The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BUHARI

  • Corruption, biggest obstacle to Nigeria development

    Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi has described corruption as the biggest obstacle to the nation’s development, saying President Buhari remain the only antidote for corruption in the country.

    Speaking at his investiture as Patron of the Women for Buhari and Osibanjo, Lulu said he will join in mobilizing support for the second term bid of the President whom he said has been a blessing to the nation.

    The formal NFF Boss hailed President Buhari for sanitizing the nation and the great efforts he has been making in addressing corruption which he said has been the greatest impediment to the development of the country.

    Read Also: As NFF faces the future

    He said: “Before the coming to power of Buhari, Nigeria used to be seen as money-laundering, pariah nation. But today, the story is different, as Buhari is the first leader to really tackle corruption headlong, and the task has not been easy.

    “In all my years on earth I have not seen a leader who has fought corruption like Buhari. There is no doubt that God has ordained him to lead Nigeria and no human being can change this.”

    He scored President Buhari high on security, adding that without him coming to office Boko Haram insurgents would have taken control of the larger part of the country, especially the North. He scored Buhari and his team more than 90 per-cent and urged Nigerians from all walks of life to rally round Buhari and his deputy in the 2019 elections.

    Leader of the Women for  Buhari and Osibanjo, Amb.Fatima Adams said they decided to confer the honour of a patron on Alhaji Lulu Abdullahi because of his track records in football administration, especially when he was the president of the Nigerian Football Federation from 2006-2010.

    She said Lulu’ s transparency in the administration of the place, as well as his overall administrative qualities speak volume about his competence and eligibility, where he impacted on the people that came across him, especially those from his home state Kogi.

    Ambassador Adams said even since his leaving office, Alhaji Lulu Abdullahi has continued to conduct himself exemplarily, providing education and jobs for the poor and those in need. She said with Lulu’s appointment into President Buhari’s Support Group, he should bring his qualities to bear in ensuring that President Buhari is re-elected in 2019.

  • Minimum Wage: Buhari receives record of meetings

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday received meeting proceedings of the National Minimum Wage Negotiation Tripartite Committee from the organised labour.

    The document submitted to the President at the State House contained proceedings of all the meetings the Committee had including the resolution to have N30,000 as new minimum wage.

    It was also gathered that the Presidency had demanded for the proceedings of the negotiation team when labour embarked on strike immediately the Federal Government suspended sine die the negotiation meeting.

    It was gathered that the document also contained the resolution in which N30,000 was agreed as the proposed new minimum wage.

    Read Also: Pipeline explosion: Abia community records more death

    A reliable source said that the organised labour told the federal government to stop being the mouth piece of state governors in the negotiation.

    The NLC is threatening to embark on strike on the 6th of November if the issues are not resolved.

  • 2019: Buhari, Atiku dangle records, SGF at Southwest

    President Muhammadu Buhari is wooing southern leaders in a bid to strengthen his support base ahead of the 2019 poll.

    The Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO) is in talks with prominent southern leaders and groups, including Afenifere, Ohanaeze, Ijaw National Congress and Middle Belt Forum, it said yesterday.

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Atiku Abubakar is pleading with critics of his running mate Peter Obi’s choice to take it easy.

    Atiku is dangling before the Southwest two main items —restructuring and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) slot.

    Buhari’s campaigners are relying on the President’s records to fetch him support.

    BCO believes that Buhari’s second term will be in the best interest of the country because, said the organisation, he is poised to use the next four years to consolidate on the policies of his administration.

    The Director of Communication and Strategic Planning of the BCO, Mallam Gidado Ibrahim, in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, noted that the group had been touring the southern states “in the past few weeks”.

    According to him, the group’s meetings with southern leaders, including royal fathers, is to get them to re-examine the scorecard of the Buhari administration in the last three years, and realise that he has performed well, contrary to “the falsehood” being peddled by the opposition.

    Ibrahim  said: “First, we want to reach out to fellow leaders in the South and convince them to rally round Buhari and support him beyond boundaries.

    “If the President is allowed another four years to do what is needed to consolidate on what he has started, within a very short time, the situation will change in Nigeria.”

    According to Ibrahim, most of the North’s leaders are leading Buhari’s campaign for re-election because his performance, particularly in agric, and his economic diversification policy was yielding results for the economy.

    The group has visited the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III. “We reviewed President Buhari’s performance in the last three years. The royal father agreed with us that he has done creditably well, Ibrahim said.

