The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BUHARI

  • Agribusiness to get priority attention under Buhari

    National Programme Coordinator (NPC) Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), Dr Aimen Onojah, has said agricultural produce in the President Muham-madu Buhari administration will receive great patronage.

    He added that the administration would make agribusiness the thrust of its agricultural policy.

    Onojah spoke at the opening of the Marketing and Processing Demonstration Training at National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM) in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    Represented by an officer of the VCDP, Esinulo Kennedy, Onojah said: “This is a Federal Government project that involved six states. They are Anambra, Benue, Ebonyi, Niger, Ogun and Taraba. It was packaged to reduce poverty among Nigerians and to stimulate the much needed economic growth of Nigeria.

    “It is a pity that most projects in Nigeria are not sustained but this will be held on a sustainable basis. It was packaged to favour the nation’s agric policy under a value change system with zeal for marketability. What is the value of produce without a market for it?”

    Earlier, the Acting Executive Director, NCAM, Dr Yomi Kasali described the available human and material resources at the institute as “the best” for the proposed policy of the government on prompt marketing of agric products in the country.

    He said: “NCAM is not new to organising this type of training programmes for donor-assisted projects. For five years, the centre organised training/workshops and provided technical back stopping for the processing and market expansion component of Root and Tuber Expansion Programme (RTEP).

    “The strength of NCAM derives from its mandate, which is to transform the Nigerian agriculture through the development of indigenous technologies that can reduce drudgery, thus leading to an increase in the quality and quantity of agricultural produce. This mandate is being achieved through innovative and adaptive research activities.”

  • Group greets Buhari, Tinubu

    Group greets Buhari, Tinubu

    The Likeminds, a non-governmental organisation, has greeted President Muhammadu Buhari, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of the Eid-El-Kabir.

    A statement by its State Coordinator, Comrade Shina Oyedokun, urged Nigerians to live in peace.

    “We also greet Vice President Yemi Osibajo, Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Idiat Adebule, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Hon. Babatunde Adedoyin and Seye Oladejo,” Oyedokun said.

  • Photo: Buhari departs for UN meeting

    Photo: Buhari departs for UN meeting

    President Muhammadu Buhari Departing from Yar'Adua Airport in Katsina during the President Departure to the United State of America for United Nations 70th Session Meeting. PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN.
    President Muhammadu Buhari Departing from Yar’Adua Airport in Katsina during the President Departure to the United State of America for United Nations 70th Session Meeting. PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN.
  • Buhari promises to ensure Falae’s release

    Buhari promises to ensure Falae’s release

    President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to take all necessary action to ensure the safe and speedy rescue of Chief Olu Falae who was abducted from his farm on Monday.
    President Buhari in a statement by presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina condemned the callous and reprehensible kidnapping of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and elder statesman.
    The President assured Chief Falae’s family, friends and other concerned Nigerians that the Federal Government will do all within its powers to ensure his swift release.
    President Buhari, who has requested constant updates from the police and security agencies on efforts to find and rescue Chief Falae, also denounced the recurring incidents of criminal abductions across the country.
    He assured all Nigerians that ongoing efforts to significantly enhance the security of lives and property in the country will continue apace and that under his leadership, Nigerians, irrespective of their status, will no longer be left at the mercy of criminal elements.

  • Coup: Osinbajo to represent Buhari in Burkina Faso

    Following the resolutions of the Extra-ordinary session of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) leaders in Abuja on Tuesday, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will represent President Muhammadu Buhari in Burkina Faso.

    Due to the situation in Burkina Faso, a select group of West African leaders were scheduled for a meeting in Quagadougou, Burkina Faso on Wednesday.

    In all, six ECOWAS leaders would be attending the meeting with the leaders of last Thursday’s military coup in Burkina Faso.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, said that the Vice President is expected back to Abuja later on Wednesday.

  • Buhari okays N70m for low-key Independence celebration

    Buhari okays N70m for low-key Independence celebration

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved N70 million for 2015 Independence celebrations.

    October 1, 2015, Nigeria will mark its 55th independence anniversary.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal briefed reporters in Abuja yesterday.

    He was represented by the Permanent Secretary (Political) in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (OSGF), Ibukun Odusote.

    He said President Buhari approved the N70 million although he would have preferred the money to go for the payment of workers’ salaries.

    President Buhari, he said, maintained that the money was too much to be spent on frivolities, such as celebrations, when Nigerians were grappling to survive the present-day economic stress.

    He said: “Let me emphasise, that this year’s celebration is indeed low-key. This is because the present administration appreciates the economic hardship that Nigerians and indeed the nation is confronted with today.

    “To address the situation, government has adopted a general policy to be prudent in the management of our financial resources. This year’s celebration is therefore, in consonance with the cost saving policy direction of this administration,” he said.

    According to him, four events were approved by the President.

    He said: “The events are: Jumat prayers, international thanksgiving service, ceremonial change of guards and a children’s party.”

    The independence anniversary will begin with Jumat prayers on Friday, September 25, at the National Mosque, Abuja. This will be followed by an interdenominational thanksgiving service on Sunday, September 27, at the National Christian Worship Centre, Abuja.

    There will be ceremonial change of guards at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on October 1, 2015.

    The Children’s party will be held on Saturday, October 3, at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    He added: “Apart from these four events the President will address the nation on Oct 1.

    “To ensure a successful commemoration, four sub-committees have been constituted to handle the preparations for each of the four events,” he added.

