The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BUHARI

  • Dickson hails Buhari for IG’s appointment

    Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Muhammed Adamu as inspector general of Police.

    The governor, in a statement yesterday by his media aide, Fidelis Soriwei, described Adamu as a dedicated professional with the requisite experience for the job.

    Read also: Lagos’ entrepreneurial development initiatives

    He urged the Police chief to refocus the force for effective service delivery, with emphasis on professionalism.

    According to the governor, his interactions with Adamu, when he was assistant inspector general of Zone 5 showed he was a brilliant career officer with the right experience for the job.

    Dickson called on the people to support Adamu, even as he assured him of his support and prayers.

  • Buhari mourns Iworoko-Ekiti monarch

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the family of the late traditional ruler of Iworoko-Ekiti, Oba Oluwafemi Adejana, on the monarch’s transition.

    The President also commiserated with the Ekiti State government and the people of Iworoko-Ekiti on the demise of the royal father.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said: “Coming barely a week after the tragic truck accident in a market in his town, which claimed many lives and destroyed several property, Oba Adejana’s passing is particularly sad and regrettable.”

    The President urged the community to take solace in the fact that the octogenarian monarch lived a long and rewarding life as he ensured peace and development in his domain.

    As residents of Iworoko-Ekiti mourn their revered Oba, President Buhari prayed Almighty God to console them and grant the soul of the departed peaceful rest.

     

     

  • 2019: Group promises Buhari 10 million votes

    A pro-Buhari support group, the Coalition of Buhari/Osinbajo Movement (COBOM), has promised to deliver 10 million votes for the President in the upcoming general elections.

    Major General Garba Audu, a COBOM grand patron, said this during the group’s inauguration in Abuja on Thursday.

    “This coalition has brought in youths from all 774 local government areas,” he said in an interview.

    “This coalition has almost 10 million members and these are die-hard Buhari supporters, they have their PVCs and will give him 10 million votes come February.”

    Also speaking at the occasion, Esekpe Augustine, the National Coordinator, COBOM, praised the current administration on the basis of integrity and affirmative action, outlining the achievements made so far.

    “For the first time in Nigeria, we are seeing governors being prosecuted and jailed, roads are being improved, and there is no state in Nigeria where good work is not being done.

    “There have been instances of road contracts being awarded, yet not being fulfilled. But now, in the present administration, you cannot collect a contract in Nigeria without executing it.

    “We may not yet have reached where we are going, but we are on the charted path. The mess on ground is so much but we are beginning to see some positive results in the power sector, in agriculture, particularly rice and wheat production.

    “We should expect better things in this second tenure in various areas, in security, in agriculture, infrastructure, we will have more development.”

    According to the group’s fact sheet titled ‘Doing More for Less,’ the Buhari administration has injected N3.2 trillion for capital projects in nearly three budget cycles, the largest allocation in history.

    Read Also: I’ll pay Niger Delta more attention – Buhari

    “President Buhari will not only be reelected, but it is assured that he will fulfil every single promise he has made,” the National Coordinator stated in an interview.

    “The future is in the hands of our countrymen. There are some people who have stolen this nation to death. We are dead, but now we have a little resurgence of hope.

    “The future belongs to the youth. I implore the youth not to run around politicians and publicity, but to take their destiny in their hands by assessing what has been done, where we have come and where we are now.

    “We have a government who tells us the truth; a president arrowhead who is not an armed robber, or wanted anywhere, whether in Uganda or the USA. I implore the youth to stick with the man of integrity.”

  • I’ll pay Niger Delta more attention – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the people of the Niger Delta that his promise to develop the region would continue to receive serious attention.

    President Buhari, who gave the assurance on Thursday at the Warri Township Stadium, during the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign/ mega rally for Delta state, also emphasized that his administration’s fight against corruption would receive more serious steam if re-elected next month.

    President Buhari, who came as the last speaker at the event, which saw a massive turn out of people from different parts of the state, noted that his administration would continue to give attention to issues of security and the economy, noting that security would allow for proper management of the nation, which would eventually give room for a thriving economy.

    “I assure you, the fundamental objectives we have identified and campaigned on in 2015 are still relevant; the country has to be secured to be properly managed and proper management means doing well in the economy. We have a young population, most of them unemployed, this is of great concern.

    “We have turned to agriculture and industry. Massively, God has helped us with raining seasons, especially the last two and we have virtually been able to achieve food security as a nation. A lot of young people have been mobilized and they have gone back to land and they haven’t regretted it.

