AYCF Condemns Attempts To Suppress Senator Ndume’s Right To Criticize Government

By Editor

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has issued a robust response to the statement from the Coalition of North-East Elders Forum (CNEF), which appeared to reject Senator Ali Ndume’s recent criticism of President Bola.

Tinubu’s administration. In a statement released by its President General, Yerima Shettima, AYCF accused the CNEF of attempting to suppress dissent and freedom of expression, echoing the foundational democratic values enshrined in both national and international covenants.

Senator Ali Ndume recently made pointed remarks alleging that the current administration is composed of “kakistocrats” and “kleptocrats,” suggesting that the government is being led by the least competent and most corrupt individuals primarily focused on embezzling resources. 

The AYCF emphasized that while these remarks represent Ndume’s personal opinions, his right to express them is protected and should be respected.

"The attack from CNEF against Senator Ndume is vindictive, unwarranted, and an unacceptable affront to democratic principles of freedom and fair play," stated Yerima Shettima. "It is a brutal encroachment on his right to freedom of expression, safeguarded by various international treaties and conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory."

The AYCF also voiced concerns over growing speculations that Senator Ndume might be relieved of his position as Chief Whip of the Senate. They warned that any further attempts to breach his fundamental right to hold differing views will be vigorously resisted and vehemently challenged. 

"Any government that cannot be criticized is a liability," stated Shettima, urging the North-East elders to desist from their indiscriminate attacks on Senator Ndume, whom they referred to as an eminent hero of the Northern youth.

While the AYCF clarified that it does not currently favor protests, it stressed that Ndume's observations regarding the current harsh realities faced by Nigerians are apt and timely. They urged the government to heed these observations for the benefit of all citizens and warned the North-East elders against manipulating and politicizing security issues for their own gain.

"The observations raised by Senator Ndume should be heeded by the government, as they reflect the collective concerns of many Nigerians facing hardships," the statement concluded.

The AYCF  said it remained committed to upholding democratic values and the right to freedom of expression, and call on all stakeholders to adopt a more tolerant and constructive approach to differing viewpoints.

EFCC, Tinubu: What’s Up With the Betta Edu Case?

By Mukhtar Ya’u Madobi

It has been over six months since the erstwhile Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu was relieved of her position by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu due to alleged corruption cases, embezzlement and financial misappropriation.

Tinubu decided to show an example and equally sent a strong warning to other cabinet members by suspending Betta Edu in January 2024 after a leaked memo showed that the former minister indulged in unwholesome financial dealings while steering the wheels of affairs at the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry.

Fracas ensued among the citizens when Edu’s case of transferring a humongous sum of almost N585.2 million into a private bank account was brought to the limelight through a widely circulated memo emanating from the Ministry.

Following this development, the country’s finest anti-graft agency, the Economic Crimes and Financial Commission (EFCC) waded into the situation by launching a probe against the suspended Minister in an attempt to get to the bottom of the matter.

Not only Edu’s situation, a series of corruption cases have rocked the Ministry highlighting that, an institution created to provide relief to vulnerable citizens has now metamorphosed into a conduit pipe for siphoning the hard-earned tax-payers money.

Recalled that Tinubu also suspended the social welfare program and the National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme Agency, NSIPA, Halima Shehu, over alleged N37.1 billion fraud in the same ministry.

Recently, the Federal High Court Sitting in Lagos ordered another former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development, Mrs Sadia Umar-Farouk, to account for payments of N729 billion to 24.3 million poor Nigerians in six months.

It is disheartening that, for almost half a year since launching the investigation against Edu, both the federal government and EFCC have yet to make public, the report of the probe or arraign the suspended Minister before a court of competent jurisdiction to scrutinize the issue from the ambit of the law and order.

The persistent question Nigerians are asking is: when will Edu’s case be treated and given a deserved attention just like how other high-profile corruption cases are being treated?

As the EFCC delays to absolve or indicting the ex-minister, or making public its findings, there are suspicions that she may be let off the hook, despite the weight of allegations leveled against her, which led to her ouster in January.  Rumours emanating from some quarters are even hinting that the suspended Minister is on the verge of making a dramatic return to her initial position!

While speculations continued to emerge about her possible return which is being fueled by the EFCC’s muteness on the issue, the unfortunate situation became even more pervasive as the suspended Minister, Dr. Edu, yesterday, wrote an official condolence message on the ‘ministry’s letterhead’ over the recent Jos school building collapse where a lot of lives were lost.

At this juncture, it is duty-bound for responsible citizens including this writer to begin questioning the legality of using official documents of the ministry [letterhead] by the suspended Minister in expressing her condolences. The authorities including Presidency should quickly address this matter before it generate even more diverse hypotheses.

