The Enugu State governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has restated administration’s commitment to prioritizing the rights, welfare, education, security, and safety of children in the state.
The assurances were contained in a press statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Mainstream Media, Dan Nwomeh, on Monday in Enugu, marking the 2024 Children’s Day.
According to the statement, “the governor is especially focused on protecting the rights of every child and making sure children of school age have access to high quality basic education, which will inspire them to express their creativity in science, technology, art, and music, and make their voices heard in the society.
“Children are an essential part of our society. Without them, there will not be transition to a greater tomorrow. They mirror the outlook of our future, and the tomorrow we want to bequeath to them. We are, therefore, committed to ensuring that their rights, which are fundamental to my administration, are protected.
“Our administration has made it a point of duty to commit to the education, welfare, safety and rights of our children. This is why we are committing over 33% of this fiscal year’s budgetary allocation to their education and wellbeing. The 260 smart green schools we are building across the 260 wards in the state are part of the assurances that we want to ensure that children in the state have a bright and productive future irrespective of status, religion, sex and background,” part of the statement read.
On the theme of this year’s Children’s Day, “For every child, every right,” the governor explained that his administration was in the forefront of eliminating child labour, child trafficking, malnutrition, dislocation, or any other form of attacks, adding that no child in the state would experience a setback in their education due to their family background.
“As a way of ensuring every child in Enugu State participates in the journey to shaping a better future, our administration has placed a high priority on basic and primary education. We are not only offering quality education, we are offering a free, world-class experiential system of learning that has departed from the traditional method of education.
“We will keep listening and giving our children voices to be heard, and celebrate their talents and ingenuity,” the statement added.
A collage of Emir Sanusi II and 15th Emir Ado Bayero
Tension appears to be high as the leadership of the Kano Emirate took a new twist on Saturday.
This comes as the newly appointed Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II and the deposed Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero now lay claim to the throne.
Emir Sanusi II has formerly assumed duty at the palace while the deposed Emir Ado Bayero is now at the royal house in Nasarawa, another part of Kano city.
Sanusi II appeared at the palace on a horse with the royal umbrella, which signifies him as the emir.
Return of Sanusi
On Thursday, the state governor, Abba Yusuf, assented to the Kano State Emirates Council (Amendment Number 2) Law, 2024.
The amended law abolished the establishment of the five emirate councils of Kano, Bichi, Rano, Karaye and Gaya in the state.
The governor signed the bill into law in the presence of the deputy governor, Aminu Abdulsalam, Speaker, Isma’il Falgore, and the SSG, Abdullahi Bichi.
Speaking after the signing, the governor announced the reinstatement of Emir Sanusi ll, who was deposed by former governor, Abdullahi Ganduje in 2020. The move led to his reinstatement four years after the immediate past governor of the North-West state Abdullahi Ganduje deposed him.
Meanwhile, Bayero reportedly landed at the Aminu Kano International Airport on Saturday at 4:30 am and was greeted by supporters. He proceeded to occupy the Nasarawa palace.
Governor Yusuf Orders Bayero’s arrest
Following Bayero’s return to Kano, Governor Yusuf ordered his immediate arrest, accusing him of creating tension within the state.
According to a press statement issued early Saturday morning by Mr Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the spokesperson for the Governor, the former emir was allegedly smuggled into Kano city last night in an attempt to reclaim the palace forcefully.
The statement, issued at 7:00 AM in Kano, confirmed that the new Emir, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, had arrived at the palace accompanied by the Governor, the Deputy Governor, the Speaker of the State Assembly, and other top government officials at approximately 1:00 AM on Saturday.
“As the Chief security officer of the state, His Excellency the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has directed the Commissioner of Police to arrest the deposed emir with immediate effect for disturbance of public peace and trying to destroy the relative peace the state enjoys,” read the statement from Mr. Tofa, who serves as the Director General of Media and Publicity at the Government House in Kano.
The statement emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and order, highlighting that any actions undermining this stability would be met with strict measures.
