The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abuja

  • FG unveils $300m home scheme

    FG unveils $300m home scheme

    The Federal Government has unveiled a $300 million World Bank loan facility to support new housing scheme known as the National Housing Finance Programme (NHFP).

    The initiative, according to the Deputy Director, Other Financial Institutions of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Adedeji Adesemoye is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme, designed to
    improve more access to financing housing projects in the country.

    Speaking at the unveiling yesterday in Abuja, he explained that the new structure was different from the National Housing Fund (NHF), stressing that it will encourage artisans, graduates and other low
    income earners to own personal homes with a guaranteed credit from the CBN.

    The International Development Association (IDA) loan is a credit facility with 40 years repayment period. Adesemoye added that interested individuals would get supports from nine accredited Micro-Finance Institutions (MFI) from across the country through the Mortgage Guarantee and Insurance component of the loan to fund their mortgages.

    His words: “It is designed to de-risk the sector through private partnership. We were opportuned to access an IDA facility which is a 40 years loan designed to assist in four different components. It is to help with a tier two capitals in NMRC. But for the institution to finance this kind of asset creation, we need to have institutions that will have access to a long-term debt capital.

    “So today, we are providing NMRC with a long term tier two capital. The total loan we got is $300m but $250m will be given to NMRC…. It’s a tier two capital, i.e a long-term debt with almost less than one per cent commission and interest charge.”

    Adesemoye said that the disbursement will be based on the performance of the loan, adding that about two tranches of the loan had been disbursed but left with four tranches.

    He noted that a mortgage guarantee and insurance scheme will be set up as well as housing microfinance system for the project.

    “Mortgage guarantee and insurance ought to address those who don’t have adequate equity. i.e young and elderly people who lack the 20 per cent required under the under-righting standard. So CBN designed the
    underwriting standard and hand it over to the NMRC.

    So we have completed the standard for the formal sector but we are currently working on that of the informal sector which is a larger part of Nigeria.

    “We are also working on non-interest mortgage underwriting standards for populations that want to get their mortgages through faith-based finance. These are all contributions of the CBN,” he added.

    Some of the participating microfinance banks include Lapo, Hazmal, Mpf, Ab, Wetland, Hasal, Fortis among others.

    In his remarks, the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele described the initiative as an opportunity to transit home tenants to owners to guaranteed access to mortgage finance.

    Emefiele, who was represented by Mrs. Tokunbo Martins admitted that the sector had been bedeviled with several challenges including long-term credit to guarantee the mortgage.

    However, she called for more awareness on the initiative to assist prospective house owners benefit from the programme.

  • MAMA G CELEBRATES NIGERIA’S UNITY AT ABUJA GLO MEGA MUSIC

    MAMA G CELEBRATES NIGERIA’S UNITY AT ABUJA GLO MEGA MUSIC

    AS the Glo Mega Music Nationwide Tour landed at the nation’s capital city, Nollywood diva, Patience Ozokwor, popularly known as ‘Mama G’ celebrated Nigeria’s unity.

    Mama G, who turned up at the Old Parade Ground, venue of the show, alongside two Nollywood veterans, Kanayo O. Kanayo and Richard Mofe-Damijo, RMD, hailed all the Ibos, Yorubas and Hausas in the hall. She ended her greetings uniquely, with a long shout of ‘Nigeria kwesuenu o’ which was roundly applauded by the crowd.

    “Your love is killing me and thank you for loving me so much,” Mama G said.

    “It is because of your love I keep doing what I am doing. I just want to thank Glo for doing this show for the people. Glo is made in Nigeria, for Nigeria and by Nigerians.”

    The show was anchored by the duo of Nollywood’s Mercy Johnson-Okojie and Juliet Ibrahim from Ghollywood. While Mercy displayed her dexterity on Konga drum, Juliet gyrated smoothly to Timaya’s track, Ukwu.

    The show kicked–off with Korede Bello performing Butterfly and Mungo Park which wowed the crowd. This was followed Reekado Banks who also gave an outstanding performance. Yemi Alade, the afro-pop queen, was next. With unique dancing styles, Yemi wowed the crowd with different tracks, including Pose, Ferrari, Charliee and others.

