Consequent to his position on the recent attack on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR by a spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), it has come to the attention of The Minister that Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed who once served as the Spokesperson of the group and currently a Special Adviser on Political Matters in the Presidency took to his page on it to express a different position.
This was contained in a communique signed by the Honourable Minister, H.E Bello Mohammed Matawalle MON, Minister of State for Defence
According to Dr. Baba-Ahmed ,the stand of the minister against the unjust and spurious attack against the new administration of President Tinubu that is working very hard to reposition our country and economy for better as ‘ill-advised’. He suggested I could have done a better job in my defence of the administration where I have the rare honour to serve as a Minister.
Dr. Baba-Ahmed’s relationship and affinity with Northern Elders’ Forum(NEF)is well-known. The fact now is that he is an appointee of the administration as Special Adviser and it is incumbent on him to work for the success of the government he is part of, protect and defend the government against unjust and vicious attacks from those who hide under ethnic and other primordial interests to heat up the polity for myopic reasons
It is pertinent to state that every appointee of President Tinubu including Dr. Baba-Ahmed owe the government a copious duty to promote, elucidate and advance the good works and commendable efforts of the government across all sectors.
As appointees of the government from the North, we must all take a stand, be unequivocal and be counted in the roll of honours for our support and work for the success of the administration we are serving. This is not the time to keep quiet in the face of intimidation and misrepresentation of the efforts and achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR . We must stand up to be counted for being on the part of government or take our exit.
During the handover of 100 motorcycles to Area Councils and Security agencies in Abuja, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, issued a stern warning against the disappearance or misuse of the motorcycles, emphasizing their intended use for enhancing security in rural areas.
Wike stressed the importance of proper utilization of the motorcycles for combating crime in identified rural areas, cautioning against their use in the city center. He reaffirmed the FCT Administration’s commitment to prioritize security and promised continued support to safeguard lives and properties.
In response, Commandant General of the Vigilance Group of Nigeria VGN, Navy Captain Abubakar Bakori Umar(retd), expressed gratitude for the donation of operational motorcycles to enhance community security in the six Area Councils of the FCT. He assured the Minister that the motorcycles would be judiciously deployed to strengthen rural security.
Umar highlighted the VGN’s role in providing vital intelligence to support counterinsurgency operations, stating that the motorcycles would enhance operational efficiency and reduce incident response time.
Additionally, FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Benneth Igweh, commended the Minister for providing motorcycles for the protection of the Area Councils. He acknowledged the diverse security needs across the FCT, emphasizing the necessity of speed boats and canoes in certain areas like Kuje and Bwari Area Councils.
CP Igweh expressed gratitude for the donation and highlighted the significance of various resources in securing the entirety of the FCT.
The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) extends its heartfelt commendation to His Excellency Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defense, for his outstanding performance and dedication to duty within the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Matawalle has unequivocally emerged as the epitome of excellence, embodying unparalleled vigor and vision in his role.
This Commendation was contained in a press statement signed by Comrade Israel Uwejeyan National Coordinator, Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC).
Under Matawalle’s astute leadership, the Ministry of Defense has witnessed unprecedented strides, marked by a series of proactive measures aimed at safeguarding our nation’s sovereignty and ensuring the safety and security of its citizens.
His relentless commitment to enhancing the capabilities of our armed forces and fostering strategic partnerships underscores his unwavering resolve to fortify the nation’s defense architecture.
Moreover, Matawalle’s inclusive approach to governance has fostered a conducive environment for dialogue and collaboration, thereby promoting unity and cohesion among diverse stakeholders.
His adept handling of complex security challenges demonstrates a rare blend of foresight and decisiveness, earning him admiration and respect from all quarters.
The NDYC acknowledges Matawalle’s tireless efforts in promoting peace and stability in the Niger Delta region, fostering sustainable development, and empowering the youth through various initiatives.
His proactive engagement with stakeholders and implementation of pragmatic policies have significantly contributed to the region’s socio-economic transformation and improved livelihoods.
In light of these remarkable achievements, the Niger Delta Youth Congress proudly hails Bello Matawalle as the best, most active, and most proactive Minister in the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
His exemplary leadership serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for all Nigerians, and we pledge our unwavering support as he continues to steer the nation towards greater heights of peace, prosperity and progress.
