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Tag: David Mark

  • Fire engulfs part of David Mark’s residence

    A fire incident was reported at the Otukpo residence of former Senate President, Senator David Mark in Benue state.

    The fire incident which was confirmed by Dr. Adakole Elijah on behalf of Senator Mark burnt some properties including 15 motorcycles and two vehicles.

    He added that the arrival of the Fire Service personnel prevented the inferno from spreading to the entire building, adding that the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

    One of the domestic workers, who preferred anonymity, said, “we made every effort to quench the fire but the more we tried the more it continued to spread.

    “It was when we noticed that we could not stop it from engulfing the guest house that we called in the Fire Service.”

    At the time of this report, however, none of the family members has yet commented on the matter even as it was learnt that Mark himself was away from home.

  • Ex-Senate President, David Mark advises INEC on dangers of inconclusive polls

    Former President of the Senate, Mr David Mark, has advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to avoid declaring elections inconclusive.

    Mark disclosed this when he spoke with newsmen on Saturday in Otukpo.

    “The additional costs of conducting the supplementary elections and the emotional and physical stress politicians and voters go through can be avoided if INEC do the right thing.

    ” The exercise is unhealthy for both politicians and the electorate; it brings disillusionment to both parties,” he said.

    According to him, the concept of inconclusive election is strange and unknown even to the Constitution.

    He urged INEC to be upright and diligent in conducting elections to avoid running into inconclusive poll.

    ”If declaration of inconclusive elections is allowed to stay it will rather encourage some politicians not to present themselves to the electorate but wait to disrupt elections so that it will be declared inconclusive.

    ”I advice people to go into elections devoid of violence. If you win through the proper will of the electorate, you will earn their respect.

    ” Politicians should strive to ensure that they win elections through free, fair and credible means,” he said.

    Meanwhile collation of results in the state’s supplementary governorship poll is ongoing in most polling units.

    NAN reports the supplementary poll was conducted in 22 out of the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

    Supplementary election was also held in 9 LGAs for the state House of Assembly poll.

    NAN also reports that the poll was generally peaceful across the state, however, complaints of vote buying by party agents could not be substantiated.

  • 2019: I will fix Nigeria’s ailing economy in two years – David Mark

    A former senate president and presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), David Mark, has said he will revamp Nigeria’s economy within two years and also halt the intractable security challenge, if voted into office.
    He said this to members of the party when he visited Otukpo, Benue State as he urged delegates of the party to vote for him in the upcoming presidential primaries.
    According to a statement by his media assistant, Paul Mumeh, Mr Mark said he has the interest of unity, stability and prosperity of the nation and that the peace and unity of Nigeria supersedes any other consideration.
    While stating that Nigeria has gone through avoidable turbulent times in the last few years, he said only a man with the requisite knowledge, experience and passion for the country like him, can salvage the situation.
    “I am the bridge Nigeria needs now. I will be the bridge between the North and South and between the old and young. I will be with you and serve the nation diligently. I will be there for you. I will not let you down. I will be the last man standing.
    “The situation in the country more than ever before, demands ready hands, stable character and commitment to the ideals of nation hood. I am committed to the sanctity of our unity. We must restore the trust and confidence in our people. We all have a stake in Nigeria. We have no other place to call ours,” he said.
    While reminding delegates to vote wisely at the convention, he stressed that his record of service in various parts of Nigeria over the years put him in a better stead to serve the nation creditably.
    The lawmaker added that he possesses the requisite executive and legislative experiences to lead Nigeria to prosperity and restore the trust and respect of the international community.
    He expressed confidence that the governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led National Convention Planning Committee would do a good job.
    Over the past few weeks, Mr Mark has visited past Nigerian leaders to seek their support for his presidential ambition. Some of those he visited are former president, Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s former Head of State, Abdulsalam Abubakar and former military president, Ibrahim Babangida.
    Mr Mark, who represents Benue South at the senate, recently declared his ambition to run for president in 2019. He has also purchased his presidential nomination form from the PDP secretariat.
    The lawmaker, the longest serving senate president in Nigeria’s history, joins a list of over a dozen aspirants who declare their intention to run for president under the PDP platform.
    He specifically promised to tackle poverty, unemployment and neglect which he said have forced some Nigerian youth to undertake the very risky route of going through the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea in their quest for greener pastures in Europe.
    The party’s presidential primaries and national convention has been scheduled for October 6 and 7 in Port Harcourt, River State amidst controversies.
    There are at least 12 aspirants vying for the PDP ticket including ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto.
    The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, earlier assured party members that its national convention to elect the party’s presidential candidate for the 2019 election will be transparent and successful.
    He said the party has put in place strategies to carry all the aspirants along in the processes of the convention.

