₦airaland Forum

jargo89:
I have some I can send 2 u. Hp u dnt mind keith moore, last, gannong and sembulingam. Will send to ur mail when chanced. *thumbs up*

kindly send the books to my email also. Mayorwarrh@gmail.com. Thanks

Senator (Dr.) Abubakar Bukola Saraki , Senator of Kwara Central, has experienced great success in both the private sector and public service of Nigeria. Born on 19 December 1962, Senator Saraki was educated in both Nigeria and the UK, qualified and practiced as a medical doctor at Rush Green Hospital in London. A young Dr. Saraki decided to return to Nigeria in 1989 where he worked in the financial sector for nearly a decade until he rose to the position of Executive Director where he oversaw corporate development and expansion programmes within the financial industry. In recognition of his experience and professionalism, the Federal Government of Nigeria appointed him as Special Assistant to the President on Budget in 2000 where he was responsible for preparing the 2000/2001 National Budget. Dr. Saraki equally initiated the Fiscal Responsibility Bill and served on the Economic Policy Co-ordination Committee, where he was responsible for the formulation and implementation of key economic policies for Nigeria. With a vision to translate his experiences into progress and development for the people of his home state, Dr. Saraki was called upon by his people to contest for the position of Executive Governor of Kwara State. He was elected and sworn into office in 2003. Based on his performances and achievements witnessed by his people, and in demonstration of their overwhelming support for him, the people of Kwara State re-elected him in 2007 general election for second term in office. As Governor, Dr. Saraki garnered national and international acclaim for his innovative approaches to agriculture, health, education, fiscal policy and environmental reforms. His spirit of team work endeared him to his colleagues where he was appointed as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum. In that capacity, he championed a peer review mechanism among the Governors of Nigerian states. He also used the platform to create a harmonious working relationship between the executive and the legislative arm of government at the national level. He was the first Nigerian Governor to be awarded the National Honor of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). As a man of the people coupled with his level of achievements in the political arena, he was conferred and turbaned as a nobleman of high rank with a traditional title of Turaki of Ilorin Emirate. His transformational programs have been praised and emulated within and outside Nigeria, such as his community health insurance scheme, environmental ‘Clean and Green’ scheme, agricultural transformation by turning Kwara State from a net importer to a net exporter of food through the Zimbabwean farmer’s project. Senator Saraki has worked tirelessly to bring progress and greater opportunity to Kwara State and the nation as a whole. Impressed with his good performance during his tenure as Executive Governor of Kwara State (May 2003 to May 2011), his achievements have been noticed and acknowledged both locally and internationally by private and public institutions across the globe which earned him series of awards including: ‘Governor of the Year’ by This Day Newspapers (2004); ‘Best Governor of the Year in Agricultural Development 2004/05’ by City People, KSNG; Leadership Award in appreciation of commitments and outstanding leadership qualities (2005); Harvard Business School Africa Club Award 2005; Kenneth Kaunda Foundation Best Governor in Africa 2006; Osun State Broadcast Corporation Man of the Year 2006; ‘African Governor of the Year in Agricultural Development’ by African Union Media Group in Pretoria, South Africa; Nigeria Referee Association Grand Patron 2007; This Day Newspaper Best Governor on Food Security 2008; ‘The Friend of Nigerian Youth; Doctor of Science and Public Administration Award’ by University of Port Harcourt for his Administration’s focus on Agriculture; Life Fellowship of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, (ANCOPSS) 2009; Outstanding Governor on Energy 2009 by the Nigerian Compass; Emerging Tiger of Nigeria (Leadership Award by This Day Newspaper) 2010; Institute of Chartered Accountants Award of Excellence 2010; Nigerian Bar Association Award of Excellence; Award of Excellence in Development of Education and Health care delivery in Nigeria by the College of Medicine, University of Lagos 2012. In furtherance of his passion to serve the people of Kwara State and in particular, Kwara Central Senatorial District where he hails from. Dr. Bukola Saraki was elected as a Senator in 2001 with overwhelming electoral votes. On his assumption as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he was appointed as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology. His legislative interest also includes the area of Health, Agriculture, Education, National economy and Environmental policy. Senator Saraki is also a member of the Senate Committees on Capital markets and Finance. Out of his vision to ensure good governance, Senator Saraki sponsored a motion on the floor of the Senate on the need to end the fuel subsidy regime in Nigeria which has been a source of conduit pipe and wastages of national resources. Amongst other motions and private member bills, he has sponsored includes: the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency Amendment Bill 2012 which is aimed at putting a halt to oil spills in the Niger Delta, the Gas Flaring Prohibition Bill 2012, and a strong supporter of the Climate Change Commission Bill 2013. As the Senate Committee Chairman on Environment and Ecology, Dr. Bukola Saraki has championed some environmental issues that need urgent attention in Nigeria which poses a threat to the environment, human health and livelihoods. Notable amongst them are his intervention in the Lead Poisoning incident in Zamfara state, Nigeria where over 1500 children’s’ lives are in danger of survival. He also supports the mission and vision of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves in ensuring safe and healthy methods of cooking for millions of Nigerians while conserving the environment through reduced deforestation
Source : www.abubakarbukolasaraki.com/background/my-story/

