Category: Lead

President Muhammadu Buhari Monday in Yola, Adamawa State, called on voters to shun sentiments and make history by electing the first female governor in the country in 2023, Sen. Aisha Dahiru Ahmed-Binani.

He said her track record of dedication to duty and service will improve the livelihood of citizens.

The President, who spoke at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential and gubernatorial flag-off of campaigns in Adamawa, told voters that Sen. Binani had consistently worked for the welfare of the state and indigenes over many years.

He said entrusting her with the office of the governor would further strengthen her to reposition the State for greatness.
“Let me remind you of the good fortune that is awaiting your State in 2023 after returning the APC to power at the federal level and electing the party’s candidate as your incoming governor.

“You have been given the opportunity to set a record in the history of Nigeria and the annals of democracy and politics in our country by electing the first-ever female chief executive of a state in Nigeria. You cannot afford such a significant opportunity slip through your fingers.

“I am, therefore, calling on all the men, women and youth of Adamawa State, the northeast and indeed the entire country, to support the candidature of Senator Aisha Binani and ensure her victory in March 2023,’’ he said.

President Buhari urged the electorate to vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima as President and Vice President in the forthcoming elections, and candidates of the APC for Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly.

“I am delighted to be here today in Yola, Adamawa State, to be part of the campaign of our candidates for different offices in the country, starting from presidential, to gubernatorial, national and state assemblies. It is APC from top to bottom.

“APC for President! APC for Governor! APC for Senate! APC for House of Representatives! APC for Assembly Members!,’’ the President noted.

President Buhari said the APC had a vision of making Adamawa State more peaceful, progressive and prosperous.

“Your contributions in Adamawa State to our national development can be attested to by your output in agriculture, fishery, livestock, industry, manufacturing, commerce, mining, among others.

“Your achievements in the areas of education have made us proud and given us immense joy and satisfaction. Adamawa people are progressive in nature, and it is time to prove it once again.

“Our vision for Adamawa as a peaceful, progressive and prosperous state is strong and enduring. With your perseverance and determination, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will make Adamawa a model state in all areas of endeavour,’’ he stated.

The President urged youths in the state and country to pursue values that will bring honour to their families and the country, advising that Nigeria’s image could only be improved by the citizens.

“Let me now speak to the youths of our country, and Adamawa State particularly. I want you to know that you mean so much to us. Please remain loyal and patriotic citizens, learn from your elders and behave responsibly at all times.

“There can be no other place better than this country that promises so much to us and beckons us to greater prosperity.

“I want you to remain true to our ideals of decency, respect and accountability. You should bear your responsibilities seriously and acquit yourself well in all that you are called on to do.

Read Also: Buhari urges Adamawa people to vote for Tinubu for posterity

“You should all come out and vote in the forthcoming elections, exercise your franchise responsibly and do not allow yourselves to be misled by vain sentiments and idle promises.

“Let me remind you and the entire people of Nigeria that the eyes of the world will be on you come February and March 2023. Therefore do not give in to temptation and allow yourselves to be manipulated,’’ he added.

The President advised the youths to remain loyal to the APC by sensitizing on the gains of the party and voting for its candidates at various levels.

“I wish especially to thank you for reposing your trust in me and giving me your support during the last two presidential elections.

“I want you to continue with this spirit and remain loyal to our party the APC. I want you to support our candidates at all levels in the state and federal elections. You can trust Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban of Borgu, our party’s flag-bearer and presidential candidate, together with his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima.

“I want you to vote for them massively, retain the party in power at the centre, and also return Adamawa to the rank of the progressives.

“I want you to wholeheartedly embrace the message of “RENEWED HOPE” on which our candidates and party are campaigning,’’ the President said.

In his remarks, the APC National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu called on voters to elect Asiwaju Tinubu for President, and Sen. Binani for Governor of Adamawa State.

Adamu assured the large gathering of party supporters at Muhammadu Buhari Square that both candidates had been tested with responsibilities at various levels of governance, and would work together for the benefit of the people.

Presidential Candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Tinubu thanked the President for leading the country with integrity and setting new standards in development projects.

“Nigeria is blessed. We have integrity in President Buhari. Whatever damage the Poverty Development Party, PDP, have done, we will replace it with joy, prosperity, happiness and employment for our people.

“We will get you engaged properly. We will pay attention to your needs. Vote Binani for governor of the state, and when we are elected, we will work together to provide good water, education, health and end killings and kidnapping,” he said.

