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Tag: IBB

  • We should avoid hate speeches, vices that trigger senseless bloodshed – IBB begs Nigerians

    Former military president, Gen Ibrahim Badamasi Babaginda has urged Nigerians to eschew hate speeches, discrimination and other vices that trigger senseless violence and bloodshed.

    In a statement marking the 2018 Armed Forces Remembrance Day the former leader said Nigerians have witness so much bloodshed through communal clashes and conflicts and called for urgent actions to stop them.

    “As people we should inculcate our cultural values, that promote good conduct, tolerance and peaceful coexistence. We should eschew hate speeches, discrimination and other vices that trigger senseless violence and bloodshed”, he noted.

    He also urged political office holders as well as politicians from all political parties to be conscious of their campaign slogans and messages by ensuring that they are geared towards peaceful participation and constructive engagements of the electorates as the nation enters another electioneering campaign year.

    He called on governments at all level, religious leaders, traditional rulers, social activists and the media to serve as national vanguards in resolving some of the recent disturbing incidents affecting our national security.

    “At this period where our nation is faced with myriads of challenges of terrorism, communal clashes, kidnapping, cultism and gangsterism among other criminalities, we should cooperate and supports our security with relevant information and intelligence to help in tackling the problems,” he said.

    He also urged members of the armed forces and security agencies to remain apolitical, neutral and focus on the ethics of discipline which said, is the hallmark of their profession.

    He called appreciate the courage of gallant officers and men of the armed forces who laid their lives for the country by providing supports for the welfare and upkeep of the families they left behind, especially their widows and children.

    He condoled the families of members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives in their effort to keep Nigeria secured in various military operations.

  • Jonathan, Obasanjo, IBB, four other ex-Nigerian leaders get N40m each as car allowances

    The Federal Government has approved the payment of N40 million each as car allowances for former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, Olusegun Obasanjo, Shehu Shagari, Generals Yakubu Gowon, Ibrahim Babangida, Abubakar Abdulsalam and Chief Ernest Shonekan.

    The money is part of a proposed N280 million for vehicle procurement, documents from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation have shown.

    The allocation, which was meant for the 2017 fiscal year, was in the documents showing procurements totaling N2.492 billion in the 2017 capital expenditure and earmarked for seven former Presidents and Heads of State.

    For this year, N2.492 billion capital expenditure is proposed, according to the report submitted by the SGF during the 2017/2018 budget defence session held by the Hon. Husseini Suleiman Kanagiwa-headed House Committee on Governmental Affairs.

    The N240 million balance for the procurement of vehicles remains outstanding and is meant to be cash-backed before the budget year runs out in March. An additional N96 million is proposed for procurement of vehicles in the 2018 budget estimates.

    About N120 million was proposed for purchase of vehicles for former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo and the late Alex Ekwueme and had been released in 2017.

    Mustapha also told the lawmakers that N65 million was earmarked for building a website in the 2018 estimates.

    The committee members were not happy with some aspects of the presentation, especially the proposed N18.360 million for purchase of 27 laptop computer (Mac Book) in 2018; N,995,190,118 for purchase of security equipment.

    Also, the N64 million for purchase of monitoring trucks also got a knock, as well as the N316 million for purchase of motor vehicles; N124 million for four of 18-seater buses and two 30-seater buses.

    Estimates in the document show that N130 million was also proposed for procurement of two Land Cruiser Prado Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs); N65.551 million for ambulance and clinic equipment while N170 million was proposed for Independence/Democracy Day celebrations same as in 2017.

    The SGF told the lawmakers that the Mac Book computers were meant for Council Chamber because of the high volume of work they do.

    Other proposed expenditures for 2018 include: N1.734 billion for political officers and standing committee; N760.277 million honorarium and sitting allowance; N133.421 million for welfare packages.

    Similarly, N88.65 million is for the purchase of office furniture and fittings; N18.36 million for purchase of computers and N456.64 million for computer software acquisition while N106.834 is for cleaning & fumigation services for the SGF headquarters.

    N116.64 million is meant for support/maintenance of e-Council document management; N60 million for upgrade and turn around maintenance of Council Chambers Conference system; N30 million radio frequency identification device system (RFIC); N35 million for expansion of local area network/OSGF website upgrade and N40 million for socio-economic impact studies challenges/solutions.

    However, the 2017 budget document showed that out of the total sum of N20.800 million proposed for the 52No of Mac Book procured in 2017, the sum of N20.790 million (99.52%) has been released while from the total sum of N170 million proposed for Independence/Democracy Day celebration, the sum of N138 million was released.

