…he declares interest and vows to take Adamawa out of the woods

A business tycoon who has a vast knowledge in Procurement, mining and gas with international connection with foreign investors, Alhaji Mustapha Umar Madawaki in a statement of belief to the general public has declared his interest to wrestle power with Rt Hon Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the executive Governor of Adamawa state.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chieftain addressed the people of Adamawa state in a world press conference and made the following key agenda setting the will to make his Government a people’s oriented and inclined to solving the divergence problem of the state.

Top on the priority of his promulgation of his government in view, Umar on infrastructure said:

1.Inter state Road network commencing from Cham, our boarder with Gombe state, through Lamurde, Numan, Demsa,(on dual carriage), then from Ngurore, (on four lanes) through Jimeta, Girei, Jabbi lamba,(revert back to dual carriage) through Song, Gombi, Hong, Mararaba, Mubi,( then single lane) on the one hand through Mararaba, Uba, Michika, Madagali, to the boarder with Borno state. On the other through Maiha Belel to the boarder with the Cameron and Mubi Sahuda and Cameron’s boarder.

“Tall gates are likely at CHAM, NUMAN, VINIKILANG, GOMBI MARARRABA, SAHUDA BELEL. This road will also be diverted from Jimeta to Fufore, Gurin, and boarder with Cameron. With Tall gate at GURIN. The road will again be diverted from Ngurore through Mayobelwa, Jada, Ganye, to Tongo. With possible Tall gates at MAYOBELWA,, and the boarder after TOUNGO. It will be a six inch road expected to last at least 70 years. The investors will fully manage the road and control all revenue points with a sharing formula of 70/30 for at least 30-40 years as the case may be.

Other local governments not initially connected to this road will be linked after the first tenure. Such as Guyuk, and Shelleng, During this period, we shall equally embark on intra local Governments road network which is expected to be done by the State Government directly.

Construction of modern markets at Jimeta, Yola and Mubi. In all these locations, the market may take over many privately owned houses and shops in order to give it the much needed space to accommodate 3-4 thousand shops as in the case of Yola, . While Jimeta and Mubi markets will be between 10-15000 shops each. All the markets will be fire proof and marble finished. The Investors s
Will only construct based on our engineering design and specifications. Shops will be allocated by State Government with a deposit to be agreed upon by both sides including the various market Unions. State Government will also work out the possibility of soft but long term loans to business owners within the market to enable them build their capital base. The repayment terms should be on monthly basis and over a period of not less than 30-40 years with lower interest rates. The amount of loans shall not exceed the value of the beneficiaries shop except if further collateral shall be made available to cover the outstanding facility. It is expected that the markets, especially the ones for Jimeta and Mubi may be the best ever in Africa, with modern ecstatics, and likely to be between 5-8 story. Fully covered with 4×1500 kva Caterpillar Generators. It’s underground will totally be parking lots to be shared between all shop owners and mobile customers. Fees will be charge for both beneficiaries. While customers will pay as they park, shop owners will have their bills added to all taxes and levies to be paid on monthly basis. These markets, are equally to be managed by the Investors and revenue also controlled by them. The state will ensure no cash payments are made directly except through the Banks for proper accountability. Coins will be used as financial Instruments for all payments. The sharing formula for the expected revenue will still remain 70/30 for Investors and the state Government respectively.

2. International IT center, to be built within the old Jimeta market premises. Once the new market is in place, all the three markets will be marges to creat room for the IT centre. This will revitalize the wards around the market which includes Rumde, Yelwa, Gwadabawa and Ajiya. These wards have lost their business dominance with the construction and transfer of the Central shopping market and the Jimeta new markets. The entire area which hitherto was the business hub of Jimeta is now a shadow of its former self. With an International IT Center, these places will witness a new boom as a direct result of heavy influx of young men and women wishing to be IT literate and specialists. This venture is expected to be funded as a private investment, generating revenue for both Investors and the state Government. The sharing formula shall still remain 70-30 respectively.

3. Jimeta main modern park. The intent shall be that the entire land from under the main Jimeta bridge covering the Jimeta bye pass market to lake Gerio will be taken over. A South Korean Investor company will be invited to design and build the Park as a tourist destination with all that is required to give it what it takes and generate revenue for both Investors and thr state. The sharing formula shall still be 70-30 respectively.