    The fun continued with the arrival of Douglas Jack Agwu popularly known as Runtown, who got the crowd dancing with Lagos to Kampala, Mad Over You, The Banger, Walahitalahi, Money Bag and Baby Answer You. After Runtown, Phyno turned the show to carnival with the crowd singing and dancing as he rendered different tracks including I Go Chop Your Dollars, So Far So Good, Financial Woman, Fada Fada and other hit tracks. He was followed by the Nabania master, Flavour, who took control of the stage, belting out one track after the other to the delight of the crowd.

    Next was Tuface Idibia, the veteran Nigerian Singer and songwriter whose appearance on the stage was roundly applauded. After entertaining the crowd, Tuface rounded off with the popular True Love track which got the crowd dancing. The show was rounded off by Olamide and P Square.

    One of the highlights of the show was the performance of 14-year old saxophonist, Trump Odi, who stole the show with perfect instrumental performance of Phynos’ popular track Fada Fada.

    Speaking after the show, a pharmacist, Kryim Angel, said, “what is most remarkable about this show is that unlike when show promoters will advertise big stars and will end up not bringing any, Globacom not only delivered but over delivered. I am not sure if I will ever see all these stars together like this.”

  • OMPALAN youths to north: Retrieve Igbo eviction notice

    OMPALAN youths to north: Retrieve Igbo eviction notice

    Youths of 19 Northern States under the platform of (Oil and Solid Minerals Producing Area Landlords Association of Nigeria (OMPALAN) have reacted to the quit notice  which Coalition of Northern Youths have given to Igbo, urging that they (northern youths) should retract the notice for peace to reign.

    The reaction was the outcome of the meeting that the association’s youths in the 19 Northern States held in Abuja.

    According to the Secretary,  OMPALAN National Youth Affairs Committee & Leader, Mr Steve Ogebe in a statement yesterday, the coalition has ignited a fire that it may not be able to put out.

    The statement said: “We want to use this medium to sound a note of warning to the belligerent and misguided youth elements fronting as ‘coalition of northern youths’ to retrieve their treasonable statement immediately and allow the sleeping dog to lie.

    “The unguided utterances by these belligerent and uninformed youth elements amount to ‘sowing the wind’ because they are unconsciously engaging in a macabre dance they may not finish.

    “It is an incontestable fact that sovereign Nigeria is bigger than the egocentric interest of any component part. Nigeria is one united and indivisible sovereign Country which must be jealously preserved and any attempt by disgruntled politicians to scuttle the nation’s hard-earned democracy will be met with very stiff resistance.

    ” It is to be noted that Nigerians have built solid bridges of peace across ethnic and religious divides over the years- cementing age-long fissures that were generated by ethnic and religious bigotry. Nigeria is far from 1966 – making the success of the ethnic war in 2017 very remote.

    “This means that an Igbo man will protect a northerner if threatened in the east and vice-versa.
    Mistakes have been made in the past by our political leaders and we cannot continue to live in the past as a progressive nation. Let us throw the bitter past into the trash can of history and forge ahead into the future as a people with a common destiny impelled by the rule of law.”

    The OMPALAN youths, however, called on the Igbo living in the north not to yield to the blackmail of disgruntled politicians who want to use them breach the law for a sudden change of government.

    They urged the citizenry to defend the nation’s democracy, stressing that all Nigerians have the right to reside in any part of the country.

    Continuing, the statement said that the ” Federal and State authorities should come out openly and resolutely to stop the open treasonable actions by some misguided youths working in concert with aggrieved politicians.

    “Our leaders should also look at the other side of the coin to appreciate the dire consequences of not acting proactively to nip in the bud a fast-growing danger that is progressively pushing the entire Country to the throes of anarchy.

    “The orchestrated action by the so-called coalition of northern youths can provoke a dangerous domino effect across the length and breath of sovereign Nigeria with the concomitant effect of plunging our beloved Country into an irreversible trauma if not confronted head-on with the seriousness it deserves.

    “Our political leaders must defend their oath of office and come out openly and resolutely to ‘kill’ the rampaging hydra-headed monster that is openly threatening national peace and stability before it ‘kills’ the whole Nigeria.

    “We also wish to use this medium to caution aggrieved ethnic nationalities in Nigeria to exercise maximum restraint and avoid unguided statements in order to sustain the polity. The two dominant religions of Islam and Christianity in Nigeria preach peace and tolerance.

    “True Christians and Moslems must, therefore, work cooperatively together to protect this sacred religious asset of peace and tolerance for the good of the nation. Nigerians must not succumb to the secessionist rhetoric of a mindless and ungodly cabal that is waging a spirited war to hang on perpetually to the levers of power in a vast multi-ethnic political entity.

