Osinbajo: Diya Was a Forthright Leader Who Served Nigeria Well ‘He built trust because he trusted others and served with integrity’ Deji Elumoye in Abuja Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday described late Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya, who was Chief of General Staff in the
Abacha military government, as a forthright and honest leader who served his country and its people well. Osinbajo, who led a federal government delegation on a
condolence visit to the family of the late Diya in Lagos, said the former Chief of General Staff, who died on March 26 at 78, loved Nigeria dearly, served with all his strength and was committed
to its progress and unity. The Vice President, accompanied by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustahpa, was received on arrival by Oyidamola Diya, the
second son of the late General, other family members and associates. Condoling the late General's widow, Josephine and his children, the vice president said: “He (Diya)
was a very down-to-earth, honest and straightforward human being. We are very proud of what he achieved while in office. Continued on page 5
Terrorists Abduct 60 People in Zamfara, Katsina Communities... Page 5 Saturday 8 April, 2023 Vol 28. No 10223
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Soyinka Challenges Baba-Ahmed to Debate, Nudges Obidients Says the seeds of incipient Fascism in the political arena have evidently matured Bennett Oghifo Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka has challenged the Vice-Presidential candidate of
the Labour Party in the February 25 presidential election, Datti Baba-Ahmed to a public debate, following the criticism trailing his condemnation of Baba-Ahmed’s
recent denouncement of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, the judiciary and Nigeria’s democracy. Soyinka, in a piece yesterday titled, “Fascism on Course,”
also addressed the censures he is receiving from Obidients, the supporters of Peter Obi, Labour Party’s Presidential election, declaring that the seeds
of fascism in the political arena have evidently matured. Baba-Ahmed had, in an interview, stressed that “whoever swears in Mr Tinubu” as President
has “ended democracy” in Nigeria. The Nobel Laureate last Continued on page 5
Buhari Backs Aggrieved Politicians’ Right to Seek Redress, Urges Patience with Legal System Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has acknowledged the right of aggrieved politicians to contest the outcome of the elections held in the country in February and March, this year. In a 2023 Easter message to Nigerians issued yesterday, Good Friday, and personally signed by him, President Buhari, while emphasising that it was within the rights of the election losers to seek redress, however, advised them to allow the law take its course in post-election matters. According to him: "As a nation, we have gone through an election that has produced the next set of leaders at the federal and state levels. "I commend Nigerians for believing in the process. While I congratulate those that have been elected, I acknowledge that it is the right of those who feel dissatisfied with the outcome to seek redress. I expect them to wait patiently and allow our legal system
to run its course." The President in the Easter message stated, inter alia: "I join Christians in Nigeria and around the world to celebrate Easter, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, signposting his victory over death. "At the heart of Easter, is the triumph of light over darkness. It is a season that reminds us that the Almighty can turn an unpleasant situation round for good. "Recognising that Easter is about renewed hope and a glorious future, I urge all Nigerians to continue to be confident and believe strongly in our country for better seasons ahead. "It has been a rare privilege for me to serve as your President since you gave me the first mandate in 2015 and renewed it in 2019. "Day after day, I have been guided by the vows I took to keep Nigeria united, prosperous and secure. "Our successes on security, Continued on page 5
CONDOLENCE VISIT… L-R: Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Josephine, wife of late Lt. Gen. Oladipo Diya, Chief of General Staff in the Abacha military government, during a condolence visit to the Diya family in Lagos by a federal government delegation led by Osinbajo…yesterday.
Cold Weather: Pope Skips Good Friday Procession... Page 5
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