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, today
(Wednesday) said that his experience since
assumption of office three months ago has been
both interesting and challenging.
Saraki spoke while answering questions from
reporters after his official tour of the National
Assembly Complex in Abuja, the first such tour to be
embarked upon by any Senate President since 1992
when the National Assembly moved to its present
location.He however said that the rewarding aspect
of the job is the overwhelming support he has
received from his colleagues, the management and
staff of the National Assembly, Nigerians in general
and the international community.
On his experience so far since assuming office on
June 9, the Senate President said: “Well, it is
interesting, challenging but I think what is rewarding
about it is the support from one’s colleagues, the
management and the enthusiasm that you see going
round with some of the staff of the National
Assembly. Also, similar support from Nigerians from
all walks of life and the international community”
He said the familiarization tour was meant to allow
him and the principal officers of the Upper Chamber
of the National Assembly have on-the-spot
assessment of the environment so as to make for
good understanding of issues and challenges being
faced by both staff and management of the National
Assembly.
Saraki said: “The Assembly complex represents the
image of the National Assembly, So, it is important
for us to see what the issues are and have an
understanding of the environment. Unless you go
round and have a first hand understanding,
sometimes, it is difficult for you to understand what
are the issues and challenges for all the staff, their
conditions, productivity and all that. By the time I go
round, I will have a better understanding and I will
know what the issues are and we will be able to
tackle them one by one.”
On his impression of the situation in the complex
after the tour, Saraki said: “By and large I think for an
institution like this and over the many years of its
existence as well as the number of staff, I think the
maintenance is generally acceptable.”
He however urged the management to improve on
what is on ground so as to protect and project a
better image of the legislative institution.
The Senate President added: “I think, of course, there
is still area of improvement here and there,
considering the number of people here, people that
are coming in and out. I think there are some areas
that again, particularly key areas of ICT and
Research.”
He stated that the upper chamber is committed to
fulfilling its promises to Nigerians by connecting with
the people.
Saraki said: “There is a general desire to make the
country proud with what we are doing here and I
think we all have to keep to the promises we have
made to all Nigerians that we will do our best to
connect with Nigerians and let Nigerians appreciate
that we are here to serve and to work for the good of
this country.”
Areas of the complex visited by the Senate President
and other principal officers of the Senate included
the Offices of the Clerk and Deputy Clerk to the
National Assembly, Foreign Affairs Office of the
Senate, the Senate Press Centre, the Police Station,
State Security Service (SSS), Office of the Sergeant-At-
Arms, Senate’s Tea Room, Hansard Reporters section,
National Assembly Television and Radio Studio,
Clinic, Library, the Nigeria Police and Defence Liaison
Offices.
Others are the Procurement, Estate and Works
Directorate, Corporate Services Directorate,
Personnel Department, Offices of the Nigeria Security
and Civil Defence Corps, National Assembly Station
of the Nigeria Fire Service, Dental and Eye Clinics,
Legal Department, Finance and Accounts Directorate
and the Canteen.
Signed:
Media Office of the Senate President
Source : www.abubakarbukolasaraki.com/my-experience-as-senate-president-interesting-challenging-says-saraki/