    “Respect for the rule of law is sacrosanct and is the only guarantee of peace, progress and prosperity in secular Nigeria. Our unity in diversity is a rare asset that must be exploited positively to launch the Country on a lofty pedestal of international fame. Any action that will lead to civil war must be collectively and proactively nipped in the bud to save the Country from the bitter ravages of war.

    “Those who ‘sow the wind’ as the saying goes may be oblivious to the bitter consequences of reaping the ‘whirlwind’. The international community must not remain mute and bury their heads in the sand like the proverbial ostrich pretending that all is well while our shared institutional values are been threatened by religious bigots who metamorphose into terrorists at will and equally threaten their institutions. The whole civilised world must present a common front against any threats to enshrined democratic values.”

  • Sokoto releases N422m for payment of tuition

    Sokoto releases N422m for payment of tuition

    The Sokoto State Government, has released N422 million for the payment of tuition fees of its indigenes, studying at some local and foreign institutions.

    This information is contained in a statement signed by the Information Officer, Nura Maikwanci, Ministry of Higher Education and issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto on Friday.

    It said that students at Baze University, Abuja, got N118 million while N257 million was paid for the 2015/2016 academic session to students studying in various institutions in Sudan.

    In the same vein, the statement said N47 million was paid as tuition and upkeep allowance for students studying in Uganda.

    According to the statement, the gesture is in view of the State Government’s commitment to encourage the state indigenes to pursue higher education in various fields within and outside Nigeria.

    “It is imperative for the benefiting students to concentrate more on their studies; to justify the huge resources being expended on them by the government”.

  • DisCos promise to achieve metering soon

    DisCos promise to achieve metering soon

    • Say only MD customers are exempted from payment

    The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) promised to achieve metering of their customers sooner than later.

    It reiterated that only Maximum Demand customers are exempted from payment of electricity bills in absence of meters.

    The association that is an umbrella body of the 11 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) yesterday made the clarification in a statement.

    The statement reads in part: “the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) hereby provides clarification on the information contained in certain recent publications, on the notice issued by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, (NERC) on the metering of Maximum Demand (MD) customers.

    “The publications have, erroneously, stated that the requirement of non-payment of electricity obligations, in the absence of the customer not being provided with a meter, applies to all electricity consumers.  This is incorrect. For clarity, this requirement only applies to, and is specific to MD customers and not residential customers.

    “For further clarity, MD customers are commercial and industrial customers who consume high levels of electricity and contribute substantially to the revenues of Distribution Companies (DisCos). The consumption threshold for MD customers is 45KVA.The MD meters are connected on the 11Kv (High tension wire) electricity lines, mostly on dedicated transformers. The customers include heavy users of electricity like commercial business plazas, large firms, and small-scale industries among others.”

    “We recognise that significant interest in the NERC notice is directly linked to our customers’ requirement that they be metered. And rightly so. It is critically important that we state that there is no more interested party in the comprehensive metering of our electricity consumers than the DisCos.  And this is because we understand and fully appreciate the importance of the balance between electricity consumers tracking their consumption versus DisCos having a measure of electricity supplied to their customers, that metering brings. It is our hope and expectation that such metering will be achieved sooner rather than later.

    “While we continue to operate with the estimated billing methodology that is approved and mandated by NERC, we are working diligently towards addressing the metering obligations specified under our Performance Agreements with the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), as well as ensuring that we continue to be sensitive and responsive to the inadvertent challenges of estimated billing that our residential or non-MD customers are faced with.

    “Again, please note that the NERC directive ONLY applies to MD customers and not residential customers. NERC has made the clarification as well, which is available on their website and publicised.”

  • BPE to directors: Violate code, face EFCC, ICPC

    BPE to directors: Violate code, face EFCC, ICPC

    • Institutes code of ethics for alternate directors

    The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) is placing investigation, sanction, sack and wrath of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Crimes Commission (ICPC) ahead of its directors.

    A highly place reliable source at the Presidency, who made this disclosure to The Nation in Abuja on Wednesday, added that the sanctions are part of the measures to tackle corruption in the Code of Ethics that the new Director General of the Bureau, Mr Alex Okoh has instituted.

    Enforcement and compliance with the code of ethics by directors and alternate directors shall be part of the monitoring mandate of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) that the ICPC will inaugurate on Friday.

