How Bad Weather held Governors, National Assembly Members at airports enroute Daura for Amaechi’s turbanning.
Oru Leonard
Since the beginning of this year, the NIgerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has been reporting adverse weather conditions in major parts of the country, issuing advice and warnings flight operators, road users and the general public.
One of those challenges came up on Saturday, February 5th as Reports from Daura, Katsina State following the turbanning of Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as the Dan Amanar Daura indicated that some dignitaries were held up at different airports around the country awaiting and unable to fly into Katsina State to grace the event due to bad weather.
Weather reports from Katsina State indicated a hazy and heavily windy atmosphere with poor visibility, making it difficult for planes from around Nigeria to fly into Katsina Airport.
Media reports has it that more than 800 VIPs were stranded, Among those held up were Governors Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Bagudu Atiku of Kebbi State and Mohammed Badaru of Jigawa State, who were at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Others were Governors El Rufai of Kaduna State and Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State.
Sen Ali Modu Sheriff, Sen Tanko Al-makura, Fmr Deputy Governor Adamawa Martins Babale, Fmr Deputy Governor Nasarawa Silas Agara, Sen Ibrahim Goje, Sen Dangana Ocheja, Sen Dalhatu Sangari, Sen John Danboyi, Sen John Eno, Sen Ayogu Eze, Sen Sonni Ogboji, Sen Muhammad Hassan, Sen Ali Ndume, Sen Godiya Akwashiki among many others were also stranded at various airports due to the bad weather in Katsina State.
Among those in Daura who graced the the epoch-making ceremony were representatives of Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, Ministers of Water Resources, Sulaiman Adamu, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika and the Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the President, Garba Shehu. Others were Mr. Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, (Ọjájá II), the Ooni of Ife, Aminu Bello Masari, Governor of Katsina State, Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education, Dr. Muhammadu Nuhu Sanusi, Emir of Dutse, King Alfred Diete Spiff, Amayanabo of Twon Brass and a host of others.
The event, which was transmitted live on National Television, attracted dignitaries from across Nigeria. The atmosphere in Daura was charged and animated with many pouring encomiums on Amaechi on account of his enviable public service records.
President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on the conferment of the title of “Dan Amanar,” (the trusted one) on him by the Daura Emirate Council.
The President’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement issued by one of his media aides, Malam Garba Shehu, on Friday in Abuja.
President Buhari described the conferment of the title on Amaechi as a clear commitment to the harmonious relationship between the nation’s diverse cultures.
He commended the Minister “for working with enormous energy to make the CHANGE we promised Nigerians a reality,” noting that “the change we are witnessing in the transport sector is an extraordinary legacy.”
