FG to take decision on Niger Delta demands soon – Buhari
From Andrew Agbese & Christiana T. Alabi, Kaduna
President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that the federal government is looking into the proposal submitted to him by Niger Delta elders with a view to taking a decision on them.
Elders from the Niger Delta region met with the president on Tuesday and handed to him a 16 point demand. The president gave the assurance at the launch of the biography of Malam Yahaya Hamza in Kaduna, yesterday.
Represented by the Director General of the National Teachers Institute (NTI) Professor Garba Azare, the president said the federal government’s committed to ridding the country of terrorism.
“Our soldiers have succeeded in degrading Boko Haram insurgency and they are always on alert to descend on any element wishing to destabilize the nation,” he added.
Buhari described the late Hamza as someone who distinguished himself as a rare gem in the education sector at home and abroad.
Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai in his speech recalled his 2003 encounter with senators who he had accused of demanding bribe from him to be confirmed as minister, saying it was one of his most trying moments in life.
El-Rufai said his late foster father, Malam Yahaya Hamza, was one of the few people, who stood by him through that period, as most friends turned their backs on him.
He said, “I remember clearly like it was yesterday, one of the most trying and testing periods of my life. During that time, friends turned their backs on me; people that I thought meant well for me disappeared. But, through all of this, one man stood by me and in the little way he could; defended me and protected my honour.
“During my ordeal with the Senate in 2003, Mallam Yahaya Hamza, my dear father was one of the few people who defended me privately and in public.
“He granted an interview to Punch Newspapers saying “…I am ready to swear by the Holy Qur’an that Nasir, my son, did not lie. I can tell you that Nasir does not lie and so he cannot wake up to cook such a lie about two senators without it being true”.
The governor added that as minister of Federal Capital Territory, he met stiff opposition from corrupt influences against the changes he attempted to introduce, but that with the determination and discipline he got from his late foster father, he was able to pull through.
“As a young boy trying to find my way in a complex society, Mallam Yahaya Hamza, with love and discipline was able to guide me on the right path. He took what I consider one of the best decisions; sending my young head strong self to Barewa College.
“I say to you today, that I will not be who I am without the solid foundation I received at Barewa College”.