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Tag: BUHARI

  • Buhari to Nigerians: accept democracy as lifestyle

    Buhari to Nigerians: accept democracy as lifestyle

    President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to be patient with democracy and accept it as a lifestyle and not as a system of government.

    Democracy, he said, should be a lifestyle towards ensuring development of the country.

    Buhari made the remark when he paid homage to the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar on Friday after attending the Juma’at prayer at the Low Cost Mosque in Daura, Katsina State.

    He said: “If Nigerians continuously follows the tenets of democracy the country will always be at peace since democracy on its own with its institutions has the mechanism for resolving conflicts peacefully.”

    Speaking in Hausa language, he urged those who were aggrieved after the 2015 elections to seek redress through democratic means and institutions.

    According to him, Nigeria was adopting democracy from the western nations and learning fast by avoiding mistakes made when studying the weaknesses and strengths of those nations.

    He noted that some avoidable mistakes can be made if Nigerians decide to be hasty.

    Stressing that election at all levels must be conducted based on democratic principles, he urged those interested in elective positions to look for a political platform of their choice, declare their interests and the party would support them.

    He said that many people did not give him a chance in 2002 when he joined politics because they knew his antecedents as a military officer.

    According to him, he decided to contest elections because of his commitment to serve the people and not to be served or to amass wealth.

    He said that the 2015 polls had clearly shown that it is God that chooses who becomes a leader.

    He said: “It is not by power, it is not by wealth but by the Grace of God that I won the election.”

    Despite serving the nation in different capacities in the past, he said that he had not had so much money in the banks either locally or anywhere in the world.

    He said that all he has is “integrity and commitment to serve the people’’

    Buhari said that he would fulfill his promises to the people.

    Speaking earlier, the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar, said he had known Buhari for his consistency which had become the hallmark of his integrity.

    He said he was happy that Buhari was eventually elected as the President of the country after some trials.

    He said Buhari was not new in government and wherever he had served he always distinguished himself with integrity and in all he had returned home penniless.

    The Emir urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration so that they could allow Buhari to deliver on his promises; he sought Nigerians’ support to the administration with prayers for Buhari in his new responsibility.

  • Buhari ’ll not allow corrupt officials to go scot-free

    Buhari ’ll not allow corrupt officials to go scot-free

    Elder Femi Olaore is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State. In this interview with BISI OLADELE, he speaks about people’s expectations about the Buhari Administration.

    Do you see the APC government making any difference at the federal and state levels?

    First, let me start from the state level. For the first time in the history of Oyo State, we have a phlegmatic active governor, who has shown that hard work is the magic to achievement. What you are seeing now is not occasioned by the inability to pay salaries, but we are all aware that in last six months allocation to most of the states controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dwindled. Imagine a state that used to receive over N6 billion  now getting a meagre N1.3billion. This has caused a cumulative setback for the past six months and they cannot pay their workers. That is what they are facing now. When allocation is returned to normal, all these arrears will be paid. I don’t see that much as a challenge to someone who has been able to manage public finances in the past.

    Buhari’s Administration is inheriting debt. States are broke, the power sector is going moribund, the economy is shrinking and the labour unions are complaining. What is the way out?

    The problems you have defined are not mountains.  Now that we have somebody who prides himself as ‘Mr. Integrity’ as the Nigerian President: a man that keep to his word, a man who is concerned about the people, who shares the pains of the masses and who has offered himself to address this problems, we should be rest assured that Nigeria is on the verge of greatness. I believe that one of the major issues that President Buhari will be bringing on to pilot the affairs of our country is high level of personal discipline.

    For someone who has been Head of State and can only boast of a million naira in his bank account and just two houses, there is no more for us to know that we are in for a good time. He is incomparable to others who have held similar positions.This is the kind of man the country needs at this stage. Nothing can distract him. Those who are going to work with him, I am sure, are going to be persons of impeccable character. That is why I am very convinced that surrounding himself with the right people will be the first thing we should expect. He is such a principled person that he is unlikely to be intimidated  by names that are not backed by achievements. He is not likely to recycle those who have been in power for long. He will not be persuaded by religious or ethnic sentiments. He stated clearly that confidence, uprightness  and steadfastness in party affairs are some of the cardinal criteria anybody who would work with him must possess apart from the fact that they are going to be properly screened for him to know those who truly have the interest of the people at heart.

