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Emir of Argungu to turban Lai Mohammed as ‘Kakakin Kebbi’ Sept 25

The Emir of Argungu, in Kebbi, Alhaji Mohammed Mera, will on Sept. 25 turban the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed with the highly revered traditional title of ‘Kakakin Kebbi” (Ambassador of Kebbi).
This is contained in a statement issued by the Nigeria Agency of Nigeria (NAN) by the National Institute Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) on Friday in Abuja, signed by Ahmed Sule, Director, Media and Public Relations.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on March 7, 2020, the emir estowed the traditional title of Kakakin Kebbi (Ambassador of the Kebbi Culture) on Mohammed.
The Emir announced the conferment of the title on the Minister in Abuja while unveiling programmes lined up for the 2020 Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival, which held from March 11 to March 14, 2020.
Sule noted that preparations had reached an advanced stage for the Investiture and turbaning of the Minister.
The decision of the Argungu Emirate Council to bestow the title on Mohammed, he said, was reached at the Council’s meeting, based on the recognition of the efforts of the Minister in projecting the cultural heritage of the diverse people of Nigeria to the world.
“This has created jobs, income and positive awareness for the youths through festivals, arts and cultural exhibitions.
“The Council equally observed with great admiration the loyalty and selfless service of Mohammed in the discharge of the responsibilities of his office.
“Through his office, the general image of the country is being projected in good light to the world, as well as the cultural contents of the country’s diversity and in particular, the Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival.
“This has, however, earned the festival global recognition and admittance into the UNESCO list of intangible festivals and humanity in 2016 during the tenure,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the Investiture of the Minister as the Kakakin Kebbi is part of the activities lined up for the celebration of this year’s ‘World Tourism Day’ to be hosted by Kebbi State on Sept. 27. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
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