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Tag: BUHARI

  • Onaiyekan prays against ‘bad advisers’ for Buhari

    With a piece of advice – that Nigerians should remain hopeful for a bright future – and prayers for the President, the May 29 inauguration activities began yesterday in Abuja.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo delivered the message of hope, saying “the future of our nation is bright”.

    Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese Cardinal John Onaiyekan prayed for President Buhari to:

    • be liberated from bad advisers and unhelpful associated; and to
    • see the wisdom in bringing onboard every segment of the nation for an improved sense of belonging

    Prof. Osinbajo and Cardinal Onaiyekan spoke during the 2019 Presidential Inauguration Interdenominational Church Service in Abuja.  The theme was “Setting the nation on higher levels of peace and development in the fear of God”.

    The Vice President maintained  that Christians are to take the lead in giving hope to others.

    He said: “Our days will be better and better. This is the reason I am so confident; our ministry is that of reconciliation.

    “We must not permit anyone to take advantage of the fault lines. Our country stands at the threshold of phenomenal greatness, the end of the story light and joy.

    “We begin with darkness and confusion but the end of our story is bright, the future of our nation is bright.”

    The message was delivered by the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan, representing the President of the Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop Augustine Akubeze.

    In a message titled: ”Let us choose life not death taken, from Deuteronomy 30:19, he pointed out that God has set before the nation light and darkness, but that Nigeria should choose light for peace and development.

    He thanked God that Nigeria has remained in peace despite the build up to the 2019 general elections.

    According to him, it is now time for all Nigerians to pool their efforts towards tackling the security and other challenges facing the nation.

    He also noted that it is not time to be pointing accusing fingers as this will not carry Nigeria far.

    Warning that the ranks of the poor were swelling in the land, Cardinal Onaiyekan said it had led to increased anger and criminality.

    But, in his view, “all hope is not lost; it is an opportunity for the country to change its ways, especially as God has blessed Nigeria with resources.”

    Nigerians, he said, must have a change of heart from the top to the bottom.

    He warned that Nigerians should be on guard against those who seek to manipulate religion for their selfish interests, saying they should not be allowed to destroy the nation.

    Noting that Nigeria has been dancing on the brink of chaos, Cardinal Onaiyekan spoke of the need for drastic change of government system.

    He said: “First, we have to thank God. It is the Christian thing to do in all circumstances (1 Timothy 2:1-2). We thank God that, despite much fears and anxieties, we have arrived at this stage in relative peace. The last elections have left behind thick clouds of acrimony that are still to clear. We are still waiting for the final verdict of the tribunals, on which we now rely, in all spirit of peaceful contest, guided by the rule of law.

    “We thank God who has led us thus far. This is no time for celebration of victory or for lamentation over defeat. Rather, it is time to pool efforts together, with the grace of God, to tackle the serious challenges before us.

    “At this moment, we would do well to acknowledge our failure to do things in the right way. Here the words of the psalmist should challenge each of us: “If you Oh Lord should mark our guilt, who would survive?

    “The blame game of pointing accusing fingers at others will not carry us far. For a positive change to take place, we must all be ready for a sincere change of heart, from the lowest to the highest, but especially at the highest levels. Empty boasts and bare-face denial of the realities around us cannot  build a nation.

    “We are in the house is God, and before God we must tell the truth. The Lord Jesus has told us that ‘The truth will make us free.’ The truth is that our nation is not in a state for us to rejoice.

    “The ranks of the poor are swelling by the day, hopeless and helpless, as they watch in frustration the affluence of the very few cruising in a different world. Such wide socio-economic disparity has led to anger, tension, violence and outright criminality in the land. All is not well.

    “But all is not lost either. As we embrace a new term of government, it should be for us a new opportunity to change ways and review habits of governance, for a better Nigeria. We can and we should do this. God has endowed us with adequate resources to achieve this, resources that we unfortunately turn into crises and problems. Ethnicity and religion are two cases in point.

    “In our emerging global world, we should be building on our long experience of living together across ethnic lines, if we are not to allow ourselves to be left behind in our fast developing modern world.

    “We are living in a world where many are abandoning faith in God, at great cost to humanity now and in the future. We do well to commend ourselves for our generally high level of religious fervor. But if this is to translate into a righteous nation, we must all seek the will of God for good human relations.

    “This cuts across our religious differences and affiliations. Religion is good, but not enough. It is useful, and can even be worse than useless. If it does not promote good human behaviour. (James 1: 27). We can not deceive God. We may, by our human failure, give religion a bad name. But God will always be the Holy and Righteous One.