Notwithstanding, it has become pertinent for the EFCC and federal government to come out clean on this lingering issue by addressing the public to preserve the integrity and dignity of the nation.

The public, stakeholders, and international observers are now calling on the authorities to promptly release the findings of the probe, emphasizing that transparency, accountability, and the principle of speedy justice dispensation are critical in this matter to restore public trust and deter future misconduct.

The release of the report on Betta Edu’s probe will demonstrate the government’s commitment to openness and accountability. When public officials are accused of misconduct, investigative processes need to be transparent to ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done. Withholding the report could foster suspicion, erode public trust in institutions, and fuel speculations of a cover-up.

Meanwhile, the essence of accountability is to ensure that public officials are held responsible for their actions. It is a key deterrent against corruption and abuse of power. The EFCC, tasked with fighting economic and financial crimes, must uphold its mandate by ensuring that those found guilty of corruption face appropriate consequences. This sends a clear message that no one is above the law, reinforcing the integrity of public institutions.

In the case of Edu, releasing the probe report swiftly will enhance public confidence in the government’s ability to tackle corruption. It will also demonstrate a commitment to justice and reassure citizens that their leaders are accountable.

If the investigation reveals that Betta Edu engaged in corrupt practices, she must face appropriate punitive measures. Punishment serves not only to penalize the wrongdoer but also to set a precedent and deter others from similar misconduct. Ensuring that Edu is held accountable will reinforce the message that corruption will not be tolerated at any level of government and that nobody is above the law.

Still on, given the serious nature of the allegations, it would be inappropriate for Betta Edu to return to her ministerial position. Allowing her to resume office without addressing the allegations would undermine the credibility of the government’s anti-corruption efforts. It would signal to the public that misconduct can be overlooked, thereby weakening the moral and ethical standards expected of public officials.

The principle of speedy justice is crucial in maintaining the rule of law. Delays in the judicial process can lead to the erosion of evidence, fading of public interest, and potential manipulation of the justice system.

The Nigerian government and EFCC must expedite the investigation and judicial proceedings related to Betta Edu to ensure timely justice. Prolonged delays can undermine the credibility of the justice system and embolden other public officials to engage in corrupt practices, believing they can evade consequences.

The message must be clear; corruption will not be tolerated, and those who engage in it will face the full force of the law.

MUKHTAR is a concerned Nigeria’s citizen and writes from Kano

Disability Group Pays Courtesy Visit, Honours Hajiya Halimat Adenike Tejuosho

By Editor

The popular Arewa Youth with Disabilities Forum, yesterday, the 13th of July 2024, paid a courtesy visit to an ace philanthropist and the Founder/Chief Executive Officer of Queen Adenike Tejuosho Foundation, (QAT Foundation) Hajiya Halimat Adenike Tejuosho in her Abuja office.

The visit was organised to identify with the philanthropist who has demonstrated uncommon dedication in caring for the less privileged using her personal resources.

In his address, the President of Arewa Youth With Disabilities Forum, Mallam Muhammad Musa Zaria thanked their host for welcoming them and restated their appreciation of her tireless efforts in ameliorating the plight of People Living With Disabilities (PWDs) all over the country, praying Almighty Allah to make it easy for her and grant her heart desires.

According to him, "we are proud to identify with you. Indeed you're a worthy ambassador of our community as you've consistently offered your entire life for the betterment of the downtrodden. Even as we continue to call for your nomination as the Honourable Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, our prayers are with you and we're convinced you'll perform excellently well, so using our personal resources on you at any rate is in line.

"Judging by the sensitive nature of the Ministry and the fact that it has been left vacant for a long time due to corruption and ineptitude of the last Minister, if consider ins ha Allah, we urge you to discharge your duties with outmost integrity and with the spirit of inclusion so that Nigerians will smile even in the present hardships and widespread poverty".

The visit also featured the presentation of an award of honour to Hajiya Halimat Adenike Tejuosho as the 'PWDs Model and Philanthropist of the Year' in recognition of her untiring and selfless service to the PWD community, the downtrodden and the elderly across the 19 northern states and country at large.

In her remarks, the philanthropist thanked the Executives and members of Arewa Youth With Disabilities Forum for finding her worthy of the solidarity visit and the honour done her. She pledged to do more for the PWD community if given the platform to serve the nation.

"I'm thrilled with your visit and honour. It is always a delight to be recognized for your little efforts. To have traveled from the north to my home to honour me is something I can't forget in a hurry. Your entire community support towards me is humbling and I will do everything in my power to create and equal and inclusive opportunity for the PWD community and every Nigerian if appointed.

"Regardless, I want to use this opportunity to appeal to you and all Nigerians to give Mr. President all the necessary support he needs to succeed. Be rest assured that in no distant time, Nigerians will begin to reap the gains of the present reforms as his critics will be put to shame and Nigeria will triumph", she assured.