    From the sum of N35 million proposed for 1 Xerox D125 Heavy Duty Photocopy Machine to enhance timely production of Council memoranda, the sum of N34,938,750 was released (99.83%) leaving a balance of N61,250 only.

    Also, out of the total sum of N55 million proposed for upgrading and turn around maintenance of Council Chambers System, the sum of N54,400,500 has been released leaving the balance of N599,500 only (98.91%).

  • 2018: IBB urges Nigerians to commit more to nation building

    General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB, former Military President, has urged Nigerians to be more patriotic in 2018.

    This is contained in his New Year message made available to journalists on yesterday.

    He said the citizens should use 2018 to renew commitment to collective prosperity, growth and development by contributing more to nation building and shun all forms of negative tendencies.

    His message read: “I have the hope that the nation we so sacrifice to keep going and to this age can only be better notwithstanding various security and economic challenges that has become a world order ; confronting every country of the world in different magnitude and in different way.

    As Nigerians our unique strengths and characters to overcome our challenges collectively have never been in doubt, what we need now more than ever is to galvanize these unique qualities for the good of all as permissible under a democratic set up.

    We must at this point imbibe the core values of democracy by respecting each other’s rights and pursue individual goals in tandem with our national objectives for a better Nigeria, not better individuals that will not reflect on us all.

    A season like new year often offer us a new inspiration to give each other support , we should at this point truly believe that we are great in our diversity , in it lies our strength and uniqueness.

    Rather than allowing our diversity to divide us , we should gain courage by looking at the opportunities offer by our diversity and the good aspects of it that make us special people as Nigerians.

    Believe me when I say from my experience as a military officer who fought to keep Nigeria one; that we have had difficult times to be where we are today and we will not wish our children , grand children and great grand children to witness war again we have made the sacrifice for them.

    This does not however mean that we will not be confronted with challenges, challenges are part of life, but if we are to be prepared for it, we must first shed our fear of it.

    I say to you compatriots today and truthfully that I am unafraid to be optimistic that the future of Nigeria is bright.

    We are without doubt people with a great past but not without challenges and for the future we will be greater yet with challenges but we have paid our dues for Nigeria, to the extent that we are hopeful that the challenges of the future will not be greater than what we faced in the past

    I urge all of us to take the inspiration offer us by this new year to build Nigeria of our dream, devoid of divisive tendencies and offer government at all levels our support, bearing in mind that as humans we are fallible, perfection is a Godly attribute, no matter how we try we can never be perfect

    So as we enter the new year we must learn to understand and forgive our honest mistakes, because there is no person who has not made mistakes and has the guarantee not to make any in his or her life, with that divine purposes of being capable of making mistakes we should be able to reason with our leaders, decipher the complexity of our diversity and move on as one great nation we all desire.”

  • BREAKING: Atiku in a closed door meeting with IBB [Photos]

    Former Vice President Abubakar Atiku is in Minna the Niger State Capital where he is meeting with former military president Ibrahim Babangida.

    He was received at the Minna Airport by the Deputy Governor of Niger State, Ahmed Ketso, the Head of Service, Yabagi Sule and the State PDP Chairman, Barrister Tanko Beji and other party members.

    Also on ground to receive him was a crowd of supporters.

    He arrived the Uphill residence of the former military leader at about 12:40 PM and is currently holding a meeting with General Babangida.

    Atiku resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) last week and pitched tent with the PDP on Sunday.

    As part of his consultations to bag the party’s presidential ticket, Atiku has been meeting with PDP leaders across the length and breath of Nigeria.

     

  • 2019: Atiku free to move from one political party to another – IBB

    …Says PDP will have best convention ever

    A former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, has expressed confidence that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led convention organising committee of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, will conduct a rancour free and acceptable convention.

    Mr. Babangida spoke on Wednesday when Mr. Okowa, accompanied by the chairman of the caretaker committee of the PDP, Ahmed Makarfi, and top officials of the party met him at his (IBB’s) country home at Minna, Niger State.

    “I have here, the chairman of the caretaker committee, former chairman of Kaduna State, the Chairman of convention planning committee, the Governor of Delta State with the officials for the convention, I am glad they are working hard and I have seen that they want to make sure that the convention of the PDP is rancour free, transparent and everybody will be given a level playing ground,” he said.

    The former Head of State who was in his elements, throwing banters with the PDP leaders and journalists who witnessed the event, emphatically said, “PDP will see one of the best convention like never before.”

    He also talked about the return of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar return to the PDP, saying “he is a Nigerian, he is allowed to go to any party and our constitution allows it, so, it is not new and there is nothing wrong for politician to move from one party to another.”

