The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Femi Adesina

  • Buhari condemns killing of priests, worshippers in Benue church

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described as vile and satanic the killing of worshippers and two priests at a Catholic church in Ukpor-Mbalom community in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said “I extend my sincere condolences to the government and people of Benue State, the Mbalom community, and especially the Bishop, priests and members of the St Ignatius’ Catholic Church, whose premises was the unfortunate venue of the heinous killings by gunmen.

    “This latest assault on innocent persons is particularly despicable. Violating a place of worship, killing priests and worshippers is not only vile, evil and satanic, it is clearly calculated to stoke up religious conflict and plunge our communities into endless bloodletting,” the President said.

    Stressing that the country will not bow to the machinations of evildoers, President Buhari vowed that the assailants would be hunted down and made to pay for the sacrilege committed.

     

  • Buhari condemns killing of priests, worshippers in Benue church

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described as vile and satanic the killing of worshippers and two priests at a Catholic church in Ukpor-Mbalom community in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said “I extend my sincere condolences to the government and people of Benue State, the Mbalom community, and especially the Bishop, priests and members of the St Ignatius’ Catholic Church, whose premises was the unfortunate venue of the heinous killings by gunmen.

    Read Also: Buhari mourns former Nigerian envoy to Ethiopia

    “This latest assault on innocent persons is particularly despicable. Violating a place of worship, killing priests and worshippers is not only vile, evil and satanic, it is clearly calculated to stoke up religious conflict and plunge our communities into endless bloodletting,” the President said.

    Stressing that the country will not bow to the machinations of evildoers, President Buhari vowed that the assailants would be hunted down and made to pay for the sacrilege committed.

  • Buhari greets Alex Akinyele at 80

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with former Minister of Information, Chief Alexander Opeyemi Akinyele, on his 80th birthday, April 24, 2018.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President joined all Public Relations professionals, the media industry, friends and family of the former minister in celebrating the milestone, which has been lined with many notable achievements in both the public and private sector, including being the pioneer spokesperson of the Nigerian Customs Service.

    The President extoled Chief Akinyele’s visionary leadership style and courageous service to the nation, especially his contributions to the public sector in ensuring that communication becomes an integral part of policy formulation and execution, and actualisation of all development projects.

    As he turns an octogenarian, President Buhari believed the former minister’s experience as Secretary General and later President of the Nigeria Public Relations, Chairman of the National Sports Commission and member of the Constituent Assembly will always be useful to the country.

    He prayed that God will grant Chief Akinyele, who is also renowned for his philanthropy, longer life, good health and more strength to serve God and humanity.

     

  • Buhari mourns former Nigerian envoy to Ethiopia

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday has condoled with the family of former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Representative to the African Union, Amb. Victor Adeyeye Adegoroye, who passed on at 93.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina in Abuja on Monday, Buhari commiserated with the Ondo State Government, family of the late ambassador.

    Read Also: Buhari greets Alex Akinyele at 80

    The president also condoled with Adegoroye’s friends and colleagues, especially those he worked with for many years as a career diplomat.

    He urged the family to take solace in the fact that the patriarch of the Adegoroye family lived faithfully and served his country dutifully.

    According to the president, Adegoroye’s contributions to national development will always be remembered and acknowledged by posterity.

    President Buhari prayed that God would comfort the family and grant his soul eternal rest.

    NAN

  • Presidency raises alarm over fake Facebook account in Zahra Buhari’s name

    The Presidency on Friday in Abuja raised alarm over fake Facebook account in the name of Zahra, President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter.

    The Presidency’s concern is in a statement by Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity

    “merchants of mischief have taken their antics against the first family further by creating a fake Facebook account in the name of Zahra, President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter,’’ he stated.

    Adesina said that the fake account, conspicuously different from the authentic one, was used to post a message on April 17, at 9.07 a.m.

    The presidential aide revealed that a picture of President Buhari with snowflakes all over him, and being welcomed to a foreign country was used, alongside this message: “children of God, here is a 75-year-old man walking in snow without cardigan just to rescue the battered economic status of Nigeria and some of you senseless people feel he travels too much, as if he travels for partying or merry making.

    “God bless Nigeria. Please share…”

    Adesina, therefore, repudiated the Facebook account, saying it did not belong to Zahra and urged members of the public to be wary, and see through the intentions of those behind it.

    He added that those behind the fake account sought to attract odium to the first family, and did not mean well for the country.

    NAN

     

  • President Buhari extends VAIDS deadline to June 30

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the extension of the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme ( VAIDS ) to June 30.

    The approval for the extension of the deadline is contained in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Wednesday.

