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Tag: BUHARI

  • Buhari pledges to restore dignity of retired public servants

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday inaugurated Micro Pension Plan with a pledge to restore the dignity of public servants, who worked tirelessly and sacrificed for the greatness of Nigeria.

    Speaking at the launch of Micro Pension Plan, organized by National Pension Commission at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, the president assured that the Federal Government would rev up the process of sanitizing the pensions system.

    According to him, retired public servants deserve better treatment and effective service that meets their needs to carry on after retirement, promising to remove the “rot within the pension system’’.

    “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.

    “We have already started on this journey. We must all come together to ensure these reforms are fully implemented and their positive impact is felt by the rightful beneficiaries,’’ he said.

    The President noted 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 were not fully captured in the formal corporate sector.

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

    “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,’’ he said.

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

    At the event, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said the new scheme would 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 Jan. 2019.

    “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 added.

    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 further explained that the new pension scheme would afford people in the informal sector an opportunity to contribute daily, weekly or monthly.

    She said: “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.

    “The contributor may, based on his/her needs, periodically withdraw the total or part of the balance of the contingent portion of his/her RSA, including all accrued investment income thereto.

    “The contributor may also choose to convert the contingent portion of the contributions to the retirement benefits portion.’’

    According to her, a new department has been created specifically to monitor activities of the Micro Pension Plan, and to ensure compliance with the guidelines of the scheme and manage customer complains.

  • Tinubu one of democracy’s strong pillars, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has sent warm felicitations to the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his 67th birthday, scheduled for March 29th.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, described Tinubu as one of the strong pillars of Nigeria’s democracy.

    He joined the APC family in celebrating the Asiwaju of Lagos, who is also the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom in Niger State, for his selflessness in serving his country, and making life better for many.

    The President recalled some of the sacrifices of the party chieftain to include standing up against injustice in 1993 when the June 12 elections were annulled, which led to his going on political exile for many years, and a protracted legal battle with the Federal Government when funds for Lagos were withheld.

    President Buhari affirmed that Asiwaju’s uncompromising posture in the face of injustice and refusal to follow the path of least resistance for personal gains stand him out today as a rare breed and one of the cornerstones of Nigeria’s democracy, especially with his track record of persistence, consistency and effective leadership.

    As the father of modern Lagos State, the President commended the visionary and inclusive leadership style that Asiwaju provided for the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria for eight years, laying the foundation for a modern and technologically driven city, and ensuring that every successive leader in the state sticks with the master plan of a greater Lagos.

    Read Also: Buhari, APC chiefs endorse Lawan for Senate President

    President Buhari rejoiced with family members, friends, political and business associates of the Jagaban on this auspicious milestone, which is further brightened with the many successes recorded at the recently concluded polls by his strong leadership.

    The President believed the best years of the APC National Leader are still ahead, praying that the almighty God will grant him longer life, good health and more wisdom to keep serving the country he loves so much.

  • Three more parties dispute Buhari’s victory

    The number of political parties, challenging the outcome of the last presidential election has risen to four, with three more depositing their petitions before the Presidential Election Tribunal in Abuja.

    Beside the one filed on March 18 this year by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the election, Atiku Abubakar, three other parties have also filed.

    There is the one filed by Hope Democratic Party (HDP) and Ambrose Owuru, who claimed to be the party’s presidential candidate. The petition, marked: CA/PEPC/001/2019 was filedonMarch7 this year, before that of the PDP and Atiku, marked: CA/PEPC/002/2019.

    The third, marked: CA/PEPC/003/2019was filed by the Coalition for Change (C4C) and Geff Ojinika, who claimed to be the party’s presidential candidate.

    The core contention of the authors of the third petition is that the election, held on February 23 this year, “was vitiated by substantial non-compliance with mandatory statutory provisions, which irregularity substantially affected the election, such that the 1st respondent (Buhari) was not entitled to be returned as the winner of the presidential election.”