     

  • Buhari to discuss terrorism, global security in New York

    Buhari to discuss terrorism, global security in New York

    •To address 70th session of UNGA

    President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Nigeria for New York tomorrow for a series of meetings and interactions with notable world leaders within and on the sidelines of the main events of the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

    President Buhari will hold talks with the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, President Barack Obama of the United States, President Francois Hollande of France, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, President Vladmir Putin of Russia, President Xi Jinping of China and Prime Minister Narenda Modi of India.

    The talks will centre on domestic developmental issues, bilateral relations, war against terrorism, countering violent extremism, enhancement of global security, peace-keeping operations, climate change and adoption of a post-2015 global development agenda.

    President Buhari, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, would be accompanied by governors of Sokoto, Kaduna and Niger states, National Security Adviser and permanent secretaries in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence as well as the Federal Ministries of Finance, Health, Industry, Trade and Investment.

    The President will deliver Nigeria’s Statement to the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Monday.

    President Buhari is also scheduled to address the World Leaders Summit on Violent Extremism to which he was personally invited by Mr. Ki-Moon during his visit to Nigeria.

    Also on the President’s schedule in New York are a meeting of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, a High-level Roundtable on South-South Cooperation, organised by President Xi Jinping of China and the United Nations as well as participation in the launching of an updated global health strategy for women and children.

    President Buhari will also meet with former U.S. President Bill Clinton, Mr. Bill Gates of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is assisting Nigeria in polio eradication, among others, and former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who is United Nations special envoy on Global Education and one of the main drivers of the Safe Schools Initiative.

    The President will concluded his visit to New York on Tuesday, September 29 and leave for Abuja the same day.

     

  • Buhari to discuss terrorism, global security in New York

    Buhari to discuss terrorism, global security in New York

    President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Nigeria for New York on Thursday for meetings and interactions with notable world leaders during the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

    In New York, President Buhari will hold talks with the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, United States President, Barack Obama, President Francois Hollande of France and Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain.

    He will also interact with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, President Vladmir Putin of Russia, President Xi Jinping of China and Prime Minister Narenda Modi of India.

    President Buhari, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, will be accompanied by the Governors of Sokoto, Kaduna and Niger States, the National Security Adviser and the Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Finance, Health, Industry, Trade and Investment.

    He will deliver Nigeria’s statement to the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly on Monday, September 28.

    President Buhari is also scheduled to address the World Leaders Summit on Violent Extremism to which he was personally invited by Mr. Ban Ki Moon during the Secretary-General’s recent visit to Nigeria.

    Also on the President’s schedule in New York are a meeting of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, a High-Level Roundtable on South-South Cooperation organised by President Xi Jinping of China and the UN, and participation in the launching of an updated global health strategy for women and children.

    He is also scheduled for meetings with former U.S President, Bill Clinton, Mr. Bill Gates of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which is assisting Nigeria in several areas including polio eradication, and former Prime British Minister, Gordon Brown, the UN Special Envoy on Global Education who is one of the main drivers of the Safe Schools Initiative.

    The President will conclude his visit to New York on Tuesday, September 29 and leave the city for Abuja on the same day.

     

  • Buhari, ECOWAS leaders meet on Burkina Faso‎

    Buhari, ECOWAS leaders meet on Burkina Faso‎

    President Muhammadu Buhar and eight other ECOWAS leaders are locked in a closed- door meeting over the political logjam in Burkina-Faso.

    The extra-ordinary meeting which is ongoing is expected discuss the ongoing political crisis in Burkina Faso and the way out of the imbroglio.

    ECOWAS has since placed Burkina-Faso on suspension, following a military coup which toppled the interim government headed by Michel Kafando.

    ECOWAS leaders attending the meeting which is taking place at the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport are – John Mahama (Ghana), Thomas Boni Yayi (Benin Republic), Macky Sall (Senegal) and Alassane Ouattara (Côte d’Ivoire).

    The leaders of Guinea, Niger Republic and Mali are also in attendance.

    Buhari in his welcome remark said the development in Burkina-Faso runs contrary to the expectations of ECOWAS‎.

    He stressed that the extraordinary summit therefore provides the opportunity to review the development.

    ‎He also commended the process of engagement by the regional body, which according to him, has resulted in some measure of understanding towards the resolution of the crisis.

     

  • Buhari okays N70m for Independence celebration

    Buhari okays N70m for Independence celebration

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved N70 million for the 2015 Independence celebrations.

    On October 1, Nigeria will mark her 55th independent anniversary.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, briefed journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.

    He was represented by the Permanent Secretary (Political) in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, (OSGF), Ibukun Odusote.

    He said President Buhari approved the N70 million although he would have preferred the money to go into the payment of workers’ salaries.

    President Buhari, he said, had maintained that the money was too much to be spent on frivolities such as celebrations when Nigerians are grappling to survive the present day economic stress.

    He said: “Let me emphasize that this year’s celebration is indeed low-key. This is because the present administration appreciates the economic hardship that Nigerians and indeed the nation is confronted with today.

    “To address the situation, government has adopted a general policy to be very prudent in the management of our financial resources. This year’s celebration is therefore, in consonance with the cost saving policy direction of this administration.”

    According to him, four events have been approved by the President for the entire celebration process.

    He said: “The events are – Jumat prayers, international thanksgiving service, ceremonial change of guards and a children’s party.

    The independence anniversary would kick start with Jumat prayers on Friday, September 25, at the National Mosque, Abuja, which will be followed by interdenominational thanksgiving service on Sunday, September 27 at the National Christian Worship Centre, Abuja.

    There will be ceremonial change of guards at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on October 1.

    The Children’s party will be held on Saturday, October 3 at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    He added: “Apart from these four events the President will also address the nation on October 1.

    “To ensure a successful commemoration, four sub-committees have been constituted to handle the preparations for each of the four events.”