Police vow to enforce court order against dissolution of new emirates The Kano State Police Command said it will enforce the court order restraining the state government from dissolving five newly created Emirates in the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Hussain Gumel, vowed to maintain law and order, assuring that security agencies won’t spare anyone trying to temper the peace across the state.
“Let me also remind you that the position of the law is very clear as whoever, under whatever guise is found to be planning to disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the State or feel that he or she can jeopardize the existing security settings in the State will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
“Therefore, as the Police Command is leading other security agencies to sustain the peace and peaceful coexistence for overriding interests, miscreants should steer clear of violence in all its ramifications and should not take advantage or hijack the current situation to launch an unprovoked attack on people, property and infrastructure of the State. Any person found with such a tendency will be ruthlessly dealt with according to the law of the land
“The combined security agencies in the State have set out all machinery in place to ensure no breakdown of law and order as the safety and security of all the inhabitants in the State remain sacrosanct,” Gumel said.
NSA denies backing deposed Bayero
Following claims that the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu facilitated the return of the dethroned Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, to the ancient city on Saturday, his office denied it.
The spokesperson for the office of the NSA, Zakari Mijinyawa, described the claims as false.
Mijinyawa, who spoke in Abuja, was reacting to the state Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo, who had accused the NSA of facilitating the return of the dethroned emir.
Earlier the deputy governor said the law was clear on the process for the coronation of an emir and that “nobody has any right to interfere or enforce anyone on Kano people”.
He had accused Ribadu of “using security” to intimidate the people of the state. However, the NSA, through his spokesperson, stated emphatically that the office of the NSA did not provide the aircraft that returned Ado Bayero to the state.
Atiku points accusing finger at FG
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said that the deposed Emir Ado Bayero, couldn’t have returned to the ancient city without the Federal Government’s backing.
In a Saturday post on X, Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warned that any attempt to destabilise the peace of Kano State would be resisted.
“The action of the Federal Government in deploying soldiers in Kano in the tussle over the throne of the ancient city is an upset to the peace and security of the state and also in breach of the 1999 Constitution as Amended,” he said.
“In performing their constitutional duties of law-making, the Kano State House of Assembly (KSHA) passed the amended Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 in consonance with the provision of Section 4 of the Constitution 1999 as Amended, whereas the Governor of Kano State, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf subsequently signed the bill into law. The law, therefore, repealed the 2019 version, which balkanised the ancient Kano Emirate into five.
“The foregoing circumstances happened within the confines of the law and in compliance with the powers conferred on the Governor as provided by Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended; and also in consultation with the Kingmakers of Kano, reappointed Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (also known as Muhammadu Sanusi II) as the 16th Emir of Kano State and accordingly handed him a letter of appointment.
“It is surprising that in the early hours of today, at or about 5:30 am, the former Emir of Kano, His Majesty Aminu Ado Bayero, backed by Federal might, made their way into the Nasarawa Palace of the Kano Emirate while the reappointed Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II was at the Gidan Dabo, which is the main residence of the Emir of Kano.
“We need to remind the Tinubu administration that Kano State is known for peace and harmony spanning thousands of years, and any attempt to destabilise the peace of the Land of Commerce shall be resisted. Recall that when Muhammadu Sanusi II was dethroned on 9th March 2020, Kano forged on in peace without any fracas.”
NNPP warns against state of emergency declaration
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has warned against the declaration of a state of emergency in Kano State due to the current Emirship tussle in the state.
In a statement on Saturday, a spokesman for the party, Ladipo Johnson, accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using security agencies to subvert the will of the people in the state.
“The ongoing situation should not be an excuse to declare a state of emergency which would then translate to achieving what Ganduje and the APC could not achieve through their regrettable actions up to the Supreme Court as the people of Kano are steadfast to resist attempts to subvert their mandate freely given to Governor Abba Yusuf of NNPP,” Johnson stated.
President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Lagos State to commission the Lagos-Calabar Superhighway, estimated to cost about N15 trillion.
