Nigerian Newspapers
I rub my husband’s back as he eats my vegetable soup –Sarah Sosan
By CHUKS EZE ([email protected])
Every morning when he wakes up and beholds the skyline of the Centre of Excellence, Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) most probably smiles in appreciation to God for the invaluable contributions made towards the success of his administration by the highly cerebral women that are running with his vision to transform Lagos.
In her days as the Deputy Governor of the state, during Fashola’s first term, Princess Sarah A. Sosan (OFR), brought a touch of panache to the way she handled her responsibilities, both as Fashola’s deputy and the Honourable of Commissioner of Education. As she reveals, the reforms that took place in the education sector of the state make her particularly happy. In this interview, she talks about life out of office and the enduring romantic relationship between her and the husband. Excerpts…
How has life been since you left office as the Deputy Governor of Lagos State?
Well, it has been so interesting because my time is now my time and I can manage it my own way. I can do things at programmed times unlike the dictates of the office which required me to do certain things whether I liked them or not. So, it’s been quite less stressful and I’ve been enjoying it a lot especially as I’m now involved in my private activities.
What do you miss most being out of office?
I think I miss our Monday meeting which was like being with one’s family members, where we shared jokes, threw banters and yet did serious business such that most times we didn’t even leave till night. But it feels good that one has given one’s own best towards the development of the state.
During that time when you were always surrounded by aids who sometimes wouldn’t even allow your old pals get close and chat with you, what did the office prevent you from enjoying freely and you had to act like former President Obasanjo, who once had to stop his convoy to patronize a roasting corn by the roadside?
I did not miss a lot because I’m a peoples’ person and I tried to mix a lot mix more with people during that time. While I was in office, I used to wave aside my aides to let my people come to me. Even now, thank God, there are still some pecks of the office that I still enjoy. So, it is not that one is missing anything. It is always nice to have people around you because only then will you get to know their problem and be able to offer adequate and appropriate service to them. So, the point is that if you serve your people well, they would want to come to you.
You are always looking fresh, happy and cheerful. What is the secret?
When you have Jesus you have everything. I thank God that I’m in Christ and He is in me. So it is because I’m a good Christian and I thank God for His mercies. I think the joy of Christ is what makes me happy always. People say I smile a lot and the reason is that I have Jesus and I have self-contentment. I have peace, joy, good health and everything that Christ gives. That is the reason for my freshness so to say.
As you are not presently occupied with the busy schedules of the office, do you find time to cook for your husband?
I have always cooked for my husband even while in office. It’s my duty as a wife to cook for my husband, so why not? Though I didn’t usually find time to cook for him every day while in office, but I do that more often now.
What do you usually tell him at the dining table while watching him enjoy your meals?
(Laughs) You know, most times we do not eat together because we run different schedules. And these days that many of us are minding what we eat, it’s not a regular dining table affair. But I use to tell him that I thank God for his life; that I’m happy having him as the love of my life and that he would be mine forever.
Do you also rub his back and he would smile and tell you how delicious the food is?
Yes, especially if it’s vegetable soup. (Laughs heartily).
Is vegetable soup his favourite?
He always looks forward to it as his special one. He takes plenty of vegetable with little carbohydrate foods such as rice. He loves eating plenty of vegetable.
What would he not miss eating in the morning?
A cup of coffee; he can’t miss his cup of coffee.
What’s your favourite food?
It used to be fried plantain and egg. But these days, due to high consciousness about eating and living healthy, most times, I skip it and make more of salad – more vegetable and less carbohydrate.
You always dress decently, fashionably and moderately too. What would you not wear to an event?
I have to dress to match the occasion. And I dress for comfort, too. I can never wear anything that will expose my body because I respect my body so much. That is why I hate seeing women expose to the public what is meant for their future husbands or what should be kept private. I can never expose any part of my body publicly in any dress.
You seem to be looking younger now than while in office.
I thank God for His mercies; I really thank Him…
Meaning that it’s true?
People say it and I think it’s because the stress of the office is off. Now I have more time to relax. I think that’s just the reason.
Does your husband still take you out?
We go out for lunch often, sometimes with the whole family. We go out for lunch, dinner or whatever especially on special occasions.
