The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BUHARI

  • Buhari vows to recover stolen funds

    Buhari vows to recover stolen funds

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in New Delhi, India, reaffirmed his administration’s resolute commitment to curbing corruption, plugging all loopholes in public sector accounting and deploying available resources for the good of all Nigerians.

    He made the remarks while addressing members of the Nigerian community in India.

    Buhari, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, declared that the recovery of stolen funds and prosecution of persons who have been indicted for corrupt practices will also continue to be vigorously pursued.

    The ongoing recoveries and prosecutions of offenders, according to the President, will serve as deterrent to others who nurse the ambition of seeking public office solely for illegal personal gain.

    President Buhari assured the gathering that his administration fully recognized the devastating consequences of the illegal diversion of public resources meant for national development into private bank accounts, and was doing all within its powers to stop such diversions.

    He said: “The anti-corruption campaign will be ongoing for many years. We are committed to the enthronement of good governance that plugs the loopholes in public sector accounting, and the use of scarce resources for public good.

    “We are determined to demonstrate exemplary leadership that will make our citizens to change their ways in a manner that lays a solid foundation for reconstruction and development.

    “I am confident that our approach to fighting corruption through value re-orientation, improved internal processes and systems and the rule of law, as well as enhancing the capacity of the various anti-corruption agencies and institutions will prove more enduring in addressing this evil.

    “In the meantime, we will continue to prosecute those who have been indicted for corrupt practices and ensure that stolen funds are recovered, to serve as deterrence to others who nurse the ambition of seeking public office solely for illegal personal gain.”

  • Buhari, Akiolu congratulate Ooni

    Buhari, Akiolu congratulate Ooni

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday congratulated Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi on his emergence as the 51st Ooni of Ife.

    A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said the President rejoiced with Prince Ogunwusi  on his  nomination  and confirmation by Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    The statement reads: “As he prepares to begin the rites of ascension to the revered throne of his ancestors, President Buhari urges the Ooni-designate  to commit himself to carrying his subjects along to a new era of peace, stability and progress in Ife, Yorubaland and Nigeria.

    The President  called on Prince Ogunwusi to be prepared to put his new position as Ooni and principal custodian of the cultural heritage and traditions of the Yoruba to good use in the service of his people and country.

    He urged the Ooni-designate to dedicate himself to building on, and surpassing the legacies of his predecessor, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, and working with government and other traditional rulers to foster greater harmony, peaceful co-existence and faster socio-economic development of his people and Nigerians.

    The President prayed God to grant him the immense wisdom and courage required to oversee further progress and greater prosperity for his people.

    He wished the Ooni a long and highly successful reign in the service of his people and country.

    Oba of Lagos Rilwanu Babatunde Akiolu has congratulated the Ooni-designate, urging him to put the welfare of the people first and maintain a policy of honesty and loyalty to the government and the people.

    In a statement yesterday, Oba Akiolu advised the monarch to be careful of some “commercial Yoruba leaders parading themselves about.”

    Describing the Ooni as one of the highest ranking monarchs in Yoruba land, Oba Akiolu said he requires wisdom and objectivity to navigate. He advised the Ooni to deal frankly and honestly with all for the progress of the people.

    He said: “I must be frank and honest with you; you have to stretch out hands of fellowship to other equally qualified princes among whom it pleases God to bestow the highest royal honour on you. Do not arrogate to yourself what is not necessary, you are not a poor person  before you ascended the throne, you are advised to be very close to your God and be absolutely loyal to the government and your people and make known to them honest facts.

    “Do not say things to satisfy people or government, be very objective in your dealings towards the progress of your people, Yoruba race and Nigeria in general. Let them know you for what you are, like Caesar’s wife try to be above board, at the time you ascend the throne, Yoruba race and Nigerians in general were in dire need of frank, honest and peace loving Obas. Be very careful among the few bad commercial Yoruba leaders that are parading themselves about,” Akiolu said.

    The Oba of Lagos cautioned the Ooni-designate against greed and dictatorial tendencies.  “Do not grab what is not yours because you are now in a position of advantage, remember, it is all for a limited time. I do not have a reservoir of knowledge but I always remember Almighty Allah and I have feelings for others. Though I respect others, I fear no one. Once again, I congratulate you and wish you long life.”

     

     

     

  • Buhari congratulates new Ooni of Ife

    Buhari congratulates new Ooni of Ife

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday congratulated Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi on his emergence as the 51st Ooni of Ife and successor to the late Oba Okunade Sijuwade.

    President Buhari, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, rejoiced with Prince Adeyeye  on his  nomination  as  Ooni by the kingmakers of Ife  after a keenly contested but peaceful selection process, and confirmation on Monday by Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State.

    It reads: “As he prepares to begin the rites of ascension to the revered throne of his great ancestors, President Buhari urges the Ooni-designate to commit himself to carrying all his subjects along to a new era of peace, stability and progress in Ife, Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole.

