Atiku in Sokoto, promises security, peace, re-opening of borders

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has assured that the various closed borders in the country will be reopened if he is elected President in the February 25 presidential election.

This, he pointed out, will be done to enable the people enjoy good trade relationship with those around them.

Atiku, a former Vice President of Nigeria between 1999 and 2007, said this on Tuesday while addressing the PDP presidential campaign rally that had Governors, party chieftains, leaders and numerous party supporters in attendance in Sokoto.

The PDP presidential flag bearer equally promised to ensure the security of the country, create enabling atmosphere for peace to reign as well eradicate poverty from the nation in general.

“It is noteworthy that Sokoto is around the border with other African countries.

I promise to open these borders for our people and other people to enjoy trade relationship with them”, he said.

Atiku, who had earlier paid homage to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, before addressing the rally, said, “I promised to ensure security of lives and return peace in the state and Nigeria at large. If you elect PDP, we will ensure that there is peace for businessmen, cattle rearers,

•PDP, Atiku will deliver on promises Tambuwal, Emmanuel assure

fishermen, farmers and others, they will carry out their trades in peace.

“Secondly, I promise to eradicate poverty in the country, that is why we set aside $10 billion for businessmen, youths and women, I will ensure that they have capital to eradicate poverty in the county.

“I want to promise you that the road from Sokoto to Gusau to Funtua, by the grace of God, will be reconstructed.

“It is noteworthy that Sokoto is around the border with other African countries.

I promise to open these borders for our people and other people to enjoy trade relationship with them.

“The in coming PDP government will ensure that there is no strike in the Universities.

“I promised to give our farmers and cattle rearers capital to continue with their trade, because the moment we restore peace they will just start their trade”, Atiku pledged.

While also addressing the rally, the Director-General of the PDP presidential campaign management committee and Governor of Sokoto State, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal assured the people that Atiku will deliver on his promises to recover Nigeria from insecurity, poverty and whatever malaise they are suffering from at the moment.

Tambuwal, who is also the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, said with optimism that by the time Atiku becomes the president on May 29, 2023 the issue of insecurity will be over.

His words, “We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the PDP family for the honour done to us. I want to affirm to you that the federal government will be for Sokoto State people, therefore, there should be no dulling on the day of election. Come out and vote en masse and by God’s grace, Atiku is the next President.

“Atiku will deliver on all the promises to recover Nigeria from insecurity, poverty and whatever malaise we are suffering at the moment. By the time Atiku becomes the President on May 29, 2023 the issue of insecurity will be over”, he assured.

The Chairman of PDP presidential campaign council, PCC, and Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel, while addressing those present at the rally, commended them for coming out in their numbers to welcome and listen to the PDP presidential candidate and his team.

In the words of Governor Emmanuel, “What we are seeing in Sokoto is wonderful. This demonstrates something very clearly that the youths, the elders and the stakeholders of this seat of caliphate are for PDP and Atiku.

“Sokoto used to be the most peaceful of all the states in this country. But today it is a strange thing because of insecurity.

When you don’t have peace, there is no development, when you don’t have peace, you will not think very well.

“We are telling you tiday that our leader, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the next President of Nigeria by God’s grace, has what it takes to provide you peace that have eluded you. He wants to make sure he unifies the country. He has what it takes to take the youths back, to have what to eat and to move them from the lower class into the middle class.

“Today, we are aware of the suffering of the people and if you look at his covenant with Nigeria you will know that this is a man who knows the way. This is the man who is ready to lead the way, he loves the people, he has capacity.

“I am proud to chair his campaign council, because from the day I followed him till today, he does not mount the microphone on character assassination, he does not tell the people about other people, he mounts the microphone to tell Nigerians that he has the solution to the problems, he has the solution to the education, healthcare, security, to the economy of this country.

“He is the only man that will make sure things become okay for Nigerians.

He is the only man that will make sure that the motorcycle that you use to buy eighty thousand, today you are buying for 700, 000, will go back to the good old days. Who is that man? Which party is that? It is Atiku Abubakar and the PDP.”, he said.

Buhari mourns emir of Dutse

By Egena Sunday Ode

President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the demise of Dr. Nuhu Muhammadu Sanusi, the first-class traditional ruler (Emir) of Dutse, the capital city of Jigawa State.

According to a statement by the Senior Special Assisted to the President on Media and Publicity,

Grab Shehu, Buhari described the deceased as one of Northern Nigeria’s modernizing leaders.

Before his death, the Emir was the Chancellor of Sokoto State University, the statement noted. He was considered as an exemplary leader in the global quest for a sustainable living environment, and a lead advocate for afforestation and the green ecosystem, it added.

The late Emir’s official biography equally puts him up as an advocate of the mitigation of climate change, prompting him to build the Dutse Royal Golf Course which is reputed to be one of the largest in Nigeria with lush vegetation, exotic flora and rare fauna.

Expressing sadness on the passing of the Emir, President

L-R: Program Manager of CISLAC, Mr. Chinedu Bassey, Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa and Senior Programme Coordinator of Christian Aid International, Uzor Uzoma, during the press conference on the increasing role of private creditors in Nigeria’s Debt Crisis and it’s Human Cost, yesterday in Abuja.

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Buhari was quoted to have said: ‘‘He was instrumental to the progress Dutse had achieved in the last three decades under his watch. He was a grassroots person who was loved by all.”

The President conveyed his condolences and that of the nation to the Dutse Emirate, the government and people of Jigawa State over the sad loss.

bags outstanding govt agency award, assures of election security

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has emerged as the best Leadership Government Agency of the year 2022.

The Corps on Tuesday received the award during the 14th Edition of the Leadership Annual Conference and Awards, themed “ Credible Elections and An Economy in Transition” in Abuja.

The NSCDC Commandant General (CG), Dr Ahmed Audi, after receiving the award, said that the recognition will further encourage personnel to work effectively in ensuring adequate security during the forthcoming elections.

Dr Audi said that the Corps had embarked on training and retraining of personnel to ensure proper electoral conduct during the elections.

He said that although the Nigeria Police is the lead election security agency, NSCDC will work closely with all security agencies to ensure peaceful participation by citizens.

“This award is a recognition of what the Corps has been doing to improve the life of personnel and to fulfil its core mandates.

“This will spur us to do more in the delivery of our mandates to the nation,” CG said.

He appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for allocating the right amenities in ensuring that NSCDC adequately protects the critical national asset and the country at large.

The CG further appreciated the management of Leadership Group Limited. alongside all stakeholders for recognizing the work efficacy of the Corps as he hoped for more of such recognitions to boost the morale of officers and men of the Corps.

The Special Guest of Honour at the event, Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, congratulated the awardees and commended the management of Leadership media for organising the event and recognizing distinguished individuals and organisations, both in the private and public sectors.