It is gradually becoming a global phenomenon that elected
political officeholders are accessed of their performances in
office on the 100th day of assumption of office. It is basically
to ensure that they are in line with their campaign
manifestoes as well as their administrative agenda.
Few days ago, President Muhammadu Buhari clocked 100
days in office, while the President of the Senate and indeed,
the chairman of the National Assembly, Dr Abubakar Bukola
Saraki would be hundred days in office this Wednesday. He
assumed office on June 9, 2015, as the President of the
Senate.
It is in line with this that it has become necessary to highlight
what could be described as the landmarks under Senator
Saraki as the Senate President and Chairman of the National
Assembly and how he has been able to pilot the affairs of
the Senate under him within the last 100 days in office
Saraki has succeeded in galvanising the senators into one
united upper legislative chamber, irrespective of the
circumstances that led to his emergence as the President of
the Senate on Tuesday June 9 2015. A pointer to this is the
resounding vote of confidence given to him by no less than
81 senators from both the ruling All Progressives Congress
(APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). This is very
significant because it shows the confidence and support his
colleagues has on Saraki’s leadership ability as a team
player.

The Senate President has shown this quality in the
constitution of some of the standing and ad hoc committees
of the Senate, where he exhibited a high standing moral and
leadership quality by ensuring that not only senators who
are his supporters are given the privileges of becoming the
chairmen of these committees. For the records, the Senate
President deliberately ensured that all shades of interests
are accommodated in the committees, so far constituted.
Apart from this, the Senate under Saraki has ensured the
passage of motions that have positive bearing and impact
on the welfare of Nigerians, especially as the performance,
efficiency and supply of electricity to Nigerians. It was
because of the motion passed by the Senate that led to the
review of electricity tariff by the National Electricity
Regulation Commission (NERC). Today, through the
response of the Chairman of NERC, Dr Sam Amadi, the
mandatory N700 fixed rate charged consumers by the
Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) have been removed
and as well as bulk metering abolished.
This is kudos to the Senate under Saraki as a responsive
legislative arm of government that listens to the plights of
Nigerians.

Closely associated with this is the investigation into the
management of resources in the power sector. The ad hoc
committee of the Senate led by the former governor of
Kebbi State, Adamu Aliero, is currently probing the power
sector where the Permanent Secretary of the Federal
Ministry of Power, Godknows Igali, has revealed that over
N2.77 trillion has been spent on power generation since
1999, yet, there is no constant power supply in the country.
This committee is one of the ad hoc committees set up by
the Senate before embarking on its statutory recess.
This, notwithstanding, the Senate under Saraki as the
President for the first time showed concern to the plights of
the internally displaced persons in the Northeast of the
country. Through a motion passed by the Senate, the Senate
leadership visited the IDP camps in Maidugiri, where the
members of the upper legislative chamber saw firsthand the
problems confronting the IDPs in the various camps littered
all over Maidugiri. They were also briefed by the Borno State
governor, Kashim Shettima.

