The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BUHARI

  • Why I observe juma’at prayers in Villa – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said his decision to observe Juma’at prayers at the Presidential Villa and not the National Mosque in Abuja, is to prevent the constraints and inconveniences presidential movements may cause to the people.

    The President was responding to a request by a delegation of Imams and Senior Islamic Scholars from all States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory led by Prof. Shehu Ahmad Galadanci, the Murshid, National Mosque.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, explained: ‘‘Regarding your request for me to be attending Juma’at prayers in the National Mosque, I implore you to note that I personally started observing Juma’at prayers in the State House to reduce hardships which people may pass through.

    ‘‘As you all know, Presidential movements require roadblocks and other attendant restrictions, which could subject worshippers and other people to a lot of difficulties,’’ the President told the Islamic scholars who were at State House to congratulate him on his overwhelming victory at the February 23 presidential election.

    Read Also: I’ll leave Nigeria better than I met it, says Buhari

    President Buhari welcomed the counsel of the Islamic scholars on the teachings of the Prophet about the obligations of leaders towards their subjects, and vice-versa.

    The President thanked them for their prayers and support for his administration, assuring that the administration will leave no stone unturned in addressing the security challenges facing the country.

    Congratulating the President on his re-election, Prof Galadanci noted the victory demonstrated the desire of the majority of Nigerians to ensure the continuity of the administration to the Next Level.

    He prayed that Almighty Allah would grant the President the ability to continue with the ‘‘excellent work’’ he is doing for the country.

    Highlighting noteworthy achievements of the Buhari administration in the area of security, agriculture and the fight against corruption, the leader of the group urged the President to remain focused while praying Allah to continue to give him the power to ‘‘annihilate and wipe off’’ pockets of terrorists in the country.

  • I’ll leave Nigeria better than I met it, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja assured Christian leaders in the country of his commitment to leave Nigeria better than he met it in 2015.

    He spoke while receiving the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) led by Rev Dr Samson Ayokunle, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President affirmed that his administration will continue to address important national challenges including security, economy and corruption.

    While CAN leadership was at State House to congratulate President Buhari on his re-election, the President told them the outcome of the just concluded polls underscored the trust Nigerians have in the present leadership in the country.

    ‘‘We will continue to strive for peaceful co-existence among all Nigerians irrespective of their religious beliefs.

    ‘‘In the area of allocation of political offices, our focus will be on merit and national spread such that every part of Nigeria will have a sense of belonging.

    ‘‘We remain resolute in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, and efforts to bring back all those in captivity and other victims of kidnappings will be intensified,’’ the President said.

    Commending the important roles religious bodies have played in the last four years of the administration, President Buhari pledged to continue supporting several programmes anchored by the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), geared towards peace, tolerance, unity and harmony in our country.

    In his congratulatory message, the CAN president prayed God to grant President Buhari ‘‘everything it takes to perform hundred times better than’’ his first term, stressing that the organisation had the success of this administration at heart.

    Rev Ayokunle welcomed the President’s pledge to run an inclusive government in a speech shortly after his re-election, noting that the gesture would give all in the country a sense of belonging.

    The leadership of the Christian body in Nigeria also called for ethnic and religious balance in the selection of leadership of the ninth National Assembly.

    While appealing to the President to task security agencies to be more proactive in their duties, the CAN leader made a passionate request for deliberate and relentless efforts to free Leah Sharibu, other Chibok girls and Nigerians in captivity of insurgents.

  • Go beyond party politics, CAN tells Buhari

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on Friday called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to go beyond party politics and embrace all Nigerians irrespective of party ideology.

    The CAN President, Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, made the call during a closed door meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to a copy of the presentation to the President made available to journalists, the group also called on Buhari to appoint worthy Nigerians from across the country in next cabinet.

    Ayokunle said that the group was at the Presidential Villa to congratulate the President on his reelection as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    He said; “Your Excellency, our advice to you is to take your leadership beyond party politics. We were so happy listening to your Speech after your re-election that you were going to run an all-inclusive government.