The 700 km Lagos-Calabar coastal road is designed to connect Lagos to Cross River, passing through Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom states, before culminating in Cross River.
The project, which has caused some buildings to be demolished, has attracted a barrage of intense criticisms from many Nigerians who strongly felt that the timing of the project was wrong but Works Minister, Dave Umahi, said the project is in the best interest of Nigerians.
In a statement on Saturday, presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said the President will commission a number of projects to celebrate his one-year anniversary.
“In Lagos on Sunday, the President will inaugurate the concrete-paved road to the nation’s major ports in Apapa and Tin Can Island. The reconstructed road which began under the Muhammadu Buhari Administration was financed by the Dangote Group, using its tax credits.
“On the same day, President Tinubu will formally inaugurate, by virtual means, the refurbished Third Mainland Bridge, which has drawn public acclaim for its excellent finishing and aesthetic furnishing. He will also commission, virtually, the rehabilitation of 330 roads and bridges across the country,” the statement partly read.
“President Tinubu will return to Abuja on Tuesday to begin another round of commissioning. He will first inaugurate the Southern Parkway, which the Nyesom Wike-led FCT Administration named after him.
“On Wednesday, the President will attend the National Assembly Dialogue Series, after which he will unveil the National Assembly Complex, named after him.
“President Tinubu will leave the National Assembly to relaunch the commercialisation of Abuja Light Rail, also known as Abuja Metro. He will symbolically join a train ride to the city centre.
“After the train ride, President Tinubu will also inaugurate the Wuye Flyover-Link Bridge and the Defence Intelligence Agency Headquarters.
“On Friday 31 May, President Tinubu will commission the NASENI-Portland Compressed Natural Gas(CNG) Reverse Engineering Centre at Utako.”
…Inspects ongoing work at 5,000-capacity Intl Conference Centre
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, at the weekend, performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the five-star International Conference Centre Hotel in Enugu.
This was even as he embarked on an inspection tour of the long-abandoned 5,000-capacity Enugu International Conference Centre, which his administration is currently completing and upgrading to modern standards.
Mbah said the five-star facility, which he described as an investment enabler, was in line with his administration’s vision to make Enugu the preferred destination for investment, business, investment, tourism, and leisure, and to grow the state’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn in four to eight years.
He said his dream was to make Enugu the conferencing headquarters of Africa.
“What we are witnessing here today is just connecting the dots. Recall that we said to Ndi Enugu that our mission is to make Enugu state the premier destination for business, investment, tourism, living, and leisure. We know that there are key enablers if you truly want to make your state the number one destination for tourism. We know also that in order for the International Conference Centre to be attractive, there are also key enablers.
“You cannot be talking about using your 5,000-capacity conference centre optimally without having enough keys. Anybody coming to host a conference of 5,000 participants, the first question is where are the keys. At least, they would like to see a minimum of 10,000 keys because as they are coming, they are probably coming with their family, friends, and all that.
“Again, if we are also looking at attracting three million guests as tourists annually, beyond the international airport that we hope to operationalise very soon, the next question even for the airlines that will be operating here is a five-star hotel where they can accommodate their crews.
“So, this is why I said that we are connecting the dots, making sure that we have all the key enablers to be able to realise our goals, both in the area of making Enugu the destination for tourism and also making Enugu the capital for conferencing in Africa. So, when you talk about a city for conference, you should mention Enugu before Kigali or Cape Town in South Africa. What we are doing today is just to get us closer to that dream,” he stated.
Emphasising on timely delivery, Mbah said the government had made all necessary arrangements to meet its commitment to the contractors, who must work day and night, as there would be no room for cost variation or time overrun.
“We have been assured by the contractor that this project will be ready in eleven months. So, we are hoping to come here by April next year to commission this project. We are going to be on them and we have been assured that they are going to work day and night because we are hoping that the International Conference Centre where work is already going on will be ready a few months from now.
“We want to optimise the Conference Centre and we have been assured that there will be no variation and there will be no time overrun,” he emphasized.