The same visit was followed up by the Deputy Senate
President, Ike Ekweremadu to Yobe State. By so doing, the
Senate has come to show that lawmaking is not only sitting
at the chambers of the National Assembly but also visiting
the places and persons concerned on issues to see firsthand
before passing any motion or laws that would have direct
bearing on the people whom they represent. This in indeed
how to ensure a perfect oversight function of lawmaking.
Since the visit to the IDP camps in Maidugiri, the Senate
President has become the number one campaigner to seek
external funding to rehabilitate the damages caused by the
Boko Haram insurgency in some part of the Northeast. For
instance, in this new diplomatic initiative, when he received
the envoys of Spain, India and Mexico who paid a courtesy
visit to him, Saraki called for an international funding to
rebuild the affected places in the Northeast.

Even at the last meeting of the Speakers of Parliaments’
meeting hosted by the Secretary General of the United
Nations (UN), Banki Moon, the Senate President continued
his campaign for external funding to rehabilitate the
Northeast.

In his speech at the meetin, Saraki urged the international
community to partner with Nigeria to defeat the Boko
Haram insurgency.

Saraki noted that the brutality of the Boko Haram and all
other menace of terrorism require international support to
eradicate. He specifically noted that the menace of the Boko
Haram insurgency has become a clog in the wheel of
progress in Nigeria, while counselling that terrorism as
occasioned by Boko Haram should not be treated as local
problem.

Speaking later at another meeting with the German and
French delegations, the Senate President called for
international support for the building of the Nigerian
economy.

Now, to the main business of the day. The first 100 days of
the 8th Senate under Senator Saraki in support with the
change mantra of the President Buhari’s administration has
been quite supportive in its anti-corruption campaign. Upon
assumption of duties as the Senate President, Saraki in a
meeting with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria
(CBN) identified the flaws in the granting of waivers in the
payment of the relevant duties before goods are imported
into the country.

It was after the first meeting that Saraki had with the CBN
governor, Godwin Emefiele that it was revealed that import
duty waivers were granted to some companies in the
importation of rice, groundnut oil and other agricultural
produce to the detriment of the economy. The implication of
this is the loss of revenue to the federation account. This
was followed up by the setting up of Senate ad hoc
committee to unravel the companies involved and ensure
that the companies remit the money into the coffers of the
federation. Today, there is a Senate Committee led by
Adamu Aliero.

Just on Wednesday, as part of activities within his first 100
Days in office, the Senate President did what his
predecessors have not done. For more than two hours, he
undertook a tour of the facilities in the National Assembly.
His reason was to see things for himself. He said that the
aim of the facility tour was to enable him and other principal
officers to see things for themselves and for an on-the-spot
assessment and to give room for good understanding of
things.

Accordingly, he said after the tour that, “The Assembly
complex represents the image of the National Assembly. So,
it is important for us to see what the issues are and have an
understanding of the environment.”
What is more, the taste of the pudding is in the eating. More
is certainly on the way, if the Senate under Saraki could
cover this mileage in merely 100 days.

Okocha is the Special Assistant to the Senate President on
Print Media
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roniex2:
Good morning everyone, I am a bowenite(bowen university student) studying Medicine, I want to cross from Bowen to unilorin due to some reasons which include financial factor too, what are the processes, requirements and some oda info.. thx

Inter-university transfer form for 2015/2016 academic session is now available on unilorin's website.


