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Buhari’s In-law Ado-Bayero Breaks Down In Tears At Book Launch

Published

6 days ago

May 25, 2023

The Emir of Bichi, Nasiru Ado-Bayero, on Thursday, broke down in tears while paying tribute to his late mum, Maryam, at the official launch of her biography in Abuja.

The launch of the biography titled, “Maryam Ado Bayero: A Woman of Royal Virtue”, which took place at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja, attracted political bigwigs and first-class monarchs in Nigeria.

The Emir, whose daughter Zahra, had an elaborate wedding with Yusuf, son of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), two years ago, wept for some seconds before continuing with his speech.

He said, “My late mother, Maryam Ado Bayero, was full of many qualities. She was bright, virtuous, patient, endurance and tolerant. She had a good relationship with her husband, co-wives and children in the palace.

“I also shared a special moment with her. I remember how she paid me a visit when she heard I was reluctant to accept the offer to become the second emir of Bichi. She said in her usual gentle voice and I quote: “Allah has blessed me with two gifts in my lifetime. Why are you trying to throw one of them away?

“I was completely disturbed by her words because whenever she wanted to criticise you, her criticisms were always constructive.”

The emir broke down in tears at that point.

The late Maryam Ado Bayero was the granddaughter of the seventh Emir of Ilorin; daughter of the eighth Emir of Ilorin; wife to the late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, and mother of the current Emirs of Bichi and Kano respectively.

In a related development, President Buhari has recommended that the late matriarch for mention in the World Guinness Book of Records.

The president stated that aside from how she impacted humanity positively, Maryam appeared to be the woman to be linked with four first-class emirs in history.

Buhari, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, further described her as the embodiment of tradition and modernity, a thorough-bred royal who lived a life of a trailblazer.

“Nobody exemplifies the link between tradition and modernity than the lady we are honouring here today. As a professor of political science and a student of history myself, I am yet to stumble upon a more interesting personality such as my late elder sister, who in her lifetime had the good fortune of being the granddaughter of an emir, daughter of another emir, wife to the outstanding revered Emir of Kano and mother of two Emirs (Bichi and Kano).

“This should have entered the Guinness Book of Records. By virtue of this great piece of history by Ambassador Sani Hajo (author), we have captured and immortalised her life and works for future generations to rely on as a compass.”

The event was well attended by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, serving Ministers, Senators, captains of industries, among other prominent Nigerians.

In his opening address, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, explained that the decision by his government to immortalize the late ‘Mai Babban Daki’ through his biography project was informed by their desire to inspire younger generations, especially the girl child.

Ganduje said documenting the life of a distinguished mother is a service to history, knowledge, and development, adding that “every part of her life is but a mirror for the present and future generations.

“The idea behind the book is in itself unique. It started as a discussion between the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and myself during the period of mourning for her departure, when he briefed me about her royal pedigree from the eminent scholar and leader, Sheikh Salihu al Alimi, the founder of modern Ilorin, through many emirs.

“The subject of this biography of Nana Maryam Ado Bayero is special in many ways. She has been recognized for her humility, generosity and unassuming. Despite her position, she lived a simple life worthy of emulation.

“The state government will also support the establishment of a foundation to continue with the good work she had been doing when she was alive which included the building of a Friday Mosque, an Islamiyya school as well as sponsoring an annual Maulud at the Kano Emir’s Palace and Qur’anic Recitation Competitions. Therefore, as a step forward, proceeds from today’s launch will be directed to that foundation.”

The Ooni of Ife, who described the late matriarch as her mother, further urged Nigerian women to train their children properly in such a way that it would bring them future glory.

The monarch said: “Our late mother is a virtuous woman and I am proud to have identified with her. I will urge Nigerian women to train their children so that one day they will bring glory to them.”
PUNCH

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Tribunal Admits U.S. Court Judgment Ordering Tinubu’s Forfeiture Of $460,000

Published

5 hours ago

May 31, 2023

Editor

The Labour Party on Tuesday called its first witness in the ongoing petition between its candidate, Peter Obi, and the ruling All Progressives Congress and the President, Bola Tinubu.