    According to the source, “the BPE has instituted a code of ethics for directors and alternate directors representing BPE on boards of privatised enterprises on behalf Federal Government of Nigeria.”

    It was however learnt that the code of ethics applies to the director sitting on the board of privatised enterprises in which the federal government has equity or interest and any such person that may be nominated to act as alternate director of the directors’ behalf.

    A document that The Nation stumbled on in Abuja said that “in the event that the director/alternate directors violate the terms of this code of ethics, the bureau shall impose appropriate disciplinary measures of impropriety as contained in S.14 of the BPE staff manual.

    This would be without prejudice to the penalties imposed under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act, 2004; and any other relevant laws.

    “In addition to sanctioning regime contained in Clause 14 of the BPE Staff Manual, the Director shall withdraw the nomination of  Alternate Director found culpable of violating this Code of Ethics.”

    The Director General had on assumption of office on April 21 said that his administration would also work to sustain the positive image of the Bureau while at the same time strive to change the negative perception held by some people about the BPE in the execution of its mandate.

    He promised to step up the post-privatization monitoring activities of the Bureau to ensure that owners of privatised enterprises live up to the covenants they signed with the Bureau so that Nigerians could derive maximum benefits from the privatised enterprises.

    The code of ethics for director/alternate directors that he has now instituted is that they (directors) “Report to the Bureau any concerns about unethical behaviour, actual or suspected fraud or violation of the Enterprise’s Code of Conduct Policy.

    “Act within his authority to protect the legitimate interest of the Enterprise, the FGN, Shareholders and its Employees.

    Where he has concerns about the running of the Enterprise or a proposed action, ensure that these are addressed by the Board and to the extent that they are not resolved, insist that the concerns are recorded in the minutes of the Board meeting.

    “Refrain from intruding in administrative issues that are the responsibility of the management of the Enterprise, except to monitor the results and ensure that procedures are consistent with Board Policy.

    “The Director/Alternate Directors shall ensure that their interaction with other Board members and representatives of the company before a Board meeting or a Board function are above board with no real or perceived indication of compromise on his part.

    ” The Director/Alternate Directors shall ensure that decisions on aspects that are provided for in the acquisition documents with the Bureau must be adhered to. Where there is the insistence of going against enshrined provisions in divestiture Agreements, the Director/Alternate Directors must insist on being recorded as disagreeing with the decision.

    The Director/Alternate Directors shall develop the ability to listen well, courage to speak up, patience and capability to ask the tough, probing but tactful questions in a way that doesn’t alienate others and that is helpful, not embarrassing, to the management of the Enterprise.

    “The Director/Alternate Directors shall ensure that critical matters that have come before the Board for consideration have first been filtered and considered by the relevant Sub-Committees.

    “The Director/Alternate Directors shall undertake the diligent analysis of all proposals placed before the Board and act with the level of skill expected from Directors.

    “The Director/Alternate Directors shall carry out their fiduciary obligations responsibly, that is, to take appropriate measures to ensure that the Board uses the Enterprises resources efficiently, economically and effectively, avoiding waste and extravagance; and

    “Attend the interaction forum for Board Members within the Bureau as a peer review tool and also a learning curve for future improvement.”

    It was, however, learnt that the tenure of an Alternate Director so designated by the Director shall be one year, subject to renewal for a maximum of one more year, at the discretion of the Director-General.

  • Court remands five men over robbery

    Court remands five men over robbery

    A Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, on Wednesday ordered the remand of five men, docked for alleged criminal conspiracy and robbery.

    The suspects: Gambo Hassan, 20, Awolu Abubakar, 26, Abdulahi Salisu, 21, Hassan Usman , 38, and Musa Bilyamina,28, were alleged to have robbed one Bosede Oludare.

    The defendants were alleged to have robbed their victim of items worth N3.5 million, and N1.3million cash.

    All the defendants denied committing the offence.

    The judge, Mr Umar Kagarko, ordered that the suspects be remanded in prison pending the conclusion of investigations into the matter and adjourned the case until July 31.

    He said that their bail application should come through motion by their counsel.

    Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr Umoh Inah, told the court that one Mrs Bosede Oludare of Life Camp reported the matter at Garki Police Station on June 8.

    Inah said that the case was reported through a security alert and a police patrol team deployed to the area tracked down the alleged gang of robbers.

