The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BUHARI

  • I am not ashamed to call Buhari my friend – Umahi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has said that he is not ashamed to call President Muhammadu Buhari his friend despite belonging to the opposition People Democratic Party (PDP).

    Umahi made the assertion on Friday night in Abakaliki during the quarterly media chat/ dinner as part of celebrations to mark the nation’s 58th anniversary and 22nd year of the state’s creation, noting that their relationship was beyond politics.

    The governor remarked that the State Government would name the one and half kilometres glass tunnel it is constructing after Buhari as it would be one of the best in the world.

    “I want to state that aside my wife, Buhari remains my only boss and should be respected by Nigerians because of his status as the president.

    “Buhari as the president, is the symbol of the country just as the governor’s are mini-presidents in their respective states.

    “The fact is that as a human being, he might not be doing everything correctly, but the citizens owe him prayers and understanding to lead the country aright.

    “I have said repeatedly that I don’t have to insult him to show that I am a PDP member and it is not my duty as a governor to insult the president.

    “This does not mean that I do not identify with the ideals of the PDP, but it must be stated that those who say they are supporting Buhari in Ebonyi are only deceiving the people,” he said.

    The governor noted that the opposition in the state was only interested in his job and not genuinely supporting the president, vowing not to allow them to take the position from him.

    “The northern senatorial zone of the state produced a governor who served for eight years; the central zone did the same and the southern zone where I hail from should be allowed to complete its eight-year tenure.

    “This is the tripod on which the state’s equity rests and even though a sitting governor wanted to truncate it, God brought a David in my person to ensure it was maintained and it will be maintained till the end,” he said.

    Umahi urged Nigerians to realise that power comes from God and to check the brazen quest for political offices which has brought several problems to the country.

    “Politicking has recklessly taken the centre stage in the nation’s affairs and if such is not checked for the next four years, it would be difficult for the country to handle its consequences.

    “The common man in the country just needs food on his table as politics has become a means of profiteering even from those who have nothing to offer to the people,” he said.

    The governor, who took time to enumerate his administration’s strides in the areas of infrastructure, agriculture, education, heath, human empowerment, among others, noted that his decision to modernise the state capital was irreversible.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that media practitioners from within and outside the state, took turns to ask several questions bordering on the state’ s existence and made general comments, at the occasion. (NAN)

  • Combatting corruption will free funds for Africa’s devt – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari affirmed on Friday in New York that checking the menace of corruption would create major funding for developmental programmes and projects for African countries.

    Buhari stated this while addressing a ‘High-Level Roundtable on Corruption, Migration, Bridging Africa’s Infrastructural Gap for Sustainable Development organised by New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)/Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Nigeria’.

    The President, at the event on the margins of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly, expressed regrets that huge amounts of funds were still being squirreled out of the continent.

    “It is still worrisome considering that billions of dollars, great talents and professionals are continually drained out of the continent through various corrupt activities thus causing poor investment inflows, undermining the rule of law, stifling trade, worsening macro-economic conditions and escalating level of poverty in our countries,” he said.

    The Nigerian leader declared that “these detestable practices are being perpetrated by some international collaborators hiding in secret jurisdictions”.

    He, however, expressed delight that “efforts are being made by African leaders to ensure greater transparency and accountability in government business, fostering regional integration as well as creating enabling environment for our youth”.

    Buhari stressed that “these efforts will remain unabated, as African leaders will remain unrelenting.

    “We must adopt laws, regulations and policies that encourage transparent financial transactions, youth and women’s empowerment programmes as well as establishing good infrastructural links among member states towards sanitising the continent of these ills,” he said.

    He described NEPAD as a strategic framework document designed for the “socio-economic development of Africa and a policy framework to address our economic and social challenges”.

    The president implored his colleagues to eradicate poverty, place African countries on a path of sustainable growth and development, and halt the marginalisation of Africa in the globalisation process.

    He also challenged them to enhance NEPAD’s full and beneficial integration into the global economy and accelerate the empowerment of women and youth.

    The Nigerian leader noted that the APRM was a flagship programme of NEPAD and a specialised Agency within the AU structure, and mainly “a self-monitoring and assessment tool for peer learning and enthronement of good governance on the continent.”

