The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BUHARI

  • Buhari, Obasanjo, Tinubu give hope of better Nigeria

    Buhari, Obasanjo, Tinubu give hope of better Nigeria

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and All Progressives Congress (APC) National leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu have expressed hope of a greater future for the country despite the challenges of the last 100 years.

    They spoke yesterday at the Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua Centre, Abuja, at the presentation of The Nigerian Century, a book by veteran journalist Mr. Dare Babarinsa.

    They hailed Babarinsa for his works in journalism and commitment to the nation’s growth.

    Other prominent Nigerians, who attended the event, were ex-Akwa Ibom State Governor Obong Victor Attah, ex-Ekiti State Governor Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, Chief Alex Duduyemi, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Mr. Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo and ex-Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN).

    Publisher of Ovation magazine Bashorun Dele Momodu, who reviewed the book, described Babarinsa as an encyclopaedia of Nigerian history, saying the author is worthy of celebration.

    Buhari, who delivered a keynote address, was represented by the APC’s Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Segun Oni.

    Obasanjo, who chaired the occasion, was represented by Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi.

    Tinubu, who presented the book, was represented by a federal lawmaker representing Ikorodu, Babajimi Benson.

    Buhari said: “What would we have been if we are not Nigerians? Which other polity would give meaning to our indomitable spirit, boundless energy, collective creativity, cultural diversity and unique sense of enterprise?

    “I am happy that the theme of The Nigerian Century is the people of Nigeria.  Yes, our land is blessed by providence with riches in oil and gas, iron ore, gold, limestone and almost all minerals of this earth.  Our soil can grow almost any crop and our vegetation supports animal life as varied as creation can manifest. Our rivers and coast lines are rich with fishes and various kinds of life.

    “Yet, despite these bounties from nature, I have no doubt that the greatest blessings of Nigeria are the wonderful people that give expression to the grandeur and majesty of our beloved country.”

    Oni, who adopted the prologue of the book as written and signed by the President, said the comments of the President best suited the country’s situation.

    Buhari added that in a century, the country’s “resilience was tested by the turbulence of the 1960s, the bloodletting of the Civil War era and the inclement uncertainties of military rule”.

    “In the last 16 years, we have enjoyed uninterrupted democratic governance under my leadership and those of my three predecessors – Chief Obasanjo, the late Malam Umar Musa and Dr. Jonathan.  We are still facing challenges that are providing new tests for our resilience and capability for growth, prosperity and sustenance in an atmosphere of security and strict adherence to the constitution and rule of law.

    “I can assure you that our great country and its leaders are equal to the challenges ahead.  All outstanding men and women featured in this historic compendium provide the evidence that our country must embrace its destiny, which is greatness. We have no reason to fail.

    “In 100 years time, Nigerians would be celebrating two centuries of existence. Part of the story of that time would be that we were here, we did our best and we passed on to the next generation, a banner without stain,” the President said.

    Obasanjo, who said the book captured the essence of Nigeria, added that there is hope to fix Nigeria and to heal its wounds given the country’s natural endowments.

    He enjoined the younger generation to learn from the nation’s history, saying without sense of history, planning and implementation, there would be danger ahead.

    Tinubu said Nigerians must engage the country’s history for a better and greater Nigeria.

    He said: “Knowing little about our country is a peril we cannot afford. Ignorance can lead to wrong judgment, wrong prejudices, wrong decisions and wrong conflicts. I have gone through a copy of The Nigerian Century and I have come to the conclusion that we have much to be proud of about Nigeria. Despite the challenges and the occasional turbulences in our history, we have done well and we have justified our position as the giant of Africa.

    “But there is a danger that is lurking at the corner. Our youth are no longer studying history in primary and secondary schools. We now have the despairing phenomenon, where foreigners set up secondary schools in Nigeria to teach history of foreign countries.

    “We have British schools teaching the history of Britain in Nigeria. We have Turkish schools teaching the history of Turkey in Nigeria. We have American schools teaching American history in Nigeria. Why then should we have Nigerian schools in Nigeria that will not teach our history? How can our children be Nigerians, if they don’t know their history?

