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Tag: Femi Adesina

  • Adesina speaks on Ahmed’s status in Finance Ministry

    The Special Adviser to the President on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, on Wednesday explained the current status of Zainab Ahmed who is currently overseeing the Ministry of Finance.

    Ahmed was named on Friday to oversee the Ministry following the resignation of Kemi Adeosun.

    Fielding questions from journalists on Wednesday after the Federal Executive Council meeting, Adesina said that the statement issued on Friday was very clear as she is overseeing the ministry.

    But he explained that she was treated as the Finance Minister during the FEC meeting.

    Asked to speak on her current status, he said “You know she was minister of state budget and national planning, she will relinquish that or she has relinquished that to go and oversee the finance ministry, so that is her status for now.”

    On whether she is supervising minister or overseeing minister or acting minister of finance, he said “It is a matter of nomenclature, yes but she is overseeing the ministry.

    Asked if she should be addressed as overseer, Adesina said “What you call her is a matter of nomenclature but if she is overseeing the ministry, then she is. But note that she is no longer Minister of State budget and national planning for now until anything contrary happens. But for now, she is in charge of the ministry of finance.

    On whether she can be placed on a substantive position, he said “Well, you know that statement was written in English and that statement says she will oversee the ministry of finance, let’s leave it like that.

    Read Also: Presidency not aware of Eagles’ visit- Adesina

    “I just told you she is no longer minister of state budget and national planning, she will be minister of finance, in fact that was how she was addressed at council.

    “Don’t forget it is also a legal thing, if a minister is going to be appointed there are procedures that is why it is a deployment.” he stated

    Explaining why Ahmed had to relocate to the Finance Ministry, the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, said that all the key finance officials and documents are located in the Ministry of Finance.

    According to him, it will not be easy for her to oversee the Ministry from the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.

  • Buhari commiserates with Ralph Obioha over passing away of wife

    President Muhammadu Buhari has sent condolences to the family of Chief Ralph Obioha over the passing of his wife, Lady Ego Beatrice Obioha, who will be laid to final rest on Saturday 15th September, 2018.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, joined professional colleagues of the late accountant, her community members, women associations and friends in mourning the matriarch of the Obioha family.

    He encouraged her children to uphold the legacies of love, kindness and honesty their mother left behind.

    Read Also: ‘Buhari’s re-election will restore peace’

    Recalling Lady Obioha’s strong support for her husband as he journeyed into the onerous task of promoting democratic governance in Nigeria, the President believed she translated her love for the family into national service, especially in making so many sacrifices after her husband went on exile.

    President Buhari prayed that the Almighty God will accept the soul of the departed large-hearted mother and manager, and comfort the family she left behind.

  • Buhari promises new textile investments for South East

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja expressed optimism that new investment commitments coming into Nigeria’s textile sector, of which Aba is a major beneficiary, will be actualized within the shortest possible time.

    He gave the assurance while receiving traditional rulers from Abia State led by His Royal Majesty, Dr. Isaac Ikonne, Enyi 1 of Aba.

    The President also assured the monarchs that the issue of unstable electricity and other basic infrastructure in Ariaria market, a major trading hub in West and Central Africa, would soon be a thing of the past.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to rapidly industrialize the country through projects that promote import substitution.

    The President said the investments in the textile industry would create thousands of jobs for youths in Aba.

    He said ‘‘Just last week, I was in China to attend the Forum for China-Africa Cooperation. During that visit, I personally met with executives of one of the largest cotton and garment companies in the world who will soon establish operations in Aba.

    ‘‘This is following a joint effort of attracting this investor by both the Federal and Abia State Government.

    ‘‘The proposed investment will create thousands of jobs for the vibrant and creative youths in Aba.

    ‘‘I am very excited about this project. I have directed the Hon. Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment to ensure this investment is actualised within the shortest possible time,’’ the President told the visiting royal majesty and his entourage.

    On Ariaria market, the President recounted that during his visit to Aba in 2015 as a presidential candidate, he was warmly received and walked through parts of the market where he observed the lack of electricity and other basic infrastructure for its over 40,000 shops.