    “Religion evokes  strong emotions that ought to be deployed for solving the ills of our nation, not compound them. Those who manipulate religion for their selfish political interest end up destroying religion and harming the nation.

    “Our constitution is not perfect. But it’s basic provisions about freedom of religion are valid and must be scrupulously respected by all, especially by those who control state instruments of corrosion.

    “The greatest of God’s gift to us, life itself, is in danger all over our land. Gunmen- and women – unknown and known – have been sowing death, destruction and misery almost everywhere. Property, well-being, harmony and peace are endangered by generalised insecurity.

    “Before God, this is the truth and not political propaganda mounted to discredit the government. The nation must be mobilised to join hands to face the disaster looming over all of us,” he said

    He added “Again, here we must tell the truth. For too long, we have been seeing what seems to be a  policy of polarisation of the nation along primordial fault lines of ethnicity and religion. The result is that we have been indulging in the risky game of ’dancing on the brink of chaos’.

    “We do not know for how long we can continue to get away with this. But the handwriting on the wall is quite clear for all who care to see. It is sad that no condition is permanent; certainly not the present state of our nation.

    “In this new term of office, there is need for a drastic change of government system, if our nation is to be saved from imminent chaos. The sad fact is that many have already lost all hope in the future of this nation. According to them, we are to get ready for the worst.

    “Frightful conspiracy theories are making the rounds in the social media., shaping and twisting the attitudes and minds of many people. In this situation, the serious warnings from well-intentioned wise elders should not be ignored, less still denigrated without due respect.

    “There are, we hope, many more people who still believe in our ability to build a united nation under God, and thus to realise the dream of our constitution. Doing nothing but complaining and pointing accusing fingers at others is to wait for the worst to happen.

    “The positive and responsible option is to stand up to be counted and get involved in building the nation of our dreams. The Lord has put before us a choice between death and life. He urges us to choose life, for our own good and for His greater glory.”

    Cardinal Onaiyekan prayed “for the wisdom and the courage to regain and strengthen our sense of national cohesion, in the midst of dangerous rumours of war and chaos, from within and from outside our national borders.”

    He said: “We pray that all those whose duty it is to keep us safe will do their duty, with no more excuses or compromises.

    “We pray for Mr President. May he live up to the Christian and Muslim principle that all authority and power belong to God, and must be exercised under his will. May he be liberated from bad advisers and unhelpful associates.

    “May he see the wisdom of bringing on board every segment of the nation., for an improved sense of belonging, without which the problems of the nation. Will not be successfully addressed. God has given us a beautiful nation and wonderful people. May he give us the wisdom and the good will to make a success of it.”

    Former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon urged Nigerians to continue to love the country and defend it in whatever way they could.

    The first scripture reading was taken by Justice John Isoho from Habakkuk 3:16-19

    The second scripture reading was taken from Revelations 4:1-11 by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

    Intercessory prayers were said for the nation, the President, Vice President, other executive members, the legislature, the judiciary and the unity of the church.

    There were also special renditions by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Mass Choir, the Nigerian Tenors, and NCCN Mass Choir.

    At the service were the wife of the Vice President, Dolapo, former Senate President Ken Nnamani and Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha.

    Also there were the Service Chiefs and other dignitaries.

  • Buhari salutes civil war veteran, Col Paul Ogbebor at 80

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated one of the pioneer cadets of Nigerian Defence Academy and a civil war veteran, Col Paul Osa Ogbebor, on his 80th birthday.

    Buhari, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, recognised his lofty contributions to nation building.

    He joined family members, friends and professional colleagues in celebrating Col. Ogbebor for his strong sense of patriotism, discipline and forthrightness, expressed in his serving the country as a military officer, and subsequently sustained in community building, manifestly in promoting peace and unity in the Niger Delta.

    The President commended the civil war veteran for publishing his memoirs as one of the pioneer cadets of the Nigerian Defence Academy and setting up a leadership centre that equips the younger generation with entrepreneurship skills.

    As he turns an octogenarian, President Buhari believed Col. Ogbebor’s discipline and wise counsels to leaders will continue to resonate, especially his position on a more collective fight against corruption.

