The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BUHARI

  • Buhari and his August visitors

    As we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns—the ones we don’t know we don’t know.”

    —Donald Rumsfeld, former US Secretary of Defence during a news briefing on February 12, 2002 about the lack of evidence linking Iraq’s Saddam Hussein with the supply of WMD to terrorist groups.

    Former president OlusegunObasanjo’s visit to President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, August 8, 2015 was promptly reported by the nation’s media. It was almost instantaneously reported by the various social media platforms. But Nigerians did not know that the immediate past president of the republic, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, had gone to also see his successor on Thursday, the day before Obasanjo’s visit. Jonathan’s visit to Aso Rock, reportedly made at night, was also reported to have been facilitated by former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar who is the chairman of the 2015 Elections Peace Committee. News reports also had it that Jonathan’s attempt to see his successor was not particularly smooth-sailing as Abubakar himself had to rally other arrowheads in the nation’s power centres to intervene for the former president before the Aso Rock gate could be opened. If true, it shows the ultimate futility of power. As if given a report that the visits of the godfather and his godson (now estranged) may not have yielded the result(s) they expected, the following Tuesday, members of the 2015 Elections Peace Committee ‘invaded’ The Villa to meet with President Buhari. In what can now be referred to as a stampede, in less than five working days, Buhari had received three former Chiefs of State either individually or within a group, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’adAbubakar III, who is also the spiritual leader of the nation’s Muslim faithful and other high profile individuals in the committee. Although it may not have been expressly and officially stated, Nigerians do not need to be told that the rush to The Villa was on account of Buhari’s vow to kill corruption before it ‘kills’ Nigeria.

    Perhaps the best way to look at the sprints of these major power centres to Aso Rock is to situate their convergence on the ‘Rock’ (in quick succession) within the context of the epigraph above. The epigraph encapsulates the relationships (mostly convoluted) that exist between the various power centres that these people represent on the one hand, and the relationship between President Buhari and these power centres on the other. The ‘third hand’ is the relationship between the Nigerian electorate yearning for change as an emergent power centre—represented by Buhari—and the entrenched, elite power centres in the country responsible for the sorry state of the country and her people. Buhari’s emergence through the democratic process has revealed the gory state of the nation, and the debilitating, suffocating stench in which Nigerians are mired, no thanks to the most vicious corruption that the world probably has never known, that Buhari himself may be wondering by now if Nigeria has not already been ‘killed’ by it now that there are things he knows that the visitors to the ‘Rock’ now knows he knows. These are the “known knowns.”

    It would have been foolish on the part of these power centres not to have sought audience with a man who, not only deliberately, unrepentantly and unapologetically stands apart from these power formations in which they are either individually or collectively a part of (a man who has also long been suspected that he may one day be their nemesis), but a man known for his pathological disdain for corruption that some of them deliberately fed, nurtured and injected with massive dosage of steroids that mutated the monster into a “HYDRAPUS” (a hydra-headed monster and octopus combined) as aptly coined by WS. They do not need to be told that the “shit has hit the roof” when a president of the most populous country in Africa blurted, and in exasperation in far-away United States, that the monies in the accounts of these corrupt elements in our midst was “mind-boggling.” For Buhari, whose country is already known in the international community to have taken corruption as a way of life to have made this damning declaration must have sent serious shock waves to the corrupt but very powerful class in the polity, hence the marathon race to The Villa because the things they believed Buhari did not know—the “known unknowns”—have become the “known knowns.” Thanks to Buhari, the hapless Nigerian public now also knows that a minister carted away more than $6 billion within four years.

    Buhari must be reminded that the power centres’ ‘pilgrimage’ to the ‘Rock,’ most probably to wrest concession from him not to go the whole hog, or at least give some people, if not some on the entourage, some slack in his war against corruption, are among a group of very powerful people that tried in his previous attempts—even in the last presidential election—everything humanly possible to shut him out of the presidency even by foul means.