Binani pleaded with the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, APC stalwart, Nuhu Ribadu and member of House of Representatives, Abdulrazak Namdas to join hands with her in ensuring success at the polls, and lifting the state to greater heights.

Former Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, urged the electorates to vote for Asiwaju Tinubu for President, and Binani for Governor of the state, noting that Tinubu and his Vice Presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima, had already set the precedence of good leadership as former governors.

He said Binani would build on past achievements in the state, and correct anomalies in leadership and development, especially in placing the welfare of the people first and ensuring inclusive governance.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)on Monday at the National Open University, Jabi, Abuja, commenced the sale of forfeited real estate assets by sealed bids to the highest bidders.

The Commission said there was no successful bid for the properties in Lot 1 comprising 24 units of luxury flats at Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos, which was expected to be sold as a single unit.

EFCC Head, Media & Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement that a bidder who turned in the highest bid of N13.1 billion was disqualified for failure to include the stipulated 10 per cent of the bid amount.

Other bidders did not make the reserve price.

Secretary to the Commission, Dr. George Ekpungu announced that the Commission would open fresh bids for the properties in Lot 1.

The bids will close by 12 pm on Friday, January 13, 2023, while the bid opening will be done the same day.

Also, there were no successful bids in Lots 2 and 3. Fresh bids were invited until Wednesday, January 11, 2023, and the bids will be opened on Thursday, January 12, 2023.

Dr. Ekpungu explained that the Commission adopted the format of competitive bidding to ensure accountability and so that the government gets the right value for the assets.

He said the occupants of the properties for sale have the Right of First Refusal even as he vowed that the Commission would ensure that former owners of the forfeited properties do not attempt to repurchase the assets by proxy.

“If you have information about any bid by owners of the assets, please let the Commission know, and we will take appropriate action, including possible prosecution,” he said.

He commended the EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa for taking the bull by the horn in ensuring that those who have stolen the wealth of the country were denied the proceeds of crime and the assets disposed of for the benefit of all Nigerians.

Director, Public Affairs of the Commission, Mr. Osita Nwajah, read out the guidelines for the sale which, among others, forbids staff of the Commission and persons who have or are being prosecuted in respect of the assets from participating in the process.

He also said before any bid can be successful, it must be equal to or be above the reserve price, while each bidder was expected to enclose a bank draft for 10 per cent of the bid amount.

Read Also: EFCC auctions 435 forfeited cars in Lagos

He said successful bidders have 15 working days from the bid opening to make full payment. Otherwise, the second highest bidder would be offered the asset.

The assets are grouped into nine lots with Monday’s sale restricted to lots 1, 2 and 3.

The sale of properties in the other lots will continue until the final lot is disposed of on Friday, December 13, 2023.

Proceeds from the sale of the assets will be paid into the Confiscated and Forfeited Properties Account at the Central Bank of Nigeria in line with Section 69(a) of the Proceeds of Crime ( Recovery and Management) Act, 2023.

The Commission had on December 24, 2022, in a paid advertorial published in five of the major newspapers in the country, announced the commencement of bids for over a hundred forfeited properties in cities across Nigeria.

The exercise was witnessed by among others, representatives of the Civil Society including the Rev David Ugolor, Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ).

He commended the EFCC for a transparent process but urged the Commission to ensure the guidelines are communicated to the public for the benefit of cynics who might be inclined to fault the process.

President Muhammadu Buhari administration put pampered corrupt Nigerians under trial, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said.

The minister also noted there was no doubt that President Buhari administration would leave a legacy of probity for the country.

Mohammed stated this on Monday in his opening remarks at the 16th Edition of the “PMB Administration Scorecard Series (2015-2023)” in Abuja.

He noted that between the last edition of the PMB Administration Scorecard Series on December 22nd, 2022, and today’s (yesterday’s) opening edition for 2023, a lot of things have happened in the
polity.

He said the most significant have been naysayers and the opposition trying to distort the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari for their own selfish ends.

“While some of the Administration’s fiercest critics said we have achieved nothing, others have admitted, though seemingly tongue in cheek, that it’s only in the area of infrastructure that the Administration has performed.”

He faulted both groups saying: “Well, I want to say that both groups are wrong, very wrong.

“Yes, infrastructure development under the Buhari Administration is unprecedented since the nation’s return to democratic rule in 1999, and it has set the country on the path of development. But no, our legacy is more than infrastructure.”