  • Former Senate President talks of Gov. Okowa as Worthy Ambassador

    Former Senate President talks of Gov. Okowa as Worthy Ambassador

    Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has described Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa as a worthy ambassador of the upper legislative chamber.

    TheNewsGuru reports Senator Mark noted that Okowa’s silent revolution in terms of infrastructural development in Delta state is a testimony that he is effectively combining legislative and executive experiences to develop the oil rich state.

    Senator Mark in a congratulatory message to Okowa on his 59th birthday noted that “Okowa is a focused and result oriented administrator.

    “The number of projects so far executed by the Okowa’s administration in Delta state, the peace and unity on account of equity and justice to all gives me a sense of pride that his Senate experience is paying off”.

    “I can only add that you (Okowa) sustain and indeed improve on these giant strides in Delta state. The people deserve nothing less,” Mark further stated.

    He noted that Okowa is upholding tenaciously the manifesto of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which the governor translated to “prosperity for all Deltans”.

    Senator Mark recalled that Okowa cannot afford to do less judging from his experiences as secretary to local government, council chairman, commissioner, secretary to the state government, Senator of the Federal Republic and now a governor.

    “He has wealth of experiences in leadership and administration which he is bringing to bear. Okowa is an asset and I am sure the people of Delta are proud of him”, Senator Mark added.

    TheNewsGuru reports Senator Mark was the President of the 7th Senate during which Okowa served as chairman Senate Committee on health.

     

  • Speaker Dogara shows excitements as David Mark marks 70th birthday

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has extolled the virtues of former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark on the occasion of his 70th birthday anniversary.

    The Speaker described Senator Mark as an elder statesman and patriot saying, “you are a man of many caps; former military administrator and two time president of the Senate.”

    “Distinguished is an attribute you have earned for yourself from the excellent way you discharged your responsibilities in all roles you found yourself.”

    He noted that Senator Mark is a man of many caps who have left masterstrokes in the way he superintended over matters of state, “putting national interests above personal ones when the need arose; from your days in the military to making the proverbial ‘lightening strike twice’ as the president of the Senate.”

    The Speaker prayed God to continue to bless the former Senate President with sound health and more wisdom to contribute his quota to the growth and development of Nigeria.

     

  • Buhari congratulates David Mark at 70

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday congratulated, Sen. David Mark, former Senate President, and Senator representing Zone C Constituency of Benue, on his 70th birthday.

    In a congratulatory message issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu in Abuja, the President also felicitated with the family, friends and political associates of the senator.

    President Buhari, who saluted the senator as he turned a septuagenarian, commended the maturity, stability and focused legislation that he instituted in the upper chamber during the eight years he served as senate president.

    According to him, Mark’s eight years tenure as senate president had culminated in the passing of many bills.

    President Buhari believes the wealth of experience that the senator gathered over the years would be most useful for the development of the country, especially in sustaining peace across the country.

    The president prayed that the almighty God would grant the former senate president longer life, good health and wisdom to continue serving his people and the country.

    Sen. Mark, a former military officer, was born on April 8, 1948, in Otukpo, Benue.

    He had served the country variously as a governor, minister and president of the senate from 2007 to 2015.

  • Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal golfers storm Benue for Mark @ 70

    …As Otukpo agog for former Senate President

    About 300 golfers from Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal are competing for honours at the Otukpo Golf and Country club, Benue state in the Pro Am golf championship organized by the Nigerian Golf Federation(NGF)to commemorate the 70th birthday of the immediate past President of the Senate, Senator David Mark.

    Born on April 8, 1948 in Otukpo, Benue state, the former Senate President commemorates his 70th birthday on Sunday April 8, 2018.

    At least 120 professional golfers teed – off for a share of the N7million purse prize as Mike Ubi of Air Assault Golf club, Port Harcourt edged out Sunday Olapade from Maicon Golf club Ada, Osun state via “sudden Death” victory after both players tied at three under.

    Emos Korblah from Ghana and Samba Jiang from Senegal are among top contenders for honours at the weeklong championship.