    Jonathan’s reply when Buhari unveiled some of the earth-shaking corruption that took place under his watch – which he claimed he was hearing about  ”for the first time” – was the most irresponsible statement to have been made by a former president. Hardly did he realize that the statement, in itself, was a serious indictment on his leadership. But we are relieved that Buhari was reported to have also told the former president in no unmistakable terms that “all looted funds must be returned to the nation’s coffers.”Just as that statement was another testament to the fact that Jonathan’s thoughts and utterances, if not his approach to governance, were far below the office he was saddled with, one is not fooled that what was inherent in the statement was his intentional refusal to acknowledge what he knew; the “unknown knowns”, that psychoanalytic philosopher SlavojZizek says is the fourth category of Rumsfeld’s declaration that he either deliberately left out or wasn’t aware of.

    ‘Thanks to Buhari, the hapless Nigerian public now also knows that a minister carted away more than $6 billion within four years’

    Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah’s statement in the aftermath of the 2015 Elections Peace Committee’s meeting with President Buhari that they “are concerned about [the] process” because the Buhari administration “is no longer a military regime” was most insidious and a dead give-away that the meeting with the Nigerian president had nothing to do with Nigerians’ collective desire to stamp out corruption after all. One may want to ask the Bishop if Buhari had arrested anyone on account of what he now knows—from the fool-proof evidence supplied by the international community—about these corrupt elements. He should also be asked if the president had thrown anyone in jail without any trial. One then wonders what would have warranted this unfortunate comment if not to intimidate and/or blackmail the Nigerian president. A committee imbued with strong moral values should not have allowed some of its members, most especially Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, to attend the meeting with the president on account of his passive involvement in a morally despicable and illegal attempted gun-running with the use of his private jet. The Buhari presidency represents the very first time in the nation’s democratic history that Nigerians have a government of the people and for the people. But the sad and unfolding irony is that the “by the people” component that gives democracy its name and meaning is what seems to be the reason why the battle line is slowly but surely being drawn to prevent this component from happening. This phenomenon has further been exemplified by this recent rush to Aso Rock just as the war of attrition currently underway at the National Assembly, most especially in the Senate, is another testimony. Buhari can use all the support he can get from those Nigerians whose future had long been mortgaged by these corrupt elements who are ready to fight with all the ‘weapons’ at their disposal. It’s now time to be vigilant more than ever.

     

    • Femi Odere is a media practitioner. He can be reached at femiodere@gmail.com

     

     

  • IDPs welfare is top priority, says Buhari

    IDPs welfare is top priority, says Buhari

    The resettlement and comfort of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) will remain a top priority of the Federal  Government, President Muhammadu Buhari said in Abuja on Monday.

    He made the declaration after receiving briefing by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Ezekiel Oyebola Oyemomi at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, the well-being of about 1.5 million people displaced by the insurgency in the North-East must always be uppermost in the minds of those in government.

    Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, therefore directed the ministry to always be mindful of the pathetic circumstances of the IDPs, and factor them into proposals for next year’s Budget.

    “You must help to  improve their situation,” the President told the Permanent Secretary and his team of officials.

    Dr Oyemomi briefed  President Buhari on the activities of his Ministry as well as the Ministry’s  successes and the challenges.

    He asked for improved funding for the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in the 2016 budget.

     

  • Bad economic policies to go, says Buhari

    Bad economic policies to go, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said he will not hesitate to either reverse, or jettison some of the economic policies bequeathed to his administration for as long as such measures will lead to open employment opportunities.

    He made the remark at a meeting with representatives of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) who visited him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    President Buhari also directed the ministries of Finance, Industries, Trade & Investment, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other relevant government agencies to evolve new policies to boost domestic manufacturing before next year’s budget.

    in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said: “We are in difficult times economically, but we’ll continue to do our best for manufacturing to pick up. We must begin to behave as if we have no oil at all.

    “We will gladly have policy somersaults, if it will mean more jobs, particularly for youths. I campaigned on three major planks – to effectively secure our country; provide employment through revamping the economy and wage a relentless war against corruption. I intend to keep faith with these promises,” Adesina quoted the President as saying.