    According to the statement, the short extension after the original March 31 date is based on the appeals of professional bodies and individual taxpayers.

    The statement, however, maintained that no further extension of time will be approved after June 30.

    It stated that a new date was also given, based on the conviction of the Ministry of Finance that the overall objective to increase compliance will be attained, and additional revenue will accrue.

    It said that a Fresh Executive Order would be made to give legal backing to the new timeline.

    “For a nation of people who are competitive and driven, it is not a pride that we are the lowest performer in tax to GDP, not just in Africa, but in the world.

    “Nigeria’s growth needs are such that every Nigerian must do his duty to his nation, to his neighbour, and to himself.

    “Hiding monies overseas, evading taxes by manipulation, and other unwholesome practices, have never developed a country, and for Nigeria to attain her true potential, these must stop,’’ President Buhari was quoted as saying in the statement.

    Read Also: Protest as Buhari arrives in London

    The President urged Nigerian companies and individuals to join government in the rebuilding mission, “and do the right thing by taking this window of extension to regularize.”
    He added that the right thing may not be convenient or comfortable, “but in the long run, we will all have a nation we can be proud of.”

    President Buhari further urged tax authorities to use the extension window to perfect plans to prosecute those who fail to regularize their tax status.

    VAIDS is one of the key policies being used by the Federal Government to reposition the Nigerian economy and correct inherited underdevelopment.

    The country has one of the lowest tax collection rates in the world at just six per cent of GDP. This was partially a function of the reliance on oil that saw us abandon the historical revenue collection systems and switch to a culture of sharing resources, rather than generating them.

    President Buhari had in 2017 inaugurated the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan ( ERGP ), and the VAIDS tax amnesty is first in the series of reforms that will transform our tax system and provide sustainable predictable funding for all tiers of government.

    Tax revenues will ensure that public infrastructure is provided, and public services are funded to improve the lives of the people.

    NAN

  • Report on Buhari’s one-term Presidency a misquote – Adesina

    Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina has described as a `misquote’ the report that President Muhammadu Buhari had pledged only one term presidency and will never seek re-election in view of his age status.

    President Buhari, 75, had on Monday shortly before he left for London, declared his intention to run for presidential election in 2019.

    Adesina, who is the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity and currently on the entourage of the president to London, was reacting to a contributor on Channel television programme via Skype, on Tuesday.

    Yemi Akinbode, who contributed to the programme, said he was not surprised by the president’s declaration in spite of his pledge in 2014 not to seek re-election.

    “No, that’s misquote, he was never, never quoted that way.

    “If there is anything on record like that is a misquote because I was with him in South Africa when that issue came when he said, oh, he wished he had become president at the time he was a military governor that he would have done a lot for Nigeria.

    “And the other happened in 2011. When he was running in 2011 he said, yes he would be a president for one term. But did he win in that year, no.

    “The victory came in 2015. So, that being quoted in 2011 is not applicable again because he did not win that year.’’

    Akinbode said: “It didn’t come as a surprise to me. We have seen indications that the president was going to run a long time ago.

    “The president in 2014 said that he was only going to run for one term because of his age.’’

    But the presidential aide maintained that it was not on record that Buhari had told the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) or any member of the party that he would do only one term in office.

    https://soundcloud.com/thenationnewspaper/report-on-buharis-one-term-presidency-a-misquote-adesina

    On the purported vote of no confidence allegedly passed on the President by Northern Elders Forum and the Council for Shariah, Adesina said the two groups had the constitutional right to support anybody vying for political office in the country.

    He cited an example of a former president of the country who equally failed to secure the votes in his state and region but ended up winning the presidential election twice.

    On whether the president had obtained the support of his doctors before making his declaration on Monday, Adesina said Buhari was a responsible man who would never go against the advice of his medical personnel.

    He said: “The President is a very responsible man. If there had been any warning, any red light from his doctor, you know, he wouldn’t have ventured into it, unless you are telling me there is something you know that I don’t know.

    “But I know the President, as a very, very responsible man. If there was any warning he wouldn’t do it.’’

    Adesina, who said that the president took him and other presidential aides unaware when he announced his intention to run for re-election in 2019.

    He said the president’s declaration was in reaction to appeals by millions of Nigerians.

    “Yes, there had been a lot of appeals. I have served in different meetings with different interest groups and all of them want him to run for second term in office.

    “And do you know that whenever the president reacted to these groups he would speak on all other points they raised except the issue of second term.

    “It has been like this in the past one year even before he went for medical vacation, these calls had started coming but Mr President would not say a word and that reinforced my opinion that for him it was not a matter of do-or-die.

