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“Diezani Excelled in Corruption” She rattled my trust in women, Says Danjuma
A former Defence Minister, Lt.-Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, has said ex-Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke is an expert who excelled in corruption.
He said the ex-minister rattled his trust in the ability of women to avoid soiling their hands in acts of malfeasance.
Mrs. Alison-Madueke has been having series of run-ins with the law since 2015 after leaving office as minister.
She is currently on trial over an alleged £100,000 bribe by British authorities.
Speaking yesterday at Umuchigbo in Iji Nike, Enugu State, while inaugurating the Goodwill Medical Centre (GMC) built and equipped by the T. Y. Danjuma Foundation, the erstwhile Chief of Army Staff (COAS) said the ex-Petroleum Resources Minister set a record that is yet to be beaten by anybody else in the realm of corruption.
The GMC project is the brainchild of Prof. Uche Amazigo, Nigeria’s renowned pro-poor public health specialist, and one of the few female Africans to have led a specialised UN agency, overseeing a highly successful multilateral partnership in global health.
Danjuma said: “I used to say that if you want anything properly done and delivered on time without any excuses, give the job to a woman, until we had a female Minister of Petroleum. That woman excelled in corruption. She set a record that is yet to be beaten by anybody else.
“So, I was in the process of reviewing that my statement when I met one lady, Prof. Uche Amazigo. Uche and I have come a very long way. My first encounter with Uche was around mid-October 2010 when she, accompanied by Mrs. Franca Ilamiji, another Igbo woman.”
The former Army chief said Prof. Amazigo made him to believe again that women remain the most trusted people to prudently manage public funds.
“Uche and I have been colleagues for many years. After working for T. Y. Danjuma Foundation, I thought I had seen the end of Uche. I was mistaken.
“In early March 2022, Prof. Uche, accompanied by two other female professors, presented to me a request to provide financial support for building and equipping a low cost high efficiency medical centre to provide excellent medical services by predominantly female medical doctors, nurses and midwives who chose to dedicate their time to humanity.
“I listened to her carefully and asked a few questions. I wanted to know if they had cash; the name of the organisation; and how she thought the all-female workers for a medical centre would function. She was ready for my questions.
“The result of all these questions is what you see here today. This magnificent edifice can only be built by women at the price they accounted to me.
“Men will take your money and you won’t see any building or money.”
Saluting Prof. Uche and her team for a job well done, Danjuma said he hoped they would surpass the goals they set for themselves.
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, who was represented by his deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai, hailed Danjuma for epitomising leadership in public service and private life.
The governor also hailed Prof. Amazigo for initiating and completing the laudable project, which would be beneficial to Enugu State residents.
Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has extended warm felicitations to Muslims in Nigeria and across the globe on the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Fitr.
In a statement to mark the end of Ramadan, Araraume highlighted the significance of the month long period of spiritual reflection, fasting, and devotion. “As Muslims gather with loved ones to share in the festivities, I join in the cheer, wishing everyone a blessed and peaceful Eid,” he said.
The Senator expressed profound appreciation to Muslim Nigerians for their contributions to the nation’s growth, describing their faith, resilience, and patriotism as beacons of hope. “Your unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s progress is truly commendable,” he stated.
As the country navigates its current challenges, Araraume called for unity, understanding, and collective effort. “Let us embrace the spirit of Eid, forgiveness, generosity, and kindness, to build a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come,” he urged.
Araraume also extended solidarity to President Bola Tinubu, a distinguished Muslim and the leader of APC, praising his visionary leadership and dedication to nation building. “President Tinubu’s commitment to serving Nigeria has been exemplary, and we assure him of our continued support,” he said.
Reaffirming the APC’s commitment to national prosperity, Araraume emphasized that the values of compassion, unity, and progress embodied by Eid align deeply with the party’s ethos. “As we mark this occasion, we reaffirm our dedication to creating a Nigeria where faith and ethnic background are not barriers to success,” he concluded.
President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a high-level bilateral engagement aimed at strengthening ties between Nigeria and Britain.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, said the meeting will culminate in the signing of various Memoranda of Understanding and agreements, including those on trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
The statement said the meeting reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to deepening bilateral relations, attracting foreign investment, and modernising key infrastructure to support economic growth.
It added that a major highlight of the visit was the signing of a £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
Morning Recap: Nigeria, Britain set for fresh security alliances, Saudi Arabia declares Friday Eid-el-Fitr, other top stories
The statement said the deal will fund the refurbishment of two key maritime infrastructures — the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and the Tin Can Island Port Complex.
The President and the First Lady had earlier been the guests of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
Tinubu was accompanied by a high-profile delegation, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris Mohammed; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu.
Other members of the delegation include Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa; National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed.
Morocco have been officially crowned champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the CAF Appeal Board overturned the result of the final against Senegal. The decision comes after extraordinary scenes in Rabat where the Lions of Teranga walked off the pitch in protest, leading to a retrospective 3-0 forfeit victory for the host nation.
In a detailed statement, the CAF Appeal Board confirmed that the appeal lodged by the FRMF was “declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld.” This landmark ruling effectively strips Senegal of what would have been their second continental crown, rewarding the hosts for a match that descended into chaos during extra time.
The roots of the controversy lie in a heated moment deep into stoppage time when Morocco’s Brahim Diaz went down in the box. While the referee initially waved play away, a VAR review resulted in a spot-kick for the hosts. This sparked a furious reaction from the Senegalese bench, with head coach Pape Thiaw instructing his players to return to the dressing room in a protest that lasted several minutes.
The CAF Appeal Board found that “the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.” By leaving the field of play, Senegal was deemed to have infringed on the regulations, leading to the administrative 3-0 defeat. The ruling sets aside the previous CAF Disciplinary Board decision and confirms that the protest lodged by Morocco has been fully upheld
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