VP Shettima Leads FG Delegation To Condole With Environment Minister Over Loss Of Mother

• Describes the late Hajiya Dayyabatu Lawal’s demise as great loss to Nigeria

By: Our Reporter

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday, led the Federal Government’s delegation on a condolence visit to the Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, at his Zaria family residence in Kaduna State to commiserate with the Lawal family over the passing of their matriarch, Hajiya Dayyabatu Lawal, at the age of 93.

Senator Shettima, who said the delegation was in the state at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to extend condolences to the Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, the Minister and the entire Zazzau Emirate, described the passing of Hajiya Dayyabatu, as a great loss to the entire nation.

“We are here at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to commiserate with the Honourable Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Abbas Lawal over the demise of the matriarch of the family, Hajiya Dayyabatu Lawal,” he said.

“May Allah grant her soul eternal rest and reward her with Aljana Firdaus give her family and the good people of Zazzau Emirate, Kaduna State, at large, the fortitude to bear the loss.

“May Allah continue to unite the people of Zazzau Emirate and may peace continue to reign in Kaduna State and Nigeria in general,” he stated.

Before proceeding to the Minister’s family residence on arrival in the ancient city of Zaria, VP Shettima stopped at the palace of the Emir of Zazzau, HRH, Alhaji Bamalli, to pay homage and extend President Tinubu’s condolences to the royal father.

At the Emir’s palace, the Vice President prayed Almighty Allah to grant the soul of Hajiya Dayyabatu, who was also a respected mother to the entire Emirate, “eternal rest and reward her with Aljana Firdaus, and also give her family, the good people of Zazzau Emirate and Kaduna State at large, the fortitude to bear the loss”.

Earlier in his remark, the Emir of Zazzau, who thanked Senator Shettima for the visit, commended him for his love and concern for the people of Zazzau Emirate, as well as Kaduna State, just as he extolled the VP’s leadership qualities.

He said, “Your presence here today has brought comfort and strength, while we mourn the passing of my beloved mother, who had lived a life worthy of emulation. Your support is a testament to the values of leadership, solidarity and compassion of a leader. We thank you most sincerely for your presence here today and leadership style.”

On the Federal Government delegation led by the Vice President are the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali; Minister of State for Regional Development, Alhaji Uba Maigari Ahmadu; Special Adviser on General Duties to the President (Office of the Vice President), Dr Aliyu Umar Modibbo; Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, and Hon. Yusuf Galambi.

VP Shettima Leads FG Delegation To Condole With Environment Minister Over Loss Of Mother

Savannah State Creation: Reps passes Bill for First Reading

By: Salihu Inusa

A Bill seeking for the creation of Savannah State out of the present Borno has passed its First Reading at Wednesday’s plenary session of the 10th House of Representatives.

Recalled that in July this year, The Chairman, Northeast zone B House of Representative Committee on the 1999 constitution review, Hon Isa Ali has said that the House has received presentations and memorandum from over 50 clubs, civil society Organisation’s, Association Unions and organisations ranging from creation of states, Savannah inclusive.

Member representing Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency, Hon. Midala Balami, his counterparts, Hon. Muktari Betara of Biu/Shani/Kwaya Kusar/Bayo and Hon. Ahmed Usman Jaha, alias Babawo representing Gwoza/Damboa/Chibok Federal constituency in Borno state are sponsors/co-sponsors of the Bill respectively.

Presenting the Bill for an Act before the Honorable House, Balami through an Order Paper 223 said “It is inline with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to create a new state in the North East region known as Savannah State from the present Borno State, and for other related matters”.

According to Hon Balami, the proposed legislation of the new Savannah State, when created, will have 24 Local Government Areas (LGAs), including existing ones that will be adjusted and demarcated to enhance administrative efficiency and promote effective governance.

He stated that Damboa is to be the capital city of the new Savannah State when created.

Addressing Journalists in Maiduguri, the Lawmaker appreciated the Speaker of the house of representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeed Abbas and his colleagues for the support and cooperation which led to the smooth passage of the Bill for the First Reading.

He described the creation of Savannah State out of the present Borno State as imperative due to Borno’s current population and number of local government areas.

“If you look at all the states in the North-East, Borno State has the largest population; and it has 27 local government areas, which also is the highest number in the geopolitical zone,” Hon. Balami said.

In addtion Balami said; “We want to ensure effective utilization of resources in this country; and when we talk of that, the smaller the size of the component, the easier and most-effective the management of the resources it.

“So, for the people of Borno State, the creation of Savannah State is a win-win situation, because once Southern Borno has Savannah, Borno itself will have a population it can easily manage in terms of development, resource utilization and even in terms of security,” He argued.

The Lawmaker further stressed that Savannah state agitation has been on the front banner for over 40 years, and when created, is going to be a good omen, justice, fairness and inclusivity to the concerned people in that region.

Savannah State Creation: Reps passes Bill for First Reading

UAE Assures NDLEA of Support, Partnership, Commends Marwa Over Drug War

By: Michael Mike

The government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has assured the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of support and stronger partnership while commending the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd) for providing excellent leadership that has led to streaks of operational successes in the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

The assurance and commendation were conveyed when the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Musabbeh Alshamsi paid Marwa a courtesy visit at the agency’s National Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday.

The Ambassador said: “I’m here to appreciate your hard work and the great leadership you have provided the NDLEA. We have been following your achievements very closely, and I must say you have done very well and still doing excellent job. We follow all the good work that you’ve been doing, especially all the drugs you’re seizing and blocking from coming to the UAE and we’re so proud of your achievements and that’s why we’re here to deepen our cooperation with your agency in the area of fighting drug trafficking. The UAE looks forward to working more closely with Nigeria on drug enforcement matters.”

While extending an invitation to Marwa to visit his counterpart in UAE and the Dubai Police leadership for further engagements, the envoy expressed the readiness of his government to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NDLEA on areas of collaboration with the agency.

“We need to exchange information about drug dealers, and all of their activities. We are here to help and to support you, especially on this matter. It’s very important that we have a very great communication between the UAE and Nigeria especially now that the relationship between United Arab Emirates and Nigeria has become one of the best. If there is any other thing I could do to support the great work you’re doing here, please do not hesitate to ask me and I’ll be available and willing to do it in appreciation of your great leadership. Our mission is to be here for you, assist and support you”, the Ambassador stated.

In his response, Marwa expressed appreciation to the envoy for his kind words on his person and the work of NDLEA, while also commending the developmental strides in UAE. He praised the Ambassador’s years of dedicated service and the huge leap in trade and movement between Nigeria and UAE in the last two years, which he said is in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“I’d like to acknowledge the strong diplomatic relations between our two countries that have continued to grow stronger every year. And Your Excellency has just told us now the latest in billions of dollars in non-oil trade and this is something that we welcome very much in Nigeria because the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda wants to achieve not just peace and stability, but prosperity for all Nigerians. The drug scourge is universal, both the trafficking of it and the abuse of it and there’s a need for collaboration between nations to achieve solutions on this. And in Nigeria, the NDLEA is the agency that is tasked with the control of illicit drugs in the country.”

Marwa noted that in the last four years, the agency had intercepted a total of 302.202 kilograms of assorted illicit substances going to the UAE either at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos or some courier companies in Lagos.

As the largest anti-narcotics agency in Africa, Marwa said NDLEA partners all leading drug law enforcement agencies across the world. “We welcome the collaboration between NDLEA and our counterparts in UAE, we’re also willing to honour the invitation to visit UAE for collaborative discussions and sign the MoU”, he assured the envoy.

UAE Assures NDLEA of Support, Partnership, Commends Marwa Over Drug War