     

     

  • Amosun has done well for himself, Ogun -Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday inaugurated several projects in Ogun State, saying Governor Ibikunle Amosun had done well for himself and the state. Buhari added that given the level projects executed in the state by the governor, it showed that he planned his exit from government. The President inaugurated the Ogun State Television (OGTV) ultramodern studio, the 250-bed multi-specialty tertiary Hospital at Oke-Mosan ; Adire Mall; Judicial Complex and  the 10,000-seater capacity Amphitheatre of the Abeokuta City Centre  – all in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.

    Buhari who arrived Abeokuta in a presidential chopper marked NAF 540, touched down at Archade Ground, State Secretariat, Oke – Mosan at 10:18am and was received by the quartet of Amosun, Governors Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos); Kayode Fayemi( Ekiti) and Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo). He described the projects otherwise called legacy projects as “first class,” and hailed Amosun for his performance in office.

    “I think he has prepared for this Governorship seat, he prepared himself for it, he has put infrastructure that will last. I congratulate you for having the foresight and saving enough resources to make sure that your footprint remains permanent, very clever person. Thank you very much. The infrastructure you took me through, the flyovers, the hospital and this complex [Judicial Complex], they are first class. I think you have done well for yourself and Ogun State,” Buhari remarked.

    He also congratulated Amosun on his election into the Senate, describing the Senate as an impartial arm of the government and expressed the confidence that he would get a full support from Amosun in the Senate. Dignitaries at the inauguration of some of the projects included the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole; the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; former legal Adviser of All Progressives Congress, Muiz Banire and some traditional rulers in the state.

    In his remarks, out-going Governor said the new 15-courtroom Judicial Complex would serve as the base or headquarters for the state High Court, replacing the existing High Court Complex in Isabo which is over forty years old. The Governor said the complex was designed to cater for both official functions and other contemporary needs of everyone working in the complex.

    He said: “There are adequate spaces for a clinic, restaurants, creche, drivers’ pool, warehouses and workshops. For us and for the good people of Ogun State, a great journey of eight years will come to an end at midnight of Tuesday 28th May, 2019. Even as we prepare to bow out of office, our desire to continue to contribute our quota to the socio-economic development of our dear State remains undiluted.”

     

  • ‘Buhari will not Islamize Nigeria’

    Religious leaders under the aegis Arewa Pastors Non-denominational Initiative for Peace on Saturday assured Christians that President Muhammadu Buhari will not islamize Nigeria. The assurance is in reaction to comments made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo accusing Buhari of trying to Islamize the entire country. National Chairman of Arewa non-denominational Initiative for Peace, Bishop Abu Richard while briefing newsmen on President Muhammadu Buhari’s pre swearing-in prayer meeting held in Abuja, said Buhari is not the cause of the killings in the country.

    Richard called on Nigerians both Christians and Muslims to continue to pray for a better government in the next four years of Buhari. The cleric who expressed sadness over the kidnappings and killings in the country, advised Buhari and security operatives to be proactive rather than reactive to avoid crisis. Richard, who is also the founder Warriors of Christ Cathedral in Port Harcourt, commended the gathering for their peaceful initiatives, humble disposition and commitment to national unity.

    “Muhammadu Buhari cannot Islamize Nigeria with the Vice President who is a Christian. President Buhari is not the cause of these killings. Most of these killings have been going on before he took over power. That is why we have fasted today and prayed that God should strengthen him.

  • ‘Buhari should make anti-graft fight development oriented’

    Senior Pastor of Praise Arena Lagos, Pastor Jummy Adetoyese- Olagunju has charged President Muhammadu Buhari to make the fight against corruption in the next four years, a developmental process that will include all strata of our national life.

    Olagunju spoke with our correspondent at the Super Praise Carol organised by the church at VGC, Lekki, Lagos.

    He attributed the reputation and popularity of Buhari to his stance against corruption dated back to over 30 years ago as a Head of State, which he described as highly commendable.

    But he said Nigerians backed out of the anti-corruption stance of Buhari the most he was ousted because it was not a developmental process that Nigerians across board could take ownership of.

    He warned the ongoing anti-graft battle might suffer the same fate except Buhari allows Nigerians to see it as their project.

    “A programme hardly outlives its initiator because successive administrations may not continue in that trajectory but when it is a process, it will outlive its initiator from generation to another.

    “President Buhari should bring his reputation to the surface and deliberately fashion out developmental plans of action that are geared toward promoting the values of orderliness, patience, honesty and selfless services at all levels of our educational institutions, market, private sector, and other relevant institutions in Nigeria,” he said.

    He added: “Let the anti-corruption development plan and processes starts from primary schools on their assembly grounds.