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Gerald Otiji, said the International Conference Centre Hotel had become most imperative, explaining that besides the main Conference Centre, which is able to sit over 5,000 persons, there were other adjoining facilities that could seat over a thousand people.
Throwing more light on the project, the Projecty Consultant, Arc. Adibe Njoku, said the hotel was the soul that would drive the Conference Centre.
“Containing 335 rooms made up of 224 single rooms, 64 business suites, 25 diplomatic suites, and two presidential suites and every other facility that will enable the hotel function as a five-star hotel,” he explained.
Also, speaking, the Managing Director of China Communications Construction Company, CCCC, Henry Li, thanked the state for entrusting the monumental project to them, and pledged to bring the company’s knowledge, expertise, and deep commitment to excellence to bear on the project.
“Our goal is not only to build a hotel, but to create a landmark that will also stand as a beacon of hospitality and innovation in our city”, Li stated.
Meanwhile, touring the Enugu International Conference Centre to inspect the level and quality of ongoing work, Mbah said nothing should affect the completion date in any way.
He said his administration was eager to put the complex to good use and welcome the world.
Top Chiefs in Kano State, including Police Commissioner, Director of State Services (DSS), Army Bridage commander and NSCDC commander, have met the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, at the mini palace in Nasarawa area of the state capital city.
The development follows mounting tension in the State over developments in Kano Emirate.
Rival supporters of the Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, and his deposed predecessor, Aminu Ado-Bayero, besieged the palace with dangerous weapons, as the deposed emir returned there Saturday morning.
PREMIUM TIMES reported seeing dozens of armed thugs at the palace amidst speculation that the reinstated Emir Lamido Sanusi was about to return to the palace.
Some supporters were singing in support of the deposed emir while others wearing red caps, who are supporters of Mr Sanusi, were also making their presence felt. Many in the groups were armed with dangerous weapons.
While Alhaji Sanusi is in the palace accompanied by supporters, Alhaji Bayero has settled at the guest house of the emirate council in Nasarawa area of the city.
Governor Abba Yusuf had reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, who moved into the palace at Kofar Kudu in the wee hours of Saturday, but Bayero returned to the ancient city and moved into the mini palace hours later.
Governor Yusuf had ordered Bayero’s arrest but the police said they would rather obey the interim order against Sanusi’s reinstatement.
However, Bayero seem to be getting the most recognition from higher authorities as he held a special meeting with all top Kano security chiefs but the reasons for the meeting was unknown as at the time of filing this report.
As Pacesetter monitors the situation, more updates will be provided.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP and former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso said he didn’t give any directive on reinstatement of HRH Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano.
Kwankwaso said he also received the news of the reinstatement of the Emir like every other persons.
The former Minister of Defence stated this in an interview monitored on the BBC Hausa service on Friday.
In his word, “what you saw is what I also saw but I will go to Kano very soon and I will speak with some of the assembly members, especially the speaker, and the Governor on what is happening.
When asked that to many people, a thing of this nature cannot happen without his knowledge as a leader of the party, Kwankwaso said, “Rabiu Kwankwaso has burnt his hands over dictating what to do. We are still with the Governor working together.
“It’s just a matter of offering advice and if you are not asked to, you keep quiet so long things are going right we just pray and hope that they succeed.
“When I said we will revisit the case, I didn’t say the direction to follow. I just said it will be reviewed… When I go there, I will hear what happened and I am sure they will tell me whatever happened and whatever they tell me, we just pray for them. I heard the Assembly members have repealed the law.
“What we were telling them was they should go and investigate whether what happened was done out of goodwill or not. What happened appears to be a vendetta or cheating. It’s just a matter of did Ganduje do right or wrong? It’s not about going against him.
“For those that are looking at it from the perspective of whether it’s going to be tenure-based are somehow right but who started it? When I came back as Governor in 2011;
“…everybody knew that late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, was not supporting us, he was supporting Shekarau but when we got into power we never thought of dethroning him.
“This is why we are telling people that everybody should maintain their position,” Kwankwaso however stated.