    “Having been re-elected President, you have become the President of all. In view of this, we urge you to see yourself as father to all by embracing all.

    “We solicit for inclusiveness and fairness as you constitute your cabinet and appoint worthy Nigerians to the headship and membership of critical agencies, boards and parastatals,” he said

    He pointed out that there is no ethnic or religious group in Nigeria where highly qualified men and women cannot be found to add value to the incoming administration.

    “This is the true and objective way in which you can give all in the country, a sense of belonging,” he said.

    He also urged for respect for separation of powers as stipulated in the 1999 constitution.

    “We, from the Christian Association of Nigeria, recognize the importance of the National Assembly to the stability and growth of our polity. It is in this regard that we call for ethnic and religious balance with depth in picking the leadership of that great institution of democracy.

    “Sir, to ensure that this happens is to remove any apprehension and suspicion harbored towards the leadership of this country. We equally solicit that the principle of separation of power as it is enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria would be allowed to thrive as an intrinsic aspect of modern day democracy.” he added

    The group commended the President for the revival of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC).

    He added “And the sincere efforts of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in ensuring that your passion to build peace through NIREC becomes a reality.

    “We assure you of our determination to build peace, harmony and unity in our nation as we constantly dialogue with other religious groups in our nation.” he said

  • Buhari, CAN leaders meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met behind closed doors with the Executive Council of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

    The meeting, which started around 11am, was held at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.

    While the group is expected to congratulate the President for his reelection at the closed doors meeting, it may also make some demands towards the development and progress of the country.

    Read Also: Buhari meets Security Chiefs in Aso Rock

    Among those at the meeting included Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazzau.

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

  • Buhari launches Micro Pension Plan for informal sector

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday at Asso Villa, Abuja,  formally launched the Micro Pension Plan (MPP).

    It is part of Federal Government’s initiative to achieve financial inclusion, a diversified and inclusive economy.

    The MPP, an initiative of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), which is expected to significantly expand pension coverage to informal sector players including self-employed persons and employees of organisations with less than three staff.

    Buhari, who explained that the plan is designed specifically to capture those in the informal sector, said: “Today, millions of traders, farmers and other entrepreneurs in various industries are completely excluded from the different pension programmes in existence.

    “If you recall, one of the three core pledge of this government is the creation of a diversified and inclusive economy. This can only be achieved by creating an enabling environment for farmers, entrepreneurs and people in other professions.

    “In the past three years we provided grants, concessionary loans and technical support through the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) clinics to farmers, traders and SMEs.

    “The Micro Pension Plan guarantees that when these hardworking citizens retire, they can do it in dignity and comfort.”

    Buhari encouraged trade associations, unions, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders in the informal sector to join hands with the government and the pension industry to enlighten their members and the general populace of the benefits of the plan.

    Buhari said: “We are working tirelessly to sanitise some of the rot within the pension system we inherited.

    “This government remains committed in resolving all pension issues and payments, despite the lean resources of the government. We will ensure that every hardworking Nigerians in the private sector, formal and informal can retire without fear.”

    The Acting Director-General, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Aisha Dahir-Umar, said the micro pension plan targets the significant majority of  Nigeria’s working population who, incidentally, operate in the informal sector.

    She said: “Participants are expected from various informal sector workers including market women, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), members of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Associations, Keke Napep and Okada Riders Associations, Butchers Associations, workers in the Movie and Performing Art industry, mechanics and other workers in the automotive industry and single professionals like lawyers, accountants and many others.

    “Micro Pension Plan is designed to fit the peculiarities of these informal sector groups.

    Read also: 248,000 retirees earn N9.36b monthly pensions under CPS, says PenCom

    “The National Pension Commission had extensively engaged all relevant stakeholders and obtained their inputs before the product was developed to suit their requirements.”

