Sanctioned at home, honoured abroad… UK newspaper recognises Jibrin

Abdulmumin Jibrin, suspended member of the
house of representatives has been honoured with
the African Voice Leadership in Legislative
Governance Award by African Voice, a London
based newspaper.
Jibrin was given the award for his commitment
to legislative duties and fight against corrupt.
Mike Abiola, publisher/editor-in-chief of the
newspaper, said the award recognised individuals
who have shown dedication to developing their
countries.
“The African Voice Leadership in Governance
Awards recognises African leaders who have
shown dedication to developing their state/
countries, by demonstrating exemplary
leadership,” Abiola said in a letter.
“The attention of the international community
has been drawn to your commitment to the
people of Nigeria and Kano state in particular.
Your effort in helping to eradicate corruption is
commendable.
“The 20th African Voice Newspaper Leadership in
Legislative Governance Awards Investiture
ceremony will take place on Saturday 5
November, 2016 and will be attended by foreign
and commonwealth officials, African diplomats in
the UK, British politicians, members of
parliament and influential business leaders.
“The event has a dedicated followership of high
net worth individuals and the crème de crème of
the British diverse community.”
On his part, Jibrin said the award is a huge
morale booster because it was coming at a very
difficult and challenging time.
“Thank you African Voice Newspaper for this
award. The award is a huge morale booster
because it is coming at a very difficult and
challenging period,” he said.
“It’s a period I had to leave my post as
appropriations chairman of the house of
representatives, suspended through subterranean
means by Speaker Yakubu Dogara and received
several threats to my life by the highly placed
public officials I accused of corruption.
“My offence is disagreeing with some corrupt
leaders of the house including the Speaker over
the 2016 budget fraud and insisting that the
right thing must be done, exposing individual
and systemic corruption in the house and
rejecting immunity for principal officers of the
house.
“Despite the difficulties I am going through, I
will never be cowed to silence. I assure you I will
never retreat from this worthy line of action. I
shall remain committed to the fight against
corruption in the House of Representatives and
Nigeria as a whole.
“I dedicate this award to millions of Nigerians
home and abroad who are suffering today
because of the massive theft of our common
wealth, budget fraud and monumental corruption
in the house of representatives which assumed an
unprecedented dimension under the leadership of
speaker Yakubu Dogara.”