    “It should be sounded into their ears so that they will know that it is good to uphold good values and character for the progress of our country.”

    He restated corruption and indiscipline are hydra headed monsters that threaten good governance, sustainable development plans, economic growth, and public trust in Nigeria.

    Olagunju noted that corruption has been misconstrued to mean financial misappropriation, stating it extends to someone withholding salaries of workers, taking bribes, driving on one way traffic, child abuse, modern day slavery and moral laxity.

    He pointed out some western countries are winning the fight against corruption because they have succeeded in embedding the culture of discipline, honesty and integrity into their system.

    Such cultures, according to him, are adhered to by everyone irrespective of status or party affiliation while defaulters are punished according to the rule of law.

    The cleric lamented the dearth of quality leadership in the nation, stating people who offer themselves for leadership positions exploit collective divisions to drive their personal courses.

  • Diversity is Nigeria’s source of strength, says Buhari

    Nigeria’s diversity will remain a source of strength for the development of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday.

    He spoke in Abuja while receiving Letters of Credence from Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Shimon Ben-Shosan.

    The President, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina, said Nigeria and Israel have enjoyed cordial bilateral relations.

    He noted that many Nigerian Christians look forward to performing pilgrimage to the Holy Land in Israel.

    ‘‘I congratulate you on your appointment as Ambassador of Israel to Nigeria. Enjoy your stay in Nigeria and take time to go round to see the beauty and diversity of the country,’’ the President told the Israeli ambassador.

    The ambassador congratulated President Buhari on his re-election, thanking the Federal Government for extending an invitation to Israeli Prime Minister to attend the Democracy Day celebrations on June 12.

    The envoy said: ‘‘Next year will be 60 years of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and Israel, and the last time a Prime Minister of Israel visited Nigeria was in 1958.

    ‘‘My dream is to bring my Prime Minister and President to visit Nigeria and for President Buhari to visit Israel. That will be historic for us.’’

    Receiving the Letters of Credence of the Sierra Leonean High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Solomon Gembeh, President Buhari said that both countries have a strong and stable relationship borne out of shared history and decades of cooperation.

    President Buhari said he looked forward to continue working with President Julius Maada Bio to strengthen the relations between both countries, stressing that both countries shared a common historical background as former military Heads of State who later became civilian President.

    The President lauded the resilience of the Sierra Leonean people in overcoming the tragedy of the 2017 mudslide in the West African country.

    The Sierra Leonean High Commissioner thanked Nigeria for its steadfast brotherly support to his country, saying ‘‘during ECOMOG, Nigerian soldiers bled and died for us.

    ‘‘During the Ebola crisis, the mudslide, you have always been there for us. Nigeria has always been a big brother to us,’’ he said.

    Dr. Gembeh extended President Bio’s good wishes to President Buhari on his second-term in office, adding that his President is looking forward to attending the Democracy Day in Abuja on June 12.

  • Breaking: Buhari directs Ministers to hand over by May 28

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday directed all outgoing ministers to handover their portfolios on the 28th of May, 2019.

    He gave the directed during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) valedictory session at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Noting that the valedictory FEC meeting was the last for the outgoing cabinet before the inauguration of his second term on the 29th of May, he said they should continue working in their capacity till Tuesday 28th of May, 2019.

    Read Also: I’ll step up action against drug traffickers – Buhari

    Handover notes, he said, should be submitted to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

    The President noted that the ministers have served the nation well in their contributions in the past three and half years.

    All the 31 ministers in the Council chamber took turns to thank the President for finding them worthy of the appointment in the past three and half years.

    Details shortly…

  • Buhari congratulates Falcons

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Super Falcons for putting up a superlative performance which saw them emerge the 2019 WAFU Women’s Cup Champions, with an unbeaten record throughout the tournament, BSNSports.comng has reported.

    President Buhari commended the Falcons for their fighting spirit and resplendent skills evidenced in teamwork, discipline and focus, which enabled them to defeat the Ivorian Dame Elephantes at the finals of the championship.

    The President extolled all the officials and the management of the team, led by Thomas Dennerby, for their sacrifice, commitment and diligence in winning the championship.

    As the team prepares for the forthcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, President Buhari urged the officials and the players to stay focused and unleash the same zeal they exhibited to become the WAFU Women’s Cup Champions.

  • Why Buhari is committed to amnesty programme, by Dokubo

    Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs Prof. Charles Dokubo has said the Federal Government views the Amnesty Programme as a necessary and veritable tool to transform the hitherto restive oil rich region.