    The fourth petition, marked: CA/PEPC/004/2019, was filed on March 19 this year by the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) and Pastor Aminchi Habu, listed as the party’s presidential candidate.

    At a pre-hearing session conducted on Wednesday, the tribunal acceded to the request by the People’s Democratic Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the last presidential election, Atiku Abubakar for permission to serve their petition of President Muhammadu Buhari through his party, All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Read Also: Buhari, APC chiefs endorse Lawan for Senate President

    PDP and Atiku, who, by their petition, are challenging Buhari’s victory at the election, applied for leave to effect service of the petition on the President on the grounds that they were having difficulty serving him.

    The three-man tribunal, after listening to Chris Uche (SAN), who moved the ex-parte filed by the PDP and Atiku, granted them permission to serve through substituted means.

    Justice Abdul Aboki, who led the panel, ordered that Buhari, who is listed as the second respondent to the petition, be served through any senior official or an officer of the APC at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

    Justice Aboki, in his lead ruling, said “it is in the interest of justice” to grant the prayers in the petitioners’ motion.rant the prayers in the petitioners’ motion.

  • Adopting new tax culture’ll transform economy – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja said the Federal Government will continue to sensitise and encourage Nigerians to cultivate the culture of paying taxes by ensuring fair implementation policy and effective utilisation of resources.

    The President, who received the leadership of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) at the State House, said the National Tax Policy document had been reviewed with the aim of institutionalising a tax payment culture within the Nigerian workforce.

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said the progress made in diversifying the economy, providing social security and securing the country can be further improved with enhanced and expanded revenue base.

    “We have made some progress in the past four years. However, a lot more can still be done. A key step is to enhance and expand government’s revenue base.

    “Today, we still rely on oil as our main source of income. This simply is not enough to meet our infrastructure, social services and security needs,’’ he said.

    Describing Nigerians as hardworking and entrepreneurial, the President said a deeper understanding of the effectiveness of tax on the economy by the populace and fair administration will help in improving government’s revenue shortfalls.

    President of CITN, Chief Cyril Ikemefuna Ede, congratulated the President for winning his second term in office, assuring him of the institute’s support for a successful tenure, especially in the area of using tax to improve government’s revenue.

    Ede said some higher institutions in the country had started offering taxation as a course, hoping it will also be taught in secondary schools.

    He said nations can only achieve development with mobilisation of resources through taxation.

    The President of CITN said political leaders must set a good example for compliance on tax payment by ensuring that presentation of tax certificates remains one of the central requirements for those who want to contest elective positions.

  • Buhari to APC senators-elect: Shun erroneous path of 8th Senate

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday night advised senators-elect on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to avoid the erroneous path of 8th Senate.

    He gave the advice while hosting the APC senators-elect and some state governors to a dinner at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The President regretted some wrong actions and decisions of the 8th National Assembly.

    He specifically recalled the deliberate and persistent delay in passing the nation’s annual budget by the National Assembly.

    Urging the in-coming 9th National Assembly to do things differently from the outgoing 8th Senate, he said that it will enable his administration achieve its target of transforming the nation.

    He said “This is my fifth and last time of standing for an election – for that reason I’ll like to leave something behind.

    “And what I want to leave cannot be successfully done without your support.

    “So, that is why I’m appealing for your support. What happened in the last senate and so on is regrettable because I still feel it shouldn’t take seven months to pass a budget. You have a very, very serious job ahead of you.

    “So, what I’m appealing is that any major decision you are going to take please reflect more on the country than yourself as a person – what effect will it have on the country,’’ he said.

    Promising to work and partner with the 9th national assembly in promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in the country, the president thanked the governors and senators-elect for their support and understanding.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the dinner, the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, said the whole purpose of the event was to bond the new and old senators, to establish a new relationship between the executive and the legislature.

    He said: “The system talks about the separation of powers between the executive and legislature and the two must handshake for things to happen.

