an emergency. This is more so when in June  he travelled out four times paying visits to Spain and Portugal, and attending the Commonwealth meeting in Kigali.

    But the Presidency has a different view. It argued that “governments don’t stop working because nations face terrorist threats”. I am not sure the import of this as Buhari sitting down to tackle an emergency situation would have shown government is truly working. However, the Buhari government was adamant about his Dakar trip, arguing that: “To cancel the trip to Senegal would mean that the terrorists are successful in calling the shots, something that no responsible government in the world will allow.”

    I agree; more so when the security problem has spun out of hand. If President Buhari were to face the security challenges, the ‘international President’ would have no time jetting across the world.

    But Nigeria has not always been like this. There was a Nigeria when there was peace. When a citizen’s religion, region or ethnicity was not a determinant factor. A Nigeria in which citizens travelled at any time, anywhere without fear. That was a pre-December 31, 1983 Nigeria before the military seized power from  the Shagari presidency and pushed the country down the slope. Three regimes were responsible for driving Nigeria into this valley of lawlessness.

    The first is the Buhari military regime which imposed impunity, rule of might, ousting the jurisdiction of the courts, imposing retroactive laws, repression of the media, students and social activists and carrying out the mass sack of workers. A palace coup in August 1985 saw its replacement by the Babangida regime which continued the backward policies of Buhari while introducing its own dimension which included ruinous economic measures under the IMF-imposed Structural Adjustment Programme, SAP; theft of public wealth in the guise of privatisation and the private ownership of the public treasury.  We were yet to recover from  these disasters when  the mindless Abacha regime surfaced to reinforce the misrule while adding its  killer squad signature.

    The country was further degraded by the rise of contemporary terrorism in which local and international terrorists contest for space and power with the state. With the current Buhari government unable to defend its armed convoys, correctional centres and  territorial space, the calls even by governors and the clergy for self-defence, is not out of place. Indeed, we cannot continue with a situation where the only two armed groups in the country are the government and the criminals while the populace is game.

  • I’ll retire to Daura; I have a better house in Kaduna, but it’s too close to Abuja – Buhari

    I’ll retire to Daura; I have a better house in Kaduna, but it’s too close to Abuja – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said he would retire to Daura, his country home in Katsina State, following the end of his tenure as Nigeria’s president in 2023.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Buhari made this known when some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), legislators and political leaders paid him Sallah homage in Daura on Monday.

    Buhari, who said he has a better house in Kaduna State, disclosed that it was too close to Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT).

    “In ten to eleven months’ time, I will come here. I have a better house in Kaduna, but it is too close to Abuja,’’ he said.

    The President told the governors and political leaders that he had not been to his house in Daura for close to a year due to the demands of office.

    “The observation that I abandoned my base was made by the Emir of Daura, Dr Faruk Umar Faruk, at the eid prayer ground.

    “He held the microphone and told everyone that the last time I was in Daura was during the Eid-el-Kabir of 2021,” he added.

    The President explained that the schedule of work was much, saying he recently had to sympathise with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, who had to be away most of the time from his family.

    The President said relative to the resources available, and compared to the last administration, the government had done well in many areas, particularly in infrastructure.

    “I wish the person who is coming after me the very best,” he said.

    On the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the president called on the striking lecturers to reconsider their position and end the prolonged strike.

    Buhari said the strike had already taken a toll on the psychology of parents, students and other stakeholders, throwing up many moral issues that already beg for attention.

    He noted that the future of the country rests on the quality of educational institutions and education while assuring that the government understands their position, and negotiations should continue, with students in lecture halls.

    “We hope that ASUU will sympathise with the people on the prolonged strike. Truly, enough is enough for keeping students at home. Don’t hurt the next generation for goodness sake,” he said.

    The President called on all well meaning Nigerians, particularly those close to the leaders and members of the association, to intervene in persuading the lecturers to reconsider their position, and the ripple effect on an entire generation and the nation.

