Katsina, Where First 2007 Hajj Contingent Took Off - Daily Trust

2 December 2007
Posted to the web 3 December 2007

Mustafa Isah Kwaru
Abuja

History was made in Katsina state last week when the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar led a delegation to commission the first phase of the multi billion naira upgraded Katsina airport. Sunday Trust's Mustafa Isah Kwaru was there.

Another milestone was the subsequent airlift of the first batch of Nigerian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia from the airport. The airlift was the climax of hajj operations in the state since its creation about twenty years ago, as pilgrims always went through the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA)

The first flight carrying the 450, Katsina pilgrims took off to Saudi Arabia at 10 pm. aboard 747 Mangal Airline with registration number, SX-TIB, on the 22nd Nov. 2007.

Sunday Trust learnt that the giant stride for upgrading Katsina Airport was initiated by President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua when he was governor of the state so that on completion, pilgrims could be airlifted to Saudi Arabia directly instead of going through MAKIA.

It was gathered that President Yar'Adua had felt that the project became imperative when in 2005; about 80 percent of the Katsina pilgrims were stranded at (MAKIA) as a result of which they missed the pilgrimage. A development which was reported to have caused the then governor, Yar'adua bad blood as people in the state had accused him of not playing significant role in enhancing proper implementation of the process.

More investigations revealed that an agreement was therefore reached between Katsina state and the federal government to contribute over N4bn after which a contract for the project was awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria limited, a construction firm. Full Story

‘Yar’Adua Committed to Gender Equity’ - Thisday

The Minister of State for Education, Hajiya Aishatu Jibrin Dukku had reiterated President Umaru Yar’Adua’s commitment to gender equity and to the vigorous pursuit of the education of the girl child, especially in northern Nigeria.
Dukku, who spoke in Abuja at the 5th Nigerian Women Association in Georgia (NWAG) Scholarship Award ceremony for Nigerian girls in tertiary institutions, added that the present administration intends to promote the nation’s education system to acceptable international standards. Dukku commended the efforts of the association in partnering with government to educate and empower the womenfolk.
She admonished parents especially in the North to send their children, particularly daughters, to school so as not jeopardize their future. This move, she pointed out, is necessary because an educated woman stands a better chance of raising children successfully.
Dukku further described the NWAG 2007 Woman of Valour, Hajiya Mariam Ciroma as a worthy role model Nigerian girls especially those in the North. “We used to look up to her as an inspiration, and I even wrote her a letter once, saying I wanted her to be my mother,” Dukkuj said. Full Story

Fuel - Nupeng, Afenifere, Islamic Council Warn Yar'Adua - Daily Champion

30 November 2007
Posted to the web 30 November 2007

SOPURUCHI ONWUKA and KOLA ADEPOJU
Lagos/Abeokuta

OPPOSITION to Federal government's planned increase in prices of Petroleum Products mounted yesterday with different groups warning President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to shelve the plan or face the wrath of Nigerians.

Leading the opposition were Supreme Council for Islamic Affair (NSCIA) and the pan Yoruba political pressure group, Afenifere which warned Yar'Adua's government to be ready to incur the wrath of Nigerians should it go ahead and increase the pump price of petroleum products. Similarly, oil workers have warned against the proposed hike in price of petroleum products.

Minister of State for Energy, Odein Ajumogobia shocked the nation on Wednesday when he announced of government's plan to review upwards pump head charges of petroleum products. Prices were increased last May.

Reacting in separate interviews with our correspondent in Abeokuta, Secretary General of NSCIA, (Dr) Abdul-Lateef Adegbite said the planed increase is not acceptable, adding that it was a breach of the President's promise to Nigerians not to do so until after a year.

Adegbite who, though symphatised with the federal government over the sharp increase in the world price crude of oil said, the development was not enough to warrant local increment.

He said the issue of jerking-up pump prices of fuel would have arise if the federal government is committed to repairing it refineries, adding that would have saved the country the rising cost of importing fuel.

Adegbite stressed that since federal government had failed in this responsibility, it should not make Nigerians, scape goat.