    On why the meetings with the southern leaders had been going on secretly, he said: “The agenda of the meetings is not for public consumption. We have been meeting and it is not for me to announce the dates of the meetings and venue of the meetings for newspapers. It is not proper. When we circulate notice of meeting, it is for those who are involved only and not to those who are not part of the meeting”.

    On the consistent criticism of President Buhari by some opposition leaders, Ibrahim warned that the “divisive” politics being practised by certain politicians won’t benefit the country.

    He added: “Let me state here that some so-called opposition leaders should desist from attempts to draft Nigeria into unecessary national opposition and negative narratives on national events by their destructive criticism of President Buhari. Some groups have also appointed themselves as opposition. This is not the right thing to do.

    “President Buhari should be praised for fulfilling some of his campaign promises in sectors like security, war against corruption and the economy. He has even done much more in global politics. Nigeria is no more treated with disdain in the international community,” Ibrahim said.

    Over  200, 000 members of the Atiku Care Foundation  in the North-West Zone yesterday dumped the Foundation and collapsed into Arewa Media Group Organisation for Buhari 2019 Campaign. Their leader of  Alhaji Abdulmajid Danbiliki Commander.

    At a brief ceremony,  chairman of the amalgamated group under the auspices of Atku Care Foundation, Comrade Sanusi Ababai, said over seven affiliates of the Atiku Care Foundation supporters, decided to dump Atiku for Buhari because of unfulfilled promises.

    He said: “For several years now, we have been working hard for the development of Atiku Care Foundation. A lot of promises were made when we started.

    “They told us that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar needed a platform to reach out to the masses at the grassroot. We were committed because there were programmes from healthcare delivery, education, entrepreneurship, youth and women empowerment.”

    Ababai, former Director of Administration and Strategy in-charge of North-West for Atiku Care Foundation, said the group  has decided to pitch its tent with President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 re-election bid for his foresight and commitment to redeem Nigeria from the shackles of corruption and poverty.

    Worried by criticisms of the choice of ex-Governor Peter Obi as his running mate, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has initiated moves to pacify Southeast PDP governors.

    To set the tone for reconciliation, with PDP leaders in the Southeast, it was also learnt Atiku is said to have called Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

    Further talks with Southeast leaders will begin when Atiku returns from vacation this week.

    It was gathered that Atiku limited his consultation on the choice of Obi to stave off pressure and reduce friction on his decision.

    There were indications that the PDP candidate might disband his personal campaign organisation to pave the way for the take-off of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC)  with Senate President Bukola Saraki as the Director-General.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, confirmed Atiku’s reconciliatory moves. He said: “What happened was that Atiku was not unilateral in picking Obi. There was really consultation but restricted to some national and PDP leaders to avoid the search degenerating to conflict in the South-East.

    “Following reactions from governors and PDP leaders in the Southeast, Atiku has started reaching out to them. In fact, he has put a call to Ekweremadu whose camp was more embittered.”

    Details of Atiku’s discussion with Ekweremadu remained unknown yesterday.

    “Atiku is returning from vacation this week and he will embark on more rapprochement talks with Southeast leaders.

    The Southeast leaders will want other issues addressed. They include:

    • reaching consensus on other posts to concede to the zone;
    • finding a meeting point with the zone on Atiku’s idea of restructuring;
    • the need to spend one term in office; and
    • ceding power to the Southeast in 2023

    A PDP leader in the Southeast said: “We need more discussion with Atiku on the fate of this zone. Between 1979 and 1983, the defunct National Party of Nigeria(NPN) conceded the vice presidential slot to the Southeast with the late Dr. Alex Ekwueme nominated as deputy to ex-President Shehu Shagari.

    “Within the same power sharing structure, the Southeast also produced the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who was Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke.

    “We want a concrete deal with Atiku beyond the choice of Peter Obi. We need to know his plans for us. What other things will the Southeast get, apart from being Vice President.”

    As at press time, there were indications that Atiku Campaign Organisation may be disbanded to give room for the Presidential Campaign Council headed by Saraki.

    “The PDP candidate is expected back in the country this week and one of his plans is to disband Atiku Campaign Organisation.”

    Also yesterday, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the Director General of the  Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation, said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) will go to the Southwest, should Atiku become president.

    Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State, broke the news at an interactive session with reporters in Lagos.

    The PDP initially zoned its national chairman to the Southwest, but  gave the job to Uche Secondus (Southsouth).

    Also, Atiku’s running mate, Mr Peter Obi, hails from the Southeast.

    “We need to understand that the candidate has control over who becomes his running mate during the election and who becomes the SGF if he wins.

    “The decisions on major offices are being given serious consideration and no zone or region will be marginalised.