    He lamented that the textile industry that employed about 320,000 people in the past now employs about 30,000.

    “It shows the carelessness of past governments, if almost 300,000 people lose jobs in a single sector. We have a clear idea of how we can stimulate employment and we will work very hard to do so,” Buhari told the MAN delegation.

    MAN President Frank Udemba Jacobs appealed for a review of policies that stifle the manufacturing sector, noting that the importance of a robust manufacturing sector for the general well-being of the economy cannot be over-emphasized.

  • Buhari and industrialisation

    President Muham-madu Buhari has not only declared his intentions to fix the economy; he is also intent on industrialising the nation.

    Besides making promises in that direction during his election campaigns, he specifically directed the Federal Ministry of Defence a fortnight ago to produce a plan for the establishment of a modest military industrial complex for the local production of weapons to meet some of the requirements of the armed forces.

    He declared that it was unacceptable for Nigeria to continue to over-depend on other countries for critical military equipment and logistics.

    Seeing the products being manufactured by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) last Thursday, President Buhari was not in doubt that the Agency could be exploited to realise his desire for local weapons’ production and industrialisation of Nigeria.

    In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President directed NASENI to immediately explore ways of working with the Defence Industries Corporation, Kaduna, towards manufacturing of the light weapons it has designed.

    The President had observed that unless the Agency’s inventions were adopted and further developed by manufacturers, the country and ordinary Nigerians will not enjoy the fruits of its good work.

    “Looking at your work…, the laboratory equipment, the weapons designs…., these are things that can save us resources if you can coordinate with existing specialist agencies and work together,” Buhari had told the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Professor Mohammed Haruna.

    Buhari’s directive to NASENI also included production of other equipment and implements that will largely secure and fast track Nigeria’s industrialization, lessen dependence on other countries and reduce capital plight.

    In the area of power generation, President Buhari after seeing samples of small hydro power and turbines, 15 KVA transformer, Gordian AVR stabilizer, pole-mounted transformers, solar rechargeable lamp, solar inverter, solar street light and propeller hydro-turbine, charged NASENI to publicize its works and collaborate with state governments towards electrification of their states.

    The Agency’s agricultural products including integrated cassava processing plant, mobile cassava grater, rotary dryer, seed oil expeller, fruit milling machine, deep well hand pump, and manual drilling rig, also largely fit into the President’s planned agricultural revolution in the country.

    For the area of education, the President has also directed the utilization of the scientific kits being produced by NASENI for intervention in the education sector.

    The Agency, which is manufacturing mobile science and integrated science laboratories equipment known as the science kits for primary (PSK) and Junior Secondary Schools (JSK), was said to have also designed and produced wood master for woodworks and for teaching woodwork in technical schools.

    It was said to have also set up Advanced Manufacturing Technology Centres in nine universities under the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) states sponsored by Skill ‘G’ and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    NASENI, in the area of transportation, was also said to have designed and manufactured the first made in Nigeria motor cycle (NASENI – M1), first made in Nigeria tricycle both passenger and cargo models (Keke NASENI) and the necessary motor and motorcycle spare parts.

    It is also planning, through collaborations with relevant foreign organizations, to pioneer the establishment of manufacturing plants for aircrafts, armoured vehicles, CNC machines, electric transformers, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Electric Vehicles (EV), and their component parts and accessories.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after making presentation to President Buhari, Professor Haruna said: “He directed that we must collaborate with relevant MDAs to ensure that there is synergy. Other MDAs such as Defence, Ministry of Trade and Investment to liaise with us such that the technologies that are mature in our system, SMEs can be supported to take them to the market.”

    “So many other directives were given that will ensure successful industrial revolution of Nigeria.” He added

    Nigerians definitely are praying that all these desires and plans will manifest and they will depart sharply from some of the moves toward industrialization by the immediate past former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

    The administration, which spoke so much about local production of Made-in-Nigeria cars, appeared not to have advanced beyond the drawing board.

    Apart from the then Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, who drove around with such locally assembled jeeps, they were never available in large quantity for Nigerians.