4. Agriculture and Animal husbandry. As for Agriculture, mechanised farming shall be encouraged and supported by the state Government through the provision of training, ensuring adequate, and timely supply of faterlizers, herbicides, pesticides, improved seeds especially for rice, millets, wheat and Yellow maize, Tractors, combine harvesters, and storage facilities will be made available. Soft and subsidized loans will be negotiated for farmers by the state. In the case of Animal husbandry, our main concentration will be the breeding and fattening of cows, rams and goats. While ranching will be an option, individuals wishing to engage in fastening will be supported and encouraged. The expectations is that we shall negotiate with southern Nigeria to close down all their cattle markets and abbatours and be supplied with healthy meat, sausages and packed meat based products from our central slaughter house and factories to be established in Jimeta. An Egyptian company has already shown interest. Moreso, the entire middle east and Arabia are desperately in need of meat supply because of the constant influx of people in especially Dubai, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Saudi Arabia etc. These countries are currently forced to import fresh meat from Brazil in South America. We can effectively do same with an advantage, that ours is organic and therefore, healthier and sweeter. This market will allow the state to earn money in foreign exchange. We currently have 8 cattle markets in the state with a weekly influx of not less than 5,000 heads of cattle per market. This is an indication that we have the capacity to slaughter 15,000 cows per day for both local and 15,000 for International supplies. It is an important source of revenue for the state. Sheep and goats will equally receive a boost in order to ensure a steady supply for both markets.

In order to support harder’s and those interested in cattle rearing, fattening, and supplies to the factory/slaughter house, Government will ensure steady supply of the much needed vaccines at subsidised rates, importation of improved weeds for growth by cattle rearers especially those who may key into the new dream of a stable and functional settlements for herders in the form of grazing reserves etc. Earth dams will be constructed to ensure steady supply of water for their animals, the study of and the supply of veterinary doctors will be encouraged through special salaries and scholarships respectively. These measures in addition to others will help stabilize the potential markets for the supply of these cows, sheep and goats. Research centers for the improvement of these animals in line with modernity will receive a boost. Our cattle markets will be improved into semi automated markets with all attendant facilities to ensure a direct buyer sellers transactions by eliminating middle men often refered to as “yan mi nangi” whose contribution to any transaction is simply detrimental, ultimately denying Government it’s much needed taxes. We must modernize these markets and attract supply all through the country and our neighboring nation states like cameron, Chad, and Niger. The beauty of cooperating with Southern Nigeria to stop the influx of cows directly, will give Adamawa the monopoly of process and supply thereby stabilizing the market. Trucks in the form of cold rooms will on daily basis supply these certified fresh meat to the entire country predicated on an open but certified split letter of credit in favour of the supplier by all potential buyers. We shall first start with Lagos State because arrangements are already on gear and they seem to love the idea. Once the local market is getting rooted, the need for a Cargo airport for the lifting of all International supplies will be the next project. Hopefully, we shall witness the sprinting of Industries to process hides and skin for export, crush blend and package bones into powder for export, put up factories for the production of sausages and other meat based products, the processing of cow dung into manure for onward sales locally etc. The concertination of these industries will spring up a major Industrial base for the state. However, all these must be private sector driven to ensure success and stability.. We also have to exploit the possiblity of generating electricity through wind, thermal and solar to support this Industry.

5. Aquaculture. Some of our communities especially those living along the banks of the river Benue are fishermen from time immemorial. These include the Bachama, Bata, and Mbula predominantly. The absence of modern fish production facilities and techniques have almost bastardised the Industry. In addition, the uncontrolled fishing in our waters has depleted if not totally wiped out the fish industry making us simply reliant on those supplied from the Cameron and Chad for the supply of both Fresh and dried fish. This issue can be addressed in the following ways. We shall acquire one thousand hectares of of land from the communities of Numan, Demsa, Borong and Lamurde each. The land will be sub divided into single hectares to support each young man and woman wishing to undergo this training. After which, they will be supported with fingerlings, feeds and some cash to support their daily works on their projects. This circle will help revitalize the industry and provide job opportunities for our teaming youth. Eventually we shall take over the fishing Industry for both Fresh and dried fish atleast in the North. All necessary assistance will be provided to participants in this project. Whatever the Government is able to expend will be built as loans to be repaid gradually by the participants over a period of 5-8 years with a moritarium of 2 years.

6. Groundnuts production. The people of Hong are known for groundnut farming. It is cultural and historic. If we can have groundnut pyramids in Kano in the 50’s through 60’s, why can’t we have same in Hong. This will sprint groundnut oil Industries, animal feeds etc.