    He reminded his fellow African leaders “that Agenda 2063 is a strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the African continent over the next 50 years with a strong mandate on NEPAD and APRM”.

    Buhari urged them to “build on and seek the acceleration of the implementation of past and present continental initiatives for our growth and sustainable development.”

    He assured the gathering that, “African leaders are totally committed to delivering these developmental goals, namely, AU Agenda 2063 and 2030 SDGs in order to keep up with the international economic development”.

    The event was attended by former Under Secretary-General of the UN on Political Affairs, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Ministers and heads of agencies from Nigeria and across the continent. (NAN)

  • Buhari meets, congratulates first black man elected senator in Italy

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met and congratulated the first Black man and Nigerian, Mr Toni Iwobi, ever to be elected senator in Italy.

    Mr. Iwobi has domiciled in Italy for 41 years.

    Buhari, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, met Iwobi on the sidelines of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly in New York, long with a high-powered team from the Italian Senate.

    “My congratulations to you, and to Italy more,” President Buhari told Iwobi, who was elected in March this year, on platform of the far-right League Party.

    “It shows the advanced respect of Italians for human beings, in spite of colour. It’s very impressive.” he added

    The team from Italy discussed issues like illegal migration and how it can be curbed through investments in Africa, recharge of the Lake Chad via inter-basin water transfer, among others.

    “Africa doesn’t need charity, but collaboration to develop,” Senator Iwobi declared.

    Responding, President Buhari noted that what causes irregular migration from developing to developed countries include lack of security, education, health care, among others, stressing: “Climate change has had negative impact on a big country like Nigeria. That is why our youths often defy the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea, to try and get to Europe. It is a problem that needs to be solved.”

    The Italian Senate delegation plans to visit Nigeria soon.

  • 2019: Buhari assures Nigerians in diaspora

    * Says he will make a difference if he wins

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday told Nigerians living in America that if he wins the 2019 election and spent another four years in office, he will leave some difference in the office.

    He gave the assurance in a meeting with the Nigerian community in the United States of America on the margins of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly in New York.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President regretted that the elite allowed Nigeria to be mismanaged for 16 years of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rule, without as much as raising a voice in consternation.

    “They didn’t say a word,” President Buhari declared.

    He added “Under the PTF (Petroleum Trust Fund, of which he was Chairman), we did roads from Lagos to Abuja, to Onitsha, to Port Harcourt. Since then, the roads were not done, between 1999 and 2015, yet the elite did not say a word.

    Read Also: Osun Guber election: Buhari congratulates APC, Oyetola

    “I was called Baba Go Slow. Those who were going fast, where did they get to?

    “In 1983, military officers gathered, and made me Head of State. I packed the politicians into jail, told them they were guilty until they could prove their innocence. We seized what they had looted, but after I myself was put in detention, the politicians were given back what they had looted. How many elite complained about that?

    “Three times I contested elections; three times I went to court after the elections were rigged against me. No justice, but I said ‘God dey.’

    “It was mainly the ordinary people that stood by me. That is why I am always conscious of them. They are my constituency. Even pregnant women on the queue would fall into labour, go to have their babies, and still come back to vote for me. I will keep doing my best for the country.” he said

    The diaspora Nigerians, in their scores, are top flight professionals, drawn from fields like medicine, engineering, sports, the arts, investment, academia, politics, agriculture, transport, education, publishing, and many others.

    Most of them expressed the wish to come back home, and contribute to the change making a headway in Nigeria.

    The President replied them with “You are contributing to this great country (America). If you want to help back home, invest in education in your constituencies. If you educate people, they won’t then accept nonsense from anybody.”

    President Buhari said the administration he leads has by and large kept faith with its three key campaign promises; to secure the country, revive the economy and fight corruption.

    “I’ve tried to do my best since I came,” he stressed, adding: “Security-wise, we are better. Boko Haram still conducts cowardly attacks, but the insurgency is not the same as it used to be. They are terrorists, and have nothing to do with religion.