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has returned to the Kano Emir’s Palace in the wee hours of Saturday.
On Thursday, the state governor, Abba Yusuf, assented to the Kano State Emirates Council (Amendment Number 2) Law, 2024.
The amended law abolished the establishment of the five emirate councils of Kano, Bichi, Rano, Karaye and Gaya in the state.
The governor signed the bill into law in the presence of the deputy governor, Aminu Abdulsalam, Speaker, Isma’il Falgore, the SSG, Abdullahi Bichi.
Speaking after the signing, the governor announced the reinstatement of Emir Sanusi ll, who was deposed by former governor, Abdullahi Ganduje in 2020.
The move led to his reinstatement four years after the immediate past governor of the North-West state Abdullahi Ganduje deposed him.
At an event to receive the appointment letter from Governor Yusuf, Emir Sanusi said his reinstatement was divine.
“The Arabians used to say that in everything we witness, there is a lesson that shows us that God is there. Whatever happens to an individual is preordained by Allah, and for those who are sensible enough, it’s a lesson. God is one, and whatever He does, nobody can change, and what He doesn’t do, nobody can,” he said at the Government House in Kano on Friday just after he got the letter.
“About 10 years ago, in this same place, former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso gave me my appointment letter as the Emir of Kano. Today, after 10 years, I am here again receiving a reappointment letter from Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
“Time will not permit long talks. Whatever we needed to say, we said when we were leaving. We made it clear that God has preordained the time and cause for everything and everyone. He gives leadership to whom He wants and at the time He wants. When He gives, no one can take it away, and when He takes it away, nobody can bring it back.”
Some soldiers have arrived the mini-palace of Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, who was dethroned by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, on Thursday.
While signing the repealed Kano Emirates Council Law, Yusuf gave the sacked Emirs 48 hours to vacate their palaces and hand over.
While the other Emirs – Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero (Bichi), Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad Inuwa (Rano), Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar II (Karaye) and Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir (Gaya), complied with the directive, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero (Kano), returned to the ancient city, on Saturday. The aircraft which conveyed the monarch touched down at the Aminu Kano International airport at 4:30am.
He was immediately thronged by his supporters, who were chanting a verse from Surah Al-Fatihah in the Holy Quoran.
“You (alone) we worship, and you (alone) we ask for help (for each and everything).”
While some others were saying, “God the Almighty will kill your enemies.”
He later observed Subhi (dawn prayer) at the airport after which he made his way to the mini-palace at Nassarawa.
Responding to the action of Ado Bayero, Governor Yusuf had ordered his immediate arrest, saying he was creating tension in the state.
In a statement, which Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, his spokesperson, issued on his behalf, Yusuf said Ado Bayero was smuggled into Kano in an attempt to forcefully return to the palace two days after being deposed.
Daily Trust correspondent observed that a team of soldiers moved into the palace at Nasarawa, where the 15th Emir is, after the order of the governor.
Although security operatives accompanied Ado Bayero from the airport to the mini-palace, it is unclear why more troops were deployed.
Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, Deputy Governor of Kano, had accused the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, of facilitating the return of the dethroned Emir.
Gwarzo, in a short video interview at Emir’s palace in Gidan Rumfa, where Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, is holding forth, alleged that the NSA released two jets to bring Ado Bayero to Kano
He said, “The National Security Adviser gave two jets to bring the dethroned emir to Kano and to bring him to the palace. We don’t understood their intention.”
Police Vow To Obey Order Against Sanusi’s Reinstatement, Warn Trouble makers
The Kano State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has vowed to obey the order which restrained the Kano State government from implementing the repealed law of Kano Emirates Council.
A Federal High Court in Kano on Thursday issued an ex-parte order restraining Governor Abba Yusuf from reinstating Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II. Justice Mohammed Liman who gave the order also halted the implementation of the new law that abolished the four emirates of Bichi, Gaya, Karaye, and Rano.
