The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu

  • BREAKING: Tinubu signs N2.17tr Supplementary Budget

    BREAKING: Tinubu signs N2.17tr Supplementary Budget

    President Bola Tinubu has just signed the N2.17 trillion 2023 Supplementary Budget, which was recently passed by the National Assembly.

    Signing the 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Act at the State House this afternoon, President Tinubu had the president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, in attendance.

    Others standing with the president at the brief signing ceremony, which was held in his office, included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; and Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji.

    Others at the signing were Senate Leader, Sen Opeyemi Bamidele; and the chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Sen Olamilakan Adeola.

    Details soon…

  • Ogun 2019: Oil magnate, Abiodun declares for governorship

    …Lauds, PMB, Tinubu on direct primary

     

     

    Oil magnate and entrepreneur, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has declared for the Ogun State governorship race, expressing the confidence that he would not only clinch the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial ticket, but also succeeds Governor Ibikunle Amosun on May 29, 2019.

    Abiodun who lauded President Muhammadu Buhari and APC national leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, for their position on direct primary as the right approach to select its candidates for electives offices, said he would focus on “mass centric” programmes and not “ones that cater for the elites or “have only visibility value,” if he emerges  as Governor in 2019.

    Read Also:Ogun 2019: Isiaka dumps PDP, cites intractable crisis as reason

    The APC chieftain and Real Estate investor, made this known to reporters in Iperu, his home town, Ogun State on Thursday evening while declaring his ambition to succeed Governor Amosun.

    He urged the Ogun State chapter of the APC to adopt direct primary system as the right approach for selecting governorship candidates, saying it remains the way to give party members the unfettered freedom to pick the right person from the pool of aspirants.

    According to him, the pronouncement of the party leaders like President Buhari and Tinubu – on direct primary as advocated by both, actually saves the party from further hemorrhage due to defection, since direct primary assured every party member equal chance of participation in the race in a fair and free level playing field, devoid of impositions.

    Abiodun assured that he has the intellectual capacity, experience, pedigree to govern the state and “raised the bar” because of veritable leadership and management skills garnered over the years from the private sector, adding that it would be “laughable” for anybody sit in a “corner of somewhere and appoints who should be Governor of Ogun State.”

     

  • Buhari: Historical books, service to humanity

    President Muhammadu Buhari, has described authorship of historical books as an act of rendering service to humanity. President Buhari said this on Saturday in Katsina, during the public presentation and launching of biographies of Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar and his predecessors.

    The President, who was represented by the Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Masari, said that writing of historical books had the capacity to promote mutual understanding and unity.

    “The authorship of books on history is an act of rendering service to humanity. “The more we write books, the more we understand ourselves and the more we unite.

    “What is important is that those who disagree in the history should also write their books,” he said.

    He stressed the need for Nigerians to work hard to sustain the unity of the country.

    Also speaking at the occasion, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, charged all Nigerians to embark on projects that would help strengthen the unity of the country.

    He described the attendance of different personalities at the event, irrespective of their religions and tribes as a sign of national unity.

    The Sultan, however, said, “I urge the books’ authors to adjust a few fallacies in the books as few chapter distorted history.’’

    The chief launcher of the books, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, also harped on unity of Nigeria.

    “What is dividing us is lack of understanding of history. Whether you are from West, South, North, nobody has control over what God has for our lives.

    “Whom I am, where I am coming from and where am going, my destiny, it is in the hands of God.

    “Our problem in Nigeria is not about poor economy, but lack of understanding of difficulties Nigerians are going through,’’ he said.

    Tinubu charged Nigerian leaders to preach peace and unity irrespective of their religions, tribes and geopolitical zones, saying: “There should be no tribal war; we must share boundaries, coexist and share economic issues with ourselves.’’

    Read Also: Buhari commends Adenuga for creating jobs in Nigerians

    The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, who chaired the event, said that he attended the event because of the relationship between the people of his constituency and the Gwandu Emirate.

    He stressed that he would continue to support any cause that would promote peace and unity of Nigeria.

    Saraki commended late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, for initiating the writing of books to foster understanding and knowledge in the country.

    “The books will further brighten the future of Nigerian youths,’’ he said.

    The newsmen reports that the event was attended by dignitaries from the National Assembly, Emirs from the northern part of the country and state governors from neighbouring countries of Benin and Niger Republics.

    The newsmen also reports that over N100 million was realised from the launching of the books.

    NAN

  • Buhari meets Tinubu, Saraki, Dogara, Yari, Oyegun in Aso Rock 

    Buhari meets Tinubu, Saraki, Dogara, Yari, Oyegun in Aso Rock 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met with some top leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the State House, Abuja.

    Those he met briefly with included the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

    Also at the meeting are the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari and the National Chairman of the APC, John Odigie-Oyegun.

    At the end of the meeting, they declined to speak on the purpose of the meeting.

    As soon as the meeting ended, the President and the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu also started another meeting around 3:28p.m

    The second meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

  • Guinean President: Buhari‘ll fight corruption

    Guinean President: Buhari‘ll fight corruption

    Guinea President Alpha Condé yesterday said President-elect Muhammadu Buhari has the qualities to make Africa proud.

    Conde, speaking after a private meeting with All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Lagos, described Buhari as an incorruptible leader who will confront corruption headlong.

    President Conde, who arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, at about 12.30pm was received by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande,  Lagos State Governor-elect Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode and others is in Nigeria for Buhari’s inauguration on Friday.

    He said: “At a time Nigeria was in the leadership of Africa. During that period, within the French speaking countries, Guinea was the leader of the countries working with Nigeria to end the crisis going on in the West African sub-region. With the election of Buhari, Africa will be more stable.