    Nigerians forsee a crisis in the APC between Buhari and other party leaders. Do you share this belief?

    I do not subscribe to that because I am aware of the many sacrifices that the majority of the so-called politicians made before we had this change of affairs. They contributed greatly to Buhari’s emergence as president. That must be clear. To President Buhari, he must be fair to everybody, no matter their financial contributions. Buhari has learnt over time to adjust himself to the dictates of the people so that the hopes of people will not be dashed. What Buhari will do is using his rich broad nature to cut across those various groups that have good materials or that may not be able to be at the forefront of putting the campaign materials resources together. He is not likely to fetch those who are likely to work with him on the basis of those who come around or donated resources for his election. I remember as a member of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2011 when Buhari gave an instruction not to take anything above a million naira donation from anybody so as to not be tied to them in discharging our duties. So far, so good, he has made it clear to most of those who surrounded him that they have done it for the goodwill of Nigeria; that they have done to show that, yes, this country matters to them. So he owes them nothing in terms of payback by giving them any post that is juicy. No, he has made it clear to them right from the onset. If you want to help, do it as your contribution. People like the former governor of Adamawa, Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha have done so much.  Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also done so much. Yes, they even had to forgo their personal ambitions. So they know what it takes; they will not want to truncate their efforts because they know that people see them as a coperative team. So there is no likelihood of crisis that cannot be solved. Though there will be challenges of working together for the first time, but because they share common identity, it is going to bring them together to move Nigeria forward.

    There is fear among the people, especially from the Southsouth and Southeastern that Buhari will exclude them. Is the fear misplaced?

    I want to reassure my brothers from the South East and South South that Buhari will not exclude them. He must not forget his background and anyone who has come close to all the forces would not do that.  As they come they merge everybody together. And as somebody who rose to the rank of general before leaving the army, no section that offers itself for good use will be left out.  But even if you come from his doorsteps to sabotage efforts to revive the country, he is not going to take it lighty. He is not going to give position or engage the person that will affect the turnaround of the economy. Despite all these, he is not likely going to do what you call a revenge mission on them. No! In fact he was the first to reassure the Catholic Bishop of South South and South East that anyone who is confident enough is welcome despite the fact that they did not vote for him. Like I said earlier, he is a man of few words. Every bit of the word he says echoes deep down inside of him. So he can never renege on them. He will include them. They will have good positions but they must be prepared to deliver, they must be prepared to subscribe to service integrity.

    This is not a situation where you will get a  ministerial slot with money. It will not be business as usual this time around. So even if they have so much, you have to put in so much in order to perform as expected. He will be waiting to see them deliver as Nigerians and not just as somebody from the East or from any minority group, wherever they find themselves.

    The APC has promised not to focus on probing outdone leaders. But many Nigerians believe that such a decision would not help President Buhari’s anti-corruption image. Do you share this view?

    I want to come from the standpoint from the work involved in all these probes and resources. President Buhari is not known for wastages. In fact, he is a very conservative leader. The average probe takes about four to six weeks to complete and it involves so many investigations with  volumes of books produced. By the time you now spend N200 million on probe, what would be left to address the infrastructural decay? He will take his time and start from the problem at hand. When people  are being probed, they start causing a lot of questions and to the system it will add to the problem. So what he will focus on will be centred around what has been done in the past. Let’s see the recommendations; let’s see if we can actualize them so that the money that has been spent is not spent again the second or third time. Any area that has been touched in the past and has made significant impact may not need to be touched soon but later?. This is to suggest that no area of the economy is forgotten and that corruption is not tolerated in any area. But he will not go out and start  this from day one.  ?It will be not be good to begin his administration with probe. He should rather look at the reports of the probes done since the last 16 years and set up a panel and reinvite those involved for clarifications.  But I don’t see Buhari closing his eyes on corrupt officials who have milked the nation dry.

  • Buhari ‘ll implement NEITI audit reports

    Buhari ‘ll implement NEITI audit reports

    The Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari will take all necessary steps to implement the findings and recommendations contained in the Audit Reports of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).

    Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo gave the assurance yesterday while receiving the Chair of the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), Clare Short and her delegation at the Defence House, Abuja.