    “In the fight against corruption, I assure you that all those who have fraudulently enriched themselves when they were entrusted with public funds, we will eventually get them and deal with them. We are doing it, we will continue to do it and I assure you, we will not abuse your trust.

    “I assure you that the programme mentioned here about the development of the Niger Delta will be taken even more seriously. I expect you to please cooperate and vote APC from top to bottom. APC from top to bottom”, the president said.

    Others who spoke at the event assured President Buhari of getting his winning figures from Delta state and the other parts of the Niger Delta region.

    The Director General of the Presidential Campaign Council and Minister of Transportation, in his remark said “don’t sleep on that day because if you sleep PDP will steal the slip and write results as they always do. You said you want to change Okowa, the only way to change Okowa is to go out that day to vote. Vote for Buhari, vote for Ogboru and don’t vote Okowa, that way APC will win”.

    Leader of the Delta Mainstream APC, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, while speaking with journalists at the venue of the event, said the APC would win massively in Delta, saying the “our people are waiting for the elections to come so that we can reciprocate President Buhari’s performance in the state. I can confidently tell you he will score over 80 per cent of the total votes in Delta with this massive turnout in next month’s election. APC has taken over Delta”.

    The Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, speaking at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie, where all Urhobo monarchs received the president reeled out the achievements of the administration in Delta state and other parts of the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

    Immediate past governor of the state, who is also contesting the Delta South Senatorial District’s election on the platform of the APC, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, said: “Mr. President, Delta people have seen what you have done and they are ready to vote you in a second time”.

    The Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, also assured President Buhari would sweep the election in Delta state.

    Read Also: Buhari mourns Oba Adejana of Iworoko-Ekiti

    National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, in his lengthy remark, charged President Buhari to ensure that he follow through till he gets answers to how the $16 billion appropriated by the previous PDP administration was spent and ensure that everyone involved in the mismanagement is punished.

    “Yesterday (Wednesday), I was watching the television, I saw PDP Presidential candidate and a former custom officer (Atiku), he was saying in the likely event that If Nigerians make the mistake of their life to vote for him (Atiku) as president, is telling Nigerians whether they like it or not even if he would die that he will sell oil
    reserves of Delta, Akwa Ibom, Edo states and that he would auction all oil properties of Nigeria whether they (Nigerians) like it or not.

    “If somebody put you on notice that if you vote for him that he is going to sell your family, will you agree? Will you vote for him? When Atiku was the vice president, I was the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress. When they wanted to sell Nigeria Airways, when we told him no, he (Atiku) said he don’t care. He just wanted to sell Nigeria Airways”, Oshiomhole said.

    Also speaking with journalists, the Executive Director (Projects) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), “Delta state and indeed the Niger Delta region has enjoyed a new facelift through the direct efforts of the federal government and through the intervention of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)”.

  • Buhari mourns Oba Adejana of Iworoko-Ekiti

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the family of the late traditional ruler of Iworoko-Ekiti, Oba Oluwafemi Adejana, on the monarch’s transition.

    The President also commiserated with the Ekiti State Government and the people of Iworoko-Ekiti on the demise of the royal father.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said “Coming barely a week after the tragic truck accident in a market in his town, which claimed many lives and destroyed several property, Oba Adejana’s passing is particularly sad and regrettable.”

    Read Also: Mammoth crowd troop Benin Airport for Buhari

    The President, however, urged the community to take solace in the fact that the octogenarian traditional ruler lived a long and rewarding life as he ensured peace and development in his domain.

    As the people of Iworoko-Ekiti mourn their revered late Oba, President Buhari prayed Almighty God to console them and grant the soul of the departed peaceful rest.

  • Senate refer nominations into N/East Development Commission Board

    The Senate on Thursday referred nomination of 11 persons into the North East Development Commission Governing Board, to its Committee on Special Duties for screening.

    This followed the presentation of the Executive Communication at plenary by the Leader of the Senate, Sen. Ahmad Lawan.

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over plenary, asked the committee to follow due diligence and report to senate in two weeks for consideration.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had in a letter dated Jan. 8, requested the confirmation of Maj.-Gen. Paul Tarfa (rtd.) as Chairman, Governing Board of the North East Development Commission.

    The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, read the communication to the Senate at plenary on Wednesday.

    The letter, which was addressed to Saraki, requested his confirmation in accordance with Section 2(5) (b) of the North East Development Commission (NEDC) Act, 2017.

    Tarfa, a retired Major General was appointed Governor of Oyo State from July 1978 to October 1979 among other positions held over the years.

    Buhari equally requested the confirmation of Mohammad Goni Alkali as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NEDC and nine others as members.