    “The offices of Senate President and Speaker of the House of Reps will be decided after the polls and based on what plays out in both houses.

    “Aside major slots, I think what is paramount to the people of the Southwest is restructuring of the country, which Atiku is very serious about.

    “So the issue for the Southwest is not personality or slot issue per se because personalities come and go but restructuring Nigeria is significant and more symbolic than zoned offices,” he said.

    On Atiku’s manifesto, Daniel said that it would be published as soon as the campaigns kick off.

    The PDP said its Presidential candidate was set to revamp the economy through the creation of qualitative employment for the youths.

    The party gave the assurance in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan on Sunday in Abuja.

    The party added that Atiku would implement the political and economic restructuring of the nation in a manner that would engender unity, inclusiveness in governance and uplift the general standard of living for all.

    Ologbondiyan added: ”Atiku will open a system-wide fight against corruption as soon as he is elected into office by strengthening the institutions empowered by our laws to do their jobs.

    ”He will do this while he also concentrates on the onerous duty of governance and rescuing our people from hunger, starvation, bloodlettings and wanton killings.’’

    Ologbondiyan assured that rebranded PDP would ensure that all those looting the national treasury, would definitely face the wrath of the law and go to jail.

    He added that Atiku administration would not only fight poverty but will also uncompromisingly fight corruption.”

     

  • Buhari, CJN, governors, others mourn ex-CJN Kutigi

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday commiserated with the judiciary family following the death of one-time Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Idris Legbo Kutigi.

    Flags in the judicial arm of government are flying at half mast as directed by CJN Walter Onnoghen. A seven-day mourning period has also been declared.

    Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello and Inspector Genral of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris, extoled the virtues of the departed ex-CJN

    Justice Kutigi (CJN Jan. 30, 2007 to Dec. 30 2009) died on Saturday in London at the age of 78. He would have been 79 later in the year having been born on December 31, 1939 in his hometown Kutigi, Niger State.

    His eldest son, Sani, who confirmed his death, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna that “We are making arrangements to transport our father back for burial.”

    The late Kutigi left behind 18 children and over 40 grandchildren.

    He served as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State until 1976, when he was appointed High Court judge.

    Kutigi served in that position for more than a decade and joined the Supreme Court in 1992.

    After 10 years at the Supreme Court, former President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him  to succeed Justice Salihu Alfa Belgore, who retired on January 17, 2007.

    President Buhari in a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina commiserated with members of the judiciary and legal profession.

    The president also condoled with the government and people of Niger State on the death of the eminent jurist.

    The President said the late CJN will be long remembered and honoured for his visionary roles and contributions in the advances our country has made towards building a strong, independent and impartial judiciary, which is sine qua non for democracy to thrive.

    He also believed that Kutigi’s “bold and articulate judicial decisions, advocacies on access to justice for all and protection of judicial independence are extant signposts for the advancement of the noble profession in the country and beyond.”

    In a message by Onnoghen’s media aide Awassam Bassey, the CJN said he received with sadness the death of one ofhis predecessors: “The CJN, on behalf of the Nigerian Judiciary and, indeed, all Nigerians, commiserates with the family of the deceased former CJN and urges them to take solace in the fact that their patriarch lived to the fullness of age and served his country diligently, rising to become the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the highest office in the third arm of government.

    “As a mark of deserved honour to the deceased jurist, the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria has directed that the Nigerian national flag in the premises of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the CJN’s official residence in the Three Arms Zone of Abuja, all Judiciary institutions including the National Judicial Council (NJC), the National Judicial Institute (NJI) and the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), as well as all Courts of Records in the country, should be flown at half-mast for a duration of seven days.

    “Similarly, the CJN has instructed the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court to open condolence registers at both foyers of the court to enable Honourable Justices of the court and other well-wishers to pay their last respects.”

    Governor Sani-Bello said the “late Justice Kutigi is uniquely endowed Nigerian, a man of integrity who has indeed paid his dues in the service of his country in particular and humanity in general.”

    IGP Idris in a condolence message said: “His death is a huge loss not only to Kutigi people, Bida Emirate, but also to Niger state and the nation as a whole.”

    The “late Kutigi was an elder statesman, an exemplary leader and a bridge builder who has contributed immensely to the peace and development of the country”.

    “Even after his tenure as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, he continued with all his good attributes of ensuring justice, peace, unity and progress of not only the state but the country at large.”

    According to the police chief, “the late Kutigi showed love to all and sundry, irrespective of their tribe, religious inclination and in spite of these, he was a Godly man who had the interest of his people at heart above any other thing.