    NEITI Director of Communications, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji in a statement yesterday, said the VP reaffirmed Federal Governments’ commitment to the implementation of EITI principles as part of plans to reform the oil and gas sector. Prof. Osinbajo commended NEITI for its courage, diligence and commitment to corporate governance of the oil, gas and mining industries. He said the Federal Government will carefully study the reports with a view to ensuring that the findings and recommendations guide government actions on the reforms.

    Short advised the government to consider a major shakeup in the oil and gas industry if the benefits from Nigeria’s abundant resources are to be felt by all Nigerians. “The NEITI Reports have all the information and data that will guide the government to reform the industry. It is also important that the government integrates the NEITI into its overall economic policy team.”

    The Chairman of NEITI, Ledum Mitee appealed to the government to overhaul the Inter Ministerial Task Team (IMTT) set up to implement NEITI reports, arguing that the Team has recorded very little progress.

    The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Mrs Zainab Ahmed  urged the government to take urgent steps to divest Nigeria’s interest in the joint ventures operations to free the country from huge burden imposed by Joint Venture obligations.

    Mrs Ahmed  also advised the government to critically examine the management of domestic crude allocations, consider the removal of oil subsidy, abrogation of oil swap arrangement and take urgent steps to recover huge sums that are outstanding in the hands of companies as a result of underpayments, underassessment of taxes, rents and royalties.

  • ‘Buhari’s election brought positive development’

    ‘Buhari’s election brought positive development’

    The election of President Muhammadu Buhari has brought about positive development to the country, daughter of former governor of Edo State, Osasu Igbinedion, said on Thursday.

    The ex-governor’s daughter, whose conclusion may have been based on the global acceptance of the President, also urged him to as a matter of urgency address the problem of unemployment in the country.

    Igbinedion, who spoke at a press briefing unveiling her television show “The Osasu Show” also pleaded with President Buhari to give more attention to infant and maternal mortality.

    She said: “The coming of President Buhari after his success in the March 28 polls has brought a lot of positive development to the country. The mantra of change the new government comes with has brightened the hope of average Nigerian.

    “I think right now our country is in a state of uncertainty. However, I feel that President Buhari has all it takes and I believe that in the next few months, Mr. President should address issues that directly affect the average Nigerian.

    “I’m hoping that the President would address the problem of child and maternal mortality, youth empowerment and the agricultural sector. I believe if these key three sectors could be addressed then Nigerian would change for the better and the rest of the world would be looking at our country to invest and empower our people.’

    On Osasu show, she said that her aim is to use the platform to change the face of Africa.

     

  • Buhari mourns victims of insurgency

    Buhari mourns victims of insurgency

    President Muhammadu Buhari has on Thursday expressed his sadness over the lost of innocent souls of Nigerians to insurgency.

    The president made this statement in a brief post which appeared on the Presidency’s official twitter handle: @NGRPresident.

    He said: “I mourn every single death of a Nigerian as a result of terrorism. That is why security is my number one priority.

    “Our efforts to strengthen security cooperation with our neighbours & adjust our own response to Boko Haram will yield results very soon.

    “Our resolve and capacity to end terrorism is much greater than the threat we face. Nigeria will prevail.”

  • Senior officers to Buhari: tackle civil service rot

    Senior officers to Buhari: tackle civil service rot

    A group of senior civil servants has appealed for President Muhammadu Buhari’s intervention to prevent the Federal Civil Service from ‘total collapse’.

    The civil servants said rules on career progression have been manipulated and jettisoned by successive chief executives of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) and Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

    The group said the rot in the service was deeper than what ordinary Nigerians could comprehend.

    The senior officers backed their claims with evidence of disregard for rules appointment and promotion of officers, regretting that the “current unimpressive input of civil service to national development is the direct consequence of the rot in the system”.

    For instance, it was gathered that contrary to the rules book, the result for 2014 promotion examination for Directorate level conducted for Deputy Directors was released without scores attached.

    They said it was the first time such would occur.

    Though the scores were not released, of the 138 that took the examination, the authorities’ list for those promoted contained 23 names.

    Again, in violation of extant rules, another batch of 10 names was released after the first list became a subject of agitation.

    According to the aggrieved senior officers, corruption is responsible for the piecemeal release of the result, which has never occurred since the introduction of promotion examination for civil servants.