    It is really hoped that with these new moves, Nigeria, in no long time to come, will be technologically developed and meet up with nations like Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.

     

    Presidential citation for CDS

     

    The new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin must be a very lucky man.

    Besides been appointed to the new position on the 13th of July, 2015 based on merit without lobbying for it, he had the special privilege a month later, on 13th of August, of having his citation read by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, before decorated with his new rank.

    While none of his predecessors can be remembered to have got such honour before been decorated with their ranks in the past, General Olonishakin, was singled out for such citation among his other three service chiefs who arrived with members of their families for decoration with their new ranks at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja last Thursday.

    President Buhari rose to the occasion to fill in the gap and disconnect created by the Master of Ceremony (MC) at the brief event.

    The MC, who ought to immediately proceed to reading the citation of the CDS after making opening remark to kick start the function, hesitated as he sought for President Buhari’s permission to proceed with the ceremony.

    But noting the abnormal silence that ensued in the Chamber and to save the day, President Buhari, who also had a copy of the citation, ended the long silence as he stepped in immediately to read the citation of the CDS.

    Even though as a military officer he was standing at alert and his straight face not showing any sign of gladness when the President reel out his citation, Olonishakin’s heart that morning must be filled with joy for the honour.

    He was decorated with his new rank before other service chiefs’ citation were read by the MC.

    The Service Chiefs, who did not enjoy having their citations read by the C-in-C, included Lt-General T.Y. Buratai – Chief of Army Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas – Chief of Naval Staff and Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar – Chief of Air Staff.

    But they were all decorated with their new ranks by President Buhari assisted by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the officer’s wife.

  • Buhari and the absence of drama

    President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB), has denied Nigerians, the commonest attribute, of our political office holders. While his predecessors held sway, Nigerians were consistently treated to a lot of melodrama. But under PMB, the more the day go-bye, the less you hear or see. His best sound bite so far, remains, ‘I belong to nobody, and I belong to everybody’. A bit controversial, was his advocacy while in United States, that those who voted massively for him, and defended their votes, would benefit more, than those who gave him,paltry votes. Beyond a few more offerings, PMB prefers taciturn, to the garrulity of his predecessors.

    PMB,also, seems to abhor swagger. I recall the early days of President Olusegun Obasanjo (OBJ), with his combative spokesman, Dr. Doyin Okupe, in tow. OBJ, loved to overawe,every of his audience. If he is called upon to make a speech, OBJ would trust up from his seat, as if he just discovered that a dry gun powder, was wired to his chair. He would stretch out his arms, collect his flowing agbada, and with a slight bow, move like the sound of thunder, to the podium;first to dramatically clear his throat,many times, before making his speech. So, part of the narrative of that era, was what one can describe as,the presidential surge.

    President Umaru Yar’Adua, unfortunately, did not live long enough, to develop,a signature swagger. So, what of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ)? Compared to OBJ, GEJ was a languid figure. Yet, nobody will forget the drama of a new couture, as one more national dress, was added to the menu. Despite the harassment from the press, GEJ rode through, with his Niger Delta hat and caftan. Also, there was the offerings of trepidation, whether in movement or in speech, which soon became a trade mark of GEJ. What many viewed as a signature of weakness, many have interpreted,as the melodrama of deceit; as GEJ dealt, a sleight of deceitful hand, to many of his political opponents.

    But the real miss, is the drama associated with the weekly meetings, of the federal executive council; after which two or three ministers,smile into the cameras, to real out tens of contracts, awarded for billions or trillions of naira. With false solemnity, the officials would for instance, inform Nigerians, that the federal executive council had awarded a contract, for the construction of a standard rail line, to run from Lagos to Kano, and that the contractors would soon mobilize to site. Perhaps,as events have recently shown, most of the exercise was more of a fluke. So, in vain did the beneficiaries of the contract wait to see the bulldozers, plonk the earth, for the announced project.