Unilorin.edu.ng

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Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon, on
Monday held a special meeting with 12 heads of parliaments
from different parts of the world, including Nigeria's Senate
President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki to discuss the issue of
security problems in many countries and the resultant mass
displacement of people from their traditional abode. The
discussants agreed that the issues require global solutions.
The meeting which held at the UN headquarters as part of
activities scheduled to hold during the 4th United Nations
Conference for Parliamentary Heads In New York lasted for
over an hour, and was attended by parliamentary heads
from Italy, Switzerland, Vietnam, Kuwait, Lithuania and
Nigeria, among others.
Senator Saraki who briefed the press after the meeting said
Ban Ki Moon told the parliamentary heads that the UN view
with seriousness the issue of terrorism, rehabilitation of
Internally Displaced Persons and general insecurity which he
said further worsen the cases of poverty, underdevelopment
and disrespect for the dignity of human persons.
Saraki further stressed the important role of the Parliament
in providing proper oversight and ensuring accountability
and openness while enacting laws that will benefit their
constituents.
He maintained that peace, democracy and the rule of law
are central to ensuring sustainable development, and
reiterated his optimism that the new Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations would be
more successful than the Millennium Development Goals
( MDGs) because of the multi-stakeholder participatory
approach that the comity of nations through the United
Nations and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) are
adopting.
The Senate President said he came out of the meeting with
Ban Ki Moon more energized to get the much needed
support for the IDPs and those affected by terrorism in the
North Eastern part of his home country, Nigeria.
He further restated his pledge that when he gets back home,
the 8th Senate which he heads, will continue to work to
provide a legislative framework that will help to rebuild,
rehabilitate and reconstruct the violence-ravaged part of the
country.
Saraki who will address the plenary of the world conference
on Wednesday is also billed to hold bilateral meetings with
heads of parliaments of Britain, Germany and France.

Source: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10153630107529962&id=53942489961&refid=28&_ft_=qid.6189791651684111283%3Amf_story_key.216451762632693015%3AeligibleForSeeFirstBumping.&__tn__=%2As

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Monday
congratulated Nigeria's senior basketball team, D'Tigers, for
emerging as African Champions for the first time in the
history of the continental tournament.
An elated Saraki, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary,
Sanni Onogu in Abuja, said it was fulfilling that the Nigerian
team finally broke the jinx and made the nation proud at the
2015 African Basketball Championship held in Tunisia.
He said that D'Tigers' victory has rekindled the nation's hope
and confidence in the team, adding that, "beating Angola at
the finals of the 2015 Afro-basket Tournament with 74-65
was a superb performance. We are very happy for our team
that they have attained this feat," Saraki said.
The Senate President said the players have written their
names in the sands of time just as he challenged the team
and its technical crew to redouble their efforts so as to be
victorious in the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Brazil.
Saraki also assured Nigerians of the Senate's commitment to
the development of sports through relevant legislations and
appropriate budgetary allocations in order to further
enhance the nation's sporting prowess across the globe. Source : https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10153626724079962&id=53942489961&refid=7&_ft_=qid.6189268696486474176%3Amf_story_key.4667997057088885019%3AeligibleForSeeFirstBumping.

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The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in
line with a resolution passed by the Senate ordering it to
look into complaints by consumer of electricity over
indiscriminate billing has directed electricity Distribution
Companies (Discos) to urgently restructure their fixed
charges in order to ensure no Nigerian is made to pay for
electricity not consumed.

The Discos have also been directed to discontinue the
practice of bulk metering.

The Senate had in its resolution following a motion by
Senators Sam Egwu (Ebonyi North) and David Umaru (Niger
East) entitled: “Unfair trade practices of Electricity
Distribution Companies in Nigeria,” decried the fleecing of
Nigerians by Discos through fixed charges and bulk metering
among others.

The upper chamber had directed NERC to immediately
abolish fixed charges on electricity consumption, bulk
metering of villages and communities. The lawmakers
specifically ordered the NERC to immediately stop the
collection of fixed charges as well as ensure that the people
are not made to pay for energy not consumed.

The Commission in a seven-page response to the Senate's
query last week said it had asked the distribution companies
to find a way to restructure the fixed charge such that no
one would be made to pay for electricity not consumed.
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, NERC, Sam Amadi, who
signed the letter to the Senate, copy of which is available on
the commission's website regarding the fixed charges by
Discos, said even though the fixed charge collected was not
illegal; the commission had been able to intervene in the
matter.
Amadi said “In recognition of the negative impact of the
fixed charge, the commission has held several public
consultations to ascertain a measure that will guarantee
financial viability in the industry and not expose consumers
to paying for electricity not consumed.