    A source, who pleaded anonymity, said: “I make bold to say that I gathered that it was because there was no vacancy that is why the situation was like that.

    “Yes, 60 per cent was the cut off mark and it was believed more than 98 per cent of them must have scored above that, but the question is how can it be ascertained whether they passed or not if the scores were not displayed?

    “Another intriguing angle to the issue is that after it dawned on the authorities that the aggrieved officers were not going to stop their protest, another batch of 10 names was released.

    “It has never happened before. It was even learnt that another batch of 35 names that included those that did not partake in the examination was about to be released, but they couldn’t go ahead with that.

    “Meanwhile, the implication for those whose names weren’t on the two lists was that they failed the examination. Now, they were being asked to take another examination this year. Though it was to hold in early this month, but the situation could not allow them to go on with it.

    “That is the major concern. They cannot take an examination that they passed twice and that was a precedence to back their action.

    “If the reason for the list they released was due to lack of vacancy, then they should wait till there is space, but they should not be made to take it again against the rules”.

    The source said the reason behind the action of the Chairman of FCSC and the HCSF was basically corruption

    “I believe that it was to fix their own candidates into the available vacancies, including those that did not take part in the examination that led to this situation.

    “There are evidences to prove many of these manipulations and I think it will do the civil service and the future of this country a lot of good to expose these absurdities.”

    A document obtained by The Nation showed how the FCSC and the OHCSF allegedly destroyed the civil service in the last six years.

    The document reads in part: “In utter violation of extant Public Service rules, in 2013, several unqualified officers were brought into the service from unscheduled private sector organization, including MTN, and placed on the post of Director (Administration) and Director (Accounts) above serving officers.

    “Some hundreds of new entrants were recruited in the guise of ‘regularisation’ into the service as Directorate cadre officers on Grade level 17 among the hordes of aides of political appointees of President Goodluck Jonathan”.

    The role played by the FCSC and the OHCSF in the rot was also pronounced in the abuse of Presidential waiver.

    It was also stated in the document that “the Presidential waiver was wantonly utilised by the FCSC and the OHCSF as a licence for wholesome and arbitrariness.

    “While President Jonathan approved waiver of five Directors for two South-South states and two Directors for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) because they were disadvantaged,  FCSC Chairman, on her own, added two more states, just to be able to bring in her cronies.

    “Even at that, due process was not followed as internal advertisement was not published that would have enabled qualified Deputy Directors to apply.

    “In the last six years, the two bodies  have used corrupt means to fast track career advancement of their cronies, using all manner of means, including ‘regularisation’, ‘proper placement’, ‘advancement’, ‘conversion’, and ‘upgrading’ to place their favoured candidates on abnormal levels in violation of all known rules.

    “For instance, one Joseph Erim was moved from Grade level 09 to Grade level 16 before being moved to Grade level 17 three months after.

    “Promotion in the service today has become a case of just anybody with the right connection or a big purse can be promoted or transferred to the post of Director”.

    It said: “Currently, there is a Director in the National Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) that has never worked as a civil servant before.

    “These are facts that can be verified by intelligence agencies. So, what value do we expect officers like these to add to the system?”

    The rot in the service was also linked to the unprofessional ways appointments of Heads of Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) were handled in the recent times.

    The incumbent HCSF and four of his predecessors were either not core civil servants or recruited without due process, it was revealed.

    Against extant rules that only administrative officer can become the Head of Service, the incumbent HCSF, Danladi Kifasi, is a Chartered Accountant.

    None of the last four HCSF was recruited at entry point of Grade level 08.

    “Even as we speak, a Radiographer is a Permanent Secretary in the OHCSF.

    “To drive home the point on how deep the rot in the Federal Civil Service is, adherence to entry point rules was jettisoned long time ago.

    “Entry points in the civil service are Grade level 08 to 12, not beyond 12. Today, officers are being recruited even at Directorate level.

    “As a matter of fact, Stephen Osagiede Oronsaye was never a civil servant, he was recruited into the service as a director and he even became the HCSF.

    “This could be one of the reasons why a 2004 Presidential directive similar to our case was conveniently ignored.

    “The directive, dated September 7, 2004 and signed by Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo, stated that those that have taken the promotion examination should not be made to take a fresh examination on the basis of lack of vacancy.