    ‘‘As a government, we issued a presidential mandate to the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing and the Rural Electrification Agency to energise the market.

    ‘‘In June 2018, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission granted an electricity generation licence as well as a distribution licence for the market. This will enable the generation and distribution of 9.5 Megawatts of electricity within the market.

    ‘‘The project is moving smoothly and I have been assured the market will be fully electrified soon. We are working closely with the State Government, Local Government, Traditional Rulers, Market Associations and the community on this project to ensure this goal is actualised by the end of the year,’’ he said.

    On security, the President reiterated that the APC-led government would continue to do its best to maintain the sovereign integrity of Nigeria while protecting the livelihoods of its hardworking and honest citizens.

    He also underscored the need for elder statesmen, leaders, parents and patriots to continue to guide youths on the path of peace and prosperity while eschewing hateful and divisionary rhetoric.

    ‘‘We must not shy away from this responsibility. We only have one Nigeria. And we must ensure we hand over a better Nigeria to the next generation,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Imo shutdown as youths hold solidarity rally for Buhari, Nwosu

    Eze Ikonne lauded the President for successes recorded so far since he assumed office in 2015, particularly in the fight against corruption, agricultural revolution, infrastructure development and security.

    On infrastructure development in the South East, His Majesty said: ‘‘ Mr President, I thank you for the massive federal roads rehabilitation going on in the South- East; like the Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt expressway, Port Harcourt-Elele-Owerri road, Enugu-Onitsha expressway.

    ‘‘These roads were death traps for 16 years before you came into office, but today they are wearing new solid looks, though not completed but relief is already there with the level of work done so far.’’

  • Atiku’s allegations: Buhari not power drunk – Presidency

    *Says Buhari uncompromising against corruption

     

    The Presidency on Wednesday declared that President Muhammadu Buhari was not power drunk.

    A statement by the Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, was reacting to allegations by the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    But the Presidency agreed that President Buhari is uncompromising against corruption.

    The statement reads “Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, was quoted by a foreign news medium as accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of being “very uncompromising, also power drunk; (and) who will not be ready to leave power without a fight.”

    “Rather than use the name of President Buhari to buoy his bid to get the presidential ticket of a party, whose flag has been flying at half-mast since it got roundly trounced at the polls in 2015, the former Vice President needs be told that the President is truly uncompromising, but only when it comes to looting the common patrimony of Nigerians, and squandering their riches.

    “President Buhari is uncompromising in the quest to restore probity and accountability to public office. He is uncompromising in cleaning the rot Nigeria was consigned into pre-2015, thus the war against corruption is being fought without fear or favour. The President is equally resolute in the determination to ensure that Nigeria is no longer a mono-economy, depending only on oil.

    “Yes, President Buhari is single-minded in effecting change in every area of Nigerian life. So, Alhaji Abubakar is right, if that was what he meant by the President being “uncompromising.”

    Read Also: FEC okays N6.01 trillion national health plan

    “But power drunk? No! And being a man “who will not be ready to leave power without a fight?” Never! Not President Buhari, who has demonstrated in many ways that he is a committed democrat, though also a retired military general. He has no apologies about that. Through a sterling military career, he served Nigeria with his heart and might, before venturing into partisan politics.”

    According to him, President Buhari, in many ways, has wielded power with decency, and as a means of serving the people, rather than for personal ends.

    “If there’s one person not intoxicated by power, it is President Buhari, and scores of millions of Nigerians know this. That is why they will invest him with power again next year, knowing that he won’t misuse or misapply what has been entrusted to him.

    “Former VP Abubakar may want to borrow a leaf from the decorous language employed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, in answering his recent press statement on the restructuring debate. That is the hallmark of statesmen, and not crying wolf where none exists, which is what the allegation of being uncompromising and power drunk truly is.

    “President Buhari is actuated by service to country, and nothing else. So, there couldn’t be anything like “not ready to leave power without a fight.”

    “Indeed, the insinuation of a fight is the mindset of a man who is either undemocratic, or has seen defeat staring him, and his party, in the face.

