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Tag: Boss Mustapha

  • ‘Lack of moral values, bane of security challenges’

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, says Nigeria’s security challenges are largely due to lack of moral values especially among youths.

    Mustapha spoke at the 2nd Northern Christian Youth Economic and Political Summit 2018, with the theme: “The role of Christian youths in the promotion of peace and political stability in Nigeria” on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The SGF, who expressed sadness over the security situation in the country, urged youths to be the lead vanguards in restoring peace, security and stability by providing government with intelligence.

    He advised the youths to identify and report any threat to the public, adding that for the country to develop, it is the duty of all to protect citizens.

    What is pervasive today, according to Mustapha, is the desperate desire to get rich by most Nigerians, a situation he described as a bad omen and urged youths to shun greed, malice, deceit, envy, slander and arrogance.

    He tasked the youths to take charge of their lives and discover their divine destinies because they had the spirit of God in them.

    The Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, advised the youths to have a positive outlook in the face of the challenges confronting them and the country in order to contribute to national development.

    Read Also: Boss Mustapha visits Omisore in Ile-Ife

    Ogbeh said: “We should not base everything on hope without proper planning because God has given us the heart, mind and intelligence to seek the way forward.’’

    He called on them to trust God for everything and avoid using weapons of the oppressor because as youths they had the capacity to move Nigeria to a greater height and get global recognition.

    The minister advised them to be wary of the antics of politicians and not allow themselves to be used as thugs to realise their selfish ambitions.

    Ogbe further advised the youths to make more contributions to nation building and invest more on agriculture.

    In a goodwill message, Sen. Binta Garba (APC-Adamawa North) told the youths to take their place as the future and hope of Nigeria by overcoming the country’s many challenges, entrenching entrepreneurship and good leadership.

    “As youths, you can make Nigeria rise again; but this can only be achieved when we have true leaders who have what it takes to stir the ship and address the pains of the people,’’ Garba charged them.

  • You can’t sway S/East with false promises, PDP tells Buhari

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has told President Muhammadu Buhari that with the 2019 elections around the corner, he cannot sway the people of the Southeast with fake promises and false performance claims.
    The party accused the President of attempting to lure the South-East geo-political zone into supporting his second term, saying however, that the people have resolved not to follow any leader who can not deliver on his promises.

    In a statement on Thursday, spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been jittery.

    According to the main opposition party, the Southeast and other geo-political zones across board have expressed an overwhelming acceptance of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, due to his “proven competence, respect for equity and all-inclusiveness in governance”.

    The party said, “Instead of accepting his failure, which is manifest to all, President Buhari, who is reputed for not fulfilling campaign promises, is busy making a fresh list of fake promises to Nigerians.

    “In this desperation, Mr. President fails to understand that the people of the South East, just like other Nigerians, are too sophisticated to fall for gimmicks, false promises and ethnic politics, and as such cannot be swayed from their resolve to rally with Atiku Abubakar to rescue our nation from the shackles of misrule.

    “Nigerians have since seen through President Buhari’s bouquet of failures and fake promises, which in any case, cannot heal the wounds of marginalization, nepotism, inequity, disregard for federal character principle and harsh economic policies, including obnoxious foreign exchange regulations and heavy taxations of his administration, which are killing businesses and plunging families into extreme poverty.

    Read Also: 2019: PDP accuses APC of unholy alliance with police

    “Nigerians, including those in the South East, know that President Buhari does not keep promises. They know that he has not fulfilled any of the promises he made during the 2015 campaign. As such, they cannot fall to the same old trick ahead of the 2019 general election.

    “Moreover, President Buhari is yet to apologize to the Southeast and other geo-political zones over his administration’s indictment for human rights violations, extra-judicial killings, illegal arrests, arbitrary detention, torture and reported disappearances, as detailed in the reports by the United States Department of State, Amnesty International (AI) and Transparency International (TI).

    “Instead of clutching on straws and seeking to beguile Nigerians with fake promises, blame game and false performance indices, President Buhari should come to terms with the fact that there is no way Nigerians can change their minds about voting in Atiku Abubakar as his inevitable replacement come February, 2019”.