    “President Obasanjo intervened because the matter was also subjected to litigation. Obasanjo’s intervention saved the situation and the needful was done. But in this case, there was no such intervention and that is why I think they are going ahead with the court option,” the source added.

  • Buhari needs prayers to succeed, says cleric

    Buhari needs prayers to succeed, says cleric

    A cleric, Ven. Ephraim Ogundipe, has said President Muhammadu Buhari needs prayers to succeed.

    The retired Anglican priest said the President has inherited many problems. “As I speak, I have four graduates eating under my roof. I am a priest. I know many professors, permanent secretaries, politicians and top government officials. But, they will always tell you that they are on top of the situation. At the end, nothing happens. There are many jobless people on the streets. More will graduate from universities. Where are the jobs? Muhammadu Buhari needs our prayers to solve these problems. We should pray for him.”

    Ogundipe spoke at the funeral service for the former Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State, Chief Allan Osunrinde, at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Idagba, Efon-Alaaye.

    Extolling the virtues of the foremost educationist, Ven. Ogundipe said he led a honourable life as a principal, church treasurer, party chieftain and community leader.

    Governor Ayodele Fayose described Osunrinde’s death as the eclipse of a political and intellectual figure, who gave his life to the service of mankind. He said the deceased made a mark as an astute teacher and grassroots politician.

    Fayose added: “His contribution to the teaching profession in which he rose to the position of a secondary school principal, his developmental roles as the Vice Chairman of Efon Local Government and his stabilising roles as the Ekiti State PDP Deputy Chairman are legendary.”

    Urging his widow, Kehinde, and children-Debodun Fagbeyiro, Akin, Goke, Oluwatoyin and Motunrayo to take heart, the governor said they should take solace in the realisation that Pa Osunrinde lived a fulfilled life.

    At the event were the Anglican Bishop of Ekiti West Diocese, Rev. S.O. Oke, former Information Commissioner Odunayo Ategbero, former member of the House of Assembly Bisi Kolawole, Chief Joseph Alake, Chief Bode Olayinka, Efon PDP Chairman Olufemi Oluwatayo, Peter Daramola, Prince Adeyemi Aderemi, the Aro of Obalu Quarters, Efon-Alaaye, Chief Osoyemi Oladesu, Pastor Rufus Ajayi, Pastor S.F. Obisesan and Dr. Johnson Fakorede.

  • Don’t scrap Need funds, union leader urges Buhari

    University of Lagos (UNILAG) Students’ Union Government (SUG)  President Abiodun Martins has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari not to stop the N1.3 trillion Needs Assessment funds to public universites.

    Abiodun made the plea at a press conference organised by the union at its Parliament Building in UNILAG, last week.

    He said there was need for the Buhari administration to consolidate on the gains recorded in higher education by Goodluck Jonathan administration and entrenched the successes for revitalisation of education through the implementation of the Need Assessment funding.

    He urged the government to release the fund to insulate higher institutions from the effect of economy decline. A strict adhere to the 26 per cent of national budget, he said, will be good to save education from collapse.

    Martins said this was the only way universities could become stable and contribute positively to the economic recovery of the nation.

    He reminded the president of his campaign promises to the youth, urging him to fulfil them. He said: “President Buhari promised increment in the allowance of Corps members and monthly stipend for unemployed graduates. We want to use this occasion to remind him of the promises.”

    The union leader stressed that, the fight against corruption must be carried out effectively to guide against wasteful spending of resources by a few privileged individuals.

    He added: “The president must always be prepared to clean the Augean Stable. We believe he is fully aware of the need to rescue the nation from the brink. The Buhari administration should ensure that people with corruption charges dangling on their necks are not appointed under any guise, because this would be rejected by students. We believe appointing such people would dent the image of our dear country, especially in this era of change.”

  • NLC kicks against Buhari’s ascent to 46 bills

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its disappointment over the action of the National Assembly to pass 46 bills within 10 minutes, urging President Muhammadu Buhari not to sign them into law. NLC described it as a display of gross disdain for the procedure of lawmaking in a democratic setting.

    Its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said: “In the light of the cavalier manner in which these bills were passed, the Congress wishes to, with all sense of responsibility, call on Mr. President not to sign them into law. President Buhari should instead return them to the new National Assembly to be subjected to proper legislative procedures.”