    “He is a straight forward person and will fight corruption. Just like him, I fought corruption in Guinea. I believe this will culminate in a relationship with Nigeria like we have in the past.

    “The relationship will offer opportunities to Nigeria businessmen and those in Guinea. They will visit Guinea to see the opportunities that abound in our country, but I came to Lagos to meet my brother here Tinubu before I meet with President Buhari.”

    The Guinean leader explained that before the election, the anxiety and uncertainty in Nigeria became a burden for Africa, noting that if the election had turned the other way it would have destabilised the continent.

    He said: “Before the elections in Nigeria, there was anxiety, fear and uncertainty over the land. It was the belief that the country will disintegrate. This is also drawn from the fact that Nigeria fought the Biafra war.

    “The war against Boko Haram was also there which Africa has to jointly fight. Boko Haram is not only Nigeria problem, it is African problem. We believe the African Union cannot make progress on the continent without assisting Nigeria to stop Boko Haram. The world believes that African leadership does not possess the power to end Boko Haram.

    “There was a decision made in Yaounde, Cameroun to intervene on the issue of Boko Haram. We are really happy with the result achieved so far. I want to use the opportunity to thank the people of Nigeria for their courage. The election in Nigeria is a victory for Africa. We are here to thank the people of Nigeria for the outcome of the elections.

    “We must also thank the leadership of the parties for their conduct during the elections. We also congratulate President Jonathan for accepting defeat just like President Abdoul Diouf of Senegal when he lost the elections.”

    Tinubu said the Guinean leader has demonstrated his love for the progress of Africa by adhering to the principle of democracy, noting that both countries would benefit in the political and economic opportunities of democratic governance.

    He said: “In fact, I’m honoured to host President Conde. Democracy is about freedom and opportunity. For him to come here and share in our joy for a democratic election and for electing a good leader, raised the hope of many Nigerians.  It is a great joy for us. He is an Africanist, Pan Africanist committed to African development, he is committed to democratic values and norms.

    “Without that commitment and the promise, he wouldn’t have been here. He can stay back home and enjoy his home. For him to come, we appreciate that; for him to believe and share that belief with us – that African renaissance must come with him in sharing of values with President Buhari and our own political party of which I am very proud of.

    “Africa must have its home grown strategy to build its own economy, we must form that synergy among African countries to develop itself, address open trade issue, address the conflict of fundamentalists, address the areas where you have problems, militantcy. What are the bottle necks? What are the problem areas? We have resolved in eliminating   it in order for our today to be better and live for a great continent of Africa.”

    “Africa should not continue to be a giant with elephantiasis in the economic world. We can compete. Africans are all over the world competing professionally in every sphere of life. It is lack of good leadership and political in stability that have hindered us in the past. Now we have that leader, we have those leaders and they are working together to share ideas and share vision. We will rescue Africa from destitution, poverty and ignorance and that is all that we are working hard for,” he said.

    Ambode expressed optimism that Lagos State and Guinea will consolidate on the existing relationship, to harness eachother’s tourism potential.

    “This is a great time he is coming to Nigeria. He came for the inauguration and decided to visit Lagos first. We thank you for that and welcome you to Lagos State. This is the time for us to take advantage of the commercial capital of Nigeria and ensure also that we are able to have strong partnership with the French speaking countries in the West Coast.”

     

     

     

    “We are willing and ready to open Lagos for greater business. We assure the President and people of Guinea that the next four years will be greater trade and commerce between Lagos and Guinea. We are willing to open investment office in Lagos and also in the West Coast to make sure we take advantage of the commerce here,” Ambode added.

     

  • Allegation against Tinubu unfounded, says group

    Allegation against Tinubu unfounded, says group

    A group of Lagos politicians, the New Justice Forum (NJF) has condemned the allegation by some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State that the party’s chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was planning to impose the governorship candidate ahead of the 2015 election.

    In a joint statement by Taiwo Ayedun and Folami Olatunji, the NJF noted that it was not unusual to hear such false allegations and insinuations during political seasons and election years.

    The statement said: “Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu is a true democrat and visionary leader. The decision for zoning of governorship candidate to Lagos East was agreed upon by all stakeholders in the party. We challenge those alleging that Asiwaju Tinubu is planning to impose a governorship candidate to provide the proof. He who alleges must prove.

    “What Asiwaju Tinubu said repeatedly is that development is not about religion. He added that governing Lagos State is about merit, competence and the ability of the candidate. Just like he governed Lagos and laid a solid foundation, upon which Governor Babatunde Fashola – another competent governor – built upon, the next governor of Lagos must also be competent and qualified.

    “Asiwaju Tinubu has also said on several occasions that the people of Lagos and the voters will decide who they want as governor when they go out to vote.” Ayedun said.

    The group warned those planning to destabilise the party’s steady progress in Lagos to desist.

    It stressed that nothing good would come out of such political ‘gangsterism’.

    “Lagosians and true party members will decide what is right for Lagos, not a group like this one will decide for them,” the statement said.

    The NJF hailed Asiwaju Tinubu for taking the lead to ensure that every competent person has a shot at elective positions in the party.

    It added: “Though the governorship (ticket) has been zoned, based on the internal arrangement of the party, all competent persons from the zone have a change to contest.

    “We want to recongnise the tireless effort of Asiwaju Tinubu in continuing to lead the party in Lagos and nationwide. His clarity of mind and singleness of purpose in this effort is commendable.

    “Asiwaju is currently pre-occupied with national assignments on the change agenda of the party and it will not be fair of any party member or group to embark on activities that are capable of distracting him from his heroic efforts for the nation.

    “We are also not unconscious of external infiltrations from the ruling party by sponsoring mischief makers to cause ripples in our party, a move that will be resisted by every power within our means.”