7. Mining:. All aspects of mining should be on the table. Especially the Guyuk cement, Gombi POP, Potash in Zuma, Song and precious stones in their numbers spread all over the state. “Mines and money” International conferences will be patronised yearly to attract investors from especially Canada and Europe

8. Education. We shall renovate 5 Government secondary schools in each Senatorial Zone, and construct 3 new ones. (Government Technical Collages, Government Girls Science secondary school, and Government Boys Science Secondary Schools) in each Senatorial Zone. A state of emergency will be declared in Education, so that almost all primary schools will receive a boost through renovation, reorientation, retraining, and retirement/ employment of qualified teachers including expatriates in key position to Institutionalise the new culture. If need be, students espécially secondary school students will be transfered to either private schools to complete their education or be sent to skill acquisition centers as the case may be. Only new entrants directly from primary schools will be admitted into these newly built or renovated schools.

9. Health. Emphasis will be placed on primary healthcare. Towns and Villages will be given priorities in healthcare development. Healthcare centres will be built in every district, with qualified doctors, nurses and administrators. If need be expatriates will be employed on contract to supplement the locals. Adequate facilities will be made available such as befitting accommodation, access roads, clean water supply, transportation, and allowances. No doctors under the employment of state will be allowed to run private hospitals. State shall procure and supply its own drugs, and other medical needs. Each hospital at Local Government level will be completely renovated or a new one will be built. This will drastically reduce over dependence in either Federal Medical centers or State General hospitals. Doctors and nurses will learn to live with the reality of serving comfortably in any part of the state. Access to medical facilities will be localised and brought close to the common man.

10. Human Capital Development. Students will be supported through comprehensive scholarships to study anywhere in the world. Especially the Natural Sciences, Medicine and medical related courses, Agriculture, Social and Management sciences, Law etc. Those studying other courses within Nigeria, will receive the same support in all ramifications. Super kids or gifted children will be chosen through a competitive examination for what I may call “Global Scholarship” to study in some select global high rated International Universities and Collages in these chosen fields.

We shall be willing to assist our skilled entrepreneurs to establish businesses of their choice. So also for shop owners in the markets and streets to obtain soft and long term loans to improve their businesses.

11. It will be the goal of the administration to put up skill acquisition centers in all local government areas of the state to boost entrepreneurship in the state to support our young men and women.

12. It will be a policy of Government to recruit and train young men and women of between the ages of 18-25 as a special security force to complement the efforts of our security agencies. Each local Government will recruit at least 500 youth, per annum for a period of 4 years, so that they can total 2000 per LGA. These recruites will be placed in their respective LGA to t
operate in the environment they know better. If by chance, the National Assembly approves the establishment of State Police, then automatically they are consolidated as such.

13. Provision of Housing. Certain wards may have to be cleared with adequate compensation in order to give a face to both Jimeta and Yola. In Jimeta, Rumde ward may partly or completely pave the way for modern development of housing. It may be the new Commissioners quarters or a new spree of housing for citizens with the initial occupants having the first right of refusal. The estate will welcome those approaching Jimeta from Girei to creat a new Infrastructural impression of the state. This same policy will apply on Sanda ward of Yola. In addition to many other layouts that may sprint out of the state and local Govts. Housing for all categories of people will be given priority in the state.

14. Provision of water. International companies or water giants in the world such as ‘Thames water’, ‘Patterson candy,’ ‘Bi water’ etc will be invited to set up world class water treatment plants and facilities on the river Benue in Jimeta, to cover Yola, Jimeta, Girei and Fufore. Another will be Mubi North, Mubi South, Maiha on the River kilange. Numan, Lamurde, Demsa, on the River Benue, and Guyuk, Shelleng on the Kiri dam. Also, Mayobelwa, Jada, Ganye to be linked to the Jada river. Where there is no visible and adequate water supply from either streams or Rivers, Industrial boreholes will be put in place to ensure availability of water in such areas. Such projects will be linked to households and metering systems will be introduced. This way, sufficient water supply will be made to people and our underground acquafers will be preserved.

Super Eagles keystar player, Samuel Chukwueze celebrates after scoring Nigeria’s opening goal against South Africa on Wednesday

Samuel Chukwueze , the Nigerian super Eagle player arrived at super Eagles camp on Wednesday to increase the number of players in camp to 25.

The team is camping in Abuja ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.

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Daily Trust had expressed concerns on Sunday that the delay in players arrival to camp may affect the preparation of the team for the championship as only 12 players were in camp as of then.