Instead, the NSCIA scribe said government should look inward for adjustment, adding that if the increase is inevitable it should then be staggered in a range of six months with slight increment at every stage. Full Story

Country Keeps Faith With Bakassi Handover - Nigeria First

30 November 2007
Posted to the web 30 November 2007

Abuja

The Chairman, Nigeria-Cameroon Joint Commission, Prince Bola Ajibola on Thursday November 29 gave a firm assurance that Nigeria has no intention to renege on the transfer of Bakassi Peninsula to the Republic of Cameroon.

Prince Ajibola gave the assurance after briefing President Umar Musa Yar'Adua at the State House on latest developments on the transfer, which was effected by the previous administration.

The Nigerian senate recently passed a motion asking President Yar'Adua to reverse the ceding of the territory to Cameroon as the transfer did not undergo due process having failed to receive the endorsement of the senate.

Prince Ajibola however pleaded with members of the senate to "do the right thing" by documenting the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the issue.

He said the fact that Bakassi was listed in the constitution of Nigeria was "secondary to the ratification of the ICJ ruling by the National Assembly", pointing out that the meeting between the commission and President Yar'Adua "brought about a line of action on" Bakassi. Full Story

The Nigerian Government is in the Wrong Hands - nigeriantimes blog

The reins of the leadership of Nigeria is in the wrong hands and until the Nigerian electorate recover their stolen mandate, they will continue to be at the mercy of the crooks and rogues in power.

Seven months after the election of President Umaru Yar'Adua, he is still playing party politics with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and using political tactics to stymie the prosecution of the corrupt ex-governors and other public office holders who are still bona fide sponsors of the notorious People's Democratic Party (PDP) of Nigeria. full story

Bankole - the House and Budget Challenge - Vanguard

30 November 2007
Posted to the web 30 November 2007

Kayode Akinmade
Lagos

THE nation may have already started counting the gains of a federal budget that will go into operation early in the year. This is because barring any unforeseen circumstances the 2008 budget implementation may begin in January.

The House of Representatives has handled matters pertaining to the budget in collaboration with the Senate such that there is hope of early passage of the appropriation bill. In fact, the House has set a deadline of December 20 for the passage of the bill.

If the National Assembly meets the target and President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua immediately assents to the bill, then history would have been made. It will be the first time under the current democratic dispensation that the operation of the budget would begin so early in the year. Save for during the military regime, the rule has been for the implementation of the federal budget to start late because so many bottlenecks would have been created. Besides, there was no legislature to do any vetting, thereby saving time that otherwise would have been spent raising queries to the executive that prepared the budget and answering them until all grey areas are resolved between the two arms of government. Full Story

Terror Threat - SSS Arrest 12 Niger Delta Youths - Daily Trust

30 November 2007
Posted to the web 30 November 2007

Theophilus Abbah

The State Security Service (SSS) yesterday paraded twelve youths who claimed to be leaders of Niger Delta Youths Coalition (NDYC), for allegedly threatening to blow up petroleum pipelines, cause mayhem in the oil-rich region, and kill 98 senators, if their demands are not met by President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.

The youths had written a letter entitled "Request for Attention/Audience," and dated November 5, 2007 to President Yar'Adua, seeking to dine with him. They also sought the confirmation of Chief Godsday Orubebe as "Minister of Niger Delta" and the release of some N250 billion, which has been appropriated to the Niger Delta Development Commiss-ion (NNDC), to them.

While briefing journalists yesterday, the Director of Operations of the SSS, Mr. Noble Samson, said the Niger Delta youths were picked up at the Aso Rock presidential villa on Wednesday when they arrived Abuja to keep their appointment with President Yar'Adua.

In the letter addressed to Yar'Adua and copied to all the security outfits in the country, the group said, "The Niger Delta Youths Coalition has after a cursory appraisal of on-going events in the country, especially after the charade in Port Harcourt by your senators, resolved to demand for the unfettered heads of ninety-eight heads of senators within two weeks from now. In addition, you, Mr. President, must also dine with us. We are not afraid of any threat. We demand also for the unhindered release of the N250 billion belonging to the NDDC. Full Story