    She explained that the product is flexible with respect to contribution amount and the channel of remittance of contributions to the respective pension accounts. Also, access to accumulated contributions is also flexible, seamless and facilitated by technology through varied payment system platforms.

    “A prospective Micro Pension contributor is required to open a Retirement Savings Account (RSA) by completing a physical or electronic registration form with a Pension Funds Administrator (PFA) of his/her choice.

    “The contributors may make contributions daily, weekly, monthly or as may be convenient to them. Every contribution shall be split into two, comprising 40% for contingent withdrawal and 60% for retirement benefits.

     

     

  • Displaced, widowed: Woman cries out we want an end to our suffering

    As President Muhammadu Buhari promises to consolidate on fighting insecurity and reviving the economy during presentation of his Certificate of return, women like Zainab Muhammad from Zabarmari about 10 km away from Maiduguri, among numerous other voters queued despite threats of bomb blast and gunshots in Maiduguri, Borno State, to choose candidates they believe will bring an end to their sufferings.

    My name is Zainab Muhammad I was born in Maiduguri. I moved to Zabarmari village when I got married to my husband, a farmer. We have 8 children. He sells our farm produce on market days while I use to make incense for sale at our village market.

    On market days then, I make like N4, 000 or N5000 especially from new brides during wedding celebrations. Then the village was attacked, our grandmother was killed and set on fire, the market was set on fire.

    We were forced to flee to Maiduguri. Everything changed. We had no home, no work or means of livelihood. My husband was depressed and sad and developed heart attack as a result and passed away shortly after the incident.

    How long has it been since you fled the violence?

    It is three and a half years now. We arrived Maiduguri and joined other people who have fled. With the help of some of my family members, we made shelter from iron sheets and planks. We sleep there with the children. The older ones during the day go to find domestic works. When they return at nights, they take turns sleeping two or three days from one family member house or another.

    How have you been coping with the responsibilities of the family since you lost your home and your husband?

    We are in a very difficult situation, we are suffering. They have stopped attending school because we cannot afford to pay. I sell awara (tofu) .They are the ones who go out to hawk so we can buy food from the sales they make.

    The eldest has not completed secondary school education.  The other boy has paid for WAEC but we couldn’t afford NECO. He stays with an uncle of the family but he also became victim and lost everything. Now we don’t know what to do about his education.

    Do what you earn cover your needs?

    No sometimes we go to neighbors for help. There are days we sleep without eating. Sometime, we eat once a day or twice. When everything goes well, we make like N200 or N300. That is after pooling all the profits from all snack items sold from the children. There are days we don’t make sales. We eat what is left with the children. We also borrow or collect items on loan from shops. That is how we survive.

    What type of support would you need faced with all your challenges?

    In the children education, hopefully the two elder ones who have completed secondary school, if they can proceed with their education that will be very helpful.

    Did you go out to vote?

    Yes

    What motivated you to go out to vote despite the threat of attacks in the state?

    We had to go out to cast our votes so we can choose a just leader who will wipe away our tears.

    How has your role changed in managing the household after the death of your husband?

    He did everything for us in the house. He provided for all our needs, except where I wished to contribute.  Sometime, when the children cry especially the younger ones and I don’t have what to give them or console them.

    I cry but I cannot cry in their presence it will make them cry the more. When I am alone in the room I cry. Now we have nothing our hope is with God.

    Do you find support from family members and well- wishers?

    No, we are all affected. Everyone is affected you don’t find many help in Maiduguri. Business, work, farming everything has been affected. Whom do you call for help when everybody is struggling on their own? You will have to even sympathise with our selves so you don’t want to burden others with your problem.

  • Health workers to Buhari: Don’t appoint only doctors as health ministers

    The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has advised President Muhammadu Buhari on the need to avoid past mistakes in his appointment of ministers, especially as it concerns the ministry of Health.

    MHWUN urged the president not to appoint only Medical Doctors as Ministers of Health.

