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GEJ Insist Problem of Africa, the Making of Leaders Who Fail to Respect Laws

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GEJ Insist Problem of Africa, the Making of Leaders Who Fail to Respect Laws

By: Michael Mike

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has decried that the problems of Africa is the making of leaders who do not respect their nation’s laws, calling on the electorate to elect only leaders who will respect the laws of the land.

Jonathan, who is ECOWAS special envoy, made the call on Tuesday while officially opening the second annual retreat for special envoys and high officials representing Regional Economic Communities (RECs) on Constitutional Transitions and Unconstitutional Changes of Governments, organised by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in collaboration with Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

He said: “I believe that we need to elect leaders who will respect their laws. If our leaders – Presidents, Prime Ministers, the parliament and the judiciary – would respect our laws, I believe that 70 per cent of our problems would be solved.”

The former Nigerian President while commending the organisers of the summit, enjoined them to get leaders involved, stressing that: “I have always said that for us to move forward, key political leaders need to be involved.

“Sometimes, these conversations are very brilliant but how do we make sure it works? It is like the debate between having strong institutions and having a strong man. No matter how strong the institutions are, there are some kind of characters that trample on the institutions and nothing will happen.

“So, we need somebody who means well for the people, and who can make strong institutions work. There will be two forces jamming; the force of the president and the force of the head of an institution and the head of an institution can not stand the president, especially in African countries.”

He advised the organisers to bring African presidents and other leaders together to make key decisions on how to bring inclusivity to their governance process.

Jonathan while admitting that the theme of the event was timely given the pace of rising insecurity, mounting social tension, and the number of unconstitutional transitions and unconstitutional changes of governments in Africa, expressed optimism that concrete and actionable recommendations would be generated from the retreat to respond in a sustainable and inclusive manner to these complex situations.

The former ruler who emphasized the need to sustain democracy in Africa, said: “I have always said that there is a strong connection between democracy and development, hence the need to deepen democracy, make it more inclusive and strengthen the institutions of governance, towards building a stable and prosperous society.

“A dialogue on inclusivity should explore the process through which RECs and Special Envoys are responding to constitutional transitions and Unconstitutional changes of governments, and the need to strengthen structures for credible elections, peace mediations and good governance.”

Earlier in his remark, Secretary-General of International IDEA, Dr Kevin Casas-Zamora, said the key finding emanating from the organisation’s signature publication, the Global State of Democracy Report which assesses democratic performance in 173 countries shows that this is the sixth consecutive year of democratic deterioration globally, the longest such sequence is witnessed since our records started in 1975.

He added that: “Over two-thirds of the world’s population now lives in non-democratic regimes or in countries where democracy is visibly retreating. Our report documents the considerable pressures faced by democratic governments everywhere: rising populism; declining trust in institutions; runaway polarization; unmet social expectations; pressing environmental challenges; and an increasingly toxic information environment.”

Casas-Zamora also said: “We document in our report the visible rise in unconstitutional changes of government, particularly in West Africa; the increase in violence in so many places in the continent, including, in tragical fashion, in Sudan; and the problematic presence everywhere of an increasingly naked geopolitical competition and of widespread dissatisfaction with the workings of democracy.”

In his keynote address, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdul-Fatau Musah noted the excuse of insecurity used by military juntas to overthrow democratically elected leaders was not tenable against the backdrop that insecurity has continued to grow under them.

He added that it become more untenable considering that it is the sector that is saddled with security that are putting up the claim, which in actual fact should be seen as their failure.

He said it has become imperative not to leave the transition position back to democratic rule in this hands of juntas, insisting that they should be made to vacate power and put in place a transition government made of civilians.

GEJ Insist Problem of Africa, the Making of Leaders Who Fail to Respect Laws

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Gov. Uba Sani visits scene of Kurmin Wali attack,vows to free captives

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Gov. Uba Sani visits scene of Kurmin Wali attack,vows to free captives

By: Zagazola Makama

Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State on Wednesday visited Kurmin Wali village in Kajuru Local Government Area, scene of a recent bandit attack, where he admitted the incident and pledged decisive action to secure the release of those abducted.