Highlights of the occasion included the award of multimillion scholarships to over 200 students in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions as well as the distribution of Wheel Chairs, hearing aids, and clutches to mention but a few.

Similarly, a cash token of ₦10,000 was given to over 139 senior citizens and PWDs who were present as she charged the recipients "to recognize ability even in their disabilities and remain politically active by engaging effectively with their elected and appointed representatives so as to safeguard their rights".

Kano set to host major education recovery conference

  

By Editor

The Kano State Government, with the support of the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) in Nigeria and Arewa Consultative Forum, is set to convene an education recovery conference on 10th and 11th of July, 2024. The conference featuring thought leaders, political actors, diplomats, educators, private sector players, advocates and policymakers, will focus on addressing significant education sector challenges in Kano State.

 

The education conference has as its theme “Repositioning Education in Kano State: Navigating the Path to Excellence”. It is designed to address critical challenges on education access and equity, chart a reform pathway and foster partnerships in transforming education in the state. During the two-day event, stakeholders will work together to identify sustainable and scalable solutions that will reposition and improve the education sector in Kano State, ensuring sustainable access to quality education for all.

 

The education sector in Kano State, like many parts of Nigeria, faces critical issues that hinder its progress. Currently, there are over 9 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, and Kano State contributes significantly to this figure as the most populous northern state of Nigeria, hence, tackling challenges in Kano is essential to the ‘Education for Renewed Hope Agenda’.

 

In recent times, the Kano State Government has demonstrated willingness to tackle educational challenges head on. Earlier in June, the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, declared a state of emergency in the education sector due to the significant decay in both educational quality and infrastructure.

 

“Our administration has commenced a total overhaul, focusing on academic and infrastructure development”, he said, outlining plans for the extensive renovation of all primary and junior secondary schools in the state, soft loans for teachers, initiatives to promote girl-child education and many other interventions. Soon after, his statements were followed by the approval of funds to the 44 local government areas in Kano for the renovation of classrooms and construction of new ones across the state.

 

The Kano aspiration is an ambitious roadmap to kickstart the journey to quality and accessible education in the state.  Through the proposed conference, the government will be creating a platform for technical deliberations on education access, quality, and equity in the state. There will be keynote speeches, lead paper presentation, plenaries and breakout sessions, all carefully structured to address different areas of challenges, using an interactive and inclusive approa

Kidnap Of Journalists, Family Members Unacceptable Says AYCF

By Editor

The leadership of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has described as unacceptable the targeted kidnap of two Kaduna Journalists and some of their family members.

The President General of the forum Alhaji Yerima Shettima in a statement issued on Monday condemned the kidnap in the strongest terms and demanded their immediate release by their abductors.

Shettima noted that the saddened news of the kidnap of Alhaji Abdulgafar Alabelewe of Nations newspaper, his wife and two children alongside Alhaji Abdulraheem Aodu is very disheartening and worrisome.

He called on relevant government authorities and security agencies to swing into serious action and ensure their safe release.

Shettima also called on spirited individuals to intensify prayers for their safe release.

" The news of the kidnap of two Kaduna based journalists Abdulgafar Alabelewe and Abdulraheem Aodu of blueprint newspaper and some of their family members is very shocking and worrisome and totally unacceptable.

"Journalists shouldn't be target of kidnap because they are very key sector of the society providing needed information for growth and development of the society.

" I wish to appeal to government and security agencies to intensify efforts to see to their safe release and ensure an end is put to this kind of barbaric incidence.

" I also call for prayers for their safe release and for them to be reunited with their families, and also for quick recovery for the wife of Abdulraheem who was initially kidnapped and dumped in the bush due to her health condition".

He said, he shared in the present trauma the members of the pen profession are passing through now because of their colleagues in captivity and further urged them to continue to pray with the assurance that they will be released soon 

ENDS

Civil Society Group Urges President Tinubu to Reveal Findings on High-Profile EFCC Corruption Cases

By Editor

As the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) comes under attack with plans by some persons to stage a nationwide protest against the Commission, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations Against Corruption has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make public findings on the investigation into some high profile cases.

This according to them has become necessary as the EFCC has accused some persons currently under investigation of inciting youths and the general public using social and mainstream media to poison the minds of Nigerians against the Commission for daring to investigate their criminal enterprises.

In a tersely worded press release signed and made available to journalists in Abuja by its Convener Bashir Babatunde Abdulganiu, the group maintained that, Nigerians need to know the outcome of some high profile cases under investigation by the EFCC.

According to the release, "Nigerians deserve to know the outcome of some high profile corruption cases currently under investigation by the EFCC especially now that the Commission is crying foul over the attempts by some miscreants to stage a public protest against the Commission.