But while issuing a reappointment letter to Sanusi on Friday, Governor Abba Yusuf faulted the order, saying the judge issued it from the United States. Emir Sanusi later led Jumat prayers at Government House before moving to the palace.
But few hours after Sanusi entered the palace, the dethroned Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, arrived the state and settled into a mini-palace. Governor Yusuf had ordered his arrest, saying the dethroned monarch was fueling tension.
Addressing a press briefing at the headquarters of the command on Saturday morning, the Commissioner of Police, Usaini Mohammed Gumel, warned trouble makers to steer clear.
He said, “The Police Command is expressly obeying the Court Order with SUIT No. FHC/KN/CS/182/2024 Dated 23rd May, 2024 issued by the Federal High Court sitting in Kano alongside ail Law Enforcement agents in the State.
“Therefore, we are calling on members of the public to know that the Police in the State is working together with the military and other security agencies and are with full capacity for providing the adequate security to everyone as we are committed to carrying out our statutory duties as provided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
He added that no doubt, the law abiding people of Kano were known for a revered cultural heritage and respect for constituted authorities and in this regard, advised to remain calm, patient, and to keep cooperating with security agencies as the matter described will be addressed by the Court on the 3rd of June 2024.
He also said the position of the law is very clear as whoever, under whatever guise is found to be planning to disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the State would be made to face full wrath of the law.
“Therefore, as the Police Command is leading other security agencies to sustain the peace and peaceful coexistence for overriding interests, miscreants should stay clear of violence in all its ramifications and should not take advantage or hijack the current situation to launch unprovoked attack on people, property and infrastructure of the State. Any person found with such a tendency will be ruthlessly dealt with according to the law of the land,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu has directed a total and comprehensive review of the recently announced governing boards of tertiary institutions in Nigeria before the inauguration and retreat being planned for the nominees.
The Federal Ministry of Education recently released names of nominees for chairmen, Pro-Chancellors, and members of the boards and councils of universities, Polytechnics, and colleges of education.
It also announced that the inauguration and retreat for the nominees will take place on 31 May.
However, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy in a statement on Thursday, said public reactions showed that the nominations did not reflect the federal character of the country as some states got just one nomination, while some others got many.
“In directing a complete review of the list of members, President Tinubu acknowledges the feedback across the country.
“President Tinubu is committed to ensuring strict compliance with the principle of federal character as entrenched in the constitution,” Onanuga said.
He added that the review will also take into consideration national spread and ensure every part of the country is adequately represented.
The Bauchi zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), had on Tuesday, criticized the appointment of governing boards across Federal Tertiary Institutions.
They said it was better for the Bola Tinubu-led administration to reinstate the earlier dissolved members.
A bill seeking to make provision for Nigeria to revert to its old national anthem has scaled through second reading at the Senate.
The bill sponsored by the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, enjoys overwhelming support from the lawmakers.
It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to report back to the house in two weeks.
The lawmakers, who appeared unanimous in support of the bill, argued that it would promote better symbol for unity, peace and prosperity, compared to the current one.
After a closed door session to debate on the bill, the lawmakers asserted that the current national anthem is a product of the military junta, decreed by the military and therefore should be discarded to adequately capture the nations democratic values, integrity and principally foster commitment to nationhood.
The old anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” was replaced with the current one “Arise, O Compatriots in 1978.
Meanwhile, the the House of Representatives has passed the bill to revert to the old national anthem “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”.
The bill was quickly passed through first second and third reading at the lower chamber within minutes.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has on Thursday, approved the reappointment of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 14th Emir of Kano.
Channels TV reports that the governor announced the decision at the Art Chamber of the Kano State Government House, around 5:16 pm on Thursday, after signing the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law.
Vanguard reports that Yusuf also gave five former Emirs 48 hours to vacate all official residence and hand over former emirate properties to Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftains.
Recall that Sanusi fell out with ex-governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, and was dethroned.
Ganduje, on December 5, 2019 established Bichi, Gaya, Karaye and Rano emirates from the then Kano Emirate.
Ganduje assented to an amendment to law on October 14, 2020, and signed another amendment on April 11, 2023.