    One of such severally awarded, and re-awarded contracts, is the famous second Niger Bridge, and the Enugu-Onitsha expressway. Nobody, will forget the performance by OBJ during his infamous ground-breaking ceremony, for the second Niger Bridge. As events subsequently showed, the process was orchestrated to give his political son, Andy Uba, then elected as governor of Anambra state, even when the position was not vacant;  something to boast about.That ground, was again re-broken by GEJ, in 2011, with the information released that what OBJ did previously, was a fraud; as there was no file in the federal ministry of works, to evidencethe earlier ground-breaking ceremony.

    Interestingly, by 2015, as GEJ’Sfailed re-election campaigns approached, he againrealised that the grounds of the second Niger Bridge, at Onitsha, had hardened again; and there was the need to re-break it, even if for the drama, and the entertainment of the people. So, pronto GEJ headed to Onitsha, and when he was reminded by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, of his previousperformance, four years ago; he confessed that he cannot remember,his exact lines. But, the drama must go on. So, on primetime news, a footage of sand dunes, poles and pipes were showcased as evidence, forany doubting Thomas, that the drama of performance was ongoing at the Niger Bridge,in Onitsha.

    Perhaps, in deference to the style of PMB, the anti-corruption agencies have been less dramatic in performance, than they were, during the OBJ days. While the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has suddenly rediscovered its fangs, it has resisted the temptation, todisplay it, to excite the public. Even the drama of their inactive years, under GEJ, particularly as it affected high profile former political office holders, has given way to a more professional performance, under PMB. With the promise by PMB, that those who looted our treasury, would soon face the music, let’s see whether we would go back to the days of drama.

    Interestingly, even the laid-back Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), has suddenly become active. As former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, and his Police Service commission members would attest, the ICPC is no longer, a toothless bulldog. But luckily for him, he was indicted in an era of less drama, as he did not suffer the humiliation experienced by his former colleague, in office and corruption scandal, Tafa Balogun. If Okiro and his co-culprits would without further promptings, return the millionsof naira they allegedly shared, then who would deny PMB, the accolades of performance.

    As the days go by, Nigerians would realistically judge for themselves,whether PMB is truly,a ‘Baba Go Slow’, as many have adjudged him; or he is merely a more methodological president, than his predecessors. While the lack of drama, may actually be impinging on the offer of excitement ingovernance,whichNigerians are used to; it is hoped, thatPMB would compensate, with a better performance.

  • Buhari may review economic policies before 2016 Budget

    Buhari may review economic policies before 2016 Budget

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday declared that he will gladly reverse or abandon some inherited economic policies if it will lead to creation of more jobs for Nigerians.

    He made the remark during a meeting with Executive Members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    President Buhari also directed the Ministries of Industries, Trade and Investment, and Finance, and the Central Bank of Nigeria and other relevant government agencies to evolve new policies to boost domestic manufacturing before next year’s budget.

    The President in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said: “We are in difficult times economically, but we’ll continue to do our best for manufacturing to pick up. We must begin to behave as if we have no oil at all.

    “We will gladly have policy somersaults, if it will mean more jobs, particularly for youths. I campaigned on three major planks. To effectively secure our country, provide employment through revamping of the economy, and wage a relentless war against corruption. I intend to keep faith with these promises.”

    He lamented that the textile industry that employed about 320,000 people in the past now only parades about 30,000.

    “It shows the carelessness of past governments, if almost 300,000 people lose jobs in a single sector. We have a clear idea of how we can stimulate employment and we will work very hard to do so,” President Buhari told the MAN delegation.

    The MAN President, Dr. Frank Udemba Jacobs, had appealed for a review of policies that stifle the manufacturing sector, noting that the importance of a robust manufacturing sector for the general well-being of the economy cannot be over-emphasized.

     

  • No pressure will derail anti- corruption war – Buhari

    No pressure will derail anti- corruption war – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday declared that no amount of pressure will make him give up the war against corruption in the country.

    Buhari spoke through an address delivered by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, to a group of Nigerians who marched to the Presidential Villa gate to pledge their full support for his administration’s anti-corruption campaign.

    He promised a relentless prosecution of the war against corruption, with due regard for the rule of law.

