Tinubu’s victory, a win for democracy – Matawalle

Published

1 year ago

March 2, 2023

Gov. Bello Matawalle of Zamfara has described the victory of Sen. Bola Tinubu in the just concluded Presidential election, as a win for democracy.

Matawalle said this in a statement issued in Gusau on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment, Media and Communication, Malam Zailani Bappa.

“Nigerians have made a choice to allow democracy thrive in the country”, the governor, who is also the North West Coordinator, Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, added.

He commended the resilience of Nigerians who voted for the right candidate the country deserved at this crucial moment of its transition.

Matawalle described the President-elect as pragmatic, experienced, balanced and a true democrat who would meet the aspirations of all Nigerians.

“Nigerians should expect a build-up to a massive economic reconstruction, infrastructural and human capital development. We have not made a wrong choice,” he assured.

The governor prayed for the successful implementation of all APC plans for the reconstruction of Nigeria’s socio-economic life.

“We shall all put our hands on deck to ensure that the country succeeds; our party, under the new leadership and Presidency of Tinubu will not fail our confidence”, he said.

Prince Harry visits sick Nigerian soldiers in Kaduna

Published

4 days ago

May 11, 2024

Alero Danjuma

Prince Harry and his team visited the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna to interact with wounded soldiers who are receiving treatment.

The Duke of Sussex is in Nigeria with his wife to champion the Invictus Games, which Harry founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans.

Nigeria joined the Invictus Community of Nations in 2022 becoming the first African country to join.

Prince Harry’s visit to Kaduna came 68 years after his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II visited the state during the time of the late Premier of Northern Region Sir Ahmadu Bello.

Senate approves death penalty for drug traffickers

Published

6 days ago

May 9, 2024

Alero Danjuma

Senate on Thursday, May 9, approved the death penalty for those convicted on the charge of drug trafficking in the country.

The punishment prescribed in the extant NDLEA Act is a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

The resolution of the Senate followed its consideration of a report of the Committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters and Drugs and Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

The Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights & Legal Matters presented the report during plenary, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno North).

The bill, which passed its third reading, aims to update the list of dangerous drugs, strengthen the operations of the NDLEA, review penalties, and empower the establishment of laboratories.

Section 11 of the current act prescribes that “any person who, without lawful authority; imports, manufactures, produces, processes, plants or grows the drugs popularly known as cocaine, LSD, heroin or any other similar drugs shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for life” was amended to reflect a stiffer penalty of death.

Although the report did not recommend a death penalty for the offence, during consideration, Senator Ali Ndume moved that the life sentence should be upgraded to the death penalty.

During a clause-by-clause consideration of the Bill, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, put the amendment on the death penalty to a voice vote and ruled that the “ayes” had it.

But Senator Adams Oshiomhole objected to the ruling, saying that the “nays” had it.

He argued that matters of life and death should not be treated hurriedly, but Barau said it was too late, as he failed to call for division immediately after his ruling.

The bill was subsequently read for the third time and passed by the Senate.