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Tinubu not discriminating against North, says Shettima
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not discriminate against the North, Vice President Kashim Shettima reassured yesterday.
He said his principal was not working against the region’s interests.
He spoke in Kano while receiving a Federal Government delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Bajabiamila, on a condolence visit over the death of his mother-in-law, Hajiya Maryam Abubakar.
The vice president cited the appointment of the two defence ministers (Abubakara Badaru and Bello Matawalle), the Chief of Defence Staff (Gen Christopher Musa), and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd) , among others, all from the North, as evidence of the president’s commitment to the region’s growth.
He urged Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s efforts to make Nigeria great, emphasising that governance transcends political affiliations.
Shettima stressed that the country’s unity and progress were more important than party differences.
He cited the support he received from the Kano State Government, led by Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), during his time of bereavement.
Shettima said the country had moved beyond politics and was now in the act of governance, saying there was a need for collective efforts to achieve greatness.
He noted that Nigeria’s greatness was a collective responsibility.
Shettima described President Tinubu as an exceedingly good man with a clean heart who has a lot on his sleeves for the entire nation.
“He means well for Kano; he means well for the north and he means well for the nation,” the vice president said.
On the security challenges, Shettima said President Tinubu was determined to redefine governance.
“He is determined to address the challenges of security facing the entire nation.
“That is why the President deliberately picked the Minister of Defence and Minister of State Defence from the Northwest, the Chief of Defence Staff from the Northwest and the Chief of Air Staff from the Northwest – Kano, to be specific.
“The President picked the Minister of Police Affairs and Minister of State for Police Affairs from the North.
“To address the hunger challenges, the president picked the Minister of Agriculture and Minister of State Agriculture from the North.
“So, if anybody starts carrying stories that the president does not mean well for the north, tell them it is a lie,” he said.
Shettima said it was time the administration started laying out the facts for people to make informed judgments.
He added: “Where there is a will, there is always a way. And no matter how the darkness of the night lasts, it must give way to the light of the dawn.
“I want to call on all of you to rally around him so that together, we shall salvage this nation.
“It is not a game of apportioning blame; it is a game of making this country work. And if Nigeria works, Africa will work.”
The vice president expressed sincere gratitude to President Tinubu for sending a high-level delegation to condole with him.
“This confirms the purity of the heart and empathy of Mr President.
“May God make it easy for our president to govern this country well. May Allah grant him good health, wisdom and the tenacity of purpose,” he said.
He also expressed special gratitude to Governor Yusuf and the people of Kano for hosting him well.
“Governance was literally suspended in Kano in the past three days to host us.
“We have moved beyond politics to the phase of governance and what binds us together supersedes whatever that divides us.
“We shall continue to nurture this relationship for the peace and development of the country, as there can never be development without peace, and there can never be peace without development,” he said.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu also sent a delegation led by Mrs Ekaette Akpabio; wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the wife of the Minister of Budget and Planning.
On arrival in Kano, the delegation led by Gbajabiamila was received by Gov. Yusuf.
While delivering the president’s condolence message to Shettima, Gbajabiamila said President Tinubu felt saddened about the passing of Shettima’s mother-in-law and sent his deepest sympathy and prayers.
“The President has sent us to commiserate with you and your family.
“He sends his best wishes, prayers and thoughts to you and your wife and the entire family of the deceased.
“Mr President has asked that we convey to you his deepest sympathy and his prayers that the Almighty Allah grant our mother Aljannah Firdaus and forgive her sins.
“It’s indeed saddening that she died. We commiserate with you on behalf of Mr President, on behalf of the government and on behalf of his cabinet and the whole federal government of Nigeria,” he said.
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has lamented that the northern part of the country is grossly lagging behind in terms of development particularly in education and agriculture, causing the region to suffer significantly.
Sanusi said this on Saturday at the 50th anniversary of the visit of the founder of Faidha Tijjaniyya in West Africa, Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass, in Jos, Plateau State.