    “I am happy that The Nigerian Century gives us an accessible history of Nigeria, which will be appealing to the younger generation. This is a wake up call for our governments to return history into our curriculum. They should also make The Nigerian Century available to every community and secondary school library throughout the federation.”

  • Gains of Buhari’s foreign trips, by Fed Govt

    Gains of Buhari’s foreign trips, by Fed Govt

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday said President Muhammadu Buhari’s foreign trips  were good for the country as they aimed to woo more investment for Nigeria.

    Some Nigerians have lamented the series of foreign trips by the President.

    Minister of Information Lai Mohammed, who briefed State House correspondents after the FEC meeting, presided over by President Buhari, said the President’s trips were necessary to get Nigeria back in the community of nations.

    He said Nigeria almost became a pariah state under the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.

    Mohammed was with the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed and Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Usman.

    He said: “You do not run a country by being isolated and the presence of the President in many of these fora is important because, before now, we were almost a pariah state and the two things that have been driving investments away from this country is terrorism and corruption.

    “One thing that nobody can fault this President on is his determination to fight these two ills. Mr President’s presence in these fora is crucial  to the economy back home. What I mean by Nigeria being a pariah state is that before now the level of corruption was high. Nobody was ready to risk his investment in Nigeria.

    “The cost of doing business was so high that most international businessmen didn’t want to come here. Who is coming to invest in a country where there is insecurity? These are the twin problems that Mr President has addressed in nine months.”

    Fielding questions on the update on the 2016 Budget, he said Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have been going to defend their budgets at the National Assembly.

    According to him, the budget would soon be passed.

    Speaking further on the President’s trips, Amina Mohammed said Mr. President has a Vice President and a cabinet to handle issues whenever the President is out of the country.

    She said: “The cabinet stays with the Vice President here as much as possible to try to address those challenges you are talking about on a daily basis.

    “But the investment that we make with the President’s travel is worth the investment we are getting from those visits. We hope to see the President going out and advocating for this country to get more investment so that we can take everyone out of poverty. That is what is important. We see it as an investment with a return worthwhile,” she stated.

    They earlier said the two issues discussed in FEC were the report on the Conference on Climate Change in France between November 30 and December 12, 2015, and the benefits of the foreign trips by the President.

  • Buhari and Nigeria’s image

    SIR: Some 30 years or so ago, Fela had a hit song titled, ‘Beast of No Nation’ in which he sang, “I never hear that before o, make government talk o, my people are useless, my people are senseless, my people are indisciplined.  Which kind talk be that o…?”

    Fela was referring to Buhari’s military government.

    Thirty years on, nothing’s changed: President Buhari is still socking it to his people, still disparaging his people, still bad-mouthing them in the committee of nations.  In a recent interview with a British newspaper, Buhari declared that Nigerians abroad have made it difficult for Europeans and Americans to accept them because of the number of Nigerians in prisons all over the world accused of drug trafficking or human trafficking.  He finished off by saying, “We will encourage our countrymen to stay at home, work hard and make a respectable living at home.”

    There goes our number one ambassador perpetrating negative stereotypes again.

    Really Nigeria doesn’t need Buhari’s type of unhelpful intervention right now.  It will further worsen its citizens’ marginalisation abroad and increase prejudice against all Nigerians.  Secondly, a president who habitually goes overseas for medical treatment has no standing at all to tell other Nigerians to stay home.  The same factors, same conditions at home that propels the president into the arms of doctors in a foreign land are the same that drives many Nigerians abroad.  Everyone’s life and future is dear to them and they’ll do everything possible to make sure they get the best they can get – not just presidents.

    No, Buhari did not say that all Nigerians abroad are criminals but he abdicated his responsibility when he threw some of his own citizens under the bus in a foreign land to a foreign media.  That can never be cool.  It is already hard for some Nigerians in the UK in light of the recent recession and the influx of Eastern Europeans into that country.  For our own president to put his boot in is very disheartening.  Buhari has handed the UK government and other racists another (official) weapon with which to further marginalise Nigerians.

    Is there more crime in Nigeria than in the USA?  Nope.  Are there more criminals in Nigeria than in the UK?  Nope.  Who are the number one foreign prisoners in the UK?  The Polish.  Nigeria is not even in the top 5.