A worry that was downplayed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)’s Media Officer, Ayo Ibidapo, who assured that the players will be on the ground before the team’s departure to Cameroon.

However, Maduka Okoye of Sparta Rotterdam, Netherlands arrived later in the day.

The Captain of the team, Ahmed Musa, had arrived on Monday too to increase the number of players in camp to 14.

And on Tuesday, 10 players joined the team before Chukwueze’s arrival on Wednesday.

Three players: Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Tyrone Ebuehi (Venezia FC, Italy) and Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Shabab Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), are still being expected in camp ahead of the team’s departure.

The Super Eagles will jet off to Cameroon at 8:00pm on Wednesday ahead of the soccer fiesta kicking off on the 9th of January, 2022.

According to the Nigeria Football Federation, the Super Eagles will depart Nigeria for Garoua, Cameroon via a chartered flight.

The Super Eagles are in group D of the AFCON alongside Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau.

Players in camp

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)

Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Henry Onyekuru (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Peter Olayinka (SK Slavia Praha, Czech Republic); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain)

…i have never been home since the commencement of the Congress, how can i doctor results of what i know nothing about?-Salihu

A simmering crisis is currently brewing in Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as a chieftain of the party, Hussaini Gambo Nakura, accused immediate north east zonal vice chairman of the party, Comrade Mustapha Salihu and a member of the exco in Adamawa State, Saidu Naira (Financial Secretary) and others for unilaterally doctoring the result of the local government party congress to favour some highly connected persons in Abuja.

Nakura specifically accused Salihu of taking advantage of his closeness to the interim national caretaker chairman of the party, Governor Mai Mala-Buni, to behave like a drunken sailor by changing the peoples will to massage his political ego.

He cautioned Salihu and Naira against destroying the party on the alter of their selfish interests noting that they cannot achieve whatever motive they had in mind if the party is dead.

“Some of them think the party is for sale. The progress of the party is not in their agenda but how to make pecuniary capital regardless of the fate and destiny of the party.

“We know how some of them were offering party positions to the highest bidders. Their major attraction is how to use the party platform for self enrichment,” Nakura said.

Nakura called on the national chairman of APC whom he described as a true democrat, to immediately reverse the intransigence before Salihu and his co-travellers rock the ship of the party in Adamawa State.

He said that it was disheartening to note that the despite committing such a heinous crime, Salihu who appeared unremorseful and unfazed for aiding abetting such travesty has been openly boasting that he and his co-travellers changed the results of the congresses, saying nothing will happen to them.

He noted that if left unchecked, that singular action may lead to severe consequences for the party in 2023 although he expressed optimism that they will defeat the forces of darkness who are trying at all cost to wreak the party.

“I want to assure you that APC will regain its winning streak in Adamawa State because there are good men who will not allow such travesty to uphold.

“In democracy the will of the majority prevails and must be upheld that is why I’m telling you that the antics of Salihu and his backers will be defeated and APC will come out stronger to regain back its lost mandate in the state.

“In fact during one of our stakeholders meeting, I told Salihu that we will never allow the travesty they wanted to hoist on the party to sail through.

“During our meeting with Mai Mala-Buni, we brought the list of the duly elected exco which was compared with the doctored ones. It was then we established that in Mubi, the name of a man was presented as woman leader. Is it not shameful?” he queried.

Nakura said, in Yola north, his constituency, names of duly elected ward exco were unilaterally changed sparking serious disquiet and anxiety adding that such show of disrespect will be surely resisted.

Nakura urged the national secretariat of the party to upturn such descent to anarchy adding that if left unchecked, the action will surely lead to unsavory consequences in the party.

He noted that the stakeholders were taken aback when they saw different names of elected exco other than the ones who were either elected or upheld based on consensus in some wards and local governments adding that such action presents real threat to democracy.

“After the successful conduct of the ward and local government congresses, the state party forwarded the names of duly elected excos across to the national secretariat, unfortunately, the names were changed and strange exco were brought in almost all the local governments in the state.

“It is poignant to state that in Mubi, the name of a man was brought in as a woman leader. This shows how desperate these dark forces are bent in destroying the party and democracy as a whole. But the good thing is that men of goodwill are not folding their arms to watch the shenanigan unfold.

“And as for their backers in Abuja who want to use the power in their grip to play God, it is important to know that power is ephemeral and will never last and they should know also there is life after power and whatever atrocity they upheld will come back to them.

