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Buhari, OBJ, Adebanjo, Sanwo-Olu, Obi, Tinubu, others hail Anyaoku @90
President Muhammadu Buhari and a host of prominent Nigerians, yesterday, paid glowing tributes to iconic diplomat and former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who turned 90, yesterday.
Among those, who extolled Chief Anyaoku’s virtues were former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos; Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Chief Ben Obi.
They spoke at a colourful ceremony held at Metropolitan Club, Victoria Island, Lagos for Anyaoku, who served briefly as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs under former President Shehu Shagari.
Also, Labour Party, LP, Presidential Candidate, and former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi; and his All Progressives Congress, APC, counterpart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, saluted the elder statesman for championing the cause of good governance and promoting the entrenchment of democracy throughout the Commonwealth and the world at large.
He helped to enthrone good governance in Nigeria — BUHARI
President Buhari, who was represented by his Chief of staff, Professor Agbola Gambari, said:”It gives me great joy to warmly rejoice with you as a seasoned diplomat and administrator. I acknowledge the wealthy contribution you have made to the development of this country starting out as a young Foreign Service officer, and reaching the pinnacle of your diplomatic career as secretary general of the Commonwealth through patience and diligence, and consistently protecting your country. Thank you for using your international network to support Nigeria in entrenching good governance, democracy and development. As you clock 90, I rejoice with you and your family.”
Anyaoku invaluable to many nations — SANWO-OLU
On his part, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who thanked God for the life of the seasoned diplomat said:” He is the only known black leader to have been secretary general of the Commonwealth for 10 years.
God in his mercy has kept him and his wife well and alive. Chief Anyaoku is a man that sits down quietly and advises nations and everybody that are in position of authority today.”
He’s ambassador of ambassadors — OBASANJO
In the same vein, former President Obasanjo while narrating his working relationship with Chief Anyaoku said “until you are very close to Chief Anyaoku you won’t know a lot about him.
Recalling when he worked with Anyaoku in the Eminent Persons Group of the Commonwealth. Obasanjo said Chief Anyaoku is an ambassador of ambassadors.
“There’s nothing diplomatic about me but there’s everything diplomatic about Chief Anyaoku. His contribution to the struggle to end apartheid in South Africa cannot be imagined.
I want to once again salute Chief Emeka Anyaoku for the work he made the prominent group do to end apartheid in South Africa.”
We can’t forget his sacrifices, support for restoration of democracy – PETER OBI
Felicitating with Anyaoku, the LP presidential the candidate said it was a a thing of joy for him and members of his family to join the elder statesman family, well-wishers, as well as national and international friends in celebrating his landmark 90th birthday.
Obi in a statement said:“I recall with exceeding joy, your long period of service to Nigeria and the international community, which you discharged with the highest level of commitment and patriotism.
“As the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, you presented the image and identity of a true Nigerian, championing the cause of good governance and promoting the entrenchment of democracy throughout the Commonwealth and the world at large.
“I recall too, how you fought doggedly for the return of democracy in Nigeria in 1999 and for the military to disengage from governance, deploying your position as the Secretary-General of the influential British Commonwealth of Nations. Nigeria owes
Your Excellency a debt of gratitude.”
READ ALSO:Three South Korean ex-ministers indicted in blacklist scandal
He’s a source of pride, joy to Nigeria—TINUBU
On his part, Tinubu said Chief Anyaoku is a source of pride and joy to Nigeria as an excellent career diplomat and elder statesman.
Tinubu stated this in a congratulatory message to Chief Anyaoku on Wednesday on the occasion of his 90th birthday and signed by Tunde Rahman.
The APC presidential candidate praised the contributions of Chief Anyaoku to national development and global political and economic order through his leadership of the Commonwealth of Nations.
“It is noteworthy that during his time as Secretary-General, Chief Anyaoku led the 54 countries of the Commonwealth with distinction, courage and integrity”, he stated. For representing Nigeria on a global stage for many years without blemish, Asiwaju Tinubu said Chief Anyaoku has become a national hero and an icon of public service and diplomacy whose service records will serve as a beacon for the present and future generations.
“I specially congratulate Chief Emeka Anyaoku on his 90th birthday celebration. Chief Anyaoku is an international statesman, a distinguished Nigerian who served the global community as the SecretaryGeneral of the Commonwealth of Nations.
“Chief Anyaoku is an icon of public service whose records of impeccable contributions to Nigeria’s development and diplomacy deserve a special place in the archives for generations to come.
“At the Commonwealth Office where he made his name as an international statesman, Chief Anyaoku represented Nigeria well and for this, we are grateful to him as a country and people.
My thoughts at 90 — Anyaoku
While appreciating the accolades, Chief Aayaoku said: “My first thought is to appreciate the goodness of God in my life. I also regard my wife, Olubunmi, as a great blessing from God.
“I have travelled far and wide and I discovered that there are few countries that are as blessed and gifted as Nigeria. But an undeniable truth is that our country has declined with the present state; declined from being the land of achievements during our independence when we had security. I traveled from Ibadan to Maiduguri by road. That cannot happen now. It was a time when our federating units competed heavily in developments.
Now, Nigerians are branded as one of the poorest people living below the poverty line.
But I must say there’s hope as this year’s national elections will be the beggining of a better Nigeria.This is the hope that we should all cherish.”
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Rep felicitates Wike on emergence as THISDAY/Arise TV Minister of the Year
The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rep. Aliyu Betara (APC-Borno), has congratulated the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, on his emergence as THISDAY/Arise TV Minister of the Year.
Betara, in a congratulatory message issued in Abuja, eulogised the leadership virtue and dedication of the minister to infrastructural development in the territory.