    Without Nigerian Doctors and Nurses, the UK NHS will struggle very badly – maybe even collapse for a short while.  If all Nigerians in the IT and Social Work sectors in the UK pull out, those sectors will struggle.  Nigerian Pastors nko?  Ditto for the USA; if Nigerian Educators down tools, that sector of America will struggle.  Perhaps these were what the president could have flagged up in his interview.  If he later meets with Nigerians in a private Nigerian forum, he could tell them off.  He could remind the few yahoo boys to lay off, return home and stop giving the country a bad name.  Rather it was the President who gave the country a black eye.

    It is Buhari’s primary task to make our image problem abroad better.  However, in his second coming, it seems to me that Buhari is only interested in bending over backwards to please and pander to our erstwhile colonial masters when there is absolutely no need for it.  It took the government of Murtala/Obasanjo in the mid 1970s to take on the British head-on and get us some much deserved respect.  We seem to be going backwards in that regard again.  We seem to be taking instructions from Downing Street, in particular, and the European Union in general before we make any moves in Nigeria.

    I do not see how Buhari’s latest remark would encourage any potential investor to come to Nigeria.  The president ought to know that his main job is to defend Nigeria and Nigerians everywhere; not to put us down in foreign media in the hope to please foreign leaders.  That is old and it is unproductive.

     

    • Michael Egbejumi-David

    demdem@hotmail.co.uk

  • Adeboye, Ooni of Ife visit Buhari

    Adeboye, Ooni of Ife visit Buhari

    The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E.A. Adeboye on Tuesday visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He was led to the President’s office by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    Adeboye spent about 15 minutes with the President before leaving the Villa.

    When journalists approached him to know the purpose of his visit, he raised up his hand and said “God bless you.”

    Most of the journalists responded with a resounding “Amen.”

    Few minutes after he departed, the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, also arrived at the State House to see the President.

  • Buhari sacks 26 heads of government agencies

    Buhari sacks 26 heads of government agencies

    Eight months, 17 days after taking office, President Muhammadu Buhari disengaged yesterday, 26 Executive Officers of government agencies.

    The action is the first to be taken as there are over 500 of such agencies.

    A source said the President gave the head of the agencies time to adapt to his administration, but they failed the test of integrity, adaptability and loyalty.

    “They were too deeply committed to the past,” he added.

    A statement by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal, said the President approved that the most senior officers in the sgencies should oversee the activities of the organisations pending the appointment of substantive Chief Executive Officers.

    The government agencies affected include: Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Voice of Nigeria (VON), and News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Others are National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

    Also affected are: Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TET Fund), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Petroleum Equalisation Fund and the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC).

    Others are: Bureau of Public Procurements (BPP), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Bank of Industry (BoI), National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Nigerian Export-Import Bank and National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic In Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP).

    Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed met early in the morning with the CEOs of the six information-related agencies under his ministry to announce to them the government’s decision.

    These are: Directors-General of NTA, Mr. Sola Omole, FRCN (Mr. Ladan Salihu), VON (Mr Sam Worlu), NOA (Mr. Mike Omeri), NBC (Mr. Emeka Mba) and NAN Managing Director.

    Omeri, at about noon, handed over to Mrs Ngozi Ekeoba, promising to forever be an advocate of the NOA’s activities.

    Mrs Ekeoba is the most senior director. She is in charge of Political, Civics, Ethics and Values in the agency.

    Omeri expressed his gratitude to the past and present administration for the opportunity given him to serve the nation as NOA Director General and for the support given to the agency during his tenure. Omeri was appointed as Director General of NOA on January 16, 2012.

     

  • Buhari vows to secure Niger Delta, rebuild Northeast

    Buhari vows to secure Niger Delta, rebuild Northeast

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said the Federal Government would mobilise the military and task forces to stop the sabotage of oil facilities and kidnapping in the coastal areas of the country.

    He spoke at a meeting with a delegation from the United States Institute of Peace at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Buhari, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, also said his administration will give the highest priority to the resettlement of displaced persons and rehabilitation of infrastructure in the Northeast.

    He assured the delegation that his administration’s war against corruption would be fought within the ambit of the law and that mechanisms were in place to ensure respect for human rights in the fight against terrorism.

    “We attach great importance to human rights. If there are breaches, they will be investigated and dealt with,” he said.