    According to Wabba,  the Senate, apparently competing for the Guinness Book of  Records for legislative infamy, passed 46 bills “without legislation” in 10 minutes, while the House of Representatives took turn the next day to pass 14 bills transmitted to it by the Senate, without following the regular legislative procedures.

    “Whoever advised our lawmakers to take this reckless path to lawmaking has only succeeded in putting an indelible dent on whatever achievements the 7th session of the National Assembly wished to be ascribed to it.

    “By this singular action, our distinguished and honourable lawmakers have not only displayed gross disdain for the philosophy of law making in a democratic setting, they have exposed their lack of interest in and commitment to the wellbeing of the country. They have, by so doing, apart from ridiculing themselves, also unfortunately embarrassed the country in the eyes of the civilised global community,” Wabba said.

    He said by skipping the first, second and third reading process, as well as the public hearing on these bills, the lawmakers have denied Nigerians the basic opportunity to interrogate the desirability or otherwise of these bills.

    “We wish to use this opportunity to congratulate members of the new National Assembly. The Congress wishes to extend its hand of partnership to the legislators in both chambers of the National Assembly in the interest of good governance in the country.

    “In line with the current popular mood of the country for change, the NLC expects the incoming legislature to depart from the opaque ways of the previous sessions of the National Assembly. Congress, and indeed Nigerians, expects the incoming legislators to be prudent, accountable, transparent and more effective in their legislative and oversight functions,” he said.

  • Ex-ISPON chief urges Buhari on ICT Council, others

    Ex-ISPON chief urges Buhari on ICT Council, others

    Former President, Institution of Software Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), Dr Chris Uwaje has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to prioritise the information communication technology (ICT) sector, set up a Presidential ICT Council and appoint a Chief Information Technology Officer of the Federation just as there is the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

    Speaking in Lagos, Uwaje said: “ICT should be our national priority and government compass. President Buhari needs to set up a Presidential ICT Council and indeed the office of the  Chief Information Technology Officer of the Federation.

    “In simplified analogy, competing with other nations of the world that are custodians of Information Technology for e-Government abilities and capabilities for national development, creation of wealth and sustainable security is a monumental challenge which is nonetheless attainable. Governing Nigeria without a dynamic IT at the centre of leadership and governance translates to running a government like a university without a library, professional librarians and competent information administrators.”

    He advised the president to design a professional framework for the information technology sector, arguing that if that is not done, any pursuit of development will continue to end up a mirage.

    He said: “Leading and piloting the national agenda of the current government of Nigeria without a professional Information Technology Framework (Executive Bills & Acts) will on the long run multiply our challenges and make our goals a mirage.

    “Our intellectual property to strategically build and safeguard the future will be permanently lost if Nigerian IT professionals are not allowed to make their mistakes now and learn from their experiences at the digital knowledge laboratory.

    “Indeed the possibility of effective and productive governance of organising and managing the dreams, needs and aspirations of 170million Nigerians and over 1 billion Africans in this 21st “Century knowledge economy and information society is not only practically unattainable but complexly impossible.”

    According to Uwaje, these developments underscore the fundamental reason and assurances for the new leadership to engaging governance challenges with a professionally crafted IT Master plan.

    He warned that failure to do this translates into creating a ‘serious weak-link for digital-capitalism to devour its prey’ adding that by extension, it will amount to sailing in the torrential and turbulent ocean infested by greedy whale-like globalisation without a compass.

    He said IT, having played a pivotal role ensuring a smooth democratic transition in the country and saving the nation the threat of disintegration or going into crisis, should be brought at the centre of decision making in the country.

    “Given the writings on the wall and with all benefits of doubts, I am convinced that President Buhari will deliver its electoral pledges. The other side of the coin remains how to effectively deliver without IT.

    “Today, IT remains a strategic veritable tool and centre of gravity for restoring patriotism and human dignity, tackling corruption by sealing the leaking national resources and revenue baskets, accelerating creative knowledge production and innovation, strengthening the rule of law, justice, equity, institutionalisation of merit culture, wealth creation, national security, peace and prosperity and above all, building sustainable trust and global respect for Nigeria in the comity of nations,” Uwaje said.

    According to him, the new frontier informs that globalisation has taken over and “we now live in a world better described as a dense and fearful ocean of information-web, where every data under the universe is clustered – and currently undergoing an intensive final digitisation process.