    “The was a bridge builder, an amiable personality who is at home with his people, whose vacuum would be difficult to fill,” he added.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar yesterday mourned ex-Chief Justice of Nigeria Idris Kutigi.

    Also comiserating with the family of the late jurist are the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the PDP.

    Saraki described Kutigi as a “honourable jurist”” in a statement by Yusuph Olaniyonu, his spokesman.

    The ACF expressed gried while Atiku, in a statement by his media adviser Paul Ibe, said Kutigi showed a great capacity for leadership and broadminded disposition.”

  • Amosun dismisses alleged defection from APC after meeting with Buhari

    Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun has dismissed as mischief the insinuation that he had defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or planning to dump the party over political developments in the state.

    Amosun stated this when he fielded questions from State House correspondent of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Sunday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that prior to Sunday’s meeting with the president, Amosun had visited the presidential villa for over four times within the past three weeks where he met separately with the president and the Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo.

    The APC National Working Committee is believed to have forwarded the name of Prince Dapo Abiodun to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s governorship candidate in the 2019 general elections.

    Abiodun was declared winner of the Ogun State APC governorship primary by the APC NWC panel sent to conduct the primary in the state.

    This declaration was against Gov. Amosun’s preferred candidate, Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade, who was elected as the governorship candidate of the party in another primary conducted by the state’s APC officials.

    Amosun had allegedly accused some political interest group of `misinforming’ President Buhari about `political equation’ in Ogun.

    But, the governor pledged his political loyalty to the president and vowed to support his political ambition in 2019, saying, however, he would hand over the mantle of leadership to his preferred candidate, Adekunle Akinlade, in 2019.

    Amosun, who was accompanied on Sunday’s visit to the presidential villa by the Alake of Egbaland Oba Adedotun Gbadebo III and a former Minister, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo, renewed his allegiance to the APC.

    He said: “We will stick with (President Buhari) him. So, I want them to know that we are not going anywhere.

    “I’m going to be with the APC, we are in the APC and even after his second term, which by the grace of God and the support of all Nigerians he will win.’’

    Oba Gbadebo, who also spoke after the meeting, said his visit to President Buhari, whom he described as his boss in the army, was a routine one.

    Anisulowo, one-time minister of state for education, said the people of Ogun would vote massively for President Buhari and all APC candidates in 2019.

    “Ogun is very peaceful and is a very progressive state. Ogun is Baba Buhari’s state and we cannot allow anything to happen contrary to our wishes for him for his second term in office,’’ she said.(NAN)

  • Buhari, Amosun, Ogun leaders meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday met with a delegation of leaders from Ogun State at his official residence in the State House, Abuja.
    The governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun led the delegation to the Presidential Villa.
    This was disclosed on the Facebook account of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
    Among those at the meeting included the Alake of Egbaland and Chairman of Ogun State Council of Obas, Oba Aremu Gbadebo; the Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle; and former Minister of State for Education, Senator Iyabo Anisulowo.
    The meeting may not be unconnected with controversy over the 2019 state governorship primaries election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

  • Buhari expresses regret over pipelines explosion deaths

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has expressed regret over the unnecessary loss of lives and property as a result of the pipeline explosion in the Osisioma Ngwa community of Abia State on Friday morning. He sympathised with those who lost their loved ones.

    Preliminary reports by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) showed that the incident was not an accidental explosion, but a result of vandals who pilloried the pipelines to scoop the products.

    A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said that despite repeated warnings, the unscrupulous people have vandalised that particular pipeline 684 times in the last six months alone.

    He said “Each time the pipeline is repaired, they resume their activities, even collaborating with security agents, who are reported to have set up toll gates collecting fees from the vandals.

    “A fight broke out as a heist was going on and there was shooting, which is believed to have ignited Friday morning’s explosion, during which three security personnel also lost their lives.”

    Buhari urged communities and state governments that host oil pipelines to be more vigilant and rise to combat the challenge posed by pipeline vandalism.

    “The Enugu depot of the NNPC has been repaired and ready to function, but remains idle today because of the vandals.

  • Why God made Buhari President- Cleric

    Founder Solid Rock Kingdom Church in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Apostle John Okoriko, has said that President

    Muhammadu Buhari is God’s answer to outcries of Nigerians against the evil of corruption.

    At a press briefing marking his 70th birthday, Okoriko said at the weekend that God brought Buhari to power in 2015 to rid the country of corruption, which had ravaged the socio-economic and political lives of Nigerians.

    According to the cleric, the President’s integrity, passion and commitment to the fight against corruption earned him overwhelming victory in the 2015 presidential election.