    More than 150 Amateur golfers are playing over 36 holes in two days split into morning and evening tee off times.

    Performing the tee off ceremony yesterday, Senator Mark stated:” words cannot capture the expression of my feelings today . I’m honoured and satisfied with the large turn out of golfers and guests . It is impressive”.

    The former Senate helmsman further assured of his unwavering commitment towards the development of golf in Nigeria especially at the junior category.

    He noted the exploits of the Otukpo International Golf Academy in global championships so far as a needed impetus for professional golf development in Nigeria.

    According to Mark, “Students of the academy have constantly been participating in international championships, competing with some of the best in the world, sharpening their skills and becoming the good ambassadors of Nigeria”.

    Elder statesman and chairman, Board of Trustees IBB Golf and Country club, General I.B. M. Haruna (rtd) and former Kogi state governor , Captain Idris Wada led Abuja contingent to the tournament.

    All the golf clubs in Nigeria as well as Achimota in Ghana are participating in the championship.


    The Pro Am golf tournament will be climaxed with a thanksgiving mass on Sunday (8/4/18) at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Otukpo, Benue state.

  • 2019: Get your PVCs to ‘change the change’, David Mark advises Nigerians

    Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, on Friday advised Nigerians to get their permanent voter cards (PVCs) to ‘change the change’ in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.

    Also, the former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam, who toed the line, urged the people of the state to ensure the exit of the present administration.

    Recall that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) rode to power in 2015 on the ‘Change Mantra.’

    He said that would be achievable if all eligible voters obtained their PVCs.

    President of Catholic Diocesan Priests of Nigeria, Rev. Fr. Sylvester Onmoke, laid the template for the discussion during the funeral service of Mrs. Lynda Moro, wife of the former Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, at Ugbokolo in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State on Friday.

    Mark said, “We appreciate the sermon of the reverend father, he has said it all. Let our people get their (permanent) voter cards so as to change the ‘change.’”

    The priest had described Nigeria as a country in mourning as a result of the incessant killings being witnessed across the country.

    Onmoke said he was ashamed that the government in Nigeria had become docile as it allegedly watched helplessly as the country bled on a daily basis.

    The priest lamented that the killings had continued despite the assurances by President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the killings in the country during the recent visit by Catholic bishops to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    He, therefore, urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the country to overcome its present state of insecurity, while advising Catholic faithful to arm themselves with rosaries.

    He also advised school owners and educators to close their schools early enough to enable children to return home peacefully.

    According to Onmoke , the Catholic Church will never be silent about killings, especially the one allegedly going on in Benue State, including the recent ones at Omusu village in Okpokwu Local Government Area, which reportedly claimed about 24 lives.

    He said, “How would they have driven to Omusu and not detected by anyone? It is not enough to send soldiers (there). A Fulani man will not allow a Fulani soldier to kill a fellow Fulani man.

    “We will continue to pray because the God we serve is a warrior and he will never abandon his people. I’m not a politician but I’m speaking the mind of the people. We should all go out and register because our country is bleeding.”

     

  • Mark: 54 senators indicted as EFCC uncovers ‘strange’ payment of N2.9b

    “A curious payment of N2, 922, 236.310 to 54 Senators during the tenure of Chief David Mark as Senate President is now engaging the attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).” The Nation reports.

    According to the report, five of the Senators is believed to have received N45, 509, 090.

    “It is one of the issues Senator Mark is expected to throw light on during his ongoing interactive session with the agency”

    Among the five of the 54 Senators that benefitted from the N2.9billion largesse are still members of the Green chambers of the National Assembly.

    While investigators suspect that the money may have been sourced from the accounts of the National Assembly, citizen Ifeanyichukwu Obazi-Nweze, in a petition, claimed that it was trapped cash of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The discovery of the cash disbursement by EFCC is believed to have sparked the latest move by some Senators to block the re-nomination of Mr. Ibrahim Magu for confirmation as substantive Chairman of EFCC.

    The lawmakers are said to have drawn the battle line with him.

    Sources said yesterday that they planned to send a 15-man secret delegation to Buhari to protest against Magu and demand his removal.

    Investigation by The Nation showed that the ex-Senate President and some of the beneficiaries of the largesse will have to explain who authorized UBA to raise five manager cheques in favour of the defunct Bank PHB and GTB.