    He said that the five suspected were all arrested while others were still at large.

    “During police investigations, it was discovered that items valued over N3.5million were stolen from the victim and N1.3million cash,’’ Inah said.

    The prosecutor said the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 97 and 298 of the Penal Code.

     

  • Senate raises alarm over rising spate of suicides

    Senate raises alarm over rising spate of suicides

    …Tinubu seeks urgent remedy

     

    The Senate Tuesday raised the alarm over the rising spate of suicides and suicide attempts in parts of the country.

    The upper chamber asked the ministries of health at federal and state levels to immediately embark on mental health sensitization and awareness campaign to tackle the problem.

    It also asked the health ministries at federal and state levels to set up free and accessible mental health stations in all government owned hospitals and clinics across the country.

    It urged Nigerians to look out for possible symptoms of unhappiness, depression and to seek professional help where necessary.

    The resolutions which were unanimously adopted followed a motion by Senator Oluremi Tinubu on the “Need to ensure affordable and accessible mental health care for Nigerians.”

    Senator Shehu Sani who seconded the motion said lamented that it is obvious that many Nigerian families can no longer cater for themselves.

    Senator Tinubu in her lead debate noted that the country was ranked 78th happiest nation in the world and 4th in Africa in the 2015 world happiness report.

    The Lagos Central lawmaker further said that the report published in March 2017 rated Nigeria as 95th happiest nation out of 155 countries.

    She expressed concern that suicide and its attendant causes namely-depression, social and economic problems, low self-esteem, traumatic experiences, physical and emotional abuse, substance abuse, bullying are not alien to Nigerians.

    She noted that societal ills, economic difficulty, crime rate which are prevalent in Nigeria are sufficient to send anyone over the edge.

    Senator Tinubu expressed sadness that in spite of the dominant presence of suicide catalysts, Nigerian’s mental health support system is barely existent.

    She said that access to mental health specialists is expensive and almost nearly out of reach of the poor and middle class.

    The effect, she said, is that ‘where pressure becomes overbearing for these persons, they attack people around them or attempt to take their own lives.”

    She said that Senate should be concerned that “the incidences of these suicides are made worse by lack of attention, and the belief that depression and other personality and mental disorders are the white man’s sickness and thus does not affect Nigerians.”

    Senator Tinubu said that it is sad to remember the case of Ariyo Taiwo who posted on Facebook, indicating that he had a few hours left to live.

    “Instead of his post being seen as a plea for help, comments in response mocked and encouraged him. He was said to have taken his life a few hour later,” she said.

    The lawmaker reminded his colleagues that the wellbeing of citizens is the primary duty of government.

    She reiterated the fact that accessibility of mental health care will also ensure that the teeming number of psychological and psychiatry graduates across the country can put their knowledge to use and be gainfully employed.

    Senator Sani (Kaduna Central” said that there is connection between the turbulent polity and the mental state of Nigerians and connection between economic inequality and health of Nigerians.

    Sani said that the thinking of the people is that if their situation cannot be addressed that alternative will be to take the law into their hands.

    Senator Jibrin Barau (Kano North) said that the economic hardship the country found itself is biting harder.

    Barau said that government must perform its functions of providing the welfare of the people.

    Senator Emmanuel Paulker on his part said that the bitterness in the country is very high.

    Paulker said that government at all levels, private sector and individuals should address the problems of the people.

    Attempt for the issue to be addressed at a public hearing was defeated.

     