    Buhari welcomed the growing international support, especially from the United States  and Europe, on Nigeria’s efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

    The President hailed Nigerians for supporting the programmes of his government, the security of the country, the war against corruption and revival of the economy, which, he said, will continue to be vigorously pursued.

    Ms. Nancy Lindborg, who led the delegation, applauded the progress made by the Buhari  administration in ensuring greater security in Nigeria.

    She promised the continued assistance of the Institute for the reconstruction and development work in the country.

     

  • ‘Lets support Buhari to fight corruption’

    ‘Lets support Buhari to fight corruption’

    The governorship candidate of the Accord Party in Akwa Ibom State, Bishop Sam Akpan, has declared support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti corruption crusade. The cleric donated his campaign organization headquarters in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, during the last general elections to Buhari Friends Organisation Network (BFON). The complex is to serve as the Southsouth headquarters for BFON.

    Presenting the keys to the complex to the President, BFON, Mr. Anthanasisu Okon, in Uyo, Akpan said that the gesture was in recognition of President Buhari’s strong stance against corruption.

    The country needed to be free from corruption and impunity to make progress, he said.

    Akpan, who is a member of the Buhari Friends Organisation Network, thanked God for raising Buhari to salvage the country and Akwa-Ibom State from political exclusion, marginalisation and oppression.

    He said the progressives in the state have been oppressed for long, adding that Buhari’s emergence was a welcome development for the emancipation of the people.

    “I am a governorship candidate of Accord Party. This edifice is being donated to BFON as an insignia to support President Muhammadu Buhari crusade against corruption and impunity,” he said.

    First National Chairman, Board of Trustees, BFON, Group Captain Sam Ewang (Retrd), urged Akwa-Ibom sons and daughters to join the train and identify with the party at the centre for the state to attract federal attention and developmental projects .

     

     

    Chairman, Akwa-Ibom State Coalition of Political Parties, Mr. Martins Inyang, stressed the need for the people of the state to identify with Buhari to reposition the decayed economic and social infrastructure of

    the state.

    He noted that within the eight months of the Buhari-led

    administration, much have been achieved in the aspect of cleansing the country’s battered image including the recovery of the country’s looted funds, hence, the need for him to be supported to fulfill all his promises to the country.

    Okon commended Bishop Akpan for identifying with the group and

    President Buhari in the fight against corruption, impunity, oppression

    and marginalisation of the progressive forces. He enjoined all Akwa Ibom citizens to join the train for their personal and collective

    benefits.

    Okon however tasked President Buhari to dualise the collapsed

    Calabar-Itu Road which has become a death trap owing to years of neglect by previous governments.

    He also urged the President to ensure the completion of the East-West Road to facilitate the transportation of goods and services into and

    out of the region to boost economic activities of the people.

    Deputy National President of BFON, Hajiya Farida Odangi, who

    coordinated other National Officers from Abuja, Lagos and other states

    of the federation to grace the occasion, expressed gratitude to Bishop Akapn for coming out at such a time  to declare support and solidarity with President Bahari,  assuring that their support would not be in vain.

     

  • Buhari vows to secure Niger Delta, rebuild Northeast

    Buhari vows to secure Niger Delta, rebuild Northeast

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said the Federal Government has begun mobilizing the military and task forces to stop the sabotage of oil facilities and kidnapping of citizens for ransom in the coastal areas of the country.

    He spoke at a meeting with a delegation from the United States Institute of Peace at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    President Buhari, according to a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, also said his administration is giving the highest priority to the resettlement of displaced persons and rehabilitation of infrastructure in the Northeast.

    He assured the delegation that his administration’s ongoing war against corruption will be fought within the ambit of the law and that mechanisms have been put in place to ensure respect for human rights in the fight against terrorism.

    “We attach great importance to human rights. If there are breaches, they will be investigated and dealt with,” he said.

    Buhari also welcomed the growing international support, especially from U.S and Europe, for Nigeria’s efforts to end the Boko Haram insurgency.

    The President expressed happiness with the support of Nigerians for the cardinal programmes of his government, the security of the country, the war against corruption and revival of the economy, which, he said, will continue to be vigorously pursued.