Counsel for the LP and Obi, Jibrin Okutepa, stated that documents from number one to four together with receipts tendered are documents where the vice president, Kashim Shettima, accepted his nomination as the vice-presidential candidate of the APC.

The witness, Lawrence Nwakaeti, who is a legal practitioner, disclosed that he was deposed to the witness statement on March 20, 2023.

Part of the documents deposed to by Nwakaeti referred to the alleged $460,000 forfeiture by Tinubu to the government of the United States.

One of the grounds on which the LP and Obi are praying for the court to nullify Tinubu’s victory is that the president, Tinubu “at the time of the election was not qualified to contest for election to the office of President as he was fined the sum of $460,000 for an offence involving dishonesty, namely narcotics trafficking imposed by the United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, in Case No: 93C 4483.”

While answering questions during the cross-examination, the witness admitted that the judgment was not registered in Nigeria.

He also admitted that there was no certificate from any consular in Nigeria or America in support of the judgment.

He, however, maintained that “the judgment speaks for itself.”

APC counsel, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, asked, “As a lawyer, you are aware that these documents are not registered in Nigeria and there is no certificate attached to the document from the US?” to which Lawrence replied that there are certificates.

“Is there a certificate from the US consular?”

“No certificate from the consular,” Nwakaeti replied.

He also said he had no knowledge of a February 4, 2003, Formal Clearance Report by Legal Attachee from the American Embassy in respect of the alleged indictment and forfeiture.

When asked by Fagbemi, SAN, to produce a copy of the charges against Tinubu, the witness said he had none but maintained that the forfeiture are from civil proceedings.

“You are aware that all the proceedings were civil proceedings?”

“Civil forfeiture proceedings,” the witness replied.

Meanwhile, the Presiding Justice of the Court, Justice Haruna Simon Tsammani has shifted further hearing in the petition till May 31.

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Otti Freezes Abia Accounts, Sacks Boards Executives

Published

20 hours ago

May 30, 2023

Editor

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, has directed the immediate freezing of all accounts of the state government and those of its agencies domiciled in every bank and financial institution across the state and around the federation.

He has also dissolved all boards of Abia State government agencies and parastatals and ordered the heads of all the dissolved agencies and parastatals to subsequently hand over to those next in line to them.

The governor gave the orders in a statement he issued through his media office on Monday, which was signed by Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.

The directive read in part, “With this notice, all banks and other financial institutions in the country are directed to immediately seize from honouring any cheque, document, instrument or directive of any kind not expressly approved by or emanating from him.

“Similarly, Governor Otti has directed the immediate dissolution of all boards of the Abia State Government agencies and parastatals and subsequently ordered the chief executives of these organisations to hand over to those next in line to them”.

The reporter gathered that the news of the sack of the former chief executives of the dissolved boards sparked celebration among staff of such agencies, especially those who were owed some months of salary arrears.

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PICTORIAL: Obi, Datti, Keyamo Present As Tribunal Resumes Hearing

Published

1 day ago

May 30, 2023

Editor

The presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the Labour Party, Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed, are currently in attendance at the ongoing presidential election tribunal PUNCH reports.

Former minister of state for labour and employment, Festus Keyamo, is also present at the tribunal and appearing as a counsel in the legal team of President Bola Tinubu.

Obi and the Labour Party filed a petition challenging the victory of Tinubu, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, in the February 25, 2023 Presidential election.

In the petition marked CA/PEPC/03/2023, Livy Ozoukwu, lead counsel to LP and Obi, said Tinubu “was not duly elected by the majority of the lawful votes cast at the time of the election”.

Among other allegations, they claimed that Kashim Shettima, vice-president, had a double nomination in contravention of the electoral act.

A proper hearing of the petition commenced on Tuesday and the first witness has been called.

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