The governor, who commiserated with the victims and their families, described the Jan. 18 attack on three churches in the community as painful and unacceptable, assuring residents that his administration would intensify efforts to restore lasting peace in the area.

Sani said the state government would work closely with the military and other security stakeholders to ensure the safe return of all captives and prevent a recurrence of such attacks.

He appealed to the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), a native of Kaduna State, to support the establishment of a military base in the area to enhance security and deter criminal elements.

The governor also announced plans to construct an access road to Kurmin Wali, establish a Primary Health Care centre, and provide other social amenities to improve living conditions and strengthen government presence in the community.

Addressing international and local journalists who accompanied him to the village, Sani said his administration remained committed to protecting lives and property across Kaduna State.

Residents of Kurmin Wali thanked the governor for the visit and pledged their cooperation with the government to help secure the release of the abducted persons and sustain peace in the area.

Gov. Uba Sani visits scene of Kurmin Wali attack,vows to free captives

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The Emir of Tikau urges the new Emir of Gamawa to carry his people along for the development of the emirate

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The Emir of Tikau urges the new Emir of Gamawa to carry his people along for the development of the emirate

By: Yahaya Wakili

His Royal Highness the Emir of Tikau in Yobe State, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammadu Ibn Grema II, has called on the new emir of Gamawa in Bauchi State, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir Adamu, to carry everybody along in the emirate for the development of the nation.

The royal father made the appeal today at his place in Sabon Garin Nangere while receiving the new emir of Gamawa in Bauchi state, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir Adamu. He said the creation of emirates is a great development for the nation.

“As we know, there was a very strong relationship between the Gamawa and Tikau emirates, and these will continue existing, and we share a boundary with them, and there was something that was raised between us and them, and anything that affected them affected us directly.” The Royal Father said.

According to Mai Tikau, the most cases we have are the conflicts between the farmers and the herders from time to time. Sometimes they will enter our territory, and sometimes we will enter their own, adding that, for the issue of the border, we hope with your coming as the new emir of Gamawa, this problem will be solved.

Speaking earlier, the emir of Gamawa, Alhaji Adamu Abdulkadir Adamu, said they were at Tikau Place to express their appreciation to the royal father, the emir of Tikau, for his support given to us since we emerged as the new emir of Gamawa.

He said, “Immediately His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, Hon. Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad Kaura, created this emirate. Mai Tikau is the first person who sent a delegation to Gamawa to congratulate us.”

The Emir of Tikau urges the new Emir of Gamawa to carry his people along for the development of the emirate

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Former Minister visits Gimba Memorial School in Potiskum

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Former Minister visits Gimba Memorial School in Potiskum

By: Yahaya Wakili

The former Minister of Police Affairs and Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Yobe State, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, has paid a surprise visit to Hafsatu Gimba Ahmed Memorial School in Potiskum, where he was warmly received by the students and the school management.

During the visit, the former minister distributed educational materials and foodstuff to the pupils and commended the school’s leadership for its commitment to quality education.

Adamu Waziri moved from classroom to classroom, where he engaged directly with students in a cheerful and fatherly manner and charged them to take their studies seriously, noting the importance of reading as a key to personal and national development.

He commended the proprietor of the school, Dr. Hassan Gimba Ahmed, the publisher/editor-in-chief of NEPTUNE PRIME, for his dedication to education and community service as a whole, adding that what Dr. Hassan Gimba has done here is not just building a school but building a legacy.

Earlier, the proprietor of the school, Dr. Hassan Gimba Ahmed, ably represented by the school’s management, thanked Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri for his generosity and continued interest in youth development and described the visit as a major encouragement to the school and the community hosting it.

“This gesture underscores Adamu Maina Waziri’s ongoing commitment to supporting education and nurturing the next generation of Nigerian leaders even beyond his years of public service.

The highlight of the visit concluded with a group photograph and heartfelt appreciation from students, many of whom said they were inspired by the former minister’s humility and kindness.

The former minister of police affairs was accompanied by Dr. Zainab Boni Haruna, Engr. Abubakar Adamu Waziri (alias Cargo), Hon. Umar Khali, ADC state party chairman, Hon. Lawan Mammadu Kori, and Dr. Mamu Muhammad, among others.

Former Minister visits Gimba Memorial School in Potiskum.

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