    In the current dispensation, the two ministers of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole and Dr. Osagie Ehinare are both medical doctors and not until recently, the permanent secretary of the ministry was also a medical doctor.

    Nigerians are looking forward towards appointment of new ministers as the president sets to commence his second term in office on 29th May 2019.

    The first term of the Buhari administration is expected to wind down on 29th May, 2019 and he is expected to dissolve his cabinet latest 24 hours before the end of the current administration.

    The union argued that appointing two ministers from the same segment of the medical profession to head the ministry does not promote healthy working environment.

    MHWUN National President, Com. Biobelemoye Josiah said because of the existence of other professionals, appointment of ministers should be a mix.

    He noted that one can be a medical doctor while the other can be from any of the other professions within the medical sector.

    Besides, Josiah called for the return of the management of health institutions to hospital administrators who have the capacity to manage the institutions.

    He spoke Thursday in Abuja at the 10th National Quadrennial delegates’ conference of the Union.

    Josiah noted that the last four years is the worst for health delivery in the country, saying many factors conspired to cast a very gloomy and dark cloud on the horizon in the Nigerian health care delivery system.

    He therefore warned that as long as the appointment of ministers of health, and other key positions are held by only one profession to the exclusion of other health professionals, there will continue to be disruptions in healthcare delivery.

    He said, “As long as the appointment of ministers of Health, Directors in the ministry of health and the Chief Executives of health institutions remain the birthright of one profession, to the exclusion of other health professionals in the team, turbulence and inefficiency shall continue to thrive as they are not trained for such duties, their discriminatory approach would continue to invite protestations from other members of the health team who are in the majority. As long as government does not make conscious efforts to break this monopoly by the medical doctors, a monopoly that is self-serving, Nigerians would continue to suffer for it.”

    He posited that “As an immediate action to put confidence into Nigerians, the appointment of Ministers in the ministry must not necessarily be to only health professionals in order to halt politics of exclusion that has taken tap roots in the ministry.

    “We believe the appointments of both doctors and other health professionals as ministers, or the mixing of appointments of both doctors and other health professionals as ministers in the Ministry of Health would go a long way in boosting the confidence of the operators/ stakeholders in the ministry.

    MHWUN president also opposed the school of thought that is pushing for privatization of the health care industry.

    While stressing that privatization is not an option, Josiah said that it is the business of the government to provide for security and welfare and wellbeing of its citizenry.

    “If the business of government is to provide for security and

  • Buhari to Congo Envoy: Stability key to efficient resources management

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday told the Special Envoy of the President of Republic of Congo that without social, political and economic stability, it will be difficult for any country to effectively manage its resources.

    He received Mr Jean Claude Gakosso, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Congolese in Diaspora, at State House, Abuja, who conveyed a special message on behalf of President Denis Sassou Nguesso, and also congratulated President Buhari on what he called his “brilliant performance” at the recently held presidential election.

    Republic of Congo is a medium oil producer in Africa, and President Buhari pledged continued collaboration with the country, “so that we can get the best for our respective countries, and invest for development.”

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, stressed the need for peace and stability, so that the resources of a country can be used for the good of the people.

    “Stability is critical, if a country would manage its resources effectively. I am aware of the problems of our own country. We are very large, deficient in infrastructure, and trying to improve on political and economic stability. In my last lap in office, I will give it my best,” President Buhari said.

    He noted that developing countries that had oil used to be very powerful in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), due to their production capacities, but as a result of technology, the United States no longer depends on them for her oil and energy needs.

    The Special Envoy, on behalf of his President, wished President Buhari wisdom and good health, so that he can continue to lead his people efficiently and effectively.

  • Buhari meets Security Chiefs in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with Service Chiefs and security heads at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting was expected to deliberate on the security situation in the country.

    The security heads are also expected to present regular briefing to the President, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces.

    The Service Chiefs at the meeting were Chief of Defence Staff General Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Naval Staff Ibok-Ete IIbas and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar.