What was the last Valentine’s day present he bought for you?
It was a perfume.
What is the name of the perfume?
I do not want to share it with the public. It’s between my husband and I and he is the only one that should be buying it for me.
What would you prepare for your husband while expecting him back from a long travel?
It would be fish pepper soup and vegetable with lots of fish. He doesn’t take meat any longer.
During your time, parents used to choose spouses for their children. Was that the case with you and your husband?
I was lucky my parents did not choose for me; I chose for myself and they all accepted him well.
So, how did you find each other?
It was just like everyone finds each other. You can meet in churches, school, everywhere. But I thank God that I chose right.
How and where did you meet him?
Just the way people usually meet. We met as people meet.
There must be something he said to you that made you smile and nod. What was that?
I can’t remember now (Laughs). But I’m sure I chose right and I thank God that I chose right.
How would you describe him?
He is really a homely person and caring man; a father to the core. He cares so much about people especially the less privileged and he is always ready to help others.
How did you say yes to him?
It wasn’t an easy thing at all. It was after about five years that everything culminated into marriage.
What would you consider as your greatest achievement while in office such that each time you look back and remember it, you feel happy and grateful to God?
I think the major achievements are the reforms that we put in place especially in the education sector. And I’m glad that anywhere I go, people commend what we had done then and the success of the administration. I’m really proud of our reforms in education. I thank God for giving me the privilege to work with Mr Babatunde Fashola, (SAN); and for the National Leader of our party, the ACN, Ashiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu as well as our party members in Lagos for choosing right.
Many people prefer refering to you as a career person rather than a politician. But, politically, are you thinking of taking a higher political step in near future, especially in 2015?
To God belongs all glory and to Him belongs tomorrow. I’m still a politician and a progressive one for that matter. So, I’ll continue to be a politician and keep learning more and more the intricacies of the politics. And I’ll continue to get better by the day. Remember the saying that all humans are political animals.
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•Deploy more personnel as army chief vows to wipe out terror group
•Security beefed up at N’Assembly
Deji Elumoye and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power, is under a massive security cordon following threats of attacks by insurgents and the increasing wave of banditry in the contiguous states of Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger States, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed.
There has been a wave of kidnappings in the outskirts of the federal capital, notably Pegi, Tuganmaje and Kuje among others, which the police have battled in recent times.
The security situation in and around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was heightened by the pronouncement of the Niger State Governor, Mr. Sani Bello, that Boko Haram fighters who he said sacked 50 villages in the state and hoisted the terror group’s flag, were about two hours drive away from the FCT.
Security has also been beefed up at the National Assembly as operatives, yesterday, thoroughly screened every vehicle approaching the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
The deteriorating security situation nationwide prompted the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, to warn that the 2023 general election may not hold, demanding the declaration of a state of emergency as well as the convocation of a national conference.
However, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, yesterday restated the Nigerian Army’s determination to annihilate Boko Haram.
But the Governor of Katsina State, Hon. Bello Masari, cautioned against declaring a state of emergency, saying doing so isn’t the solution to combat the security challenges facing the country.
The security of the nation’s airports was also in focus yesterday as the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) said there was no threat to them.
THISDAY’s investigations showed increased presence of troops, police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel and intelligence operatives at the three strategic entrances to the city notably, Keffi, Zuba and Gwagwalada.
More checkpoints were also mounted around Gwagwalada and Keffi.
THISDAY also observed increased intelligence deployment at the entrance and the borders of FCT with contiguous states.
Beyond the borders, there were more deployments and police patrols inside the city and increased intelligence deployments as well.
Security sources told THISDAY: “There are deployments here and there but they are routine. Alertness is key to a secure environment.”
It was also learnt that security agencies were involved in frenzied meetings throughout yesterday.
The meetings, coordinated by the office of the Chief of Defence Staff under the new joint operational strategy of the armed forces, were aimed at coordinating a joint response to possible threats of attack to the FCT.
“I understand the security teams have been meeting for some days now and if you look around you, you will notice that there are increasing patrols and numbers of security personnel. The threats are not been taken lightly,” a source said.