    “And when you have a president that is determined to drive changes, fundamental changes that will affect our habits, our life style, review the economy, deal with the security situation, fight corruption as fiercely as he is trying to do, he will need a very supportive legislative arm of government.

    “And happily, the Nigerian people have given us the number in the legislative arm of government.

    “All we have agreed today is that we will use these numbers as a functioning whole to determine the leadership of the senate in a way that we are not going to go to the floor of the senate and allow the opposition dictate who becomes the senate president.

    “Because, we have comfortable majority to drive that, what we have to do is to manage that majority.’’

    Also speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong said: “What the president has done today, I think is the right step in the right direction.

    “The last time we did not have the opportunity of this politics but today, Mr. President invited us. Because, we are governors and we also dialogue with our senators.

    “Mr President said in order to avoid rancor, let me lay the way forward and we are very happy he has laid the way forward and because of that we are all going to work towards achieving the desire of Mr President for the good of this country.’’ he said

    On his part, Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari said “We all remembered what happened at the last assembly, and Mr. President through the national chairman said that we should work hand in hand to ensure that we come out as one party.

    “We are assured the President that we are going to give him full cooperation to ensure we boost the Nigerian economy, security and fight against corruption.”

  • Buildings collapse: Offenders’ll face full wrath of the law, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday warned that those who cut corners that resulted in building collapse in the country will face the full wrath of the law.

    He gave the warning while receiving the leadership of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, the recent building collapse demands urgent adherence to quality standards.

    He said “However, the recent tragic incident in Lagos and many others across the country, reminds us of the need to strictly adhere to quality standards when it comes to construction projects.

    “Young innocent lives must never be lost due to incompetence and greed. Simply put, no corners must be cut.

    “l want to assure you that those responsible for such incidents of professional negligence will feel the full wrath of the law,” he said

    Stressing that his administration remain committed to the Change Agenda, he said that the dark days of impunity are gone for good.

    He said “As a Government, we remain focused and committed to ensuring we create an inclusive and diversified economy. This simply means National growth must impact the silent majority.

    “This is why in the past three years; we focused on key job creating sectors such as Agriculture and Infrastructure Development.

    “You will all recall that our Agriculture and Infrastructure programs contributed to our exit from the recession. This is a clear example of how, if we push “inclusive” job creating policies, growth will follow.

    “We will remain committed to these and other programs, to ensure the success of our nation is felt by the majority of Nigerians.

    “With our significant infrastructure deficit, your sector has the potential and the bandwidth to create impactful jobs across the country. Both urban and rural areas.”

    Towards commencing dialogue, he urged them to make formal submission to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing as soon as possible.

    “Like you mentioned in your remarks, many of your members are currently working in Government and I am confident we can commence these reforms within the shortest possible time.” he added

    The President of NIQS, Obafemi Onashile congratulated the President on his well-deserved re-election as the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “And pray that Allah will continue to grant you good health, the grace and the strength to achieve your good intensions and aspiration for the Nation and to deliver the dividends of democracy to the citizenry.

    “Your re-election is indeed a confirmation of the support for your policies on anti-corruption, rule of law, transparency which is magnified in your TSA (Treasury Single Account) Policy which all past administrations shied away from as well as your Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

    “Your Excellency, you can count on the NIQS to further push these programmes and much more on your behalf as they are sincere and meaningful for our Country.”

    “Your Excellency Sir, we are here on a visit, not to only felicitate with you but to express our total confidence in your administration and leadership direction, which have brought hope, progress and stability to our Nation.”

    He said “It is obvious that your government is listening government that is committed to improving the plights of the Nigerian citizens. Your recently signed Executive Orders No.5 and No.7 aptly exhibit a government interested in professional handling of governance. Your open war on corruption is also a testimony of sincerity of purpose and transparency of your government.