    Mr. Makarfi disclosed that the visit was in line with the tradition of the PDP where elders and leaders of the party are consulted for the right decisions to be taken.

    “In the PDP, we respect leaders, General Babangida has always been with us and it is the tradition of the party to be consulting with our leaders that is why we are here today to brief him (IBB) on the arrangement we have made and take whatever advice he gives for conducting a credible and transparent convention. The success story so far is a confirmation of series of interaction with leaders and founding members of the party,” Mr. Makarfi said.

    Mr. Okowa assured the convention will be successful, stating, “A lot has been put on ground for a successful Convention to be held. We thank the Caretaker Committee of our party because they have done a lot ahead of the inauguration on Monday and since then, we have held several meetings.”

    “As at today, we are confident that we are on course; in terms of trying to provide all that has to be done on Saturday, we are going to have exciting convention, there is no doubt about that, everything concerning the electoral process have been put in place, the accreditation team by today (yesterday, 06/12/17) will get the last list of the statutory delegates from Osun and Anambra States,” he said.

    The governor continued, “We obviously will not allow everybody to come into the venue, it is going to be restrictive convention because, it is an elective convention and I think our party will accept that, it is in the interest of the party and in terms of fairness, we are right on course.”

     

  • I’m frightened money may dictate who emerges chairman of PDP – IBB

    A former military leader, Ibrahim Babangida, has said that he his frightened that monetary considerations may likely determine who wins the position of national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the forthcoming national convention of the party.

    Mr. Babangida said as a founding member of the PDP, people like him and other leaders need to collectively assure Nigerians and members of the party that they have learnt bitter lessons.

    PDP ruled Nigeria for 16 years before losing to the APC in the 2015 election.

    The PDP will elect new set of leaders at a national convention billed for Abuja on December 9, 2017.

    “Following the defeat of the party in the 2015 election, it is incumbent upon us as leaders and stakeholders to use the opportunity of the convention to sober reflect on the challenges confronting us, identify our flaws and seek plausible ways to correct them in order to come out stronger in subsequent elections.

    “An elective convention presents as it were, a rare opportunity and veritable platform to elect in a holistic manner a credible, tested, down-to-earth and truly urbane candidate with enough stamina, distinguished character and national acceptability who is driven by incurable optimism and passion for a united Nigeria,” the former president said in a statement on Sunday.

    The statement, which was signed by his spokesperson, Kassim Afegbua, also said the PDP at present needs a national chairman “who is driven by uncommon initiatives, creativity in ideas and a rich content of character to lead and stabilize the party in line with the laudable ideals of the founding fathers of the party.”

    IBB, as he is fondly called, also said the new chairman to emerge must possess national recognition to be able to galvanise political opportunities and transform them into tangible outcomes in Nigeria’s democratic engagements.

    “When we were conceptualizing the idea of the PDP at formation, we had in mind a party that offers platform for all Nigerians in their pursuit of legitimate political aspirations. The choice of her motto; POWER TO THE PEOPLE was in sync with our clear objective of recognizing the people as the repository of power,” he said.

    He also said in any democratic engagement, the people decide the outcome of elections through popular and inclusive participation.

    “The monetisation of our electoral process is disturbingly eroding that power which should ordinarily reside in the people.

    “In the last few days, I get frightened by the monetary consideration that is likely to dictate who emerges as the National Chairman of our great party rather than what the people truly want.

    “The discussion is more on the side of heavy monetisation of the process and ultimate “procurement” of the position of the Chairman by the highest bidder. This approach, in my humble view, defeats the whole essence of participation, free choice and voting which are the essential attributes of any democracy without inducement and outright manipulation.

    “ I wish to plead that we tread on the path of caution and common sense, conscious of our recent history of avoidable political crisis.

    “At 76, and given the benefit of hindsight, my role both in context and content; is now more of advisory one to enhance any altruistic democratic process to elect credible leadership at various levels of representation.

    “ Rather than de-monetize the electoral process to provide ample room for more citizens’ participation, the idea of monetizing the process and trying to “procure” party positions defeats merit, offends good conscience and blurs fair play. At this critical stage of our political secretions, we need men of stature, discipline, character and commendable conduct to breathe fresh air into our party and not persons whose political relevance is the product of naira and kobo bargain across the counter,” he said.

    IBB said the PDP needs a national chairman that would not bend to the vagaries of individual selfish interest but one who is strong enough to apply the rule of law without fear or favour.

    He said members must begin the process of interrogating processes that lead to outcomes and not just the outcomes.
    “We must interrogate our leadership recruitment process and encourage our delegates to exercise the power of their thumbs in making their preferred choice among the candidates.