    President Buhari said students from Nigerian universities will be faced with the challenge of competing with others in a highly connected and technology-driven work space, and keeping them at home only deprives them of time, skill and opportunities to be relevant on the global stage.

    “Colonial type education was geared towards producing workers in government. Those jobs are no longer there. Our young people should get education to prepare them for self-employment. Now education is for the sake of education.

    “Through technology we are much more efficient. We should encourage our children to get education, not only to look for government jobs,” he added.

    President Buhari said resources should be channeled more into building infrastructure and operations of the health and educational sector, not to expand the bureaucracy to create job opportunities.

    “By this time next year, I would have made the most out of the two terms, and the remaining months I will do my best,” the President noted.

    President Buhari urged those in political positions and places of privilege to be mindful in helping the many Nigerians that were looking for opportunities.

    “If you are greedy, you won’t look around to see what is happening with those who are less endowed,’’ he said.

    President Buhari urged the APC stalwarts to keep working for the good of the people and the country, noting that “ We are a lucky people, and we need to reflect more on where we are coming from.”

    The President said relative to the resources available, and compared to the last administration, the government had done well in many areas, particularly in infrastructure.

    “I wish the person who is coming after me the very best,” he said.

    On security, the President said the North West had posed more challenges, and some success had been recorded in other regions, North East and South South.

    President Buhari advised some indigenes in the South South to stop hurting national assets, which also affect their livelihood.

    “I am eager to go. I can tell you it has been tough. I am grateful to God that people appreciate the personal sacrifices we have been making,” he added.

    In his remarks at the meeting, the chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, thanked the President for his leadership roles in improving the economy of the nation and the many successes recorded at the APC, which include two conventions to produce the party leadership and  the presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    “We will work hard to ensure the success of our party. We have reasons to work very hard,” he added.

    Bagudu, who is the Governor of Kebbi State, said the favorable seasons supported the vision of ensuring food production and making agriculture a priority, with clear results in rice pyramids in various states.

    “In spite of the attacks by the renegades, our country remains self-sufficient in food production. We have seen investments that were not there before you came into power.

    “Not less than 20 states now have agriculture process zones. We have rice pyramid in Ekiti, Gombe and Niger, while maize pyramids were revived in Katsina and Kano states,” he said.

    He said more than 54 rice meals were commissioned in various states, and 57 fertiliser plants were revived, or built afresh.

    “All these were achieved because of your commitment and patriotism,” the governor told the President.

    Bagudu also appreciated the President for providing ease of access to governors and political leaders, noting that the opening of the National Economic Council for more fluid exchange of ideas greatly helped in improving the economy.

    APC Governors at the lunch with the President; Katsina State, Rt Hon. Aminu Bello Masari, Kaduna State, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello, Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Ekiti State, Dr Fayemi Kayode, Plateau State, Simon Lalong and Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

  • President Buhari arrives Daura for sallah celebrations

    President Buhari arrives Daura for sallah celebrations

    President Muhammadu Buhari arrived at his country home, Daura, in Katsina State, for the Eid-el- Kabir, on Friday evening.

    Buhari flew into the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport, Katsina before a helicopter ferried him to his hometown in Daura.

    He arrived in Daura a few minutes to six in the evening to the warm embrace of the Emir, Alhaji Faruq Umar, and other important dignitaries in the town.

    According to sources, the President would be in Daura throughout the Sallah period where he is expected to join his kinsmen in celebrating the Sallah.

    He is also expected to use the Sallah vacation to attend to private matters.

  • Tinubu Goes to London, Amaechi Goes to Daura – By Mideno Bayagbon

    Tinubu Goes to London, Amaechi Goes to Daura – By Mideno Bayagbon

    By Mideno Bayagbon

    (mideno@thenewsguru.ng)

    As political symbolism goes, last week was an interesting moment for watchers of the political race for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC. Two distinct journeys by two gladiators of the APC for the presidential slot, arrested the national attention. First to go was the self acclaimed National Leader of the party, the one we all call either Jagaban or Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu. He embarked on a one week or so journey to the United Kingdom in what his traducers quickly ascribed to seeking further medical help, in their words, for his failing and not very sound health.

