19th January, 2015
Funsho Arogundade
Sokoto state governor, Aliyu Wammako, has stated that the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, is not fit to occupy the position that he holds but should at best be made a divisional police officer, DPO.
Wammako said this at the 12th edition of The Sun Awards held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, western Nigeria, after being honoured as the 2014 Man of The Year.
According to the governor, given Abba’s actions and double standard in carrying out his duties ahead of this year’s elections, the police chief is not qualified to manage such a sensitive office.
Wammako accused the IGP of being a threat to the peaceful conduct of the forthcoming general elections, having allegedly violated the recent non-violence accord signed in Abuja by the leading political parties in the country and their candidates.
The governor, who was angry, expressed dismay that while the police have been arresting members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on trumped up charges, members of the Peoples Democratic Party allegedly engaged in violence have been allowed to move about freely.
“It is so unfortunate that we have an inspector general of police who has violated the non-violence accord signed by all parties ahead of the coming general elections. The IGP has made nonsense of the accord. Our campaign office was attacked and somebody was killed. While some of the culprits were apprehended, we heard that those arrested had been released on the order of the inspector general of police. This has made nonsense of the signed peace accord. I am sorry for our country,” Wammako said.
He, however, expressed his delight that Nigeria’s political system is growing as the country has been able to witness the emergence of two strong, dominant parties like other developed democracies.
Wammako was presented with his award by Chief Ernest Shonekan, former Head of the interim national government and chairman of the occasion.
General Ibrahim Babangida, former military president, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Other Lifetime Achievement Awardees were Chief Anthony Anenih; Prof. Jubril Aminu; Chief (Mrs) Folanke Solanke, SAN; and Prof. Joe Irukwu, SAN;
Dr. Eugene Juwah, executive vice chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, bagged the Public Service Award for championing the return of the fixed line infrastructure and deployment of affordable and robust broadband infrastructure. The award was shared with Alhaji Muhammad Sani Sidi, director general, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA.
Mrs. Yemisi Suswam, wife of Benue State governor, Gabriel Suswam, was honoured with the Most Supportive First Lady award. Dr. Taiwo Olayinka Afolabi, chairman, Sifax Group, and Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, chairman, Nestoil, were the joint winner of Business Man of The Year; Chief James Uzochukwu Uduji, founder, Cometstar Manufacturing Limited, was honoured as the Manufacturer of the Year; Chief Charles Odunukwe, chairman, Colonades Hotels, Ikoyi was the Hospitality Man of the Year.
Mr. Bisi Onasanya, managing director/chief executive officer, First Bank Plc, was honoured as Banker of the Year, while Mr. Jim Ovia, co-founder of Zenith Bank Plc and promoter of Visafone Communications Ltd, was the Investor of the Year.
In the entertainment category of the award, actor and filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan was adjudged the Nollywood Personality of the Year; Michael Coollins Ajereh, young music producer and entrepreneur famously known as Don Jazzy was the Creative Person of the Year and Queen of the tracks, Blessing Okagbare was the Sports Person of the Year.
The high point of the award night was when a posthumous Nigerian Hero Award was bestowed on the late Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh, for her gallant efforts as the arrowhead of the fight against the spread of the dreaded Ebola Virus Disease, EVD mid-last year.
Her award was received by some of her colleagues from the First Consultants Hospital, Lagos present at the event.
Apart from the honourees, the event was also attended by scores of captains of industries, politicians and entertainment luminaries including Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker, House of Representatives; Gen. Raji Rasaki Rtd; Mallam Danladi Bako; and 2Face Idibia.