    “We will continue to deal with them. Ask people in the North-east, especially in Borno State, they will tell you they can sleep with two eyes closed now.” he said

    The parley was put together by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora Matters, and the Nigerian professionals were drawn from different parts of the United States and Canada. Representatives of USA chapters of Nigerians in the Diaspora Organisation (NIDO).

    They also presented awards to President Buhari in appreciation of his performance, urging him to do more.

  • Fed Govt ‘ll win war against corruption, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that the Federal Government is committed to winning the war against corruption in Nigeria.

    The President spoke in New York at the African Union High-Level Dialogue with the theme: “Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation.’’

    The president was unanimously endorsed by AU leaders in January to champion the commission’s theme for 2018.

    Buhari commended African leaders for the honour bestowed on him to champion the course of fighting corruption in Africa in 2018 and beyond.

    The president, however, urged African leaders to also remain committed to the fight against corruption to ensure rapid development of the continent.

    According to Buhari, Africa loses about 50 billion dollars to illicit financial flow annually.

    “Illicit financial flow out of the continent has become a major concern because of the scale of its negative effects on economic development and governance agenda.

    “Some of the effects of corruption include draining of foreign exchange reserves, reduction of tax revenue collection, poor investment inflow and escalation of poverty,” he said.

    He said that efforts were being made by African leaders to checkmate the illicit financial flow from the continent

    Buhari said that one of the measures necessary if Africa was to make headway in the fight against corruption, was to evolve laws and policies which encourage transparent financial transactions.

    He said that another measure was to ensure implementation of measures that would mitigate the incentive that facilitate the illegal outflow of funds from the continent.

    The president called on the leaders to organise African youth conferences against corruption in order to sensitise the youth on the fight against corruption

    He also called for the mobilisation of African Union member states to implement the convention on combating corruption.

    The president advocated the strengthening of the criminal justice system against corruption and boost exchange of information sharing best practices in the fight against corruption.

    The AU Chair person, Mousa Faki, commended Buhari for his resolve to fight corruption, stressing that it was not by accident that he was appointed to champion the campaign.

    Faki described corruption as a cancer that had eaten deep into the fabric of the continent.

    He said corruption and illicit financial flow had hindered investment and deterred the growth of the continent.

    “Corruption in all dimensions discourages investment flow, creates inequality, escalates poverty and increases public expenditure,” he said.

    Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibrahim Magu, warned looters of the country’s treasury to voluntarily return stolen funds and assets or face prosecution.

    Magu, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York, described corruption as “an evil that would not be tolerated.’’

    He said: “All of them (looters) should return all the looted funds and join us in the fight against corruption because it is important.

    “All of us have a responsibility in the fight against corruption, whether you are corrupt or not.

    “But my take is that they should return all the stolen funds and we can see what we can do.’’

    The anti-corruption chief, however, warned that if looters decide to remain adamant, the law would catch up with them.

    “We would prosecute them, we would get them, no matter how long it would take, we would get them; I’m telling you.

    “Corruption is an evil that affects all of us. So we should join hands to eradicate it,” he said.

    He also said that there was hope that Africa would win the war against corruption if there was collaboration among the anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies through “timely intelligence.”

  • Okorocha canvasses for Nwosu, Buhari

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to vote Uche Nwosu as the governor.

    The governor, who addressed APC faithful during a stakeholders’ meeting ahead of today’s primary, noted that Nwosu stands out among other aspirants as he is the only one who can win the governorship for the party.

    Okorocha admonished the people to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari to enable him “continue the good work he is doing for the country and her people”.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, said: “Uche Nwosu is the only aspirant who can easily win the governorship election for our party. And that is the reason aspirants in other parties are not only fighting him, but also assisting other aspirants in the APC to fight him.”

    The governor warned “professional politicians”, who want to disturb peace not to take his peaceful disposition for granted, saying those who wanted to create bad blood were the same people who called him and the party derogatory names when he brought the party to the  state.

    He also cautioned “those who do not believe in voting or victory through the ballot box, but believe in carrying ballot boxes”, that such acts have become old fashioned and must not be allowed in APC”.

    Okorocha advised members  to be peaceful during the primaries and avoid actions that could disrupt the exercises.