    “I believe that President Muhammadu Buhari may not be the best, may not be the holiest but just because there was so much cry about corruption; that is why he picked corruption as his major campaign thrust,” the cleric said.

  • Buhari cautions against hate speeches

    •Book on Bénin Monarchy sold for N10m a copy

    President Muhammadu Buharihas called on traditional rulers to sensitise the people on the need to eschew violence and hate speeches, preach the message of peace and harmony, development, elimination of the use of drugs and substances, security and economic prosperity.

    He made the call at the book launch in Benin City on, “The Benin Monarchy: An Anthology of Bénin History,”which sold yesterday for N10m a copy for its limited edition copy.

    The book project coordinator, Chief OseniElamah, said only 50 copies of the limited edition copy of the book was printed.

    Chief Elamah, who spoke at the launch of the book and the second year anniversary of reign of the Bénin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, said the VIP edition of the book cost between N500,000 and N1m.

    Elamah explained that other categories of the book, such as the library and student edition, would soon be out.

    Speaking at the launch, Buhari, who was represented by the Secretary to the Federal Government, Boss Mustapha, described Benin Kingdom as a role model for other ethnic kingdoms and societies to follow.

    He assured that his administration would continue to encourage and ensure that our traditional institution continues to evolve with time while preserving the rich cultural heritage.

    His words, “Traditional rulers must continue to build bridges as is being exemplified today by the very good and outstanding relationship that exists between the Sultanate and the Kingdom of the Benin people.

    “They should continue to build bridges of love and mutual respect across the country; they must continue to stay abreast of changes in a digital world while jealously guiding and protecting the core social values, customs and traditions that distinguish our respective people.

    “We must also ask our citizens to resist money politics that can lead to under development in the long run. This administration will continue to deliver on our change mantra to provide security, fight corruption and improve the economy for the betterment of all Nigerians.

    “You as traditional rulers have herculean task to continue to instill an enduring part of our heritage as custodians of culture and tradition expectedly, our traditional rulers are closely linked with the grassroots and so understand the problems of our people more intimately. In our search for peace, orderliness and stability in our society, the traditional institutions must remain a veritable instrument in this regards”, the President said.

    Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sa’adAbubakar, said traditional rulers must continue to work hard to strengthen relationships across the country.

    The Sultan noted that traditional rulers need the support of the government to sensitise the people and cater for their welfare.

    His words, “We must preserve our history, we must tell the world that our history is not for others to tell us what our history. It is important we make history compulsory in schools because we must know who we are, where we came from and where we are going next.”

    National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, disclosed that he emerged National Chairman of the ruling APC after the Oba of Bénin prayed for him.

    Oshiomhole urged the Bénin Monarch to continue to be the bridge builder as he had shown that every Oba can act and consolidate on the huge tradition inherited from the forefathers.

    Chairman of the occasion and former Nigeria Head of State, Dr. Yakubu Gowon, noted that the story of Africa has always been told by others from their perspectives and for their own purposes.

    Dr. Gowon stated that much of the continent’s narrative has been a distorted picture.

    “I consider the book an aesthetic masterpiece and a treasure trove of unequalled insight into the history of the great Benin Kingdom. It is not just a piece of intellectual exertion worthy of high commendation, it presents to the rest of us a palpable challenge: a challenge to look back at the richness of our heritage and engender therefrom, a process of regeneration of those values and ideals that can only trigger the birth of new, progressive, people-centred, excellence-driven communities, nations, a new Africa!”, he said.

    Oba Ewuare II said he has used economic and diplomatic method as well as art and culture to empower the people.

    He commended the hard work of members of Board and contributors to the book, describing the book as “a great tribute to a great culture and a great people”.

     

  • Buhari condemns communal violence in Kaduna

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the latest communal violence which claimed 55 lives in Kasuwan Magani in Kaduna State.

    Reacting to the violent clashes, Buhari said the frequent resort to bloodshed by Nigerians over misunderstandings that can be resolved peacefully, is worrisome.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the president said, “No culture and religion support the disregard for the sanctity of life,” adding that “peaceful coexistence is necessary for the progress of any society and its wellbeing.”

    He noted that without communal harmony, the environment for the conduct of “our everyday businesses would be impossible to achieve.”

    The President explained that “violence cannot be an alternative to peace. On the contrary, reliance on violence leads to ultimate self-destruction. Violence is an ill wind that blows nobody any good. Embracing peace is a necessity,” he said.

    Commending the Kaduna State Government for its rapid response to the crisis, the president appealed to community leaders to engage in regular dialogue to nip imminent crisis in the bud, while admonishing the people to develop the spirit of tolerance and patience at all times.