    The manager cheques were listed as MC No. 03816905 (N2,275,454,500)- Bank PHB; MC 03816915 (N133,400,000)-Bank PHB; MC No. 03816909(N103, 800,000)-Bank PHB; and MC No. 03816918(N364,072.720)-GTB.

    Investigation showed that each of the 50 beneficiary Senators collected N45, 509, 090 amounting to N2,275,454,500.

    A document, obtained by our correspondent, reads in part: “The above manager cheque number 03816905 with a value of N2,275,454,500 was deposited into the accounts of 50 Senators as beneficiaries.

    “Manager Cheque No. 0386915 of the sum of N133, 400,000 and MC No. 03816909 of the sum of N103, 800,000 have four beneficiaries as follows: N133, 400,000; N51,900,000; N86, 250,000 and N51,900,000.

    “However, it is important to note that the beneficiaries of Manager Cheque(MC) No. 03816918 of N364, 072,720 to GTB and MC No. 3816912 of N45, 509, 090 to WEMA Bank are yet to be ascertained. All efforts are being made to uncover the beneficiaries.”

    A highly placed source said: “From what detectives have done, we are investigating alleged conspiracy, abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds of N2, 922, 236, 310 when Sen. David Mark was the President of the Senate.”

    The source said EFCC commenced its investigation into the matter in 2015 following petitions by National Assembly workers and one Ifeanyichukwu Obazi-Nweze of Abogu Financial Company Limited who claimed that the money was trapped cash of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “The probe is not targeted at David Mark or the Senate or the nation’s 109 Senators,” the source said.

    “Yet, no anti-graft agency will gloss over N2.9billion shared by 54 Senators in one day.

    “It is a case which preceded the eighth Senate but as we probe on a daily basis, we dig up more facts on how funds were siphoned from the coffers of the National Assembly into private accounts.

    “Contrary to the claim that the cash amounted to trapped funds of PDP, our team succeeded in tracing the source of the money to the account of the Senate and how it was deposited or transferred to the accounts of the affected Senators.

    “We are looking at the motives behind the illegal withdrawal of the money and depositing of same to the accounts of the 54 Senators. We are also interested in the recovery of the public funds.”

    Detectives are expected to recover and analyze all vouchers and other relevant documents from the National Assembly with a view to ascertaining the purpose of raising the five manager cheques and uncover any likely conspiracy and diversion of the funds.

  • N748m SP’s Mansion: David Mark presents health excuse certificate, to resume interrogation January

    Former Senate President, David Mark has presented the health excuse certificate to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to allow him attend to his health before appearing for interrogations in the ongoing probe of the purchase of a N748million Senate President’s official mansion in Abuja.

    He also said his health was not stable enough to enable him write a statement on issues connected with the purchase of the official residence of Senate President.

    He asked the anti-graft agency to allow him to attend to his health and return on or before January 11 for interrogation on the said property.

    But he told the EFCC detectives that he bought the quarters with a loan and promised to present relevant documents next year.

    These claims are contained in a fact-sheet by the EFCC on the investigation of the ex-Senate President.

    According to the document, Mark has three cases before the EFCC which are being handled by separate teams of detectives.

    The other cases are N550m arms procurement cash from ONSA and N2.9billion curious payment into the account of the National Assembly’s account and shared to Senators during Mark’s tenure; and his role in about N2billion campaign funds meant for Benue State.

    The document said Mark was expected to respond to the following issues:

    • The property was unlawfully acquired in 2011.
    • Didn’t the buying of the house amount to an abuse of office?
    • Whether or not the purchase of the property was not a violation of Part 11 (b) of the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders (Salaries and Allowances, Etc.) (Amendment) Act, 2008 otherwise known as the Remuneration Act, 2008
    • Did the process of acquisition of the house comply with Section 15 (1) of the Procurement Act, 2007;
    • Was the sale of the house gazetted by the Federal Government?

    A top source, privy to the investigation, said: “When Mark met with our team of detectives on the N748million, he only presented a health excuse certificate.

    “Later he said he could not write any statement to respond to issues isolated for him because he said he was unstable. We accorded him enough respect befitting of his status.

    “He told our team verbally that he bought the house with a loan and pleaded with the EFCC to allow him to return on or before January 11, 2018 to come for grilling on the property.

    “Having asked him to deposit his passports, we are expecting him to come for interrogation in January.”