National News
Political office not about prestige – Osinbajo

Political office not about prestige – Osinbajo
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says holding political office is more of an opportunity to serve and impact on lives of millions of people than the prestige that comes with the position.
His spokesman, Mr Laolu Akande, quoted the vice-president as making the assertion at the unveiling of a book titled “Deputising and Governance in Nigeria’’.
The book was authored by the governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje.
The book launch was part of the programme at a workshop where the roles of a deputy to an elected public official, especially vice- presidents and deputy governors came under public searchlight.
The workshop featured reminiscences by former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was deputy to deceased President Umaru Yar’Adua, Osinbajo, the author himself and his deputy, Alhaji Nasir Gawuna.
“A thought that runs through the book is that in spite of the put-downs of the office, being political number two is important.
“This is because political office is about the lives of millions of people and not just about the prestige of office.
“In our constitutional democracy, the effectiveness of the number two citizen, the vice-president, depends a great deal on the trust reposed in him by the president.
“That is a function of loyalty and it goes both ways as Ganduje points out in his book,’’ Osinbajo said.
The vice-president highlighted the importance of dedication, loyalty and service in political office on governance.
He described the relationship between him and his boss – President Muhammadu Buhari, as ideal and exemplary.
“I am more fortunate than others in my relationship with my principal, the president who genuinely believes in the role of the vice-president.
“At a time that he was embarking on medical leave, there were a few things that were outstanding to send to him.
“All he said was: “I don’t want you to send me anything, it is your job now, just make sure you do a good job,’ ’’ Osinbajo recalled.
Osinbajo said that as former President Jonathan said of his relationship with late Gov. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa, Buhari did not expect him (Osinbajo) to call him when he was away.
“He expects that I know what to do and should do it,’’ he noted.
The vice-president drew an analogy of the spare tyre widely used to describe the role of the deputy to the president.
He explained that a better description would be that of the relationship between a pilot and his deputy in an aircraft.
“Imagine a commercial flight with people, including you on a plane, there is the captain, and then there is his deputy.
“The captain flies the plane, but
no human being can be completely focused for several hours.
“So, sometimes he gets up and goes to the bathroom while the flight is on; his deputy had better be a good pilot, otherwise lives are at risk.
“Can you imagine a situation where the captain leaves the cockpit briefly and you hear an announcement from the cockpit: “ladies and gentlemen, I am the deputy to the captain; the captain is in the restroom, and I am only a spare tyre and I am not sure what to do now?”
“If you are in that plane you will ask God for forgiveness for expecting that a deputy or assistant plays no role,’’ he said.
Osinbajo observed that the book was full of wisdom and wit from a practical politician and erudite social scientist, Alhaji Ganduje.
“Ganduje is worth studying not because he has always succeeded politically, but because he failed many times, yet he always knew how to lose and not get lost.
“This book is not about Ganduje and his achievements, it is more of a textbook on governance and politics.
“And we have heard this most eloquently from Prof. Attahiru Jega, the book reviewer today; it contains important nuggets on those two subjects,’’ Osinbajo said.
The vice-president recommended the book to everyone, not just politicians, but anyone who had any kind of interest in good governance.
Dignitaries at the event included the APC vice-presidential candidate, Sen. Kashim Shettima, who represented the party’s presidential candidate, Sen. BolaTinubu, Govs. Babagana Zulum (Borno), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe) and Abdulrahman Abdulrazak (Kwara).
Political office not about prestige – Osinbajo
National News
Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger

Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger
By: Zagazola Makama
A renewed chieftaincy tussle in Muye village, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, has sparked violent confrontations between rival supporters, prompting swift intervention by security operatives.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the crisis began around 6:20 p.m. on Thursday when the deposed village head, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulkadir Maigari II, forcefully returned to Muye and broke into the palace.
The incident provoked tension among residents, especially after supporters of the current Dakachi confronted the deposed monarch. The situation was immediately brought under control by a team of security personnel from Lapai.
However, Zagazola learnt that the situation escalated on Friday morning when supporters of both camps clashed again, leading to a free-for-all fight that disrupted public peace in the community.
Security sources were swiftly deployed to Muye to restore normalcy.
“The combined security teams have brought the situation under control. Monitoring and surveillance operations are ongoing to prevent further breakdown of law and order,” the source said.
No casualties or arrests have been officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report.
Chieftaincy dispute causes chaos in Muye village in Niger
National News
Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony

Eid-el-Kabir: IPCR Calls on Nigerians to Peace, Harmony
By: Michael Mike
Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress.
The advice was given by the Director General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, in his message on Eid-el-Kabir.
The Institute, while extending warm greetings to Nigerians, wished them a joyous and peaceful celebration, marked by love, compassion, and unity.
The Institute while noting that Sallah is a significant occasion in the Islamic calendar, symbolizing the values of sacrifice, gratitude, and community, emphasized that the spirit of Sallah should guide Nigerians in their interactions with one another, fostering a culture of peace, tolerance, and understanding.
The IPCR urged Nigerians to promote peace and harmony in their communities, recognizing that peace is essential to national development and progress, while
encouraging individuals to embrace the values of Sallah, including forgiveness, empathy, and kindness, in their daily lives.
According to IPCR, peace is critical to promoting national stability and cohesion.
The Institute also urged Nigerians to use this period of Sallah celebration to address conflicts and promote dialogue, which could help to build trust and understanding among Nigerians and also contribute to a more peaceful society.
It recognized that the country’s many ethnic and religious groups can work together to build a more harmonious society, celebrating their differences and promoting a culture of tolerance.
End
National News
Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing

Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing
By: Michael Mike
A community leader and the Waziri Mushere of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Chief Yohana Margif has expressed dismay over the incessant killing of innocent citizens of the community.
Margif made this known in an interview with journalists on Thursday in Abuja.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene to halt what he described as genocide against the people, which he said was being perpetrated by suspected herdsmen.
Margif also called on Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser, and other security chiefs in the country, to rein in the alleged culprits.
He said: “I would like to draw the attention of the topmost leadership in Nigeria to the deteriorating dire security situation in Plateau, particularly in Mushere Chiefdom of Bokkos LGA.
“I urge President Tinubu to take immediate decisive action to halt these endless and senseless killings, protect lives and properties, and secure the future of the Mushere people, and other victims of obvious genocide against the people.
“Herdsmen are killing our innocent people, burning their homes, looting their foodstuff, property, livestock, and taking over their ancestral lands,” he said.
According to the Abuja-based real estate mogul, the attacks and attendant killings have intensified recently since the onset of this year’s farming season.
Margif further said that the people had been displaced from their villages and ancestral homes and were forced to become internally displaced persons in the country.
He emphasised that the situation required immediate intervention by all stakeholders in order to prevent further escalation and inflict an irredeemable harm by wiping out the entire community from the surface of the earth.
He lamented that: “Since President Tinubu’s administration began, Plateau State has witnessed an unprecedented escalation of violence and loss of lives.
“This is the current sad reality. Our people are constantly under the threat of the enemy’s bullets and can’t sleep with two eyes closed due to the perpetual unleashing of violence against them by external forces.
“Something urgent must be done to stem the tide of violence and end this war against the people in order not to
harm this administration’s reputation,” Margif said.
In the past couple of days, suspected herdsmen militia killed no fewer than 35 people in the localities of Hokk, Pangkap, Fokoldep, Kopmur, Margif, Horop, Mbor, Mushere and Kwahas localities in Mushere Chiefdom.
Chairman, Bokkos Community Peace Observers, Kefas Mallai, who confirmed the killings to newsmen, said the victims included a 70-year-old Pastor of COCIN LCC Kwakas-Mushere, Mimang Lekyil, who was attacked and killed in the church.
He said that the pastor’s wife was also shot in the leg and was admitted at the Jos University Teaching Hospital for treatment, he said.
“Bokkos has never been this insecure, with the people being butchered as we are currently witnessing,” Lilian Madaki, from the Mushere community told journalists.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Emmanuel Adesina, also confirmed the incident in a statement saying security forces including police and military personnel, had been deployed in the affected communities.
Community Leader Seeks Tinubu’s Urgent Intervention in Incessant Plateau Killing
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