    The members are Musa Yashi-Executive Director Humanitarian Affairs, Muhammed Jawa- Executive Director Administration and Finance and Omar Mohammed-Executive Director Operations.

    Others are David Kente-Member Representing North East Zone, Asmau Mohammed-Member Representing North West Zone and Benjamin Adanyi-Member Representing North Central Zone.

    Others are, Olawale Oshun-Member Representing South West, Dr. T. Ekechi-Member Representing South East Zone and Obasuke Mcdonald-Member Representing South-South Zone.

    The Senate had in October 2016, passed the bill seeking the establishment of North East Development Commission to rebuild the North East region following devastation from insurgency.

    Read Also: Senate President alleges threat to life

    The President Buhari assented to the bill in October, 2017.

    In a similar development, the Senate referred appointment of Modibbo Tukur as Director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to the Committee on Anti-Corruption for screening.

    The President had in a letter dated Jan. 7 and read at plenary on Wednesday requested Tukur’s confirmation.

    The request for the confirmation is in accordance with Section 5(1) of the Financial Intelligence Unit Act 2018.

    Buhari had urged the Senate to give the request expeditious consideration.

  • Dickson hails Buhari on choice of Adamu as IGP

    Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari on the choice of Mr. Muhammed Adamu as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP).

    The Governor in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, on Thursday, described the new IGP as a dedicated professional with the requisite experience for the job.

    He, however, urged the new IGP to give required attention to the need to refocus the police for more effective service delivery with emphasis on professionalism.

    Dickson said that his interactions with the new IGP when he was the Assistant Inspector General in charge of Zone 5, showed that he was a brilliant career officer with the right experience for the job.

    He called on Nigerians to support to the new IGP to enable to him the succeed in the onerous task of securing lives and prosperities in the society.

    The governor assured the new IGP of his support and prayers “as long as he does what is right in fairness to everybody.”

    He said: “I commend President Muhammadu Buhari on the choice of a new IGP, in the person of Muhammed Adamu, a professional police officer.

    Read Also: Dickson to politicians: support military to win war against Boko Haram

    “From my experience and interactions with the New IGP when he was Assistant Inspector General òf Police in charge of Zone 5, my judgement is that he did a good job, as a brilliant career officer with the right experience.

    “I congratulate him and urge him to refocus the service for greater professionalism and national service. He should raise the bar of professionalism and service in the police.

    “I also call for support for the new IGP especially at this critical time of our nation’s history to enable him to succeed in the sensitive task of security our society.

    “As long as he does what is right and he is fair to all, he will always have my support and prayers”.

  • Buhari consoles Kenyans over terrorist attack

    President Muhammadu Buhari on behalf of the Federal Government commiserated with the government and people of Kenya on the deadly terrorist attack on a hotel and office complex in Nairobi.

    Condemning the attack as “wicked, cruel and dastardly by evil people,” the Nigerian leader assured President Uhuru Kenyatta that the thoughts of the people of Nigeria are with Kenyans at this moment of their national grief.

    Read Also: Buhari declines assent to five bills

    According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari called on well-meaning members of the international community to rally round Kenyans to overcome the scourge of terrorism “because any terrorist attack on one country is an attack on all countries.”

    He prayed God Almighty to console the bereaved families and quicken the recovery of the several injured people.