    “Good name cannot be bought with gold or silver. Good name is the sum total of the individual’s conduct in his trajectory and his overall assessment through life’s enduring journey.

    “On the strength of this, I wish to make a passionate appeal to our members, party leaders and the members of the Convention Committee to be fair and just to all, and allow the process to produce a National Chairman that would truly represent the conscience of the party.

    “I do subscribe to the idea that consensus building, collective bargaining and constructive engagement are some of the ingredients that nurture any democratic process; such ingredients should be given enough room to flourish in order to birth credible and truly representative leadership,” he said.

    The former military leader said the PDP must re-invent and re-enact itself on account of her recent history of factions and fractures.

    He said the new leadership must therefore be one that enjoys the confidence of the majority stakeholders and members in order to have a seamless transition.

    To achieve this template, he said, such a chairman must be the outcome of delegates’ election without manipulation and inducement.

    “ One would have thought that after the 2015 dismal outing, followed by months of leadership tussles, individuals would have put to rest their selfish and egocentric interest and pursue goals and objectives that bear true testimony to the ideals of the founding fathers; but the sound bites of monetization of the process are utterly demoralizing and benumbing.

    “It is my strong belief therefore that leaders of the party irrespective of their political interest would allow reason and level playing field to prevail in the overall interest of the party. I wish the party a successful and peaceful convention on Saturday 9th December, 2017,” IBB said

  • IBB backs Gbenga Daniel for PDP chairmanship

    Former Military President and one of the founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB (rtd), has thrown his weight behind the former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (OGD) in his bid to become the National Chairman of the party in the December national elective convention, describing him as a ‘breath of fresh air’.

    Former Head of State, Gen Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) and the former Governor of Ogun state, Otunba (Engr.) Gbenga Daniel (OGD) IBB made this declaration at his Hilltop residence in Minna, the Niger State Capital on Wednesday when the former governor accompanied by a powerful delegation paid him a visit as part of his ongoing consultations amongst critical stakeholders.

    Speaking during the visit, Daniel said he had come to notify the self-styled military President of his ambition, stressing that no serious politician in the country would embark on such an important national task without seeking the wisdom and blessing of the Minna-born retired army general.

    Responding, President Babangida said he was quite elated when he heard of the former Ogun State Governor’s intent to offer his service to the party as national chairman.

    He said: “I was elated when I first heard that you were interested in volunteering yourself for this great service to our country. You represent the breadth of fresh air that the party deserves at this stage.

    “I know Gbenga Daniel very well and I know his unparalleled capacity for work. I have a strong conviction that with Daniel as chairman, the party can be turned around again,” even as he referred to him as “My chairman in waiting.”

    His words: “I am supporting you because I know you very well. Gbenga Daniel, you’re my Chairman in waiting. “

  • 10 Babangida’s anti-war quotes we all need to keep in mind [Video]

    Former Military Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, IBB has warned Nigerians particularly the youths on the danger of calling for war through violence and hate speeches insisting that there was nothing good to expect from the outcome of such horrendous journey.

    Here are some unforgettable quotes in the IBB’s speech we all need to keep in mind

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69bTd-1Lo1E

  • Obasanjo, IBB, Abdulsalami meet secretly in Minna

    Obasanjo, IBB, Abdulsalami meet secretly in Minna

    Three former Nigerian presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida (IBB) and Abdulsalami Abubakar on Monday met in Minna, Niger State.

    According to Leadership, the meeting was held at the hilltop home of IBB and lasted for over two hours.

    Visitors who usually besiege Babangida’s house were streamlined, with some of them stopped from entering the house ahead of the visit of Obasanjo and Abdulsalami.

    Governor of Niger state, Abubakar Bello, received Obasanjo at Minna airport and took him to IBB’s residence.

    The closest domestic and security staff in IBB’s house, were reportedly excused from the inner chamber when the meeting started.

    Details of the meeting were not made public.

  • Babangida gives Buhari tips on how to defeat Boko Haram

    Babangida gives Buhari tips on how to defeat Boko Haram

    Former military president, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (retd), has told the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to also use psychological and unconventional methods in fighting the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East.

    Babangida gave this advice during an exclusive interview with Ladi Akeredolu-Ale on Channels Television.

    IBB pointed out that it would be a mistake to use regular war tactics against the insurgents.

    “What we tend to forget is that the insurgents have also got tacticians or people who think for them, and once they do that, then you have a problem.

    “You have to find a way of countering that information they dish out,” he said.

    Babangida added that government should embark on sensitisation campaigns in a bid to “dish out a lot of not so good information about the other people (terrorists) so that the populace will have confidence that no matter what happens, the military is there to protect them.”