    Shortly after a meeting with Southeast governors at the presidential villa on Wednesday, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, had told newsmen that the Southeast stood a chance of getting the presidency in 2023 if they support President Buhari in the 2019 election.

  • 2019: ‘Supporting Buhari is South East surest route to Presidency’

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, on Wednesday said that the fastest and surest route for the South East to get to the Presidency in 2023 is to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s reelection bid in 2019.
    He spoke with State House correspondents after President Buhari’s meeting with the South East governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja
    Stressing that the South East people are integral part of the country, he said that they would be accorded their appropriate place in the scheme of things.
    According to him, the visit was remarkable and had corrected the impression that the Federal Government was not doing anything for the people of the zone.
    He said “We received very high powered delegation today (yesterday) led by the Deputy Senate President and three of their governors and a deputy governor with the DG of the forum of the Southeast governors and I think it is a remarkable visit because they came essentially to thank Mr. President over the major activities that have taken place in the Southeast.
    “They appreciate the fact that the second Niger Bridge was a paper issue in the last five, six decades. They are convinced that the decision to complete the Niger Bridge is real, contract has been awarded by this government for N206 billion of investment and the road networks and other things we are doing in the Southeast, it is a mark of appreciation for the leadership that President Muhammadu Buhari is providing for this country.

    Read Also: Fashola: why Southwest will re-elect Buhari

    “The Southeast is an integral part of this country, it must be accorded its appropriate place in the scheme of things and we believe strongly that this particular government has extended its hands of friendship to the South Eastern states and by the efforts that have been put in place to ensure infrastructural development and integration.
    “The visit is remarkable, often times, what we hear is that the government is not doing anything in the Southeast. We had the topmost leadership of the Southeast coming to say we thank you Mr. President for what you are doing everything in terms of investments that are coming to the Southeast substantially have come under the last three and half years of Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure. So it is a mark of appreciation.
    “So I believe that they are willing to cooperate with the government to ensure the development of their people and bringing prosperity, peace and tranquility in the area and every other thing that a good government must provide for its people, we are doing everything humanly possible to ensure that every nook and cranny is touched by this particular administration.”
    Asked if President Buhari solicited the votes of the South East during the meeting, he said, “This obviously might not be most appropriate time. You remember there was a programme in the Southeast where Mr. President asked me to represent him and I threw the kite by telling the Southeastern state that their quickest and easiest means to presidency is to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s second term.
    “Meaning that they can short circuit the period in terms of only having him there for another four years and whatever they do in 2019 will determine what will happen thereafter because politics is a game of numbers and it is like a cooperative society.
    “Whatever you bring as an investment when dividends are going to be shared, you will get proportionate with your investment and your investment in politics is what you bring to the table and I urge the Southeast to look at this matter seriously that every time we have a presidency in Nigeria, it is negotiated in several ways. Either negotiated by votes or what you bring to the table and you must negotiate from the position of strength.
    “You can’t negotiate from the point of weakness and I believe that that message resonated with the people and their response now is attributable to the fact that even before the flag-off of the campaigns, we have laid it bare on the table for Southeastern states to consider the prospect of working with us to ensure that at least by the time President Buhari finishes his second tenure, they can make a shot at the presidency depending on what they bring to the table.” he said

  • Jonathan, a true democrat – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja hailed his predecessor, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, for voluntarily conceding defeat at the 2015 general elections, describing him as a true democrat.

    Buhari poured the encomium at the launching of a book titled “My Transition Hours” by Jonathan amidst hundreds of guests from outside and across the country.

    Read Also:‘Former President Jonathan is an icon of democracy’

    Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, the president said Jonathan’s act of courage had made him a patriotic leader and earned popularity among Africans and other leaders.

    “You are a leader of the past, of now and of the future; you will rise again; I wish you the best you wish yourself,” Buhari said.

    He called on Nigerians to see elections as contests and should be done in free, fair and peaceful environment.

    He said Nigerians should eschew bitterness, bigotry, hate speech and “promote Nigeria for us and generation yet unborn.

    Jonathan, however, condemned any act of inducement of voters and vote buying during elections in the country, adding that the act was contrary to democratic norms and therefore, wrong.

    The event was graced by hundreds of prominent Nigerians, including former Heads of state Abdulsalam Abubakar, Yakubu Gowon, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and the PDP Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar.