    This, he noted, informed President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to actualising the objectives of the programme.

    A statement by Dokubo’s media aide, Murphy Ganagana, said the coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) spoke in Abuja at a commemorative rally to mark the struggle for emancipation of the Niger Delta, spearheaded by the late Maj. Isaac Boro.

    The Boro Day is an annual event organised by the Ijaw in all states of the South-south and Abuja.

    Dokubo, described Boro as the first person to see the Niger Delta as a viable region, noted that the Amnesty Programme was a direct reflection of his desires for the Niger Delta people.

    He said: “We are here today because of a journey he started some years ago. What we do here is to symbolise the aspiration and ambition of Boro. Amnesty is a direct reflection of his desires for the Niger Delta people.

    “The Federal Government, under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, took up amnesty, not because it was a difficult task, but because it was a necessary task, and that is why this government is so committed to the Amnesty Programme. I have been around for just a year plus, and I have seen the desire of this government to ensure the amnesty programme survives, and the people of Niger Delta benefit from it.

    “After assuming office, I tried to open the doors of my office to every Niger Delta person; I did that because I know it is necessary and because we need equality of all Niger Delta people. There is no Niger Delta person that has come to my office and had gone back displeased.

    “What I want to do is de-emphasise dependence on N65,000 monthly stipends by beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme so that Niger Delta people can work, earn and also enjoy themselves….”

  • Falana urges Buhari to order release of 40 Nigerians from naval custody

    Activist lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to order the release of 40 Nigerians in detention of the Nigerian Navy.

    He said the detainees were held incommunicado in dehumanising conditions for six to eight months without trial and that he had received complaints from their families about their continued detention.

    The request was contained in a letter addressed to the President on May 19 and titled: Request for Release of 40 Nigerian Citizens from Illegal Custody of Nigerian Navy.

    Falana urged President Buhari to direct the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, to either release the detainees from unlawful custody or arraign them in court without further delay.

    The eminent lawyer said this had become expedient since all the detainees are entitled to their fundamental rights to dignity and liberty, as guaranteed by sections 34 and 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, and articles 5 and 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Ratification and Enforcement Act (Cap A9) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    He gave the names of the detainees as Captain Dada Labinjo,  Lt.-Commander Sherifat Ibe Lambert, Benjamin Gold, Peter Pulle, Pius Paul, Onoja Reuben, Adeleke Adewale, Labinjo Kehinde, Ogunmoyero Oluwasehun, Emmanuel Oputa,   Innocent Sunday, Lejoro Friday, Hamza Yakubu, Segun Yusuf, Master-Melvin Jack, Chief Mate-Adebayo Mayoma, Chief Mate-Francis Oneyema,  2nd Eng-Godwill Umoh, Bosin-Miebaka Iyala and Elect 2-Edu Fidelis.

    Others are: Elect 2-Richard David, Camp Boss-Daniel Harrison, Asaiki Okeoghene, AB 1-Omogoye Bolaji,   AB 2-Victor Uchendu,  AB 3-Oloyede Ademola, Oiler-Simon Onyisi Mike, Eng cadet-Udom Victor Jerome, Godwin Etiaka Ojodusi, Sixtus Ganabel, Owei Ukuto, Jeremiah Victor, Collins Joel, Augustine Omonisa, MV Akemijo Deborah, Mike Simeon, Umoren Daniel, James Archibong, Umon Godswill Emmanuel and MT Adeline Jumbo.

    “In view of the fact that the illegal detention of the 40 Nigerian citizens for several months without trial has exposed the Federal Government to unwarranted embarrassment, the Chief of Naval Staff ought to be sanctioned by Your Excellency,” he told the President.

    The letter said: “We have received complaints from the families of 40 Nigerian citizens who are being detained without trial on the orders of the authorities of the Nigerian Navy.

    “It may interest Your Excellency to know that the above-named detainees have been held incommunicado in dehumanising conditions for periods ranging from six to eight months. In fact, some of the detainees are incarcerated in an underground military detention facility in Abuja while others are held inside one of the vessels impounded by the Nigerian Navy in Marina, Lagos.

    “The detainees have been subjected to mental, psychological and physical torture, contrary to the provisions of the Anti-Torture Act, 2017.

    “Furthermore, in utter contempt of court, the authorities of the Nigerian Navy have defied valid and subsisting orders of competent courts for the unconditional release of some of the detainees.”