“It is an aberration for one man to think he can play God and change the destiny of millions of Adamawa people to satisfy his political ego. I was surprised when Comrade Mustapha Salihu openly and boldly told me that he unilaterally changed the names,” Nakura said.

He noted that in order to address the heist, a 17-man committee from Yola north was constituted to meet with the national caretaker chairman of the party to ensure the right thing is done.

“Because of our resolve for the right thing to be done, a 17-man committee which I was part of, was constituted with the mandate to meet with the national caretaker chairman of the party, Mai Mala-Buni.

“We met with the caretaker chairman on Thursday September 2, 2021. The meeting was attended by Prof Mamman Tahir, acting Zonal Vice Chairman North East, Chief of staff to Mai Mala-Buni, Comrade Mustapha Salihu and others.

” Both the national caretaker chairman and Professor Mamman Tahir assured us that the issue will be looked into and the right thing will be done.

“The committee also used the opportunity to separately meet with the SGF, Boss Mustapha, Sen. Aishatu Ahmed Binani and Abdulaziz Nyako all in a bid to ensure that the party is brought back to the path of sanity and probity. All the stakeholders commended us for the show of maturity to ensure amicable resolution of the matter,” Nakura said.

Nakura noted that it was hard to believe that the duly elected excos in the ward of major stakeholders of the party in Yola South including the ward of the current senator representing Adamawa central, Aisha Binani, (Mbamoi) and that of Nuhu Ribadu, (Bako) ward, were all altered by one man.

He noted that in the same vein, the wards of senior stakeholders in Yola north like the PA to president Buhari on domestic matters, Sarki Abba, (Ajiya) ward, also suffer similar fate as the names of the duly elected excos were routed and new ones written.

Nakura said the no love lost and serious altercations coming from Mubi were as a result of the odious actions of Salihu.

He added that as a result of the injustice meted to the people of Mubi, major stakeholders like the current senator representing Adamawa north, Ishaku Abbo many local governments stakeholders have started nursing the idea of seeking for legal redress, adding that such is an indication of bad things to come unless remediation takes place.

Nakura who accused Salihu of not adding any value to APC noted that the man has largely confined himself to Abuja as he has not been attending any party activity in the state but feel comfortable to use his relationship with the national caretaker chairman to destroy what others have built.

“Salihu is not giving any contribution to the growth of the party in Adamawa State. We all know the people promoting the party in Adamawa like, SGF Boss Mustapha, Minister, Sen Aisha Binani, Sarki Abba, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Abdulaziz Nyako and host of others.

” While these people are trying to build the party, Salihu and his ilk who are not contributing to its development, are busy trying to destroy it. Like I said, their actions will boomerang in their faces,” he said.

Nakura expressed disgust with the way and manner Salihu made Yushau Adamu, a close associate of Sulaiman Adamu, the chairman of Yola South who was expelled from the party for wishing Buhari to drop dead to supervise the LG congress of the party in Yola North local government.

Salihu when contacted by our correspondent through a telephone interview stressed that Hussaini is classless to join issues of this magnitude with.

He however said for the sake of clearance and make records straight that he has never in anyway partook in the last congress held in Adamawa.

According to him no sane man will temper with a congress result when there was a delegation sent from Abuja chaired by Professor Umar Katsayel and monitored, collated but hard and soft copy results to Abuja.

He wonder how people will just sit down at the comfort of their home and began to peddle out rumours base on the fiction of their imaginations.

“I was never home since the commencement of the Congresses, I have never been part of the process and how can I be then part of a doctor results? I think people are just too senseless on issues like.

” I don’t know anything about, I have never come to Adamawa since the progress began and I won’t not be part of any doctoring of congress results because I’m a true Democrats”. Salihu said

On his own part, Adamawa state APC financial Secretary, Alhaji Saidu Naira distanced himself from all accusations raised by Nakura.

He consider the allegations as Nakura way of raising dust, bringing unnecessary tension for his personal interest for the sake extorting money from people.

He said his duty as the state party financial secretary is to only make sure all forms purchased are well documented presented to every aspirants.

“What is my business on the conduct of the congress? There are people assigned to do this job from the National. In order to void suspicious of this nature it was people from another state the party at the National sent to Adamawa to conduct the process.

” How is my role on all this? I’m the financial secretary of the party, my role is only to make sure aspirants who paid their money to the designated account get their forms and everything is documented.

“I think Nakura is suffering from brain tumour to might have think I can be part of such evil against our party.” Naira said

” There are a lot of room for appeal, my advice to all ill felt members they should channel their worries to the relevant committee for redress.” He added