  • Buhari seeks World Bank, IMF, support on repatriation of stolen assets

    President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that he has enlisted the support of the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), world security agencies and friendly nations to locate, recover and assist in repatriating stolen assets.

    He made the revelation on Wednesday in New York as he called on Africans in the Diaspora to come up with suggestions on how to curtail the menace of corruption on the continent.

    Buhari was addressing participants at the High Level Media Launch on “Illicit Financial Flows and the Fight against Corruption: Curbing the Existence of Safe Havens, the Role of Africans in the Fight against Corruption,” organised by the NEPAD/APRM Nigeria on the sideline of the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, also enjoined them to support measures against “Safe Havens” for illicit financial outflows from Africa.

    He told the audience that he had “enlisted the support of multi-lateral institutions like the World Bank, IMF, Security Agencies, and friendly nations to locate and recover and help repatriate stolen assets.”

    Describing corruption as a “cancer” which required global efforts to contain, President Buhari recalled that the negative impact of corruption on the continent informed the “resolve of African Heads of State and Government to remain committed to the fight against corruption,” and the declaration of 2018, as the African year of combating corruption with the overriding theme: Winning the Fight Against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation.

    Expressing appreciation to his fellow African leaders for the honour bestowed on him as the African Union Anti–Corruption Champion to lead the continental War Against Corruption in 2018 and beyond, the President noted that the change agenda of his administration “has overhauled, revitalized as well as institutionalized the machinery for an out and out fight against corruption and its agents, with a particular focus on illicit financial flows.”

    Read Also: FG will win war against corruption – Buhari

    While acknowledging that the social and economic costs of corruption and illicit financial flows are massive, and have continued to stunt the development of Africa, he cited a 2015 study by an African Union Panel led by Thabo Mbeki which estimated US$50 Billion illicit financial flows out of the continent every year.

    He said, “According to the report, about US$2.5billion of the US$50billion of Illicit Financial Flows was in respect of commercial activities. It is obvious that the continent still battles with grand corruption at the highest level, with Safe Havens, opaque systems in many recipient countries and the outright willingness of some advanced countries to harbour stolen funds from Africa.”

    Listing some of the negative impact of illicit financial flows out of the continent to include draining of foreign exchange reserves, reduction of tax/revenue collection, poor investment inflows and escalation of poverty, the President noted that these “nefarious practices are being perpetrated by some of the 60 international tax havens and secret jurisdictions with thousands of disguised corporations, shell companies, anonymous trust accounts, fake charitable foundations, money laundering and transfer pricing mechanisms.”

    He said that efforts were now being made by African leaders to checkmate these ills and ensure greater transparency and accountability in government business.

    He said, “One of the measures necessary if we are to make any headway is to bring in laws, regulations and policies that encourage transparent financial transactions, as well as implementing measures that would mitigate the incentives that facilitate illegal outflows from the continent.”

    He recalled that during the January 2018 AU Summit, he pledged to “organise African Youth Congresses against Corruption, in order to sensitise and engage our youth in the fight against corruption; mobilise African Union Member States to implement African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption; and advocate for the strengthening of the criminal justice system across Africa through exchange of information and sharing best practices in the enforcement of anti-corruption laws.”

    On the measures taken at the domestic level to curb corruption in Nigeria, President Buhari said, a mechanism had been put in place “for budget implementation and monitoring as well as assessing the impact on the lives of the citizens.”

    Other measures he said include: “The Federal Government had successfully commenced implementation of a whistle blowing programme and so far tens of millions of Dollars have been recovered; as part of the global initiative, Nigeria has joined the open Government Partnership (OGP) having been committed in 14 areas which are categorized into four thematic areas as follows; Promoting fiscal transparency; Access to information under FOI Acts; Anti-Corruption and Asset disclosure and Citizens’ Engagement and Empowerment.

    “The above measures have not only assisted in alleviating fears of foreign investors, but have also attracted billions of Dollars in Portfolio investments since April, 2017.”

    President Buhari also noted that the “enforcement of the Bank Verification Number (BVN) has helped in no small measure to identify and curb the deep-rooted corrupt practices by looters of government revenue with multiple accounts.