    “Let the former Vice President rest assured that there will be no ‘fight’ over power in Nigeria. Not under President Buhari’s watch. The people don’t want a fight. It is some political leaders we must beseech to eschew pugnacity, and mind their language.” he stated

  • Buhari mourns Delta APC Chieftain, son

    President Muhammadu Buhari has joined members of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Ijaw Community in Delta in mourning former acting Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Pastor Power Aginighan.

    Aginighan died in a ghastly car accident on his way Port Harcourt from Delta on Friday.

    Buhari expressed the condolences in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Monday.

    The President also expressed condolences to family, friends, professional and political associates of the deceased who also lost his son and police orderly in the car accident.

    Read Also: Buhari ‘s administration addressing illegal migration, says APC

    Buhari said Aginighan’s leadership role in the quest for peace and development in the South-South region of the country was most remarkable, especially with his foray into politics for selfless service to his people.

    He commended the APC chieftain’s loyalty to the party and his contributions to all the successes recorded in elections and development of the country.

    Buhari regretted that the chieftain passed on at a crucial moment in the nation’s political history.

    He prayed that almighty God would receive the soul of Aginighan, his son and orderly and comfort the families they left behind.

  • Buhari greets matriarch of Elumelu family at 90

    President Muhammadu Buhari has sent warm greetings to the matriarch of the Elumelu family, Mrs Suzanne Elumelu, on her 90th birthday.

    President Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, joined family and friends of the kind-hearted and loving mother of five, including Chairman of Heirs Foundation, Tony Elumelu, in celebrating the milestone, which is an evidence of God’s favour and grace.

    He commended Mrs Elumelu, who is fondly called Mama, for her strength of character and entrepreneurial spirit in raising a strong and healthy family, and her advocacy for good education and investment skills for children and women particularly in the country.

    Read Also: Aisha Buhari donates to women in Daura

    The President believed Mama’s life story of succeeding against the odds of early widowhood serves as an inspiration to many, while her virtues of the fear of God, discipline, integrity, dedication and hard work will continue to resonate among the communities of the less privileged that she supports and regularly encourages.

    He prayed that God will grant Mama Elumelu, the Adadioranma of Onicha Ugbo, Delta State, longer life, filled with joy and good health.

  • Spurious bomb blast : Presidency faults CNM chieftain’s Ill wish

    The Presidency on Thursday faulted the claim of bomb blast in Borno State by a chieftain of the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM).

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said that by telling lies of bomb blast betrayed a mind taken completely over by ill wishes against his own country.

    According to him, the lie was a futile effort to rubbish the successes recorded by the Buhari government in the area of security.

    Adesina said “On Tuesday, August 21, 2018, Akin Osuntokun, a chieftain of the stillborn Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM), appeared on Politics Today programme of Channels Television, and made the false claim that a bomb blast had gone off earlier in the day, killing about 88 people in Maiduguri, Borno State.

    “Osuntokun, a newspaper columnist and public affairs commentator, has never hidden his antipathy towards the Muhammadu Buhari administration, but to go on national television and tell lies of the most heinous kind betrays a mind taken completely over by ill wishes against his own country.

    “Sallah Day had passed quietly and peacefully, without even a firecracker going off, let alone bomb blast.

    “That was contrary to what used to happen before the advent of the Buhari administration, when such festivals were turned to orgy of killings in many parts of the country by insurgents.

    Read Also: INEC strategizes on election in Borno State

    “Apparently, enemies of peace and progress had expected a return to the infamous past, thus Oshuntokun appeared on television with his bag of lies.

    “When those on the programme remonstrated with him that they were not aware of any bomb blast on that day, he stood his ground, all in a futile bid to puncture the successes recorded by government in the area of security.” he said

    He pointed out that till the Sallah holidays ended, no bomb blast was recorded in any part of the country, adding “to the shame and discomfiture of the naysayers.”

    He went on “One wonders: if there were bomb blasts, and more than 80 people truly died, what would be the gain of anybody, except those who have become blinded by malediction and morbid wishes? Is carnage something now to glory about? Is the struggle for power now so ghoulish that some people have lost their humanity over it?

    “Oshuntokun and his ilk should realize that this is the only country we have, and we can’t swallow poison and expect it to kill the next person. What we sow is what we reap.” he said

    He happily noted that Nigerians for a peaceful, united and cohesive Nigeria are more than those against it.