    Most commentators, of the gang of those opposed to his ambition, described the trip as yet another medical tourism. Unwittingly, the media and Alhaji Tinubu’s opponent sold the image of a Tinubu that is not strong enough, well enough, and young enough to withstand the strenuous rigours of campaigning, and replacing the Chief Medical Tourist of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    As symbols go, the impression sold is that we are in the process of replacing one sick president with another one, should Tinubu succeed in plotting his way to the presidency. Can Nigeria afford another eight years of a President who will make London, and Europe his second home, in quest of medical attention? That was the question they wanted ordinary Nigerians to ponder about.

    Not so, his handlers quickly reassured their teeming supporters. The Asiwaju’s London trip, they informed is to consult with political groups and supporters in the United Kingdom, and indeed Europe. This, they say, is in furtherance of his quest to clinch the presidential ticket of the APC. Specifically, his media aide, Tunde Rahman affirmed that his principal was in the UK to hold meetings with the UK branch of the APC. But whether it was programmed to last no more than ten days, or exigencies of the times warranted it, the Jagaban, arrived back to Nigeria Sunday night to a well manicured reception and media fest.

    In the same week, Transportation Minister, the one his admirers call the Lion of Ubima, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, symbolically contested for our attention. He, too, flooded the media space with the news of his turbaning as the Dan Amanar Daura. The title, in English, translates as the Trusted Son of Daura. His supporter of course made a national mince meat of the event, using the occasion as a subtle avenue to showcase the intention and popularity of the minister in the APC. It appeared a prelude to an envisaged expected outcome: the formal declaration of the minister to contest for the flag of the APC in the Presidential race.

    A lot of political and self serving noise flooded the national space. The newspapers, radio, television, and the social media were heavily bombarded with the story and trending photographs of Rotimi Amaechi dressed in different regalia of the proposed turbaning. Musical tracks, in Hausa, eulogising the former Governor of Rivers State, were hurriedly recorded and enjoyed massive airplay. The installation eventually held last Saturday in Daura to a tumultuous crowd of well wishers from all over the country.

    Some have asked if I was there. No, I wasn’t. I was neither invited nor even wished to go. For as with the recent turbaning of the son of the President, there was no way a reporter, even if he could muster a private jet, could be accorded an array of security forces to ensure a smooth trip. For, let us not forget, the President’s home state, like most states in the country wracked by insecurity, is not one to just casually visit. Only the foolishly brave dare embark on such journeys; especially now, in that part of the country.

    Let us assume that the reader just landed from outer space and is curious to know why an otherwise ordinary chieftaincy title grabbed the national attention like that of Rotimi Amaechi did. Still out of curiosity, he/she may ask why his friends, most of them new found, were so ecstatic about a South South, Igbo man, being turbaned as the Trusted Son of a far away emirate. What is the import of a serving minister, in an outgoing regime, being selected and singled out for such honour? Whose imprimatur is veiled behind , whose is the unseen hands?

    Shockingly, the answer is simple. I don’t know how many people remember Alhaji Isiaka Adeleke, the late former governor of Osun state who was famously hailed as Serubawon, or what we describe in Waffi pidgin lingo as Panic Them. My one kobo is that this is a positioning event. It is symbolic that it is the President’s emir who conferred it. It is sending shivers down the spine of rival camps.

    Though he is yet to formally declare his interest in running for the office of the President, friends, probably have read his body language. They know it is now a matter of time before he jumps into the fray. And there is no hiding it after this, He, Rotimi Amaechi, is running for the presidency of the country. He will do so under the APC. The Daura event is to send warning signals. It is designed to awe. It is a Panic Them strategy.

    As all close watchers of the political game in the ruling APC know, the real fight is between the Tinubu group and the Amaechi tendencies in the party. The slugfest will fully manifest next month when both camps come out in their true colours to try and take control of who get elected as members of the National Executives of the party. As we know, the long postponed convention of the party is scheduled for March. That is where the real symbols will unravel.

