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Sacked 75-year-old Minister Who Built N30 Mosque For Herders

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Some Nigerians were perhaps slightly surprised by the dismissal of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Sabo Nanono, especially by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), who is not wont to sacking underperforming members of his cabinet since he came into power in May 2015.

But Buhari on Wednesday sacked Nanono (Kano State) and his Power counterpart, Saleh Mamman (Taraba State), according to presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina.

Adesina also announced that the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abubakar, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Agriculture while the Minister of State for Works, Abubakar Aliyu, is to take over as Minister of Power.

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READ ALSO: 2023: Akeredolu Denies Having Presidential Ambition As His Posters Flood Streets

“I wish to reiterate once more, that this process shall be continuous,” Adesina had quoted Buhari as saying, adding that the decision was taken after “critical self-review” of the performances of the two ministers.

The two dismissed ministers were in August 2019 sworn in as part of the over 40 ministers who make up the current Federal Executive Council.

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Kano-born Nanono, 75, was sacked amid plans by the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to recover grazing routes across the country.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that Buhari ordered the review of 368 grazing sites in 25 states despite widespread criticisms against open grazing and its attendant security consequences.

The 17 Southern governors had kicked against open grazing and given September 1, 2021, as the deadline for states in the region to sign Anti-Open Grazing Bills into laws.

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Nanono was sacked months after a memo conveying his approval of N30m for the construction of a ‘Friday’ mosque for herders became public knowledge.

The memo, dated December 10, 2020, which leaked in May 2021, showed that FMARD under Nanono approved the contract of the building of the mosque to El-Shukhur Multi-Buz Nig. Ltd, despite the fact that a search through the 2020 budget by The PUNCH showed that no mosque construction was stated in the ministry’s estimates.

Many Nigerians had flayed Nanono for the action of building a mosque for herders with taxpayers’ funds, saying he should also build a church for displaced Christians and a shrine for displaced traditionalists.

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FMARD under Nanono had confirmed the leaked memo as being authentic and stressed that it built the mosque for livestock farmers sacked from their settlements by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State.

“To put the facts straight, the memo is authentic and appropriate in all ramifications.

“It is original and was issued by the ministry for the construction of a worship centre for a community of livestock farmers who were sacked and displaced in Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents and are being resettled in Ngarannam/Mafa Local Government, Borno State,” the Director of Information, FMARD, Theodore Ogaziechi, had said in a statement.

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Nanono was born in the Gabasawa Local Government Area of Kano State on April 11, 1946, according to information available on the ministry’s website.

“He attended Zakirai and Gwarzo Primary Schools, Birnin Kudu Secondary School, Government College Kano from there he proceeded to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he obtained a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration in the year 1972.

“Also in 1977, he obtained his Master’s Degree in public policy and Administration from the University of Wisconsin, Madison USA.

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“The ex-minister also attended an Advanced Management Course at Harvard Business School, Boston Massachusetts In 1994.

“He was a university lecturer, civil servant, a farmer, a banker who rose to the position of Managing Director of African International Bank.

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“He also attended several courses, conferences, workshops and seminars within and outside Nigeria. A fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria became the Chairman and board member of numerous organizations in Nigeria and married with children,” the citation read.

(PUNCH)

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Peter Obi Meets US Consul General, Hopes For Credible Polls In 2027

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Chieftain of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi on Tuesday held a meeting with United States Consul General, Mr Rick Swart.

Obi made this known via his X handle.

READ ALSO:NDC Speaks On Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Joining Party

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He said “This morning, in Lagos, I met with the U.S. Consul General, Mr Rick Swart, where we discussed strengthening the bilateral relationship. We focused on promoting credible elections in Nigeria, ensuring they are free from interference, and fostering a space where all political parties, especially opposition parties can thrive, and contribute.

“We also discussed trade and business opportunities between our countries. Accompanying me to the meeting was Dr Adefolaseye Adebomi Adebayo.

“The discussion was very productive, and we are hopeful that, moving forward, Nigeria’s elections will be even more credible and transparent.”