National Assembly workers, lawmakers and visitors also had a harrowing experience accessing the legislative complex due to heightened security in the area.
Security operatives thoroughly screened every vehicle approaching the National Assembly complex in Abuja, impeding both human and vehicular traffic.
The Sergeant-at-arm of the National Assembly and other security agencies supervised the operations, leading to huge traffic build-up inside the complex.
Legislative staff, visitors and lawmakers were seen patiently waiting for their cars to be searched so that they could go ahead with the business of the day.
Some staff and visitors at some point got tired of waiting and were seen alighting from their cars to trek from the gate to the complex.
Meanwhile, the ONSA has said there is no threat to the nation’s airports.
A statement by the Head of Strategic Communication, Mr. Zachari Usman, said the reports of threats to the airports were an internal correspondence of security threat assessment misconstrued as security threat to the airports.
PDP Demands State of Emergency
In a related development, the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, yesterday demanded the declaration of a state of emergency, warning that the 2023 general election might not hold if the federal government failed to tackle insecurity.
He called on the federal government to summon a national conference to address the spike in insecurity.
Secondus added that the national caucus of the party will meet today to discuss the state of the nation.
Addressing members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) in Abuja, Secondus said: “We are worried Abuja is not even safe. It is no longer politics. We got alert of plots to bomb and burn down our airports.
“We urge the federal government to declare a national state of emergency in security. There is the need to call a national conference to discuss the insecurity in the country.
“There may not be any election in 2023 in Nigeria due to insecurity. This government must listen to the people. The Buhari government should call a national confab to discuss security and state of the nation. It is no longer politics. This time we are not playing politics. Let’s keep politics aside and move the nation forward.”
He said the country had been grounded, regretting that there had been no matching response from the federal government.
Secondus said in the past, terrorism in the North was confined to the North-east, but with the report of Boko Haram occupying villages in Niger State, terrorism had spread to the North-central
“Herdsmen are also menacing in the West; gunmen causing havoc in the East; and the militants in the South; all killing, looting, raping, maiming and burning down homes. The situation is bad; Nigerians all over are living in fear,” he said.
The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the problem of Nigeria was outside of the PDP headquarters, while pledging the support of the Senate to the declaration of state of emergency in security.
Abaribe said he deliberately decided not to speak on the floor of the Senate but to allow the APC senators to speak so as to avoid being accused of giving a partisan colouration to the issue of insecurity.
He stated that only electoral reforms would give victory to the opposition party in the 2023 general election and ensure a democratic defeat of the APC-led federal government.
Also, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, commended the NEC and the PDP leadership for their collective efforts at resolving the House leadership crisis.
The NEC meeting adopted the position of Secondus, calling on the federal government to convoke a national conference to discuss the state of insecurity in the country, according to a communiqué read by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan.
Army Chief Vows to Wipe Out Boko Haram
The army yesterday reiterated its commitment to wipe out Boko Haram.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, told reporters in Maiduguri, Borno State that Boko Haram had been defeated in many encounters and would continue to be defeated until it’s annihilated from Nigeria.
“We will take on Boko Haram decisively, and we are committed to the focus of the operations, which is the total annihilation of Boko Haram from Nigeria,” he said.
The COAS, who was visiting the headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri for the fifth time since his appointment four months ago, said the visit was to boost the morale of the troops, reassure them and listen to any issues affecting them.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Farouq Yahaya, lauded the visit, which he said had continued to boost the morale of the troops.
“We are honoured, we are grateful, we are encouraged by those visits. You provided us guidance, logistics and other things we required. We are most grateful for those visits,” Yahaya said.
State of Emergency Won’t Solve Security Challenges, Says Masari
Katsina State Governor, Hon. Aminu Masari, has, however, said declaration of a state of emergency won’t solve the security challenges facing the nation.
Masari, who spoke yesterday with journalists after meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari at the State House, Abuja stated that he was against the recent call by the House of Representatives for the declaration of a state of emergency in the security sector as it would not solve the problem.
According to him, declaring a state of emergency will not achieve the desired effect as the security structure and personnel to be used to execute the emergency are already overstretched in a bid to safeguard lives and property.