    “That is why those with baleful, hateful thoughts would never win.” he added

    He said that the tripod goals of securing the country, fighting corruption, and reviving the economy are central to the Buhari administration.

    Stressing that the Government is making strides in the three areas, he said that the conquests continue.

  • Buhari commends honest security men

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his desire for Nigerians to emulate two security men who returned a handbag filled with valuables forgotten at the Murtala Muhammed Airport by an American returnee.

    Such conduct, he said, reflected the new Nigeria that all desire.

    A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, reads A Lagos-based medical doctor, Banji Oyegbami, had met a family returning from America at the airport on August 18, 2018. In the process of loading their luggage into the car of their host, the handbag of the returnee’s wife fell, unknown to anyone.

    “It was not till 90 minutes later that an officer of Halogen Securities, on duty at the airport, called the couple, to come for the retrieved bag.

    “When the bag was eventually collected, the contents, including a handsome amount of American dollars, phone, wrist watch, and other valuables were intact.

    “The grateful couple offered a generous gift, but Messrs Francis Emepueaku and Achi Daniel; declined, saying they were merely doing their duties.”

    According to him, President Buhari believed that despite the scoffing of a minority number, Nigeria is resolutely on the road to a new dawn.

    Read Also: Buhari fit to contest in 2019, says Presidency

    The President said “Honesty remains the best policy. We must exhibit such behaviour in whatever position we find ourselves, whether high or low.

    “The security men could have chosen to behave differently, following the self-serving principle of ‘if you can’t beat them, join them.’ But they have chosen to be examples of good, honest Nigerians. I commend their conduct to the rest of the country.”

    The President urged Nigerians to bring out the best in themselves at all times, noting that with such minds, they can never be hoodwinked again by those who seek power for selfish and dubious reasons, and return the country to an inglorious past.

    “Nigeria will no longer be a byword for corruption and plundering of public resources. That is the path we have chosen to take, and our country will eventually get to a new shore,” President Buhari affirms.” he stated

  • Buhari greets Oba Otudeko at 75

    President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the business world and all boardroom gurus in Nigeria to rejoice with founder and Chairman of Honeywell Group, Ayoola Oba Otudeko, who turns 75 on Saturday 18th August, 2018.

    President Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina,  saluted the business magnate for his vision, wisdom and dexterity in setting up businesses that cut across the oil and gas industry, flour mills, hospitality and transportation, providing services and employment that strengthen the Nigerian economy.

    As Oba Otudeko celebrates his 75th birthday and share the joyful time with members of his family, friends and community of business colleagues, the President acknowledged his many contributions to the development of the country through wise counsels to governments and willingness to serve on boards and committees that are focused on steering and buoying the economy.

    Read Also: Buhari, Oshiomhole, Abe greet Odili at 70

    He extolled the warm heartedness and magnanimity of the business mogul for setting up the Oba Otudeko Foundation, which provides for less privileged members of the society and inspires start-ups, especially among the youth.

    The President prayed that the almighty God will continue to strengthen Oba Otudeko, grant him longer life and more wisdom to keep expanding his investments in the country and beyond.

  • Buhari salutes veteran Journalist, Ray Ekpu at 70

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated veteran journalist and co-founder of Newswatch Magazine, Ray Ekpu, who turns 70 on Aug. 6 as well as clocks 45 years working as a journalist and an administrator.

    President Buhari’s congratulatory message is contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Sunday.

    The President joined the media world, family and friends of the renowned columnist and activist in celebrating the many years of exceptional contribution to national development through his writings, speaking engagements and leadership roles.

    According to him, Ekpu’s consistency and forthrightness in speaking and writing the truth to authorities deserves special commendation, especially the many times he placed his life at risk in fighting for democracy and the institutionalisation of good governance in Nigeria.

    President Buhari affirmed that his wealth of knowledge, wisdom and editorial skills should serve as a benchmark for upcoming journalists “as the future of the industry rests on the indelible tenets of fairness, accuracy and balance.’’

    The President prayed that the Almighty God would grant the prolific writer longer life, good health and more wisdom to serve the nation and humanity.