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Obasanjo world’s most documented president —Foundation

Published

4 months ago

August 29, 2024

Admin

The founder and president of Biographical Legacy and Research Foundation (BLERF), Mr Nyaknno Osso, on Wednesday said that former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo is the world’s most documented president of his era.

He stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during a visit by the leadership of the Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA), FCT chapter on his 70th Birthday at BLERF Centre in Abuja.

According to Osso, who served as the Special Assistant on Library, Research and Documentation to Obasanjo from 1999 to 2007, the former president is globally documented because of his leadership role in Africa.

He said the octogenarian, who served as Nigeria’s head of state from 1976 to 1979 and later as president from 1999 to 2007, has hundreds of publications, including books and journals about him.

“In the course of working with Obasanjo, at a certain time I counted over 320 books, and journals on him.

“No American president had that kind of record, no British Prime Minister or any other nation had that kind of documentation.

“I have visited about 550 libraries both in Nigeria, Africa, the UK, and in the U.S because I have passion for books, records and history.

“Every country we travelled to, the President would say go to major libraries or the documentation centres , ask for things on Nkrumah, Mandela, and myself and I would always get materials on him.

“I believe Obasanjo is the most informed African alive, apart from being documented, he is versed and dynamic and once he sets his mind to do something, he will do it.

“He is a thinker who tries to find new ways of doing things and I think every president should be humble enough to consult with him because he has contacts all over the world,” he said.

Osso, who also served as the pioneer Executive Secretary/Project Coordinator of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Foundation (OOPLF), said BLERF was conceived to be a historical and biographical repository for Nigerians.

He said as he clocks 70 years, plans were underway to open the centre as a one-stop research point for scholars, historians, journalists, and researchers who wanted comprehensive and accurate information about Nigeria.

“Before now, we have only been giving our information online but henceforth, we are going to open it up for people to come and do research.

“Researchers, historians, diplomats, whatever information they want we have it here and that is why we need support from the government, corporate bodies and individuals.

“I have collected information for the past 52 years from all over the world, and they are here in books and written forms and that is why we want to digitise them.

“I am now 70 years old and have put my energy into doing things to develop Nigeria, and I think it is time for my country to support me, “ he said.

Earlier, Chukwudi Eze, Chairman of ANA, Abuja, who led the delegation on the visit, lauded Osso for his passionate commitment to nation building.

“I have known the president of BLERF as a friend and have seen him engage the challenges of his life, and I have seen him overcome them.

“You cannot work for Obasanjo if you are not good, you cannot last eight years with him if you are not good ,and this man has been part of his team now for 25 years,” he said.

NAN reports that BLERF is acclaimed as the first-in-Nigeria biographical information database built to showcase the nation’s history, achievers and heroes dating from 1861.

Its founder and president is acknowledged as the pioneer of mass media research and documentation in Nigeria following his groundbreaking publication in 1990; “Newswatch Who’s Who in Nigeria”.

The publication was the first-ever authoritative, comprehensive Biographical Encyclopedia in the country.

(NAN)

News

Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day

Published

2 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.

Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.

He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.

This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.

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Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget

Published

2 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.

This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.

During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.

Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”

The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.

Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:

Federal Medical Centre, Bida
Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
Federal College of Education, Yola
Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
Federal University of Technology, Minna
Cross River Basin Development Authority
Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
National Examination Council (NECO)
Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
Presidential Amnesty Programme
Galaxy Backbone
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals

Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.

The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.

News

Reps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability

Published

2 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has called for the revitalization and strengthening of the National Association of Public Accounts Committees (NAPAC) to enhance transparency, accountability, and good governance across Nigeria.

Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts (PAC), Rep. Bamidele Salam, stated this at the joint sitting of Public Accounts Committees of Senate and House and inauguration of an Adhoc Committee for the reconvening of NAPAC at the National Assembly on Tuesday, emphasised the importance of collaboration among Public Accounts Committees at both federal and state levels.

Formed in 2014, NAPAC comprises 38 chapters nationwide, including the Public Accounts Committees of the Senate, House of Representatives, and all 36 State Houses of Assembly, Rep. Salam noted that the Association has been dormant in recent years, necessitating urgent action to restore its relevance.

He stated, “This Association is a pivotal platform for promoting transparency and accountability in governance. However, in recent times, the Association’s activities have been dormant, necessitating the need for a quick revitalization.

“It is in this context that we are inaugurating this Ad-hoc Committee, tasked with the vital responsibility of reconvening the meeting of NAPAC.”

Salam outlined committee’s objectives, including reviving NAPAC’s activities, adopting innovative strategies to combat corruption, and collaborating with anti-corruption agencies, civil society, and the media.

He also stressed the importance of leveraging partnerships with continental and regional associations such as AFROPAC, WAPAC, and SADCOPAC for capacity building and knowledge sharing.

“The task ahead is daunting, but with collective effort, unwavering commitment, and an unshakeable faith in our nation’s potential, I am confident that we shall succeed,” he added.

In an interaction with journalists, thr Committee chairman, stressed plans to engage with the Auditor General of the Federation and Accountant General of the Federation to address delays in submitting reports on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“Of course, Nigerians should expect that we’re going to have more productivity, especially in consideration of the report of the Auditor General,” he said.

He noted that only the 2021 Auditor General’s report is currently before the National Assembly, a situation he described as inconsistent with constitutional provisions. Salam expressed the committee’s determination to ensure Nigeria catches up with the 2022 and 2023 reports by next year.

He added, “We’ll also be able to bring more of these agencies of government in line to ensure that all monies appropriated by the National Assembly are spent judiciously, efficiently, and in a lawful manner.”