    “It is just a matter of serving the country and If he feels that he has done it with the best of his ability that is just it,’’ he said (NAN)

  • Buhari salutes Ayo Adebanjo at 90

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated elder statesman and legal luminary, Chief Ayo Adebanjo on his 90th birthday.

    Buhari, in a message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina in Abuja on Tuesday joined family members, friends and professional colleagues in celebrating the elder statesman.

    He thanked God for the grace that had taken Adebanjo to this landmark age.

    The president, who noted with delight that Adebanjo had clocked 90 years, believed the politician and lawyer had contributed to national development through his profession and commitment to nation building.

    Read Also: Kano welcomes Buhari’s second term bid

    He prayed that almighty God would grant Adebanjo longer years and strength to serve humanity.

    Born on April 10, 1928, Adebanjo has been identified as one of the strong and die-hard associates of the late Chief Obafemi Owolowo and Awoism.

    Adebanjo, one of the chieftains of the National Democratic Coalition ( NADECO ), has also been described as the “last of the original Awoists’’.

    He is also a leader of the Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group in the South-West region of the country.

    NAN

  • 2019: Adesina urges religious leaders to pray for unity, peace in Nigeria

    Presidential Spokesman Femi Adesina has called on religious leaders in the country to continue to pray for the unity, peace and prosperity of Nigeria as the nation approaches 2019 general election.

    Adesina, who is the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, made the call when pastors of the Gospel Faith Mission International led by the Deputy General Overseer of the Mission, Pastor Emmanuel Oluwayemi paid him a courtesy call in his office at Aso Rock, Abuja, on Friday.

    The presidential aide stated that Nigeria at this time was in need of spiritual support of respectable clergy.

    “As we approach the election year, please continue to pray that all will be well with our country. People are getting desperate to ensure that their desires, often ill-motivated, are actualized.

    “But by the prayers of spiritual fathers like you, it will be well with the country,’’ he said.

    According to him, God is the ultimate solution to all challenges and that no man has the solution to happenings around him.

    Adesina expressed delight that the Gospel Faith Mission International, which was a highly respected organisation, known for its open and broad mindedness, had chosen to offer spiritual support to the government.

    He reiterated President Muhammadu Buhari’s assertion that “he is not a religious bigot and can never be one.’’

    Pastor Oluwayemi had earlier told the Special Adviser that the church and the nation had a lot to do together “especially at this time when there is tension in the land.’’

    He added that the role of the church was to advise and pray for leaders of the country as commanded by God in the scriptures.

    He acknowledged their role as co-builders in Nigeria to ensure that there was fairness and justice in the nation.

    The Deputy General Overseer assured that the Gospel Faith Mission International would continue to provide “back-up support’’ for the government rather than heat up the polity.

    He prayed that God’s hands would continue to be on President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other elected people in the country.

     

  • Critics of $1b security fund playing politics, says Adesina

    Presidential media adviser, Femi Adesina says those opposing or criticizing President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval of one billion dollars for security funding are only playing politics with the lives of Nigerians.

    The Minister of Defence, retired Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali had on Wednesday revealed that President Buhari had granted assent for the release of the one billion dollars fund for the procurement of security equipment to fight insecurity in the country.

    Dan-Ali disclosed this when he spoke to State House correspondents after a security meeting involving President Buhari, heads of security agencies and service chiefs which was held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The National Economic Council (NEC) had in 2017 approved the (one billion dollars) amount to be sourced from the country’s excess crude account for the fight against insurgency and other violent criminal activities across the country.

    However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday condemned the presidential approval of the one billion dollars to procure military equipment to fight insurgency without recourse to the National Assembly.

    The party made the condemnation in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja.

    Mr Femi Adesina responded to the PDP’s condemnation of the approval in a special interview on Channels Television on Thursday night, saying that proper procedures for the release of the fund were being followed.

    According to him, the president will soon communicate to the National Assembly through the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters about the matter.

    He said: “As we speak now the communication to the National Assembly is about ready. Those who have been flexing muscles over the matter should just have bothered to make inquiries from the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters.

    “If they had inquired they would have been told that the communication would soon be on the way to the National Assembly.

    “Talking about the timing, there is no timing that is not good for security. Every time is security time. Those who are reading political meaning into it is just unfortunate they play politics with everything and they will play politics with the very lives of Nigerians, which is very bad.’’

    He dismissed the insinuation that the amount was too huge to be spent only on security matters, saying that no government could quantify the amount of funds being expended on security as no individual or government could quantify the value of human lives.

    “It is not something that I think any government could begin to disclose. But we know that it is expensive. I remember that the Chief of Army Staff spoke about some trillions of naira recently – security is expensive but human life is much, much expensive,’’ he added.