The minister noted that among others the Buhari Administration is leaving a legacy of probity.

He said: “Some critics say ‘oh, they say they are fighting corruption and some public officials have stolen money under their nose’.

“We say the fact that they were caught and are being tried is a reflection of our zero tolerance for corruption.

“Where others covered and pampered corrupt people, we exposed and put them on trial.

“Whereas the immediate past administration came up with such programmes as TSA (Treasury Single Account) and IPPIS (Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System), they were implemented largely on paper until we came on board and ensured total implementation.

“The EFCC, the ICPC and other anti-corruption agencies have gone beyond merely arresting and prosecuting alleged corrupt officials to institutionalizing the fight against corruption through various programmes.”

Apart from the culture of probity, the minister said the Buhari Administration is leaving a legacy of a social investment programme that is unprecedented in the whole of Africa, a programme that has enhanced the quality of life of the beneficiaries.

“Our pace-setting social investment programmes like N-Power, School Feeding, Conditional Cash Transfer and GEEP (Government Enterprise Empowerment programme)” he said, “have benefitted millions of our citizens, both young and old, and this can neither be trivialized nor denied.”

He added that the Buhari Administration is leaving a legacy of putting Nigeria on the path of self-sufficiency in many staples, including rice.

According to him, fertilizer blending plants in the country have increased astronomically from 10 in 2015 to 142 today, the number of rice mills in the country has increased markedly from 10 in 2015 to 80 today.

“Little wonder that Nigeria, which was the number one export destination for rice in 2014, according to Thai authorities, is now ranked as number 79! This is why we cannot understand the campaign promise of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to throw open our borders if elected, because this will simply reverse all the gains of the past seven years plus.

“But for Mr. President’s insistence that Nigeria should produce what it consumes and consume what it produces, it would have been doubly difficult for our country to survive during the global lockdown because of Covid-19,” he said.

He also said the Buhari Administration is leaving a legacy of a revamped security sector, in the face of unprecedented security challenges in the country.

He said: “Today, the Nigerian military is being restored to its glorious past, thanks to Mr. President’s foresight and doggedness in re-equipping the various services.

Read Also: Buhari urges Adamawa people to vote for Tinubu for posterity

“And this has made it possible for the military to tackle insurgency and all other security challenges facing the country. As you can now see, this military has been recording success after success.

“Compare this with those who literally passed a vote of no confidence in our military by bringing in mercenaries to fight insurgency. Not only that, they looted dry all the funds earmarked to buy arms and ammunition for the military.

“Some of the alleged looters said they spent billions just praying against Boko Haram!

“The Nigerian military, which has excelled in global peacekeeping operations since 1960 and has sacrificed a lot to keep our country united, has regained its respect and influence.

“Ditto the Nigeria Police, which is steadily being repositioned to be efficient and well-motivated, and to improve its capacity to face modern day security challenges.

“As the Honourable Minister of Police Affairs told us here last month, the Nigeria Police now has a state-of-the-art National Command and Control Centre.

“This is unprecedented. Other security agencies have not been left behind in the area of capacity enhancement through training and modernization of equipment.”

Mohammed said the Buhari Administration is equally leaving a legacy of inclusiveness, especially in the areas of infrastructure and social development.

He noted there is no state in the country that is not witnessing at least a road, or a bridge or a housing project. None!

He said the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning has also told Nigerians how Mr. President approved tranches upon tranches of funds to states, irrespective of their party affiliation, to enable them meet their obligations to the people.

“We dare any part of this country to say that it has not benefitted from the programmes of the Buhari Administration in one way or another and we will happily counter that with verifiable evidence,” he said.

The minister said the Buhari Administration is leaving a legacy of leapfrogging Nigeria into the digital era.

He noted that President Buhari has signed into law the Startup Bill to make Nigeria a global hub for digital talent and investment.

President Mohammadu Buhari has commissioned the International Cargo Airport in Damaturu, Yobe State capital.

The President, who landed at the International Cargo Airport at about 2.46 pm, was received by Governor Mai Mala Buni and his Borno State counterpart, Governor Babagana Zulum.

Senate President Ahmed Lawan, the Minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, the former governor of Yobe Ibrahim Gaidam, members of the Yobe State executive council, and the Speaker Yobe State House of Assembly welcomed the President.