    Read Also: Buhari pledges to restore dignity of retired public servants

     

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai and the Director of National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Ahmed Abubakar were represented at the meeting.

    Also present were the National Security Adviser Major Gen. Babagana Monguno; Director General, Department of Security Service DSS Yusuf Bichi; the Acting Inspector General of Police IGP Mohammed Adamu; Chief of Defence Intelligence and the Minister of Defence, Brigadier Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali.

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

     

     

  • FG working hard to sanitize pension system, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday assured that his administration was working hard to sanitize the rot it met in the pension system in 2015.

    He gave the assurance during the launch of the Micro Pension Plan floated by the Nigeria Pension Commission at the Old Banquet Hall, Presidential villa, Abuja.

    The President also promised to resolve all pending issues on pension payment.

    The dignity of public servants, who worked tirelessly and sacrificed for the greatness of Nigeria, he said, will be restored.

    Buhari also observed that retired public servants deserved better treatment and effective service that meets their needs to carry on after retirement.

    He said “We are also working tirelessly to sanitize some of the rot within the pension system we inherited.

    “I want to assure all Nigerians that this government remains committed to resolving all pending issues on pension payment in the federal public sector despite the lean resources of Government.

    “The dignity of retired public servants who sacrificed their lives for this country will be restored. We will ensure all hard working Nigerians in the private sector, both formal and informal, can retire without fear,” he said.

    The President also said that the Federal Government will continue to support the National Pension Commission to ensure a successful roll-out of the Micro Pension Plan, which will capture citizens that are not fully captured in the formal corporate sector.

    He urged trade associations, unions, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders in the informal sector to join hands with the government and pensions industry to enlighten their members and general public on the benefits of Micro Pension Plan.

    He said, “Today, millions of traders, farmers and other entrepreneurs in various cottage industries are completely excluded from the different pension programs in existence.

    “The Micro Pension Plan is the natural next step. The program guarantees that when these hard working citizens retire, they can still live in dignity and comfort.”

    Towards efforts to diversify the economy and create a more inclusive and enabling environment for all Nigerians, President Buhari said the government has provided grants, concessionary loans and technical support through Small and Medium Enterprises clinics to farmers, traders and SMEs.

    Also speaking at the event, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Boss Mustapha, said the new scheme will provide more security for Nigerians in the informal sector, and expand the country’s pension coverage as well as boost the economy.

    “This scheme also benefits the government because it has the potential to generate a pool for investible long term funds that can drive economic development,’’ he said.

    In her remarks, the Acting Director General of National Pensions Commission, Hajiya Aisha Dahir–Umar, said the Contributory Pension Scheme had recorded huge success since it was launched in 2004, with the formation of long term domestic capital, represented by N8.7 trillion worth of pension assets as at January 2019.

    The funds she explained belong to 8.46million formal sector participants.

    “The Micro Pension Plan is remarkable because it unveils a unique financial product, which democratizes the saving culture in Nigeria in a systematic and efficient manner,’’ she said.

    Dahir–Umar said the plan was designed after wide consultations with stakeholders, noting that the product is flexible with contribution amount and channel of remittance of contributions to respective pension accounts.

    She said N6.51trillion representing 73 percent of the total pension asserts have been invested in Federal Government securities issued to finance various activities.

    The acting PenCom DG said N95.31billion of the funds have also been invested in infrastructure while N7.19billion have been invested in the N10.67billion Green Bond issued by the federal government.

    She said the Micro Pension Plan launched by the President targets significant majority of Nigerian working population who operate in the informal sector.

    Micro Pension Plan is designed to fit the peculiarities of these informal sector groups. The National Pension Commission has issued a robust guideline on micro pension plan to the provision of section 2(3) of the pension reform act 2014.

    ”The product is flexible with respect to contribution amount and the channel of remittance of contributions to the respective pension accounts. Access to accumulated contributions is also flexible, seamless and facilitated by technology through varied payments system platform,” Aisha said