“Based on the intervention of the Commission, the
distribution companies have agreed to find a way to
restructure the fixed charge such that a consumer who does
not receive electricity supply does not pay the fixed charge.

“This remodeling of the fixed charge will be part of the
ongoing tariff review process being conducted by the
distribution companies.

“NERC will continue to ensure that whatever model is
presented for its approval is fair and reasonable, and
ensures the survival of the new electricity market and
improves quality of supply to consumers," he stated.
On the vexed issue of bulk metering of customers, the
Commission said it is totally in agreement with the Senate
on the need to eliminate the sharp practice.
It said it supports the Senate's position that electricity
consumers be metered individually, even as it urged
customers to reject community bulk metering.
Amadi said: "The Commission agrees with the Senate's
position on the need to eliminate the practice of bulk billing
residential customers and replace the practice with
individual metering and billing.

"It is important to state that the Commission had previously
abolished bulk billing in its ruling on the VGC Case NO:
NERC/H/03/07. The case was brought by a customer against
the VGC Estate Management and the Eko Electricity
Distribution Company in 2008. The Commission ruled in
favour of the customer.

"The decision of the Commission stipulated that every
customer is expected to be metered individually irrespective
of the status of supply coming into the area and the class of
billing should be on R2 or as appropriately determined by
Disco.

He added that the Commission has however provided a
leeway for estimation in situations where residential meters
are not provided to customers.

"This is provided in the Estimated Billing Methodology
Regulation of the Commission," he said:
He added: "Communities who are placed on bulk billing
should reject it and insist on individual metering. The
Commission is in the process of completing public
consultation on a proposal to cap the amount an unmetered
customer can pay until he or she is metered.

"The proposal will also commit distribution companies to
strict deadline for metering of all its customers. In the
interim, the Commission has abolished connection of new
customers without meters."

Source;https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10153601619639962&id=53942489961&refid=28&_ft_=qid.6186158122156483679%3Amf_story_key.-8993902872671151166%3AeligibleForSeeFirstBumping.

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Cc lalasticlala, Afam4eva, OAM4J

Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, again on
Tuesday took his quest for the urgent rehabilitation and
reconstruction of the North-East Zone now devastated by the
Boko Haram insurgents to the international community.
Saraki while while receiving the Ambassador of South Korea,
Mr. Noh Kyu-Duk, and the India High Commissioner to
Nigeria, Mr. A.R. Ghanashyam who visited him separately in
Abuja said rebuilding the North-east zone has become the
responsibility of the global community.
He lamented that the zone currently lacks functional
hospitals, schools and other social amenities that make like
worth living and specifically called on the two envoys and
their countries to assist in the rebuilding and rehabilitation
efforts of the Federal Government in the Northeast, which
will immediately follow the seizure of insurgency operations
in the area.
He stated that one of the major challenges confronting the
country is the insecurity caused by the Boko Haram.
"Nigerians are yearning for a move to address some key
issues such as the security challenges we are seeing in
Northeastern part of country. We went to visit the zone and
our observation was that there is need for rehabilitation and
reconstruction. They now lack schools, hospitals and houses.
All these need to be totally rebuilt in most of those places.",
he said.
"I think a lot of our friendly countries like yourself can play a
role in this great humanitarian support to see what you can
contribute to the development of the area because if we are
going to reconstruct the Northeast today, it cannot just be
from our regular inflows and revenues.
"I think it is a big responsibility for all our friends to see how
they can contribute in putting together an infrastructure
development fund that will go towards rebuilding the
Northeast. The rebuilding of the Northeast should be a
global responsibility", he said.
The Senate President also told his visitors that the Senate
under his leadership is currently reviewing extant laws and
also initiating new ones to make Nigeria an attractive
investment destination.
He said: "We are ready as the Eighth Senate, and one of our
legislative agenda that has been listed is reviewing all laws
that have to do with making Nigeria more attractive for
business people to do business, looking at legal instruments
that will also improve our commercial dispute resolution
and make people find Nigeria as a place that it will be easy
to do business."
He added that the Senate was also interested in how Nigeria
can deepen her trade relationship with South Korea and
India.
Earlier, the South Korean Ambassador, Mr. Kyu-Duk, noted
that the Senate President had already proved himself "as a
visionary leader who is set to achieve the change agenda
having delivered reforms and change in the areas of health,
education, agriculture, security, power and environment as
former Governor of Kwara State."
He added: "I am quite confident of your success in leading
this august representative body to reform malfunctioning
sectors of this country through proactive legislations. Nigeria
is a second home to me."
On his part, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr.
Ghanashyam, said his country desired improved business
relationship with Nigeria, having sustained mutual
understanding even before the two countries became
independent.
Apart from the establishment of healthcare and educational
facilities in the country, the envoy said that India is ready to
partner Nigeria to diversify her economy through agriculture
and the knowledge-based industry.o
Signed
The Media Office of the Senate President
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Lalasticlala