    The President said all persons charged with stealing the nation’s resources will have their day in court and that, upon conviction, their ill-gotten wealth will be seized and returned to government coffers.

    He said: “I believe it is time for Nigeria to change course. That is why I sought election as President and got elected. As President, I am determined that Nigeria must move away from a course of endemic corruption that was leading us to perdition.

    “There can be no question of our willfully allowing anyone to get away with corruption. No matter the pressure and entreaties, the anti-corruption war will continue and all accused persons will have their day in court.”

    Welcoming the support of the group, Nigerians March Against Corruption, President Buhari reaffirmed his commitment to curbing insecurity in the country and boosting employment opportunities for Nigerians, especially the youth.

    He called for the continued support and solidarity of Nigerians as the present administration works to correct the wrongs of the past.

    The Nigerians Against Corruption group led by Aisha Yesufu had condemned recent statements by some individuals against the President’s anti-corruption campaign.

    They assured the President that the vast majority of ordinary Nigerians fully support his ongoing efforts to curb corruption and urged him not to be deterred by the antics of those who do not share his laudable vision of a fairer, more equitable, corruption-free and progressive nation.

    Among the inscriptions on the placards displayed by the protesters are – “I voted Buhari to fight corruption” and “NASS, epitome of corruption.”

  • Buhari accepts Nigeria Customs chief’s resignation

    Buhari accepts Nigeria Customs chief’s resignation

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday accepted the resignation of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi.

    Abdullahi is billed to proceed on his voluntary retirement from Tuesday.

    The Customs boss had earlier written a letter dated August 3 to the President notifying him of his desire to proceed on voluntary retirement from Tuesday.

    President Buhari’s approval of Abdullahi’s request was dated August 14 and personally signed by the President.

    In the letter, the President thanked the NCS boss for his services to the county in the last six years.

    The President’s letter, titled: “Voluntary retirement from the Nigeria Customs Service” read: “Dear, Alhaji D.I. Abdullahi. I write to acknowledge the receipt of your letter Ref. No. NCS/ADM/HQ/P. 35802 of 3rd August, 2015 conveying your decision to voluntarily retire from the Nigeria Customs Service with effect from Tuesday, 18th August, 2015.

    “I note with appreciation your services to this nation, especially as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service in the last six (6) years.

    “Accordingly, I hereby approve your voluntary retirement from the Nigeria Customs Service with effect from 18th August 2015.

    “I wish you the very best in your future endeavours.

    “Yours sincerely, Muhammadu Buhari.”

    The Nigeria Customs boss had in his letter to the President thanked him for the confidence and trust reposed on him since he (Buhari) was inaugurated on May 29.

    Stressing that he would be six years in office as the Comptroller-General of the NCS by August 18, Abdullahi recalled that on assumption of office, he articulated six-point agenda which he vigorously pursued.

    According to him, the agenda had positively impacted on the efficiency and performance of officers of the service and had drastically changed the negative perception of the service.

     

     

  • IBB: Buhari ’ll get Nigeria out of economic doldrums

    IBB: Buhari ’ll get Nigeria out of economic doldrums

    Former military President Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd) has expressed confidence in the ability of President Muhammadu Buhari to get Nigeria back on a sound economic and social footing.

    He described the Buhari administration as focused, having identified the problems plaguing the country and strategising on how best to proffer enduring solutions to them.

    The former military leader gave the assessment yesterday at a news conference to mark the anniversary of his 74th year birthday.

    Gen. Babangida, who turns 74 today, spoke at his Hilltop residence in Minna, Niger State.

    He said: “I am confident that they (the government) are doing well. They have identified the problems and they look resolute in confronting these problems head-on and there are a lot of people in the society who are offering a lot of sound advice on how to move the country forward and are not relenting.

    “I must commend the present leadership for identifying even before and after the election some of the problems facing this country. We should support the President towards achieving these objectives of ensuring security, wiping out corruption and economic development.”

    The former leader lauded President Buhari’s efforts at recovering the nation’s stolen funds by some top shots in the immediate past administration and urged the government to pursue the policy resolutely to achieve the desired result.