    “The President called on Prince Adeyeye to be prepared to put his new position as Ooni and principal custodian of the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Yorubas to good use in the service of his people and country.

    “He also urged the Ooni-designate to dedicate himself to building on and surpassing the worthy legacies of his much-acclaimed predecessor, Oba Sijuwade, and working with government and other traditional rulers across the country to foster greater harmony, peaceful co-existence and faster socio-economic development of his people and all Nigerians.”

    The President prayed that God Almighty will grant him the immense wisdom and courage he will require to oversee further progress and greater prosperity for his people.

    He wished the new Ooni a long and highly successful reign in the service of his people and country.

     

     

  • Photo: Buhari off to India

    Photo: Buhari off to India

    President Buhari leaving for India on Tuesday
    President Buhari leaving for India on Tuesday
  • Buhari orders provision for basic healthcare fund in 2016 budget

    Buhari orders provision for basic healthcare fund in 2016 budget

    President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Federal Ministry of Finance to provide for the basic health care provision fund under the 2016 Budget Appropriation.

    He spoke at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, at an event marking Nigeria’s delisting as a polio-endemic country.

    Buhari expressed pleasure that Nigeria had not recorded any case of polio in the last one year.

    He said the nation was working on a revised National Health Policy, which would have the achievement of Universal Health Coverage as its main ultimate goal.

    The President hailed the World Health Organisation (WHO) for its consistent stewardship in Global Health Security

    Buhari, who said efforts to eradicate polio from Nigeria started in 1998, added that it took much toll on the country in terms of human and material resources.

    He promised that his administration would not relent to save children from further paralysis from polio.

    The President hailed vaccinators, community mobilisers, partners, parents and caregivers, traditional and religious leaders, who have supported the polio eradication initiative of the government through the years.

    “By the same token, we thank development partners, particularly WHO, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, United States (U.S.) Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S.-Centre for Disease Control (CDC), Rotary International and a host of others who contributed financially and materially to the overall efforts,” Buhari said.

    The President also said another major area of concern to his administration was how to address the large morbidity and mortality rates caused by neglected tropical diseases.

    Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, who represented the Director General of WHO, Dr. Margaret Chan, said: “I am very honoured and pleased to congratulate the people and government of Nigeria on the interruption of the Wild Polio Virus transmission, and to officially inform that Nigeria has been removed from the list of polio endemic countries.”

    She noted that Nigeria still had a long way to go from the polio interruption to eradication.

     

  • Buhari’s fight against corruption legitimate, says Kumuyi

    Buhari’s fight against corruption legitimate, says Kumuyi

    THE General Superintendent, Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM), Pastor Williams F. Kumuyi, has described President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s fight against corruption and insurgency as “legitimate and necessary”.

    Kumuyi, who spoke with reporters at the end of a combined service of the church at the Abia State Polytechnic Playground, Aba said: “I am a layman when it comes to politics. But from what we can see, I believe that the President is in the right direction and if we support him, with our comments and in other ways, I believe that we will see all these things brought down very quickly.”

    On how the church can help the President and other leaders in the fight against corruption, Kumuyi said: “When we say the church, we are not just talking of buildings; we are talking of people that come to church who also goes to offices.

    “And for the church to support, preachers should teach our people to learn how to contribute positively to the progress of the country anywhere they are and so if you are a governor, commissioner, teacher, minister and among others, be your best for the country.

    “Don’t think of what you can get out of the place that you are working, but how to contribute to the place to support the efforts of the government.”

    The cleric advised politicians to always remember to fulfill their campaign promises.”

  • Buhari inaugurates panel on parastatals’ reconstitution

    President Muhammadu Buhari, has inaugurated the Presidential Committee on the reconstitution of Federal Government Boards of Parastatals, Agencies and Commissions.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Engr. Babachir David Lawal, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja.

    A statement issued by the Assistant Director (Press) in the Office of the SGF, Oise Johnson, said the committee is headed by the SGF.

    Members of the committee, according to the statement,include Alh. Mai Mala Buni (North-East Zone), Alh. Zakari Idde (North-Central Zone) and Alh. Inuwa Abdulkadir (North-West Zone).

    Others are Chief Hillard Etagbo Eta (South-South Zone), Chief Pius Akinyelure (South-West Zone), Chief Emmanuel Eneukwa (South-East Zone, and Mr. Gideon Sammani (SSAP to the President) as Secretary

    The Terms of Reference of the Committee include “(i) To determine and recommend to Mr. President, the Governing Boards of Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies and Commissions to be reconstituted immediately.

    “(ii) To identify the available positions of the Chairmanship and Membership levels in each of the affected Parastatals, Agencies and Commissions as provided for in their respective enabling laws.

    “(iii) To allocate the Chairmanship and Membership positions to each State of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, including slots for Presidential discretion.