  • Understanding Nigerian Army’s role in defending Nigeria’s sovereignty 

    I recall that a section of the polity has decided to drag the Nigerian Army into the murky water of politics for their selfish reasons. This arose from the charge given by the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces President Muhammadu Buhari for the Nigeria Army to deal ruthlessly with those who intend to snatch ballot boxes during the elections or engage in acts of thuggery aimed at disrupting the polls.
    I must confess that I am amazed as to how the PDP bigwigs and sympathizers have blown the issue out of proportion. They forgot that for the credibility of the polls to be achieved, there ought to be a level of security in place to guard against vices such as ballot box snatching, vote buying and other evil acts associated with elections in this country.
    While I am not against these folks airing their opinion on issues they have reservations, I am however taken aback with the way and manner they have so politicized the issue with the aim of misleading the unsuspecting members of the public to believe that there is indeed something sinister in the directive.
    Yes, the Chief of Army Staff addressed his principal officers that included the General Officers Commanding the various divisions in the country to remind them of the task at hand which is necessary to safeguard the territorial integrity of the country and the need for the troops to respect the constituted authorities. I see nothing wrong with this. And I wonder how the PDP interpreted or is interpreting issues, especially in the build-up to the elections.
    It even gets confusing when it is common knowledge that over time, the Nigerian  Army in discharging its constitutionally recognized and authorized mandate, focuses on two cardinal objectives, and they are subservience to constituted authority and the respect for human rights.
    This is also sufficing to add that the Nigeria Army has overtime provided that needed support to the Nigerian police in the effective discharge of its duties in times of elections and other emergencies. And if this is and has been the case, why cry wolf where none exist? I think that the members of the general public should resist the antics of some unscrupulous elements hell-bent on causing disaffection in the polity to win the sympathy of the electorates with some days left to the general elections.
    There are abound instances where the Nigerian  Army had ensured that voters carry out their civic responsibility without fear or favour. The Ekiti and Osun states elections are glaring examples of the invaluable role the Nigerian  Army plays in entrenching and sustaining democracy in Nigeria.  Ordinarily, Nigerians should not have any cause for worry or concern if they do not have ulterior motives during the elections.
    But those that want to incite and cause mayhem should have every reason to be afraid because I think that any action that negates peace and tranquility would and should be resisted by the Nigerian  Army. And this should give every true lover of democracy a cause for concern.
    The desperation to rig the election at all cost is what has driven the PDP to begin to act towards every other citizen even worse than what Boko Haram have done in North East Nigeria.
    This desperation led by Obasanjo and some Governors to return an Atiku Abubakar who has become desperate as to drag the Nigerian  Army despite its apolitical nature into politics is what many today have become afraid of.
    The fear of ballot box snatcher is real, and every Nigerian looks up to the Army to be able to provide the needed security for them to be able to exercise their franchise. One would, therefore, plead with the PDP to allow the Nigerian Army to focus on its role and responsibilities as those who have nothing to hide should have nothing to fear.
    The Nigeria Army under Lt GenTukur Buratai is a responsive organization and one that has tremendously shown respect for the constitution of the Federal  Republic  of Nigeria. Worthy of mention also is the fact that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai is a professional officer and one whose loyalty can never be doubted.
    He is also a refined promoter of human rights as evident in his numerous interactions with the civilian populace through the Directorate of Civil-Military relations.  This much has been said about him in multiple forums and how he has done so much in three years to reflect on the average soldier in the country.
    It is also on record that the Nigerian  Army has not unlawfully engaged any citizen in any arms’ struggle and this very much we are aware the Army has continued to imbibe. An example of the professionalism of the Nigeria Army under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai was in 2016 in Rivers state when militants opened fire on troops during a rerun election. Guess what?  The Army didn’t retaliate but instead fished out the criminals and handed to the police.
    Now, that is just an example of the professionalism of the Nigerian Army under Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai in recent times. The public outcry by the PDP and its agents are in poor taste and meant to mislead. Needless I add that there is no rest for the wicked. And make no mistakes, the Nigerian  Army would rise to the occasion during and after the elections in Nigeria. For those who may not want a python dance with the Army, it is simply thumb print on your ballot paper and AVOID the box itself.

  • Buhari names Tarfa NEDC chairman

    President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, asked the Senate to confirm Major General Paul Tarfa (retd) as Chairman, Governing Board of the North East Development Commission.

    Buhari in a letter dated January 8, 2019, addressed to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, requested Tarfa’s confirmation in accordance with Section 2(5)(b) of the North East Development Commission(NEDC) Act, 2017.

    Tarfa, a retired Major General was appointed Governor of Oyo State from July 1978 to October 1979.

    Buhari also asked the Senate to confirm Mohammad Goni Alkali as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NEDC.

    Other members of the NEDC include Musa Yashi-Executive Director Humanitarian Affairs, Muhammed Jawa- Executive Director Administration and Finance and Omar Mohammed-Executive Director Operations.

    Others are David Kente-Member Representing North East Zone, Asmau Mohammed-Member Representing North West Zone and Benjamin Adanyi-Member Representing North Central Zone.

    Others are, Olawale Oshun-Member Representing South West, Dr. T. Ekechi-Member Representing South East Zone and Obasuke Mcdonald-Member Representing South South Zone.

    The Senate in October 2016 passed the bill seeking the establishment of North East Development Commission to rebuild the North East region following devastation from insurgency.

    Read Also: Buhari not aware of CJN’s arraignment – Osinbajo

    President Buhari assented to the bill in October, 2017.

    In another letter dated January 7, 2019, Buhari requested the Senate to confirm Modibbo Tukur as a Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

    The request for the confirmation is in accordance with Section 5(1) of the Financial Intelligence Unit Act 2018.

    Buhari urged the Senate to give the request expeditious consideration and passage.