 

"The investigation into the allegations of corruption leveled against the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Beta Edu and that of Yahaya Bello, the fugitive ex Governor of Kogi State needs to be made public for us to ascertain with certainty those behind the stage managed protests against the EFCC".

The Coalition expressed worry that nothing has been heard about the investigation into the allegations against Beta Edu even as the embattled ex Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is already hinting at the possibility of retuning to power even as there are accusing fingers pointing at her possible complicity in the ongoing onslaught against the EFCC.

"It's been six months since President Bola Tinubu dramatically removed Edu from office amidst allegations of a cumulative ₦3 billion scandal and other unwholesome activities, yet the nation remains in the dark about the outcome of the subsequent investigation.

"With the EFCC pointing accusing fingers at some Nigerians under investigation for it's current predicament, it is imperative to ask what exactly become of her investigation and how does it fit into the present puzzle. Could she and other persons under the EFCC radar be staging a subtle attack on the Commission in a bid to discredit it and save face?", the release queried.

The right groups unanimously urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to do everything in his power to protect his legacy by making the findings on some of these investigations public to authenticate his fight against corruption and fill the vacancy created by the suspended Ministers within 7 days.

"As Nigerians, we need to know what's happening because the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has the potential to eradicate the suffering and hardships Nigerian citizens are currently passing through. It will be a big blow on the credibility of this administration if Nigerians are perpetually kept in the dark over sensitive issues like this.

"It is even worrisome that we have be inundated with rumours to the effect that Dr. Beta Edu is already telling her close allies that she has a close relationship with the President and as such, there's no cause for alarm. If she is reinstated then it means her claim is right and Mr. President is making a caricature of the fight against corruption", the statement ended.

Betta Edu and her likes do not deserve to be reconsidered for any political appointment even at the ward levels not to talk of state or federal, the president has the duty to prove to the entire world that; he is against corruption at any rate and since distance his administration from people like her and her co-travellers.

CCSOCN condemns planned protest against EFCC, vows to resist plot by miscreants

By Editor 

A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations Against Corruption in Nigeria has condemned in strong terms, a plot by some persons to stage a national protest against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

It should be recalled that the EFCC had raised concerns over a planned protest by sponsored goons, loyal to some high individuals being investigated for various financial crimes.

In a strongly worded release signed by its Convener Bashir Babatunde Abdulganiu, a copy of which was sighted by our correspondent, the group vowed to resist plans by miscreants to derail the fight against corruption and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President.

According to the release, "we have observed the unfortunate situation where some persons under investigation by the anti-graft agency have resorted to blackmail and incitement on social media and elsewhere in an attempt to stoke up negative sentiments against the EFCC in a bid to sway the opinions of Nigerians against the anti-corruption crusade of this administration.

"This is totally unacceptable and we condemn in strong terms, all those who are directly or remotely connected with this criminal act as nothing on earth will stop Mr. President and the EFCC from logically prosecuting the fight against corruption, cyber crimes and other financial crimes. The is a just fight and there's no hiding place for culprits under this administration".

The Coalition called on security agencies under the coordination of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to act patriotically and ensure no illegal and sponsored protest takes place anywhere in Nigeria, adding that the EFCC does not deserve any distraction right now.

"As a patriot, we have full confidence in the NSA, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and we urge him to deploy all the resources at his disposal to ensure this staged protest does not happen. We equally salute the courage and dedication of the Armed forces and other security agencies who will certainly act to decimate the hooligans planning to plunge our nation into anarchy", the release added.

While passing a vote of confidence in the EFCC and its Chairman Mr. Ola Olukayode for tirelessly fighting to secure the future and reputation of Nigeria, the group maintained that Nigeria's future will be imperiled if the country further degenerates in its global perception as a den of fraudsters. 

"We hereby pass a massive vote of confidence on the EFCC boss for his dogged and untiring commitment to sanitizing our country. In a country like ours, it is normal for corruption to fight back but we confident that the EFCC will triumph against all falsehood and diversionary tactics employed enemies of the state.

"The number of high profile cases currently under investigation such as that of Dr. Betta Edu, Hadi Sirika and many other APC chieftains including the fugitive Kogi State ex Governor Yahaya Bello will surely be completed regardless of the little setbacks. The EFCC will not be deterred even if its operational capacity threatens some persons", the release noted.

The release concluded by acknowledging the right of citizens to protest in a democracy but urged Nigerians especially youths to "discern carefully to avoid falling prey to criminal elements" as they appealed to parents, guardians and heads of tertiary institutions "to take responsibility in ensuring that their wards are not recruited to be used as cannon fodder in a proxy war against the Commission by vested corrupt interests".