The crowd at the venue of the 2012 Comptroller-General of Customs’ conference in Katsina, burst into cheers and applause when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar knelt down to greet his former boss, President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Atiku and Obasanjo, who served as vice president and president of Nigeria respectively, between 1999-2007, had an estranged relationship during the last lap of their second term in office.
Both men were among a retinue of VIPs invited to the opening of the week long Comptroller-Generals’ conference held at the newly inaugurated auditorium of Katsina State University.
Obasanjo, who arrived ahead of Atiku, was seated next to second republic President Shehu Shagari and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade.
Atiku, who arrived nearly 40-minutes after his former boss, first greeted the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammad Iliyasu, Emir of Katsina, Dr. Abdulmimini Usman, the Ooni and Shagari who were seated at the podium.
When he got to Obasanjo, the former Vice President knelt down and bowed his head to greet his former boss.
The delighted crowd followed the mild drama with a loud applause and cheers.
A man who sat opposite the VIP podium raised his two hands up and shouted “Alleluia”.
Earlier, Vice President Namadi Sambo who represented President Goodluck Jonathan had inaugurated the 1,500 capacity auditorium of the Katsina State University, venue of the conference.
Two former heads of state, top traditional rulers from different geo-political zones in Nigeria, former Comptroller-Generals of Customs and Customs chiefs from Africa attended the opening event.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal delivered a goodwill message, where he challenged the Customs to go beyond its “statutory role” of combating smuggling of goods.
Tambuwal listed other roles of the service to include revenue collection, trade facilitation and border protection.
He urged the service to collaborate with other relevant agencies in the country to improve their services.
He pledged that the National Assembly would support the ongoing review of the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) to enable the service discharge its function optimally.
The theme of this year’s annual Comptroller-General’s conference is “Border Divide, Customs Connects.”
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What's the big deal in that?
ReplyDeleteAtiku has realized that he needs Obasanjo, the new Nigerian King maker's blessings, to ascend the presidential throne. In times past, he thought the Northerners held the key.
ReplyDeleteNa garri matter joo! Politics of the stomach... Sure baba savored the euphoria of the moment.
ReplyDeletePolitical strategy! He realised his ego was becoming a negative factor in him actualising his presidential dream and ambition. He has to humble himself and be appreciative as Obasonjo was instrumental to his achieving the Elite status of a vice president in Nigeria. Good luck to him as arrogant divides rather than build.
ReplyDeleteNigeria will never progress with these kind of drama occuring in the Federal, State and Local Govt level in this country. so what happens if this is all for one political office? baba becomes the dictator of what the govt does. what a shame.
ReplyDeleteDon't mind them who is fooling who??
ReplyDeleteNigerians are more wise now .we don't want any recycle leader again
I'm jst gonna keep on pushin till i succeed,if dem cry blood greet demselves I GUESS DEY ARE FOOLIN ME NOT..
ReplyDeleteInternational Thief Thief
ReplyDeleteAtiku wants to apply d principle of stooping to conquer. I'm sure baba iyabo is just laughin in his mind cos he knws atiku's plan. Is. To get there n show him (baba iyabo) shege. E no work. It is well wit dis political guys.
ReplyDeleteAtiku is the green snake on a green grass so be wise.
ReplyDeleteAnnonymous November 28, 2012 at 2:06 ,you can not see big deal in that because u belong to uncultured tribe in Nigeria and hence a disgrace to our dear country.There must be a respect for whoever is biger than you not only by age.it can be by knowledge,age,or position.Let us embrace this in Nigeria.
ReplyDelete