***They do not Speak For the Region- Bello Matawalle
The attention has been drawn to the threats issued by the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is ‘reprehensible and naive’. It is preposterous for a group of people seeking political relevance to overburden the system and create political disunity among Nigerians.
This was made available in a communique from the media office of the Minister while responding to comments made by the Northern Elders Forum
In his words the minister said the so-called NEF is more or less a political paperweight trying to embark on a destructive journey that will bring the North to disrepute for the group’s personal and selfish gains .
In addition : “This NEF is more of a political burden to Northerners. The group is seeking to erode other people’s rights in order to be recognised or made relevant in the scheme of things despite the failure of their sponsored candidates in the 2023 general elections.
In as much as many have overlooked them in respect of their utterances, it is pertinent to underscore their overbearing attitude on issues that affect political unity and cohesion. They can not offer any positive idea or thought about the future of Northern Nigeria or, indeed, of Nigeria and its unity and togetherness.
We all know President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR won the February 2023 presidential election convincingly. So, who is the NEF to want to undermine the president’s victory and even threaten to unseat him?
This same group of people have intentionally shied away from their responsibility of engendering unity in the North by appreciating the incremental development being brought to the North by Ministers appointed by President Tinubu from the North, especially North West. The NEF has not deemed it fit to seek audience with Mr. President to discuss issues affecting the Northern region despite the numerous challenges facing the North as rightly highlighted by the President and being addressed by him.
“The group is yet to visit any of the ministers dealing with issues of security, agriculture, water resources, police affairs, Education,Health, Budget, foreign affairs, or any head of security agencies in the country so far for first hand knowledge of government programs and actions.
The majority of them are more interested in faulting the government so as to be recognised or accorded some relevance.
Our region, the North, is united, disciplined and politically-driven enough not to listen and accept being teleguided by any group of elites who had fed fat in the past on the North’s resources and opportunities which had retarded development in the region and nation due to their selfishness.
President Tinubu is poised to do a lot for the North as President of Nigeria, elected by the people of Nigeria, not by one ethnic group or the other, therefore, anyone mistakenly seeing President Tinubu as a failure or a weakling is making a mistake and should rethink.
Such a person or group is either blind or misguided and unable to see the new Nigeria that is emerging.
Therefore, the NEF’s statement allegedly expressing regret for voting for President Tinubu is unfortunate.
NEF is not more than a group that has refused to accept reality and is living in delusion. The truth is that the North is proud of its support and vote for President Tinubu and will continue to be proud of her relationship with the President given the enormous change and development his government has brought to the region.
“My advice to NEF and others alike , is to support the present government and join hands with President Tinubu GCFR in order to further move the country forward.”
The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle MON has commended the ongoing onslaught by the Armed Forces of Nigeria targeted against terrorists especially in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina and Kaduna States pointing out that their days are numbered and that the nation would once again begin to enjoy uninterrupted peace.
This was contained in a statement signed by Henshaw Ogubike Mnipr Director ( Information and Public Relations)
The Minister praised the Nigerian Armed Forces for their precise air strikes targeted at the terrorist strongholds in Zurmi, Gusau, and Maradun Local Government Areas, which resulted in the elimination of numerous terrorists and the destruction of their infrastructure.
He commended the Armed Forces of Nigeria for the clearance exercise in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina and Kaduna.
“With prayers and support for our Military, very soon the Military will clear these states free from bandit attacks,” he said.
Matawalle explained that with Military precision they successfully identified and neutralized the camps of prominent terrorist figures Abdullahi Nasanda and Mallam Tukur.
“We appreciate and commend the untiring efforts of our gallant servicemen and women who participated in this operation with outmost dedication and precision,” he said.
He expressed his sincere appreciation to all personnel involved in these operations. He also commended the collaborative efforts of the nation’s Intelligent Agencies as well as the local security partners.
Furthermore, he said that the Military is in a good and strong position to win the war against insurgency and terrorism which has witnessed many terrorist leaders being killed.
While commending the Armed Forces of Nigeria, he prayed for lasting peace in our nation, Nigeria.
…honours him with the title of the “Gbobaniyi of Yorubaland”
The members of the Muslim Community in Rivers State, led by Chief Imam Babatunde Omotayo, the Chief Imam of the Rumuekini Central Mosque in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State paid a Sallah Visit today on Sir (Chief) Tony Okocha, KSC, DSSRS, JP, the Leader/Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, at the Rivers State Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Port Harcourt.