    “In the first quarter of 2016, I embarked on trips to the Middle East to sensitize their governments on the need to return stolen assets and hand over the looters for trial in Nigeria. In January 2017, Nigeria and UAE signed judicial agreements on extradition, transfer of sentenced persons, and mutual legal assistance on criminal matters.

    “In March 2016, the Federal Government and the Swiss Government signed a letter of intent on the restitution of illegally acquired assets forfeited in Switzerland,” adding that under the agreement, the “Swiss government would repatriate $321 million USD illicitly acquired.”

    President Buhari affirmed that “machinery has also been set in motion for monitoring, assessing and reporting on the UN 2030 Goals on Sustainable Development.”

  • Buhari greets Pa Fasanmi, Awolowo on birthdays

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has greeted elder statesman and political stalwart Pa Ayorinde Fasanmi as he turns 93 years today.

    Buhari also congratulated  Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Export Promotion Council Segun Awolowo Jnr on his 55th birthday anniversary also holding today.

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina,  joined family members, friends and political associates of Fasanmi “in sharing in the joy of the moment, which has been heralded by the grace of good old age, the blessings of wisdom and unusual strength and interest in serving the nation”.

    He affirmed that Pa Fasanmi at 93 has demonstrated uncommon strength and wisdom enjoyed only by a few people of his age.

    He believed the elder statesman’s legacy of always seeking the good of the country and all Nigerians through sacrifice of personal interest, forthrightness, diligence and broadmindedness are benchmarks for upcoming political leaders.

    The President prayed that the almighty God would keep blessing Pa Fasanmi with longer life, good health and strength to keep serving the country.

    In a separate statement, Buhari joined the Awolowo family, friends and professional colleagues of the Chief Obafemi Awolowo scion in celebrating years of diligence, commitment and vision, which have culminated into exceptional leadership as he serves the country.

    The President congratulated the NEPC Executive Director for the strides taken and his efforts in repositioning the institution to drive down the philosophy of exploring non-oil markets outside the country, while encouraging inward growth of industries.

    Buhari prayed that God would grant Awolowo more years of good health, wisdom and strength to continue serving the country.

  • ‘Buhari made Amaechi campaign DG again to reward his hard work’

    The representative of Rivers East , Senator Andrew Uchendu, has described the reappointment of Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, as the director-general of Buhari/Osinbajo Re-election Campaign Organisation as a reward of excellence, hard work, commitment and loyalty by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Uchendu, who is the acting chairman, Senate Committee on Public Procurement, yesterday in Port Harcourt, through his media aide, Solomon Okocha, noted that the reappointment of the former Rivers governor showed the level of confidence Buhari had in Amaechi.

    Read also: Amaechi not responsible for Abe’s political woes – APC chieftain

    The senator said: “On behalf of the people of Rivers State, I am grateful to President Buhari for finding our son and leader, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, worthy of piloting the affairs of his re-election bid.

    “What I can deduce from Amaechi’s re-appointment is the fact that President Buhari is a man who rewards excellence, hardwork, commitment and loyalty. The President has spoken a thousand words with the singular act.’’

  • Buhari congratulates D’Tigress over second-straight win

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Nigeria’s women basketball team, D’Tigress, who recorded their second -straight win at the ongoing FIBA Women’s World Cup in Spain with a hard-fought 75-70 victory over Argentina.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the President’s congratulatory message is contained on his official twitter handle, @MBUHARI,  posted on Tuesday night.
    The President said the nation was proud of their performance so far in the competition.
    He said: “Congratulations to our women basketball team, D’Tigress, who today won their second game in the ongoing FIBA Women’s World Cup.
    “We are proud of you, and of what you have accomplished so far.”
    The keenly contested Nigeria – Argentina game, played at the San Cristobal de la Laguna, Tenerife, saw the Nigerian side take the first quarter  19 – 13.
    The Argentines, who before the match against Nigeria were defeated  in their first two games against  Turkey and Australia, showed some intent in the second quarter with a 16 – 13 edge over D’Tigress.
    However in the final quarter D’Tigress kept their nerve to win  24 – 22.(NAN)