    If current readings of events in the party are anything to go by, it will be a bruising fight. The Jagaban could be in for a shock.

  • Daura indigenes hail Amaechi’s chieftaincy title

    Daura indigenes hail Amaechi’s chieftaincy title

    Daura indigenes living in Kaduna state have described the chieftaincy title conferred on Transport Minister, Rotimi Amechi,“Dan Amana ” as a unifying factor among Nigerians.

    The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk, on Feb. 5, turbaned Amaechi as ‘Dan Amanar Daura (Trusted one).

    Some of the indigenes on Monday, in Kaduna, commended the Emir of Daura for honouring the minister.

    Alhaji Sani Dan-Daura, a business man, said“ the honour is well deserved by a hardworking and active minister’’.

    “Amaechi is among the performing ministers, working towards President Buhari’s vision of transforming Nigeria, by connecting rail line and roads across the country,’’ he said.

    Ibrahim Lawal Daura said Amaechi was conferred with different chieftaincy titles in Igbo land that showed he was indeed a detribalized person and loved by the people.

    According to him, the conferment of the chieftaincy title on the minister, who hailed from South- South, symbolized unity and cordial relationship between the north and south.

    “Amaechi took the University of Transportation to Daura, people from all the regions can gain admission and study’’, he said.

    Sheikh Ishaq Abdulmalik, a cleric, based in Kaduna, said “Amaechi did very well when he was the governor of Rivers state. Daura indigenes acknowledged these good works and he was rewarded.

    Barr. Muhammad Mustapha, a legal practitioner, said the title was another testimony and recognition of the minister’s achievements over the years, and his vision of building bridges between various parts of the country.

    “It is no doubt that Amaechi has exhibited uncommon patriotism and passion on delivering President Buhari’s mandate of reviving the nation’s rail system, ” he said.

  • Buhari congratulates Amaechi on Daura chieftaincy title

    Buhari congratulates Amaechi on Daura chieftaincy title

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on the conferment of the title of “Dan Amana,” (the trusted one) on him by the Daura Emirate Council.

    The president’s congratulatory message is contained in a statement issued by one of his media aides, Malam Garba Shehu, on Friday in Abuja.

    He described the conferment of the title on Amaechi as a clear commitment to the harmonious relationship between the nation’s diverse cultures.

    He commended the Minister “for working with enormous energy to make the CHANGE we promised Nigerians a reality,” noting that “the change we are witnessing in the transport sector is an extraordinary legacy.”

    He also congratulated a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and two-time Director-General of his election campaigns, Malam Nasiru Danu, on the conferment of a chieftaincy title on him by the Daura Emirate Council.

    Danu is being turbaned as Tafida Babba of Daura on Saturday.

    The statement said the President had designated a delegation of three, made up of the Ministers of Water Resources, Sulaiman Adamu, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika and the Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) Garba Shehu to represent him at the event.

  • Amaechi bags traditional title from Daura, to be turbaned Feb. 5

    Amaechi bags traditional title from Daura, to be turbaned Feb. 5

    Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, will be turbaned as Dan Amanar Daura (Trusted Son of Daura), on Feb. 5, in recognition of his contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.
    The Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Mr Eric Ojiekwe, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
    He said Amaechi will be honoured, especially for his effort in bringing to life the rail sector that has been moribund for over three decades.
    He said the turbaning ceremony would be performed by the Emir of Daura, Dr Umar Farouk Umar, at the Emir’s Palace in Daura, Kastina State, by 11:00 am.
    ”The highlight of the occasion will be a royal durbar in honour of the Minister and invited dignitaries,” he added.
  • I can visit Daura every two weeks and no one can stop me – Buhari

    I can visit Daura every two weeks and no one can stop me – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has urged businessmen and contractors that benefit from government patronage to give back to the society by engaging in Corporate Social Responsibility.