    He said that construction projects are usually high capital intensive and could be readymade platforms for large scale corruption in any economy if not professionally managed with requisite discipline.

  • Buhari, APC senators meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday night met behind closed doors with All Progressives Congress (APC) senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    The senators included serving senators and senators-elect on the platform of the party.

    Some of the APC state governors who attended the dinner, included Lagos, Plateau, Kogi, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kebbi, Zamfara, Osun.

    Among those at the meeting also included the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,

    The President hosted them to dinner at the new Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    Discussions at the dinner may not be unconnected with zoning and selection of the leadership of the 9th National Assembly.

    Read Also: Buhari appoints Jauro as NESREA DG

    Unlike in 2015 when the leadership was hijacked by senators, who didn’t get the blessings of the ruling party, the APC is determined to ensure that the next leadership of the National Assembly are in line with the wishes of the ruling party.

    The dinner, which started around 8pm, was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

    Senators already aspiring for the 9th National Assembly Senate Presidency included Senators Ahmed Lawan, Ali Ndume and Danjuma Goje.

  • APGA hails Buhari’s economic policies

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Monday scored President Muhammadu Buhari high on his economic policies.

    APGA said Nigerians with the result of Buhari’s economic initiative will soon begin to enjoy stable economy and better living standard.

    Briefing reporters in Abuja, its chairman, Victor Oye, said the President deserves complete eight years as provided by the Constitution.

    He lamented some Nigerians spend their time criticising the President, warning politics is not a do- or- die affair.

    Oye charged Nigerians to learn how to cooperate with those in leadership positions, saying it is by this understanding that the unity and peace of the country can be promoted irrespective of race and religion.

    He further emphasised the needs for Nigerians to offer valuable advice to the President to enable him succeed in office.

    Commenting on the 2019 general elections, Oye said the party believes that the election was generally free, fair and credible, noting that even the international community adjudged the process as such.

    He said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was not given such benefit of the doubts by Nigerians to conduct credible general elections.

    “We have our own misgivings but in our own thinking, the outcome of the election was fair. Nobody gave INEC the chance to perform the little it has done.

    “INEC showed immeasurable courage by ensuring that the elections went the way they did, especially the Presidential elections. In our own estimation, the election was free and fair and APGA is happy with the outcome of the elections,” he said.

    Oye further said that APGA has made in-route into the north by winning three House of Representatives in Benue state, one House of Representatives seats in Taraba state and another House of Representatives seat in Imo state.

    While pointing out the party has done very well, the APGA chairman said the party had won the Gwagwalada Area council election, three seats in Taraba House of Assembly and another three seats in Bayelsa House of Assembly, among others.

  • Buhari mourns Literary Icon, Gabriel Okara

    President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the passage of the renowned poet, novelist and playwright, Gabriel Okara, aged 97.

    On behalf of the Federal Executive Council, the President extended heartfelt commiserations to the Okara family, the government and people of Bayelsa State, the literary community and all who drank from the writer’s fountain of knowledge.

    As a dedicated and well-published writer in all the literary genres, President Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, believed Okara, who was deservedly known as the ‘‘founder of Modern African literature’’ will be fondly remembered for his immense contributions to the development of African literature, drawing on experience from his native Ijaw language.

    The President extolled the great story-teller whose powerful use of imagery and symbolism in his literary writings helped the world to appreciate and understand the richness, complexities and uniqueness of the African heritage and culture.

    President Buhari prayed Almighty God to grant the soul of the departed writer peaceful repose and comfort all who mourn.

  • Breaking: Buhari receives report on Minimum Wage funding

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday received advisory report on how to fund the newly increased workers’ minimum wage.

    The bill to increase the minimum wage to N30, 000 is still before the National Assembly.

    Buhari received the report from the Technical Committee on the Implementation of the new minimum wage at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Buhari thanked the committee for submitting the report before the bill was passed into law.

    He assured that the government will expeditiously study the report towards its implementation.