    The APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, former Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, ex-PDP governors and many members of the political class, traditional rulers and members of the diplomatic corps also graced the event.

  • Atiku, Gowon, Abdulsalam attend Jonathan’s book launch

    Former heads of States, Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalam Abubakar and former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party,  Atiku Abubakar, are currently attending the book launch of former President, Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja.

    The book launch is taking place at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton hotel in Abuja.

    Read Also:Buhari to Jonathan at 61: You are an inspiration to youths

    Also present at the book launch are former President of Ghana, John Mahama, President of AfDB, Akinwumi Adesina and some governors elected under PDP.

    President Muhammadu Buhari is represented at the event by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

    Also present at the book launch are Federal and state legislatures elected under PDP.

    The book: “My transition Hours” gives an account of what happened in the build up to 2014 elections.

    Details shortly…

  • FG to improve remuneration for teachers, other workers

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said that a comprehensive policy for improved remuneration for teachers and all public servants is being developed.

    Buhari, represented by Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), said this at the 2018 Nigeria’s Annual Education Conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The president said that the remuneration policy would include genuine pension scheme.

    The conference has the theme, “Education for Self-Reliance: A System’s Approach to Education for the achievement of Education 2030 Agenda.”

    He said that the choice and timing of the theme was apt for the fact that Nigeria had dedicated itself to the implementation of the education 2030 agenda.

    “With the depression in the labour market, education should now be tailored towards the acquisition of skills and abilities that can make the individual a productive and self-reliant member of the society.”

    He said that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Education, had promoted Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

    Buhari added that government had also developed science and technology education policy for the realisation of TVET objectives and dreams.

    The president further stated that government had commenced the development of a policy on product innovation, exhibition and commercialisation.

    He noted that the development would create a window for advancing the outcomes of the national annual students’ skills competition towards practical utilisation and economic benefits.

    Buhari said that to reduce unemployment, poverty, hunger and violence, Nigerians must pay less attention to education for white collar jobs and embrace education for self-reliance, job and wealth creation.

    He said that the present administration had disbursed N42.2 billion Universal Basic Education (UBE) matching grant to 26 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and N851.5 million special education grants to 23 states.

    The president, while reiterating the importance of teacher education, said government had allocated funds for the Teacher Professional Development (TPD) programme to ensure that teachers were exposed to current education policies.

    He added that the Safe Schools Initiative, launched by the last administration, had also received a boost from the present administration in addressing security challenges in the North East and in other flashpoints nationwide. (NAN)

  • Buhari, COCIN Executives meet in Aso Rock 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met behind closed doors with the Executive Council of the Church of Christ in Nation (COCIN).

    The meeting started around 11.31 a.m at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.

    Read Also:Nigeria safer under Buhari than past govts, says minister

    Opening prayer was said by Rev. Dr. Obed Dachung.

    Among those at the meeting included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.

    Also in the Council chamber was the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung and Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong.

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

     

    Details Later…

  • I didn’t sue Presidency over ‘suspension’ – NHIS Chief

    National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Executive Secretary Professor Usman Yusuf on Thursday denied suing President Muhammadu Buhari or Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha over his “suspension”.

    He said he had accepted the directive to proceed on leave of absence from Monday and remains loyal to the President.

    According to him, he only went to court to seek interpretation of the NHIS Governing Council’s powers to suspend him two days before he got the letter asking him to proceed on leave of absence.

    He vowed to suspend the legal proceedings and not to interfere with the Independent Fact-Finding Panel set up by the Presidency.

    Yusuf, through his lawyer Mr Uche Val Obi (SAN), said the news that he took the Presidency to court over his purported suspension by the NHIS Governing Board was fake.

    Obi clarified that his client approached the Federal High Court through an originating summons filed on October 29, with NHIS, Minister of Health, and the Attorney-General as defendants.

    The SAN said Yusuf sought judicial interpretation and determination of questions on the propriety or otherwise of the Governing Council’s action in suspending him without Presidential approval or following due process of law.

    Obi said Yusuf also sought consequential order setting aside his suspension by the Council, including its appointment of a General Manager to act in his place during the period of the purported indefinite suspension.