In his address, Chief Imam Babatunde Omotayo, thanked Almighty Allah for the gift of life, and for being the Creator and Maker of Mankind.
He expressed the gratitude of members of the Muslim Community in Rivers to the Almighty Allah for the successful celebration of the Eid- El- Fitir.
Speaking on behalf of the members of the Muslim Community in Rivers State, Chief Imam Babatunde Omotayo expressed their deep appreciation to Sir (Chief) Tony Okocha for his detribalized leadership style of the APC in Rivers State.
He congratulated Sir (Chief) Tony Okocha on his double appointment as the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee (CTC) of the Rivers APC, and as the Rivers State Representative in the Management Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), describing it as a reward for his commitment to effective service delivery, excellence, hard work, and his result-oriented disposition.
He also extended the “special greeting” of the members of the Muslim Community in the State to Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, who is the present Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who he described as the one who laid the foundation for the unity of all those living and doing business in Rivers State, including members of the Muslim Community in the State, who are mostly non indigenes, within his time as the Executive Governor of Rivers State.
They sent their appreciation to the Honourable Minister of the FCT, His Excellency, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, through the Leader/Chairman of the Rivers APC.
They prayed the Almighty Allah to continue to guide, protect, and increase His grace and favour on the Leader/Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, and assured him of the continuous support of members of the Muslim Community in Rivers State to his leadership of the APC in the State, and to the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for his accommodating nature.
The Leader of the Muslim Community further informed Sir (Chief) Tony Okocha of plans to organise a special fasting and prayer session for guidance and protection for the leadership of the Rivers APC, and for the peace and progress of Rivers State.
He added that the fasting and prayer will be held once every month, and will be concluded after a year, with a Hajj, for supplication to the Almighty Allah.
He informed the Leader/Chairman of the Rivers APC that Hajj is a pilgrimage for acceptance of prayer, describing it as a “special conduct” in Islam, and also one of the pillars of Islam, adding that any prayer made during the Hajj must be accepted by the Almighty Allah.
The highpoint of the Sallah Visit was the conferment of the title of the “Gbobaniyi of Yorubaland” on Sir (Chief) Tony Okocha by the visiting delegation of the Muslim Community in Rivers State through her leadership.
Speaking with newsmen after the Sallah Visit, Sir (Chief) Tony Okocha expressed his pleasure in meeting with members of the Muslim Community in Rivers State after the success of the Eid- El- Fitir celebration which comes to an end today in the Muslim calendar globally.
He added that normally, it is the tradition of Muslim faithfuls to pay obeisance to the government, constituted authorities, and certain individuals within this period, and that as the Leader/Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, the gesture is a show of love towards the Rivers APC, and a demonstration of their gratitude and appreciation for what they have benefitted from the system, particularly from the government of Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike when he presided over the State as the Governor
The Leader/Chairman of the Rivers APC informed the visiting delegation that all of their kind words to the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike will be delivered to him, as he is also standing in for the Honourable Minister whose unavoidable absence is as a result of a similar event hosted by him to Muslim faithfuls in the FCT, Abuja.
Sir (Chief) Tony Okocha thanked and congratulated the members of the Muslim Community in Rivers State for fasting effectively, efficiently, and profusely to pray for the Nigerian Nation State, and for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and to pray for the prosperity and well being of Nigeria.
He expressed his delight on the large turnout, describing it as a show of love, as according to him, “someone who doesn’t love you won’t come to your house.”
The Leader/Chairman of the Rivers APC concluded by saying that the Sallah Visit by the members of the Muslim Community in Rivers State is a real show of organic and real support to the APC as a political party in Rivers State.
Amb. Vincent Gbosi, Special Assistant on Media to the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rivers State.
The Honourable Minister of Defense, H. E. Muhammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, mni was at his home town, Babaru where he celebrated the Eid Mubarak and observed the Eid-Fitr Prayer.
This was contained in a statement signed by Henshaw Ogubike Mnipr Director Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence.
The ancient quiet town was turned into celebration mood because their political father in the person of Minister of Defence, H.E. Muhammed Badaru Abubakar was in town to observe and celebrate the Eid Mubarak.