    He recalled that similar effort during the tenure of President Olusegun Obasanjo yielded positive results as the country made a lot of recoveries then.

    On the war against terror, the former military leader said that the Federal Government must fight Boko Haram and tackle other militant groups head-on and stamp terrorism, even as he cautioned against negotiating with wrong leaders of the outlawed group.

    Gen. Babangida called for public understanding of government policies and programmes at a time he described as a ‘trying period for the nation.’

    “The people and the government must come together. People should support the government and government too should come up with solutions to ameliorate the problem that every government faces,” he advised.

    Recounting how he survived the botched military coup staged by Gideon Okar against his administration, Gen Babangida said: “I can remember fairly well; I had some loyal officers who are supposed to be my protectors and my body guards. Initially they told me to leave but I told them no, I am not leaving for anywhere but they remained stubborn and later I took my family outside Dodan barracks and joined my guards.

    “So, we went out of Dodan barracks and we went to a safe house where we got in contact with loyal troops. May God bless Sani Abacha (late Head of State).  The late Gen Sani Abacha was the Chief of Army Staff, he got in touch with me. I got in touch with him and we sat down and talk on what we were going to do.

    “Abacha and I rallied round the loyal troops and then I left my State House and joined Abacha in his house. That is what happened.”

    He also commented on other national issues.

    The anniversary of Gen Babangida’s birthday will be marked today with a special prayer session billed to be attended by his immediate family members and few of his associates.

  • Buhari won’t ask for stories to be ‘killed’, says Adesina

    Buhari won’t ask for stories to be ‘killed’, says Adesina

    The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has said his principal will not request any journalist to “kill” stories for him.

    Adesina said instead of doing that, the administration would rather encourage reporters to run stories that would critically examine the workings of government and provide it with the way forward.

    A statement yesterday by the President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Malachy Agbo, said Adesina spoke on Thursday at a dinner held for him and other presidential spokesmen by the online publishers.

    Also hosted by the GOCOP were the Senior Special Assistant on Media to President Buhari, Malam Garba Shehu, and the Senior Special Assistant in the Office of the Vice President, Laolu Akande.

    Adesina said the first thing the President told him when he assumed office was: “Always tell me the truth.”

    He said Buhari was emphatic when he told him that as a general he loved to argue, but would always bow to superior argument.

    “The President told me: ‘Please do not fail to argue with me.’”

    Adesina is one of the trustees of GOCOP.

    Adesina said Buhari vowed to run an open and transparent government so much that he would have nothing to hide and would have no cause to want to ask for any story to be “killed”.

    He said the only thing he asked was that for any news item, the Presidency should be allowed the opportunity to state its side before being put in the public domain.

    Adesina commended the online publishers for coming together to form a group, even as he advised them to look out for spoilers, gate crashers and those who might hide under the canopy of online publishing to damage the reputation of innocent public officers.

    He said: “There is a saying that one bad coin can spoil hundreds of coins.

    “My advice is that you should not allow any of your members to use the platform to malign innocent people.

    “You should also find a way of sanitising the social media practitioners who just sit in their bedrooms to churn out news without professional touch.”

    Also speaking, Shehu thanked members of the Guild for the support they gave him when he handled the media and publicity department of All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council as director.

    According to him, the APCPPC was the poorest in terms of resources, “but the richest in terms of people’s goodwill.

    “And the online publishers were the greater part of that process.”

    Akande acknowledged the contribution of the online media and the social media in the actualisation of the Buhari Presidency.

    He advised Nigerians to adopt the government as their own because “this is the change we have been talking about”.

    Earlier, Agbo assured the presidential spokesmen of the support and cooperation of the members, even as he appealed to them to always make themselves available for any news item that requires clarification.

    He assured them that members of the Guild, who are veterans in the profession, would continue to support them with prayers to achieve success in their assignments.

    Several other GOCOP members, who spoke on the occasion, commended the presidential media team for recognising the important role of the online media in modern information dissemination and appealed to them to keep it up.