    Obi said the suit was served on the defendants on October 30.

    The SAN said Yusuf received the letter from the office of the SGF on October 31 at 4.30 pm from the Minister of Health directing him to proceed on administrative leave on the President’s approval.

    “Having received the Presidential directives as conveyed in the SGF’s letter aforesaid, our client hereby confirms that he welcomes the Presidential intervention and remains obligated to fully and strictly comply with the directives.

    “He will accordingly be proceeding on administrative leave with effect from Monday, 5th November 2018 so as to give room to the Independent Fact-Finding Panel set up by the Federal Government to carry out its important task of investigating the allegations of infractions leveled against him by the Governing Council of the Scheme.

    “Similarly, our client wishes to pledge his continued loyalty to Mr. President and to fully cooperate with the incoming Overseeing Director, Mr. Ben Omogo, with whom him he has already met, and the Independent Fact-Finding Panel set up by the Presidency to deal with the matter.

    “In view of this development, to ensure that there is no interference with the work and finding of the Panel and as instructed by our client, we shall be taking prompt steps to suspend the pending legal proceedings aforesaid,” Obi said in a statement yesterday.

  • Suspended NHIS Boss drags Ministers, NHIS to court

    Professor Usman Yusuf, the embattled Executive Secretary, National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has dragged two ministers and NHIS to a Federal High Court in Abuja, challenging his suspension from office.

    In the suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1220/2018, Yusuf instituted legal action against the Honourable Minister of Health, and Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as well as the NHIS.

    The six-page summons was filed by Chief Uchechukwu Obi (SAN) of Alliance Law Firm, Abuja, on behalf of the plaintiff.

    According to the document made available to the News agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, the respondents are expected to cause appearance within 21 days after the service of the summons on them, inclusive of the day of service.

    The summons read in part thus: “The plaintiff prayed whether the Governing Council of the NHIS has the powers under the provision of the NHIS Act, particularly Sections 6 and 7 of the Act, to suspend or remove from office the plaintiff who was appointed by the President.

    “Whether the Governing Council of NHIS has the powers under the provision of NHIS Act to discipline the plaintiff or to investigate allegations made against him as purported by their internal memorandum dated Oct.19, 2018.

    “Whether the Hon. Minister of Health under the NHIS Act Section 47 of the Act is equipped with the statutory powers to authorise the suspension from office of the ES of NHIS without the approval of the President.

    “Whether the decision of the Governing Council to suspend the ES of the NHIS taken by 4 out of 11 members of the Council can be said to be a decision of the council in accordance with the NHIS Act.

    Read Also: Buhari orders NHIS boss to proceed on administrative leave

    “Whether the Governing Council can appoint the General Manager, Legal Department, or any other employee of the scheme to oversee the affairs of the scheme in acting capacity without the approval of the President,’’ among others.

    Yusuf therefore prayed the court to determine all the aforementioned questions in his favour and consequently sought for the following reliefs:

    “A declaration that the Governing Council of NHIS lacks powers under the provisions of the NHIS Act to suspend or remove the plaintiff who was appointed by the President for a five year term.

    “A declaration that the members of the council lacks the powers under the provision of the NHIS Act to discipline, or set up the machinery to discipline the plaintiff or investigate allegations made against him as purported by the internal memorandum dated October 19.

    “A declaration that the internal memorandum dated October 19 which was purportedly issued by the council and signed on their behalf by its Chairman in which it purported to have suspended the plaintiff as the ES of NHIS is ultra Vires, null and void and of no effect.

    “An order of court setting aside and cancelling the purported suspension of the plaintiff from office as the ES of NHIS.

    “An order of court reinstating the plaintiff as the ES of the NHIS.

    “An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their members, servants, employees, agents, officers or any person from disturbing, obstructing the plaintiff from carrying on his official duties as the ES of the NHIS,’’ among others.

    A copy of the summons was stamped received by the NHIS head office in Abuja on Oct. 30.

    The case is yet to be assigned for date for mention to be fixed.

    News Agency Of Nigeria recalls that Yusuf was first suspended by the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, on July 6, 2017, over alleged maladministration, but was recalled by the Presidency on Feb. 6, 2018.