Prominent amongst those that paid Sallah homage to him at his residence included the Executive Governor of Jigawa State, H. E. Mallam Umar A Namadi fca, the Speaker Jigawa State House of Assembly Rt Hon Haruna Aliyu Dangyatun Kayaddan Dutse ,Jigawa State APC Leader ,Alhaji Isa Gerawa and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Senator Mustapha Makama Kiyawa and other political stewart of the State.
Celebrating the Eid Mubarak and observing the Eid-Fitr Prayer together, they all prayed for H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for Allah’s guidance and protection as well as the Honourable Minister of Defence, H.E. Muhammed Badaru Abubakar CON, mni to be able to overcome the security challenges bedeviling the country.
Furthermore, they prayed for peace and tranquility to prevail in Jigawa State and Nigeria in general.
The Honourable Minister of Defence, H.E. Muhammed Badaru Abubakar, CON, has observed Eid el Fitr Sallah celebration at his home town Babura, headquarters of Babura Local Government Area of Jigawa state to mark the end of the holy Month of Ramadán.
While celebrating the end of Ramadan, he prayed for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR for a successful tenure and also prayed for peace, joy and love for all Muslim faithfuls around Nigeria and the entire world.
He called on all Nigerians irrespective of their faith to show love to one another as a mark of Holy Ramadan.
Mallam Inuwa Bala led the eid El Fitr congregational prayer at Babura Gabas Eid prayer ground .
The Imam on his part, prayed for peace, unity and prosperity for the Local Government, State and the country at large.
The Minister received party Stewarts, illustrious sons of the communities and other Muslim faithfuls who paid Him Sallah homage at his private residence in Babura town of Jigawa State.
President Bola Tinubu participated in the Eid-el-Fitr prayers alongside fellow Muslims at Dodan Barracks in Lagos State on Wednesday, as revealed in photos shared on the official X handle of the Nigerian President.
Following the prayers, led by the Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaiman Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla, President Tinubu urged Nigerians to uphold their faith in his government and remain patriotic citizens.
In a statement posted on his X handle, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of continuing to exhibit the values of sacrifice and resilience beyond Ramadan, calling on Muslims to extend these virtues in their daily lives.
“The resilience and sacrifice that we have shown and made during these months should be preserved. Be a kind and cheerful giver,” President Tinubu remarked.
He further stressed the need for Nigerians to prioritize their love for the country, stating, “We must love our country more than any other country, because that is the only one we have.”
President Tinubu also reaffirmed the significance of protecting the integrity of the government and leadership, assuring Nigerians that the Renewed Hope Agenda is thriving and encouraging them to maintain hope for the nation’s development.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is alive, well and fine, and Nigerians should continue to be very hopeful. Without hope, there is no salvation. Without hope, there is no development. Without hope, there is no life. Eid Mubarak,” he concluded.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari, in his Eid message, echoed the call for unity among Nigerians, emphasizing the pivotal moment for democracy and urging citizens to support leaders at all levels.
Barrister Nyesom Wike, in his Eid-el-Fitr message to residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has emphasized the importance of unity, harmony, and supplication for the nation’s leaders and its citizens.
Reflecting on the spirit of togetherness observed during Ramadan, Wike underscored the significance of embracing diversity and working towards common goals for the betterment of the FCT and Nigeria as a whole.
Highlighting the FCT’s role as a beacon of diversity, tolerance, and harmony, Wike called on residents to reaffirm their commitment to building a society where every individual is valued and respected.
He echoed the principles of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, emphasizing its focus on infrastructure development, healthcare, education, security, and economic empowerment.
Proud of the progress achieved under the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in security, infrastructure provision, and administrative reforms, Wike commended the contributions of residents towards building a vibrant and resilient FCT.
As the nation celebrates Eid el-Fitr, Wike urged residents to celebrate responsibly and remain vigilant about security concerns.
He extended warm greetings to the Muslim Ummah, expressing hope for the fulfillment of their supplications to Almighty Allah.
Wike emphasized the values of compassion, generosity, and unity inherent in Islam, urging Nigerians to incorporate these principles into their daily lives beyond the holy month of Ramadan.
In conclusion, Wike wished residents a joyous Eid-el-Fitr celebration and encouraged them to continue fostering unity, compassion, and tolerance in their communities.
His message serves as a reminder of the importance of unity and harmony in building a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria.