Sourced From: THISDAYLIVE
Tribune Online
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 62 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 165,110. The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Friday. “55 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria; Lagos-21, Yobe-19, Ogun-6, Akwa Ibom-3, Kaduna-2, Plateau-2, FCT-1, Rivers-1.” YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE COVID-19: Nigeria Recorded […]
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
Tribune Online
Sourced From: Tribune Online
By Olasunkanmi Akoni
The people of the South East region have been urged to explore the power of negotiation and mutual settlement in the face of ongoing killings and security challenges in the zone because the east can not afford another war at present.
Stakeholders from the South-East geo-political zone made the remark on Thursday, at the unveiling of the book, “Igbo, 50 years after Biafra,” written by Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Drainage Services, Joe Igbokwe, held at Ikeja G.R.A.
Speaking at the unveiling of the book, the chairman of the occasion, Mr. Cutis Adigba,
urged the people of the South-East to learn to build bridges across the country, so that they can realise their ambition of producing the next president of Nigeria.
Adigba urged leaders from the zone to discourage the move and agitation by some youths in the South East to go to war and secede out of Nigeria.
Also read: Banditry: Disregard viral video, Niger State gov’t urges residents
He said that Igbo have always found it difficult to rule Nigeria because they refused to build bridges across the six geo-political zones that made up Nigeria.
While describing the agitation as uncalled for, Adigba noted that after two decades that Nigeria returned to civil rule, the Igbo has predominantly identified with only one political party.
He maintained that remaining in one party can not advance the cause of the people of South East and cannot make them realise their objective of producing an Igbo man as president.
He maintained that the publisher of the book, Igbokwe played politics outside his state, so that the Igbo race can be integrated with one another race.
Adigba said the failure of the Igbo to reintegrate with other ethnic nationalities politically was responsible for the retrogression of the race in Nigerian politics.
Igbokwe, also addressing guests on the occasion, maintained that the Igbo are not advancing politically because they refused to be integrated into National politics, lamenting that, despite their success in business, they are not successful in playing politics at the national level.
Corroborating Dimgba, Igbokwe noted that there was the need for the Igbo people to stand up and build bridges so that their objective of producing the next president of Nigeria could be realised.
According to him: “I have decided to raise my voice, I hope my people will hear me while trying to quell the effect of the war, our people are spoiling for another war, mayhem is being unleashed in Igbo land, and there is palpable fear.
“Those who could speak have lost their voice, mindful of the consequences of their actions, I am calling on all Igbo leaders to speak up because all actions carry consequences, consequences of the silence will be too dastardly to sustain.
“Those silently supporting the wild wind should be careful or else they hand over to their children,” he said.
Igbokwe urged those spoiling for war to jettison their plan and embrace dialogue, urging them to learn from the South West region that despite the challenges faced after the annulment of the June 12, 1993, election, they did not go to war, and the region had the opportunity of producing two of her sons for presidential position in 1999.
“You have to build bridges to become president of Nigeria, but it is unfortunate the Igbo are burning bridges.”
Speaking at the event, Chief Uche Dimgba who is the coordinator of Igbo in All Progressives Congress, APC in Lagos, described Igbokwe as “a Frank, fearless and reliable leader, who based his views on issues and stand by his opinions, and we the Igbo have confidence in him and believe he can lead us aright.”
“He is a leader we Igbo believe in and we will follow him. If he can serve all the governors produced in Lagos State since 1999, he is a better man to follow because he possesses all the experience that can be of benefit to Igbo both at home and in the diaspora.”
The post Attacks on S’East: We must explore all options of negotiation — Stakeholders urge Igbo appeared first on Vanguard News.
Sourced From: Vanguard News
The government said that no worker should stay back beyond 6:00 p.m. within premises of buildings undergoing construction.
The post Insecurity: Lagos bans occupation of abandoned buildings appeared first on Premium Times Nigeria.
Sourced From: Premium Times Nigeria
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
Military, Police Ring Abuja to Forestall Boko Haram Attack
UFC: Usman gets N584m after beating Masvidal
Insecurity: Lagos bans occupation of abandoned buildings
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