The Emir, who was the guest speaker at the event, said the North had failed to capitalise on its huge population, noting that significant percentage of people from the region are mostly agrarian farmers who lack the requisite knowledge on modern agricultural technology.
He urged stakeholders in the North to invest in education and agriculture for the betterment of the region and its people, adding that the north must wake up.
Delivering a lecture on the imperative of harmonious coexistence in a multi-ethnic/religious setting, the Emir recalled that 50 years ago, late Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass, visited Nigeria from Senegal on the invitation of the then former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, to foster peaceful coexistence among the Muslims and non-Muslims in the then Benue-Plateau State.
He added that his grandfather, Muhammadu Sanusi I, received Sheikh Nyass under the permission of the then Governor of Benue-Plateau State, J. D Gomwalk.
While commending the present administration in the state for its support and commitment towards activities of Muslim community, Sanusi urged Muslims in the state to complement the efforts of the state governor to achieve sustainable peace and development.
News
Agidigbo FM denies organising Oyo’s tragic children’s party sponsored by Ooni’s ex-wife’s foundation
Agidigbo FM, a prominent private radio station, has disclaimed involvement in the ill-fated children’s festive party that tragically resulted in multiple deaths on Wednesday morning in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The tragedy which struck on Wednesday morning at the Islamic High School in Bashorun, Ibadan when a stampede occurred during a children’s Christmas party.
The station’s management clarified they were not sponsors or organisers of the event, contrary to initial reports. It identified the organiser as WINGS (Women In Need Of Guidance and Support), whose founder is Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, the ex-wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
Eyewitnesses report that many children were trampled in the chaos, with several others injured and currently receiving treatment at the University College Hospital in Ibadan.
The exact number of fatalities and injuries is still unknown, but the incident has sent shockwaves through the community.
Reacting in a press statement shared via his personal X profile, Governor Seyi Makinde also confirmed the multiple deaths during the stampede as reported by SaharaReporters.
He added that the organisers of the event had been arrested and that an investigation was ongoing to unravel the cause of the tragedy.
Queen Naomi Silekunola Ogunwusi, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, was a key organiser of the tragic children’s festive party. Additionally, Agidigbo 88.7 FM, owned by Oriyomi Hamzat, had actively promoted the event in the days leading up to the devastating incident.
A press statement signed by Olayinka Abdul Wahab, Director of Programmes at Agidigbo FM on Wednesday evening, however, denied the involvement of Oriyomi and its organisation in the planning of the event.
The statement reads: “This is to inform the general public that the management of Agidigbo FM, Ibadan, received the news of the tragedy that heralded the children’s fun fair at Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, organized by the WINGS foundation with great shock and wholeheartedly commiserate with the families involved.
“Amidst the tragedy, the news making the rounds says that Agidigbo FM is the organizer of the children’s funfair. However, the management wishes to state that Agidigbo FM is not the organizer of the event but one of the media outfits used to promote the event.
“Upon receiving the notice that a mammoth crowd had assembled before 5 am this morning at the venue, Agidigbo FM, the people’s voice, used all media strategies to sensitize the populace with jingles and public service announcements, from that time that people should stop going to the venue of the funfair.
“The organizers of the event also did all they could to ensure that the tragedy was curtailed by deploying security apparatus, medical officials, and other relevant agencies to come to the aid of those affected by this tragic event.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Lagos for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Tinubu arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, at noon on Wednesday, December 18.
Tinubu had earlier today presented the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the 10th National Assembly in Abuja.
His arrival was disclosed in a post via the X handle of his Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, on Wednesday, December 18.
The caption reads: “President Tinubu arrives in Lagos where he will spend the Christmas. He is received by H.E #jidesanwoolu and members of the Lagos Executive Cabinet.”
Upon arrival at the Lagos airport, Tinubu met his ‘longtime friend’, Abiodun Ayo Yinka (a.k.a Papa Ajasco).
Disclosing this, Olusegun wrote: “Beautiful moment between PBAT and his long-time friend, Mr Abiodun Ayo Yinka (a.k.a Papa Ajasco) at the Presidential Wing of the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.”
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