    Again, the Governing Council of NHIS led by Mrs Ifenne Enyanatu, later slammed an indefinite suspension on Yusuf on Oct. 18 over similar allegations of fraud.

    The latest action prompted the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, to advise members of boards and governing councils at a retreat that they do not have powers to suspend or meet disciplinary actions on chief executives without recourse to due diligence.

    On Tuesday (Oct. 31), the Presidency asked Yusuf to proceed on administrative leave to allow unfettered investigations of the allegations leveled against him.

    It appointed Mr Ben Omogo, Director, Administration Office in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of Federation to oversee the affairs of the scheme.

    The government also instituted a 7-man panel led by Dr Hassan Bukar, and Mrs Jummai Idako from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation as Secretary, to probe and report their findings within two weeks for appropriate action.

  • Nigeria needs righteous people in political positions, says Boss Mustapha

     The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, on Saturday said for people to continue to rejoice, righteous people should be voted into political offices in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.  

    Youths, Mustapha said must get involved and be card carrying members of political parties of their choice to achieve the desired change for the development of the country. 

    He promised that on no account will he downplay the challenges confronting the country especially in the northern part and called  for drastic solution by all. 

    The SGF spoke at the Northern Christian Youth Economic and Political Summit, held in Abuja. 

    He suggested a more elaborate summit soon where President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet members especially from the Northern part of the country would be in attendance to discuss peace and the way forward.

    Nigerians, Mustapha said should reject the norm whereby on few people are enjoying what everyone should.

    ” Many people are becoming millionaires on a daily basis as a result of direct government intervention. And you have decided to segregate yourself. The government of Nigeria is for every Nigerian.

    “Once there is a government policy please take part in it. If you do not, the opportunity will go to a few people.”

    He urged Nigerians especially Christians to pray for God’s intervention in the current challenges facing the country. 

    His words: “This is the way to go. Youths should get involved with issues that are very important to our people. We are the ones that can cause the desired change in this nation. 

    “If we want to see people rejoicing in our land, the righteous must step out with actions and get into places of authority at different levels irrespective of party affiliation. If I have gotten the details of this meeting, I would have asked everybody in the cabinet of northern extraction to come here and brainstorm. We need to build a platform that would help push what we have received as a mandate from heaven to ensure good governance because it is very important what you are doing. 

    “I want to encourage you and begin to prepare for a bigger summit. There are challenges and I keep telling people that I do not want to downplay challenges that are confronting us particularly in the northern part of the country. We are the ones that have spiritual mandate to bring solution to these problems. And unless we abide, these challenges will count to deepen. It is my responsibility and yours to arise from our slumber and begin to take our rightful places. So that when we speak, we will be speaking the mind of God and his authority will be established in our lives. 

    Read Also: Boss Mustapha visits Omisore in Ile-Ife

    “What do we do to bring solutions to the challenges of our days? Irrespective of our political parties we must discuss the way forward. As the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (SGF) I have come a long way in politics, I have paid my dues. We must start where we are now. If you are not in any political party you cannot effect any change. Go and register in any political party of your choice. Be a card carrying member of a political party. There are responsibilities that are exercise by government and there are ones that are required of you. We are the wealthiest in terms of resources.”

    A former Aso Rock Chaplain during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, Professor Yusuf Obaje, expressed sadness dissatisfaction over the current security situation in the country. 

    Obaje, who is now the presidential candidate of Advance Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP), said: “I am not satisfied with the way this country is been governed. As someone that was there before and I have seen what God enabled us to do those years and then since then the situation has not improved.”

    On why he is contesting the presidency instead of given youths a chance, Obaje said:”I think there is a problem in understanding political leadership. There is no country that will say governance is only for the youth or governance is only for adults. A nation is not formed for elders alone or youths alone, they are all needed. We must be active. I will be agree that because there is massive failure let us let the elders out. I have been crying out that there is need for political education in this country especially for the youth.”

    The Chairman of Youth Wing Christian Association of Nigeria 19 Northern States and Abuja, Evangelist Musa Misal advised those who have not gotten their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for the 2019 elections to do so. 

    Misal urged youths to shun violence before, during and after the elections and actively participate in the electoral process as candidates and observers. 

    He called on all to unite irrespective of ethnic, religious and political differences to make the country a better place.