Read Also: Buhari commissions school projects as Omo-Agege grants scholarships in Delta

All the service chiefs, the Minister of Police Affairs, Mohammed Dingyadi, and Inspector General Usman Alkali Baba were also present at the airport.

The airport is named after the President.

He is expected to sleep over in Yobe for the APC presidential campaign on Tuesday.

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the reconstitution of the Board of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

He has also approved the appointment of some new members and the reappointment of some existing members to the Board.

NDIC operates a four-year semester system for its Board. 

The last appointment was made on December 9, 2018.

A statement from the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning said the new appointments and reappointments had become necessary “to avoid vacuum”.

The new appointees are Dr. Abdulhakeem Mobolaji Abdullateef, (Chairman) from Southwest sone; Prof. Osita Ogbu, from Southeast Zone; Umar Gambo Jibrin from Northcentral Zone; Mohammed Attahiru Haruna from Northeast Zone; Yasmin Zabath Dalhatu from Northwest zone; Simon Ogie from Southsouth Zone; Abimbola Olashore Southwest Zone.

Those representing their institutions on the NDIC Board are: Muhammed Ali, Director Home Finance, member (Rep of Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning); Haruna B. Mustapha, Director Banking Supervision Department, member (Rep of Central Bank of Nigeria).

Read Also: NDIC backing AfCFTA, says MD

The reappointed members are: Bello Hassan, Managing Director; Mustapha M. Ibrahim, Executive Director Operations; and Mrs. Emily Osuji, Executive Director Corporate Services.

Dr  Abdullateef, a lawyer, previously served as Member, Lagos State House of Assembly Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II, before he was appointed Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Political and Legislative Powers, then later as Commissioner for Home Affairs, Lagos State government. 

He is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and holds LLB and LLM degrees from the University of Lagos and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the Business School, Netherlands. 

He completed his Ph.D at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. 

Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, on Monday said his administration will banish hunger if he wins the presidential election.

He spoke in Yola as his campaign train stormed Adamawa State.

Read Also: Thugs attack Tinubu/Shettima campaign office in Ilesa

He said: “Whatever they did in Poverty Development Party; you know their name: Poverty Development Party, we will replace them with joy, prosperity, happiness and employment.”

He added that his government would be people-focused, saying: “Expect that we will engage you properly. 

“We will get you employed. We will pay attention to your needs.”

Details shortly…

The rehabilitation of 60,000 barrels per day Port Harcourt refinery has been completed and will begin production by the first quarter of 2023.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, said this at the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration Scorecard (2015 – 2023) in Abuja.

“The rehabilitation of the 60,000 barrels per day is completed and it is going to be started in the first quarter,” he said.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Group Chief  Executive Officer, Mallam Mele Kyari, explained that it was not practicable to start production in the last quarter of 2022 as promised.

Kyari noted that rehabilitation of refineries takes 42 months from the date of signing its contract.

According to him, since the rehabilitation is done in phases, the plan was to complete the activities by the last quarter of 2022 but it was not achievable.

The NNPC boss, however, said the process was on course.

Read Also: ‘Resumption of PH refinery will reduce pump price’

Kyari said: “The total rehabilitation of the refinery will take 42 months from the date of the award of the contract.

“And typical of every refinery rehabilitation, we do them in phases and we promised to start the polyplastic 60,000 barrels per day and complete the activity by the last quarter of 2022.

“But it was not practicable. But we will start it up in the first quarter of 2023. 

“Otherwise, every other process is going on.”

According to Sylva, Dangote Refinery in which the NNPCL holds 20 per cent shares, Waltersmith 30 per cent shares and Duport 30 per cent will come on stream this year.

He noted that their commencement of production will be the end of the importation of petroleum products into Nigeria.

The minister also revealed that Dangote Refinery has already concluded its sourcing of feedstock (crude oil) with NNPCL but the modular refineries were still negotiating their contracts for the stock in the bid to begin refining. 

He explained that the private refineries that have been completed need to have a feedstock guarantee for them to commence production.

Sylva added that by next month, the contracting process would have been completed for them to start production.

On petrol subsidy, the minister noted it is no longer sustainable for the Federal Government to keep paying the subsidy support.

Asked whether the fund that was so far spent on payment of subsidy would not have been enough to build new refineries, he said perhaps when the subsidy support is removed, the government could channel the fund into infrastructure development such as the building of a new refinery.

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi has arrived in Yola, Adamawa State for the APC presidential campaign.