Section 3(1) of the law established five distinct emirates. They include Kano, Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye.
Kano and Karaye have eight local government areas of jurisdiction each, while Bichi and Gaya emirates share nine local government areas of jurisdiction each.
Meanwhile, Rano Emirate enjoys jurisdiction over 10 local government areas out of the 44 local councils in the state.
However, after assessing the emirates, Kano State House of Assembly, on Thursday, dethroned the five emirs and abolished the five emirates in the state.
…Market Chairlady: ‘We’ve over 5,000 shops in the new market’
The Enugu State Government has allayed fears of traders at Ogige Market, Nsukka over the planned construction of a modern transport terminal in the area, assuring that the newly built Aku Road Ultra-Modern Market would accommodate them all, while compensation would also be paid to traders whose structures would be affected by the project.
This was even as the Chairlady of Aku Road Ultra-modern Market, Nkemdilim Ugwuagbo, confirmed the existence of over 5,000 shops and empty plots for expansion in the new market, which she had been lying fallow for many years.
The assurances came during yet another town hall meeting between the state government and the traders and leadership of the market at Adada House, GRA, Nsukka on Wednesday preparatory to the commencement of demolition of the encroached portion of the Old Park at Ogige Market on Saturday, May 25, 2024.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Obi Ozor, in a heart-to-heart dialogue with the traders, said there was need to rejig the state’s transport system to match with what is obtainable in the developed countries of the world, adding that it made no sense for the administration to build all the roads in Enugu and end up with unkempt and highly disorganised and outdated motor parks that make life difficult for commuters.
“The Dr. Peter Mbah Administration has resolved to ensure a total overhaul of our transportation system: air, railway, road, and even the waterways.
“The contractors that will handle the railway project from Enugu, Nsukka to Uzo-Uwani are already in Enugu, and of course you know the governor is already on his toes to ensure that the international terminal at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu is completed and functional.
“Bus Rapid Transport, BRT, buses with 80-passenger capacity have already been bought and will arrive in Enugu in no distant time. All this is because the state has discovered that half of our salaries go to transportation. We want to reduce the pains of Ndi Enugu and uplift their standard of living.
“We need to start developing Igbo land and change our transportation system so that our people can travel, import, and export their goods with ease.
“We also want to make a passionate appeal that those affected should bring their documents for enumeration, as it will help us to pay compensation and allocate spaces once the project is completed in 12-months time. We will give them the right of first refusal,” Ozor said.
Addressing the traders, the Chief Executive Officer, Peace Mass Transit Ltd, Sam Onyishi, called on the traders and the people of Nsukka to be law-abiding and see the project as their own, cooperating with the state government to ensure that the project comes to fruition.
Also speaking, the Chairlady of Aku Road Ultra-modern Market, Nkemdilim Ugwuagbo, said the new market was big enough to take all the traders, but has been fallow for so many years. She cautioned against needless politicisation of a project that stands to benefit the people of Nsukka in general.
“We have over 5,000 empty shops in this market with empty lands for expansion.The last administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi wanted to build the terminal, but the people disagreed. Today, Governor Peter Mbah is out to do it. We should know that development has a way of displacing people, but what matters is how the masses tend to benefit from it. I am very sure that the people of Nsukka will rejoice in the end,” the Chairlady said.
On the allegation of the high cost of renting shops in the new market, she explained that it was well-captured in the constitution of the market that no shop should be rented above N5,000 a month and none should be sold above N4 million.
Lending his voice also, the immediate past Chairman of Nsukka Local Government, Hon. Walter Ozioko, expressed his dissatisfaction with how some unscrupulous persons were selling shops at the new market at exorbitant prices and urged the traders to report anyone indulging in such acts to the chairlady of the market for immediate revocation of ownership of the shops.
Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of Isiakpu Community in Nsukka, Igwe Patrick Okolo, commended Governor Mbah for the project, which he described as laudable, and urged the government to ensure that the affected traders were adequately compensated.