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BREAKING: 17 ADC Reps Follow Join NDC

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About 17 African Democratic Congress, ADC, lawmakers in the House of Representatives have defected to the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC.

This was disclosed by Speaker Abass Tajudeen on the floor of the House on Tuesday.

Tajudeen also announced the defection of Leke Abejide from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

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READ ALSO:JUST IN: Why I left ADC For NDC With Kwankwaso – Peter Obi Opens Up

Lawmakers who defected to the NDC include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande and Munachim Umezuruike.

Others are Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene and Abdulhakeem Ado.

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This comes barely a day after former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso defected from the ADC to the NDC.

Obi and Kwankwaso have pledged to continue their pursuit for a better Nigeria in the NDC.

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JUST IN: Why I left ADC For NDC With Kwankwaso – Peter Obi Opens Up

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A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has given reasons why he resigned from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to join the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, alongside a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

In a long post on X on Monday, Obi insisted it was not out of anger or ambition.

Rather, he said the move is a continuation of the quest to build a new Nigeria.

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Obi wrote: “Yesterday, I formally joined the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), alongside my dear brother, Engr. Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, with one clear purpose: to continue the struggle for a new Nigeria built on justice, competence, accountability, and compassion for the ordinary Nigerian.

READ ALSO:Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Formally Join NDC, Warn Members Against Litigation

“As I stated yesterday, this decision was not made out of anger, personal ambition, or convenience. It came after deep reflection on the present condition of our nation and the urgent need to rescue Nigeria from the dangerous path it is currently heading.

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“Over the years, I have remained steadfast in my conviction that politics should never be about individuals, positions, or personal gain. It must be about the people, especially the millions of Nigerians who today can no longer afford necessities, whose businesses are collapsing, whose children are losing hope, and whose future is becoming increasingly uncertain.

“I left the ADC for the same reason I left the Labour Party: the severe, orchestrated litigation and internal crises deliberately designed to ensure that I, alongside many other notable individuals, do not effectively participate in the electoral process. I sincerely appreciate and remain deeply grateful to the Leadership of ADC for the opportunity to work together in pursuit of a better Nigeria. I am particularly grateful to ADC Chairman Senator David Mark for his exceptional Leadership. I also deeply appreciate my Leader and elder brother YE, Atiku Abubakar, as well as other respected leaders within the party.

“As we join the NDC, I sincerely appeal to the Nigerian Government against the encouragement of unresolved litigations and the infusion of crises within political parties. Democracy must never become a weapon against the people. A healthy democracy thrives on strong institutions, credible alternatives, and the freedom of citizens to make choices without intimidation, manipulation, or fear. Opposition parties must not be weakened or destroyed, because when democracy loses balance, the people ultimately suffer.

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“Nigeria today is passing through one of the most difficult periods in its history. Poverty is rising. Hunger is widespread. Insecurity continues to threaten lives and livelihoods. Businesses are shutting down daily. Our young people are becoming discouraged, and many citizens have lost faith in the system. At a time like this, leadership must be driven not by propaganda or division, but by competence, capacity, character, and compassion.

READ ALSO:ADC Hails S’Court Verdict On Leadership, Demands INEC Chairman’s Resignation

“Our decision to join the NDC is therefore not an abandonment of values, but a continuation of the same mission we have always stood for: building a Nigeria where leadership is about service, where public resources are managed responsibly, where institutions function independently, and where every Nigerian, regardless of tribe, religion, region, or social status, can live with dignity, security, and hope.

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“I remain committed to working with all Nigerians of goodwill across political, ethnic, and religious lines. The task before us is bigger than any individual or political party. It is about the future of our children and the survival of our dear nation.

“I thank Nigerians, especially our youths and women, for remaining peaceful, resilient, and hopeful despite the enormous challenges confronting the country. I urge you not to lose faith in Nigeria. Nations do not change because people surrender to hopelessness; they change because people continue to believe, continue to sacrifice, and continue to stand for what is right.”

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