The lawmaker, representing Biu/Bayo/Shani/Kwaya Kusar Federal Constituency of Borno, said that the award was well-deserved.
“On behalf of the House of Representatives Committee on FCT, I wish to extend my warmest congratulations to the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, on your well-deserved recognition as the Minister of the Year by THISDAY/Arise TV.
“This prestigious honour is a testament to your visionary leadership, tireless dedication and exceptional contributions to the infrastructural transformation in the territory.
“Your unwavering commitment to service and your determination to improve the lives of residents and visitors alike to the FCT has been nothing short of exemplary.
“Through your bold initiatives and strategic policies, you have not only enhanced the aesthetics and functionality of Abuja, but have also reaffirmed the FCT’s position as a beacon of progress and modernity in Nigeria,” he said.
Betara said that the recognition was a reflection of the positive impact of Wike’s work and the admiration he had earned across various sectors.
While describing the recognition as an outstanding achievement, the lawmaker prayed that the milestone would serve as an inspiration for greater accomplishments in service, with integrity and purpose.
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Court adjourns case against ex-Kogi governor, others
A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Wednesday, adjourned hearing in the alleged money laundering case against former governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello until April 3 and April 24.
Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the case for continuation of hearing after the first witness, Fabian Nworah, a property developer, was called to testify.
The Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that he had five witnesses to call for the day.
Justice Anenih said she could only take one witness as she had other matters to attend to.
The court also announced that it would not be sitting on Thursday as previously scheduled.
Counsel for the 1st and 2nd Defendants, Joseph Daudu, SAN, however, informed the court that the prosecution had not made the statements on oath of the 2nd defendant available to the defence team.
He said he was aware that the first defendant had not made any statement.
Daudu also objected to the witness presented by the prosecution, arguing that the defendants had no prior knowledge of the witness and were only seeing him in court for the first time.
Citing authorities, he emphasised that legal proceedings should not be a “hide and seek” game, stating that the prosecution was required to provide the witness’ statements on oath in advance so the defence could adequately prepare for cross-examination.
“The statements of the second defendant have not been served on us to be able to know if we will be able to represent him or not.
“So, it is a serious handicap on us. They need to serve us all the statements made by the defendants.
“I understand the first defendant has not made a statement. Fortunately, we are still within the house keeping stage of the proceeding,” he added.
Corroborating this, counsel for the 3rd Defendant, Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, said, “mine is not a comment but an observation my lord. My application is for the court to order the prosecution to provide us with the statements of the 2nd and 3rd defendants.”
When the judge asked if he had requested for the statements, Aliyu SAN said, he discovered on Tuesday that the said statements were not part of the proof of evidence served on the defendants.
He said: “I am also applying that the court order the prosecution to provide us with copies of recovered digital device and the report or the extract therefrom mentioned on Page 14 of Volume 1 of the proof of evidence and the report of the forensic expert if any.
“I am following the procedure followed in Okoye against the Commissioner of Police, which was adopted by the Supreme Court in Okemini Vs Commissioner of Police.”
The prosecution witness, however, disagreed, saying the defendants were trying to delay speedy trial.
He insisted that the proof of evidence was served on the defendants on Nov. 27, 2024.
“The constitutional provisions, which they rely on, does not imply that the prosecution should provide all the documents which it relies on.
“The law only provides that the prosecution should oblige the defence with all the documents requested for,” Pinheiro argued.
He noted that the issues would be addressed whenever they receive formal applications from the Defendants and urged the court to proceed on the business for the day.
“As it is, we have almost utilised more than an hour on these arguments,” he stated.
The judge asked the defendant’s counsel why he did not raise the issues in December.
Daudu SAN replied that it was because it had to be done after arraignment.
“I have applied and they are not obliging me. It is absolutely necessary for our defence,” counsel for the 3rd defendant said.
The judge, however, declined the application for adjournment and directed the prosecution to proceed with the case.
The prosecution then proceeded to call its first witness, Fabian Nwora, a property developer with EFAB Property Nigeria Limited.
Nwora testified that he was invited to the Economic and Financial Crimes on Feb. 8, 2023, regarding a transaction between Shehu Bello and EFAB Property concerning a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama.
He stated that he sold the said property to Shehu Bello but observed that the name on the sale agreement was Dr Bello Ohiani, not Shehu Bello.
He said, in 2023, Shehu Bello approached EFAB Property, informing them that the property was under investigation by the EFCC.
He returned all documents related to the purchase and demanded a refund of the N550million that was paid.
Subsequently, he said, EFAB Property was invited by the EFCC to explain what transpired between them and Shehu Bello.
The EFCC instructed the company to refund the entire sum to an EFCC-designated account. EFAB Property complied in two batches of N400 million and N150 million.
Headlines
Kebbi to upgrade Zuru hospital to referral centre
The Kebbi Government says it is assessing the condition of the Zuru General Hospital with the aim of upgrading it to a referral centre.
Gov. Nasir Idris stated this when he visited the Emir of Zuru, Alhaji Muhammadu Sani-Sami on Wednesday in Zuru.
Idris visited the emir to thank the people of Fakai, Sakaba, Danko/Wasagu and Zuru Local Government Areas that make up the emirate.
Idris said that upgrading the Zuru General Hospital to a referral centre would ease the difficulties faced by people of the emirate.
The governor said that quality healthcare services remained an utmost priority of his administration.
He said that the Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi and the State Medical Centre, Kalgo, currently serving as referral health institutions were overstretched.
“The government is committed to reversing the trend by making referral hospitals close, accessible and affordable to the people of the state,” he said.
On the expansion of the Zuru Water Works and construction of urban township roads, Idris promised to reappraise the facilities for necessary action.
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