     

    The president, according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, stated during a visit to the Emir of Daura, Dr Umar Faruk Umar, at his Palace, in Daura on Friday.

     

    “We don’t want cheques from anyone or organisation as returns or influence of any kind. Let them remember their Corporate Social Responsibilities,” he said.

     

    He noted that he would love to visit Daura more frequently, but for the high cost of presidential movements and exposing security personnel to the weather, assuring that his heart remains with the people.

     

    “We are known for farming and I have my farm here. I could come every two weeks and no one can stop me. But the cost to the movement is high.

     

    ”I would rather that it be used to better our schools, clinics and hospitals,” he said.

     

    The president said the grace of God had kept Nigeria together as a country in spite of differences that led to a 30 months civil war.

     

    “We want to thank God always for keeping us together as a country.

     

    ”From January 15, 1966, the country was thrown into political crisis. We had a 30 months civil war that resulted in the loss of about a million lives.

     

    “We still thank God for keeping us together. We remain grateful to all those who showed interest in our unity and progress. May God continue to bless them,” he added.

     

    The president, who recalled fond memories of visiting the Palace as a military Head of State, expressed happiness that the warmth and hospitality of the traditional institution had been sustained over the years.

     

    In his remarks, the Emir of Daura, thanked the president for always creating time to visit his hometown and the palace in spite of the tight schedule.

     

    “Your visit to Daura reflects your good character which we are very proud of.

     

    ”I can assure you that men, women, children, marketers and artisans are always pleased to receive you and they will be praying for you.

     

    “Today is not for speeches but for appreciation. We have been blessed so much as a community because you are the leader of the country. You have brought honour to our domain.

     

    ”As a community, we have benefited a lot with increased traffic of people and organisations coming to help us here. We know it’s because of you.

     

    “May the good Lord always go before you and behind you, and remove all obstacles from your path,” he added.

     

    The Emir said the President must remain focused in getting results particularly in securing the country.

     

    “Nigeria is lucky to have you at this time. I am not saying it to please you, but if you had not been in power it would have been very difficult. I doubt if we will be here today,” he added.

     

    At the meeting, the Emir publicly announced conferment of the title of Talban Daura on Yusuf Buhari, son of President Buhari.

     

    He said a date would be announced for the turbaning ceremony of the President’s son.

     

    The Emir also announced creation of a District in the community of the president, with headquarters in Dimurkol.

     

    He said the turbaning of young Buhari and creation of the district was to further extend and deepen the long relationship between the Palace and the family.

     

    He said the decision was in agreement with the kingmakers in Daura Emirate Council.

     

    During the visit, the Palace used the opportunity to clarify the difference between two titles, Talban Hausa, given to Alpha Conde, the President of Guinea and Talban Daura designated for Yusuf, the president’s son.

     

    The palace explained that Daura, as the linchpin of the Hausa society had conferred ”titles that have bearing on the Hausa Kingdom and those that are specific to the Emirate.”

  • Buhari departs Daura for Abuja

    Buhari departs Daura for Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari is on his way to Abuja after spending eight days in his country home, Daura Katsina State.

    Before his departure at about 4:00 pm on Friday, the president received the guard of honour from troops of the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force operating under the 17 brigade and 213 Forward Operating Base respectively.

    The State Governor, Aminu Masari, his deputy, Mannir Yakubu, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Tasiu Maigari and other top government functionaries including well-meaning citizens in the state amidst tight security personnel were on the ground at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport to bid farewell to the president.

    Earlier in the week, the President commissioned a number of projects completed by both the federal and state governments, including the commissioning of Organic Integrated Farm Estate established by the National Land Development Authority (NALDA) located in the outskirts of Daura.

    The farm has the capacity to generate over ₦1.7 billion in the first year.

    During his stay in Daura, the President also joined Muslim faithful to mark the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.

    Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the state also paid a visit to the President and he gifted them two cows, 20 bags of rice and ₦1million to mark the celebrations.