IN DEFENSE OF THE TRUTH: SAHARA REPORTERS SUSPICIOUS MOTIVES FOR ATTACKING DR. SARAKI

On Thursday, August 6th, 2015, SaharaReporters published a totally fabricated report entitled: "Nigeria's Senate President Saraki Lied In His Official Election Forms" on its website. In that dubious and utterly false report, SR alleged that the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, is not a Nigerian citizen. The article went further, based solely on suppositions to infer that Dr. Saraki intentionally avoided question 10 on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) form for candidates contesting National Assembly elections and by so doing must have sworn to an oath of allegiance to another country, such as United Kingdom, the report concluded. The article also suggested that the Senate President avoided stating his place of birth on the INEC form, and that he is intentionally concealing his UK citizenship to avoid being disqualified in any way from political office.

One is not unminful of the obvious fact that freedom of expression may be absolutely basic human right, but it is pertinent to state that it is not without limits. This obvious fact has brought to bear, what is the essence of journalism which is meant to educate, orientate and bring out the truth to ensure justice, equity and fairness in every human endeavor. Unfortunately, it seems the tenets of professional journalism means nothing to Sahara Reporters.

As it stands, a detailed perusal of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, clearly indicates that the point Sahara Reporters is attempting to raise is moot – especially with regards to holding UK citizenship. The ready question at hand to ask is; why Sahara Reporter has intentionally remained silent and avoided to look into the constitutional Provisions of right to hold dual citizenship, especially where the party in question holds Nigerian citizenship by birth. The second relevant question is, if in fact, the purpose of such a publication was for public interest, has Sahara Reporters carried out diligent investigation on the authenticity of its report before publication? If the answers to the above questions are in the negative, then the rationale behind the report is for obvious reasons.

For the avoidance of doubt and for record purposes, Section 25(1)(c) of the Nigerian Constitution discredit Sahara Reporters' argument that Dr. Saraki is ineligible for public office. The section clearly stipulates that “every person born outside Nigeria either of whose parents is a citizen of Nigeria” are considered “citizens of Nigeria by birth.” What this means is that even if the Senate President were born in the UK, he will qualify as a citizen of Nigeria by birth under S.25(1c) – citizen by birth through parentage.

Also, there has always been a flawed misconception on the issue of dual citizenship vis-a-vis a holder of public office in Nigeria. S.28 of the 1999 Constitution (as (amended) deals with this wherein it highlights the fact that only those who are Nigerians by registration or naturalization shall forfeit their citizenship if they acquire the citizenship of another country. It is important to state at this juncture that the requirement to forfeit Nigerian nationality/citizenship upon acquisition of the nationality/citizenship of another country, does not apply to persons who are Nigerians by birth within the definition of Section 25 of the Constitution. This section also acknowledges and protects the right to hold citizenship by birth of another country – as citizenship by birth is an inalienable right under the Constitution

Furthermore, to put this particular issue to rest, the import of S.66(1)(a) of the Constitution can not be underestimated. The section clearly states that: "Subject to S.28 of the Constitution, any body who has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of another country must be disqualified. The key word here is ‘voluntarily’, and is subject to the provisions of S.28, which protect the right to hold the citizenship of another country if such citizenship is acquired by birth.