  • NNPC raises gas power to 3,056MW

    NNPC raises gas power to 3,056MW

    Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said that the daily average national gas supply to gas power plants increased to 689mmscfd or the equivalent to power generation of 3,056mw. 
    Its Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu disclosed this in a statement.
    He said that the March 2017 edition of the monthly Financial and Operations Report of the Corporation, released yesterday in Abuja, said the average national daily gas production for the period stood at an impressive 226.918 billion cubic feet, bcf, which translates to over 7.319 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, mmscfd.
    The March 2017 figure is an improvement on the previous month’s record which stood at 582 mmscfd. The supply is also over 29 percent higher than the corresponding supply record for March 2016. 
    However, pipeline sabotage in the country increased from 49 downstream pipelines vandalised points in February 2017 to 94 in March 2017. This represents over 91 percent increase relative to the previous months despite Federal Government’s and the NNPC’s continuous engagement with the stakeholders. Nevertheless, there is a noticeable improvement compared to corresponding period of March 2016 which posted 259 cases. 
    Also, in the downstream sector, NNPC has in stock, a robust inland supply of over 1.2billion litres of petrol sufficient for more than 34 days forward consumption. On Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, and Aviation Turbine Kerosene, ATK, NNPC continued to import to supplement AGO local refining and the Central Bank has released foreign exchange to marketers to import AGO and ATK. 
    The report notes that the inaugurated 497.2 km System 2B petroleum pipeline network which was achieved within the period under review has helped the NNPC to sustain the gale of uninterrupted supply and distribution of products throughout the country. 
    Only recently the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, noted that the Corporation’s re-commissioned Mosimi and Kano depots had impacted positively on highways across the Country. 
    Dr. Baru had stated that the two depots had relieved the impacts of long haulage of petroleum products on the roads, saving the nation of serious environmental consequences of bridging to motorists, settlements along highways and the general ecosystem in the country. 
    The March 2017 NNPC monthly Financial and Operations Report is the 20th edition
  • FG begins door-to-door sharing of grains in IDP camps

    FG begins door-to-door sharing of grains in IDP camps

    …Osinbajo explains new food distribution plan

     

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday in Maiduguri unveiled a new and more effective distribution plan for delivering relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons in the North-East.

    The new plan differs from the undignified practice of forcing people to queue up for food.

    Under the new plan, which Prof. Osinbajo kicked-off at the Bakassi Camp, camp officials will now be demanded to deliver food items to the IDPs at their door-steps in exchange for a pre-issued voucher.

    Acting President Osinbajo, while unveiling the new strategy, said that the plan is part of the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari towards catering for the needs and welfare of IDPs in the North East region of the country.

    Osinbajo, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, said “We are incorporating the voucher system which do not only make the process of relief distribution transparent, it will improve our own data collection and our national capacity to plan for what will be a quarterly exercise.

    “As we restore and maintain security in the region, we must not lose sight of the need to provide social service, food, education, healthcare, shelter as well as resettlement and livelihood support.

    “Today, the Federal Government flags off what will be a quarterly grain distribution programme for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and by this, we are saying to our brothers and sisters in the Northeast that our country does not take their burdens lightly and we are not blind to their difficulties.

    “I am particularly pleased to say that the grains that we’ll be distributing, which comprise of Sorghum, Maize, Soya Beans, and Rice, are produced locally; they are produced here in Nigeria by our own farmers.

    “This has always been the vision of Mr. President for our country, to grow what we eat, and to eat what we grow and to use what we make. These grains have travelled from various locations across the country, from as far afield as Ibadan, and as close as Gombe; escorted and protected by the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Military and in some cases will be airlifted by the Nigeria Air Force.” he added

    He also said that the Federal Government would work closely with States to provide other assistance to the IDPs including health services.

    He commended the partnership support from international partners such as the UN, World Food Programme, NEMA, the Military, the Police, other security agencies and State Governments in the region.

    He also thanked neigbouring countries like Cameroon, Chad, Niger for their support in the joint fight against terrorism.

    “While great progress has been made, there is still a great deal more to do. The reward for hard work as they say is more hard work and we have shown that as a people, we are up to the task.” he said

    The Acting President, who on arrival paid a courtesy visit on the Shehu of Borno, Umar Abubakar Gabai Ibn El-Kanemi in his palace, told the traditional ruler and members of his Emirate Council that President Buhari sees the welfare of the IDPs as the responsibility of government.

    The Shehu of Borno thanked President Buhari for his commitment to the restoration of peace in the State and entire region.

    He noted the laudable efforts of the Buhari Presidency at recovering the kidnapped Chibok girls and attending to the welfare of IDPs across the region.

    Upon arrival in Maiduguri, the Acting President inspected the consignment of about 30,000 metric tonnes of the food items to be delivered across the region by 1,032 trucks.

    The distribution is for affected persons in of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi and Gombe States.

    Prof Osinbajo during the visit also inspected some facilities such as the NEMA warehouse, the Bakassi IDP camp office and the premises of School A located within the camp.

    With the Acting President at the event were governors from the region, including Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, and Governor Bindow Jubrilla of Adamawa State. Yobe State Deputy Governor Abubakar Ali was also present alongside members of the National Assembly, members of the Federal Executive Council, Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, the National Security Adviser to the President, General Babagana Munguno, Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, and the Governor of Central Bank Godwin Emefiele.