    “(iv) To receive and screen the nominees received from the States and the Federal Capital Territory and recommend them to the President for consideration and approval.

    “(v) To ensure balance in the distribution of Board members along the geo-political zones of the country.

    “(vi) To advise Mr. President on any other matter(s) regarding the composition of the Boards that are incidental on the foregoing terms of reference.”

    The committee after the inauguration, held its inaugural meeting in Abuja.

  • 2016 Budget: Buhari orders provision for basic healthcare fund

    2016 Budget: Buhari orders provision for basic healthcare fund

    President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Federal Ministry of Finance to include the basic healthcare provision fund in the 2016 Budget.

    He spoke at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during an event marking Nigeria’s delisting as a polio endemic country.

    The President expressed pleasure that Nigeria did not record any case of polio in the last one year.

    According to him, Nigeria is working on a revised National Health Policy, which would have the achievement of Universal Health Coverage as its main ultimate goal.

    He also commended the World Health Organization (WHO) for its consistent stewardship in Global Health Security

    He said: “The National Health Act has made provision for universal access to basic healthcare with a focus on the poor and the vulnerable as well as the basic healthcare provision funds to support its implementation.

    “I have already instructed the Federal Ministry of Finance to provide for the basic healthcare provision fund under the 2016 Budget Appropriation.”

    “For 14 consecutive months, Nigeria has not recorded any new case of polio virus. This, as I had been briefed, is the first step towards certification of Nigeria as polio virus free country by WHO in the next two years.”

    Stressing that efforts to eradicate polio from Nigeria started in 1998, the President said it has taken a lot of toll on the country in terms of human and material resources.

    He promised that his administration will not relent from saving the children from polio scourge.

    He continued: “I want to assure you that there will be no complacency, as we will maintain and improve on our surveillance system as well as raise the childhood population immunity against the polio virus to avoid any spread of the disease.

    “The federal government will sustain the current momentum and we shall continue to regard this campaign as an emergency until we are declared polio free in the next two years.”

     

  • Ex-Ekiti Speaker faults Fayose’s criticism of Buhari on new INEC chief

    Former Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly, Femi Bamisile, has faulted Governor Ayo Fayose’s criticism of President Muhammadu Buhari on the appointment of Prof. Mahmud Yakubu as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain urged Ekiti people and all Nigerians to ignore Fayose whom he accused of “unsavory comments against the person, actions and policies of President Muhammadu Buhari.”

    Fayose had last week accused Buhari of appointing another Northerner to replace the former INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, describing the President as a “sectional leader who sees himself as mainly leader of Hausa/Fulani and not that of entire Nigerian people.”

    Bamisile in a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Babs Daramola, said Fayose’s outburst represents “a further display of the governor’s proneness to political tantrums which are not and can never be a true representation of the genuine opinion of the good people of Ekiti state.

    He said: “For Governor Fayose to label President Buhari as a sectional president is a reflection of a state of mind possessed by a pathological penchant for mischief.

    “Mr. Governor should stop seeking unnecessary negative media attention and focus on governance. Here is a governor that barely one year into his misrule, already has so much problems on his hands.

    “Ekiti has regressed into the days of social and economic enslavement. I wonder how a governor who has suddenly turned himself to public enemy number one among his people can claim any moral justification to constitute himself a judge on President Buhari’s policies.

    “It is unfortunate that the governor who is preaching  principle of equity and fairness failed to realise that of the 12 national electoral body chairmen that have been appointed between 1960 and 2015, only Prof. Attahir Jega (who took over in 2010) has come from the Northern extraction.

    “It therefore amounts to either a characteristic deliberate miscarriage of fact or unimaginable ignorance of history on the part of Governor Fayose to claim that the South-South, South-East and South-West, who have had at least two shots each at the position are being marginalized.”

  • Buhari, Modi, African leaders to meet on terrorism, others

    Buhari, Modi, African leaders to meet on terrorism, others

    President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja tomorrow for New Delhi to participate in the Third Summit of the India-Africa Forum.

    It was established in 2008 as the official platform for the advancement of mutually-beneficial relations between India and African nations.

    Buhari, the Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi and other participating Heads of State and Government at this year’s summit, which follows the Second Summit held in Addis Ababa in 2011, will deliberate on issues of common concern to their countries, such as climate change and international terrorism.

    The leaders, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, are also expected to discuss joint collaboration to accelerate the pace of socio-economic development, alleviate poverty and eradicate hunger, disease and illiteracy.

    The President will be accompanied by Kano and Delta states’ governors, the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno and the permanent secretaries in the Ministries of Defence, Power, Communications Technology, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs and Industry, Trade and Investment.

    Buhari is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Modi and other senior Indian government officials on Wednesday, ahead of the opening of the summit on Thursday.

    He will also meet with chief executive officers of Indian companies with existing or prospective interests in Nigeria before returning to Abuja on Friday.