In other words, Section 28 states clearly that dual citizenship is allowable where one qualifies as a Nigerian by Birth as contained in Section 25 (1) (a), (b) and (c) of the Constitution. The only instance in which forfeiture of citizenship becomes applicable under the Constitution is by holders of: i) citizenship by registration under Section 26; and ii) citizenship by naturalization, under Section 27 of the Constitution.

The Court of Appeal decision in the case of Dr. Willie Ogebide v. Mr. Arigbe Osula {2004} 12 NWLR Part 886 pp 127 paragraphs D-G says it all. Adeniji JCA reading the lead judgment held that:

Holding the citizenship of another country does not preclude, disqualify or nullify a person from having, acquiring or retaining Nigerian citizenship by birth. This is even more prevalent where such citizenship has been acquired by birth. Furthermore, there is no requirement for a dual citizen of Nigeria (by birth) and another country to renounce either citizenship.
In view of the above, holding dual citizenship does not mean that a public office holder, like the Senate President had earlier changed his nationality in the past; it simply means he has held both citizenships simultaneously without the need to acquire one after the other. As both were acquired by birth, the Senate President automatically had both citizenships ‘bestowed’ on him from the moment of his birth.

To this end, citizens of a country by birth do not need to swear to an oath of allegiance to that country; it is only citizenship acquired through naturalization and registration that have the requirement to take an oath of allegiance. Above all, there is no evidence that Dr. Saraki took an oath of allegiance or intentionally attempted to conceal his UK citizenship – especially as he has never denied holding the citizenship in question.

One is however uncomprensible, as it beats ordinary sense of imagination of how Sahara Reporters went to extent of producing and pasting fake UK passport claiming it to be that of Senator Bukola Saraki. What on earth would Sahara Reporters benefit from such "pull him down at all cost" syndrome? This is an indication that the online media outfit is out to tarnish the image of the President of the Senate. It is a confirmation of the fact that Sahara Reporters is doing the bidding of its pay masters which is well known to all and sundry as the man behind the scene will soon be exposed and brought to the public domain.

It is also of importance to state categorically here that Senator Saraki's UK passport as posted on the website of Sahara Reporters is a forged document that deserve thorough investigation by the UK Home and passport Office. Senator Saraki on the 19th of July 2015, has instructed his Solicitors in UK to write the UK Home Office to commence immediate investigation into this act of criminality .There is no doubt that this is a typical criminal offence against the State and also an act of defamation of character against the President of the Senate and whoever is found responsible should be prosecuted. The question that needs to be unravelled thereof by the UK Home and passport Office, among other things; where did Sahara Reporters get a forged or fake UK passport which it claims it belongs to Senator Saraki and decided to post same on its website?.

To this end, it is no longer shocking, based on the antecedents of Sahara Reporters, the extent to which Sahara Reporters and its sponsors are willing to go to malign the person of Senator Saraki; passing off a forged/fake document as authentic is no doubt a criminal offence in every jurisdiction. Now that the entire public has clarity on Sahara Reporters and it's criminal indulgence, Sahara Reporters needs to explain the source of this fake document to the UK Home Office. Sahara Reporters, its cronies, allies and sponsors must be ready to face the full course of law upon conclusion of the investigation by the UK Authorities. We hereby urge the public to remain vigilant and be watchful of reports and and stories published by Sahara Reporters as they may be laced with blatant lies, deceit and criminality devoid of any iota of truth. We shall make public, the outcome of the investigation by the UK Home office and passport office.

Bamikole Omishore
Special Assistant on New Media
Office of The Senate President

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