     

     

  • Update: Buhari sacks heads of 26 government agencies

    Update: Buhari sacks heads of 26 government agencies

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday approved the immediate disengagement of 26 chief executive officers of some government parastatals, agencies and commissions.

    A statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Engr. Babachir David Lawal, said the President approved that the most senior officers in the parastatals, agencies and councils should oversee the activities of the organizations pending the appointment of substantive CEOs.

    The government agencies affected are – Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Voice of Nigeria (VON) and the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Others are – the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), and Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

    Also affected are – Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Petroleum Equalization Fund (PEF) and Nigeria Railways Corporation (NRC).

    The Bureau of Public Procurements (BPP), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria Investment Promotion Council (NIPC), Bank of Industry (BoI), National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), National Orientation Agency (NOA), Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) and National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic In Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP).

     

  • ‘Buhari should revisit $470m Lagos, Abuja CCTV project’

    ‘Buhari should revisit $470m Lagos, Abuja CCTV project’

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to beam his anti-corruption searchlight on the $470million Close Circuit Television (CCTv) contract awarded in 2010 to a Chinese vendor, ZTE Corporation.

    The contract covered the provision CCTv in Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to address the growing security concerns in the country.

    To finance the project, the Federal Government made a first installment payment of $70.5 million (15 per cent) while China’s Exim Bank provided the balance of $399.5 million as a loan to be repaid at three per cent interest per annum over a 10 year period.

    Though some 2,000 cameras have been installed by ZTE, representing but a fraction of the total expected, the project is yet to be successfully tested or commissioned.

    Jaiye Ashton, a social critic, at the weekend, alleged that the project was bedeviled by dysfunctional systems and components, broken units occasioned by explosions from installed batteries of the CCTV cameras. He cited an intercession between the Kashim Ibrahim Way and Aminu Kano Crescent in Wuse 2, as well as incomplete units at various parts of Abuja. The CCTV project appears to have added nothing to the arsenal available to Nigeria’s security outfit, he averred.

    According to him, the inability of the contractor to deliver the project has been further underscored by the growing cases of armed theft, traffic crimes, vandalism, rape, and most notably, terror attacks in the major cities and the Northern part of the country.

    But ZTE has denied doing any wrong, saying it delivered the project to the Nigeria Police Force, at Force Headquarters, Abuja. It added that running and maintaining the equipment now rests with Nigerians.

    “Electricity remains a major challenge in the country. So, fuelling the equipment must have posed a big challenge to the law enforcement agency saddled with the management of the equipment. On whether the project was delivered or not, there is no gain saying that fact. It was delivered to the former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed  Abubakar,” a source close to the firm explained.

    Ashton said the botched project should be treated simultaneously with on-going “Dasukigate” because it is similar to diversion of funds earmarked to bolster the country’s fight against terrorism. This he said has led to the loss of hundreds of military and civilian lives especially in the Northeast and Abuja, which has come under several deadly attacks over the past few years with no leads as to the capture of the attackers.

    He alleged that Zambia terminated a $210 million CCTV contract with the company in 2013 over corruption allegation.

    He alleged that the largest sovereign fund in the world, Norway’s $820 billion oil fund blacklisted ZTE due to concerns about corruption. The company was excluded on the basis of a recommendation from the fund’s own ethics council which confirmed that ZTE is facing corruption charges and or investigation in 18 countries around the world including Nigeria.

    “It is therefore imperative that the Federal Government avoids the errors and pitfalls of the last administration by ensuring that relevant government agencies carry out their due diligence exercises in the selection of project contractors. This will not only save increasingly scarce financial resources, but also the lives of innocent Nigerians both military and civilian, who are the unfortunate victims of the callous actions of compromised foreign contractors and their local partners,” he said.

    He argued that cases such as the Abuja CCTV contract and the on-going arms deal investigation have greatly damaged Nigeria’s international reputation and further projected the negative image the country has acquired over the past few years; it is incontrovertible therefore, that the handling of these 2 cases will show the seriousness of the administration’s anti-graft war to the international community.

    If states and federal agencies are able to apply international best practices in the award, monitoring and evaluation of public contracts, the country’s daunting fight against the twin evils of corruption, and by extension terrorism, will certainly have a greater chance of success, he added.