The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Femi Adesina

  • Buhari to confer with German leaders on security, humanitarian issues

    Buhari to confer with German leaders on security, humanitarian issues

    President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to embark on an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany from October 13th to 15th, 2016.

    A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said that President Buhari in Berlin will confer with Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel on issues of shared interests between Nigeria and Germany, including further cooperation on security, the humanitarian situation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and rehabilitation of the North-East, and trade and economic relations between both countries.

    The President will thereafter meet with Federal President Joachim Gauck, in the company of Governors Kashim Shettima of Borno State and Rochas Okorocha of Imo and representatives of the National Assembly.

    The statement reads: “In furtherance of the administration’s objective to attract more foreign investment and create economic opportunities in the country, President Buhari will participate in a Business Forum in Berlin with leading German companies already active in Nigeria and other prospective investors.

    “Before returning to Abuja, the President is expected to meet with representatives of the Nigerian community in Germany.

    “President Buhari is committed to deepening relations with Germany and building on the very cordial relations both countries enjoy in several areas of bilateral cooperation including the fight against terrorism, economic relations, rebuilding of the North east, support for IDPs, vocational training, energy partnership and cultural relations.

    Shortly after his inauguration on May 29, 2015, President Buhari, on the invitation of Chancellor Merkel, attended the G7 summit in Elmau, Germany, which was his first trip to a non-African country after his assumption of office.

    From February 8 to 12 this year, President Gauck, accompanied by a delegation of German business community, was on an official visit to Nigeria, where they had fruitful discussions on trade and investments with representatives of government and the private sector in Abuja and Lagos.

  • Why we are fighting corruption headlong – Buhari

    Why we are fighting corruption headlong – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has explained that his administration is fighting the scourge of corruption headlong because it is contributing to the denial of the resources required for development.

    Speaking in New York at the High-Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, the President called on development partners to also up the fight against corruption by returning ill-gotten financial assets and halting future illicit financial flows to their countries.

    According to the Nigerian leader, such collective action will guarantee a stronger international defence of the right to development.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, also noted that illicit financial assets stashed abroad deprive developing countries including Nigeria, and invariably deny people the enjoyment of their national wealth and resources needed for development.

    He cautioned that non-repatriation of illicit financial assets could impinge on the determination of States to achieve an all-inclusive 2030 sustainable development.

    President Buhari therefore called on the United Nations to remain vocal and active in addressing the negative impact of non-repatriation of illicit financial assets on their countries of origin.

    As soon as stolen assets are legally established, he said that they should swiftly be repatriated.

    He welcomed the commemoration of three decades of the Declaration on the Right to Development, which he observed, coincides with the first anniversary of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    He said: “It reminds us all of the essence of development and provides us with the opportunity to reaffirm commitments to converting this right into the policies and operational activities of relevant actors at the national, regional and international levels.”

    Buhari said that as a developing country, Nigeria considers the Right to Development an inalienable right of fundamental importance, stressing that at the national level, his administration has been making strenuous efforts to ensure that the right to development is at the centre of all development initiatives.

    While reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to the UN Charter and other international conventions that uphold the Right to Development, he also drew the attention of the international community to the urgent need to address the lop-sided terms of trade between Developed and Developing Countries which have impacted negatively on the capacity of many Developing Countries to embark on development programmes for the benefit of their peoples.

    “Nigeria is convinced that the Right to Development is a shared responsibility considering the growing inequality and poverty resulting from climate change impact, natural disasters, violent extremism, social unrest and deprivation,” the President said.

    “The Right to Development must be promoted and protected like all other rights. Its universality and interdependence are indisputable,” he said.

  • Presidency denies poisonous rice importation

    Presidency denies poisonous rice importation

    The Federal Government on Wednesday described attempts by some individuals on social media to link the government and Dangote group with a plan to ‘flood’ the country with genetically modified rice (GMO) as extremely uncharitable.

    A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said that the Federal Government in 2014 signed a $1billion Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU) for investment in integrated rice project  with Dangote Industries Ltd.

    In line with the agreement, the statement said that Dangote Industries Limited this year cultivated over 8,000 hectares in Hadejia, Jigawa state, creating over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs for farmers who are the major beneficiaries of the scheme.

    It reads: “In consolidation of the rice project of the Federal Government, President Muhammadu Buhari administration is also in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and other reputable companies to tap into the vast potentials in the private sector and broadening the economic base of the country.

    “The gains of the diversification drive especially in the Agriculture sector are already yielding dividends as shown by the recent statistics in the sector as published by the National Bureau of Statistics.
    These engagements will continue until the present administration has laid a solid foundation for the economic development of the nation.

    “It is therefore ridiculous that a government that is wholly devoted to the generation of employment for Nigerians especially through Agriculture will turn around to get involved in an activity that will reverse the gains of the same partnership.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari has said it repeatedly that, ‘we have the capacity to feed ourselves in Nigeria and even export from what we produce in the country.”

    “He has also said that through the provision of N200 billion by the CBN for small holder farmers and processors involved in local production of rice and other grains, rice importation  will hopefully stop  in the next three years.” It added.

    The statement said that it was unfortunate that a few self-serving individuals are bent on distracting the administration while the Buhari administration is working assiduously with well-meaning Nigerians to bring the country out of the current economic situation it has found itself.

    The government, it said, is focused on reflating the fortunes of the country through the diversification of the economy which will very soon yield results.

    “The Federal Government warns purveyors of such malicious information and those thinking of embarking on the same route to have a rethink and retrace their steps.” It stated

  • Buhari greets David-West at 80

    Buhari greets David-West at 80

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated eminent academic and former federal minister, Prof. Tamunoemi Sokari David-West as he turns 80 years on Friday August 26th, 2016.

    President Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, recalled his long term relationship with the elder statesman, when he served as Minister of Petroleum, 1984-1985.

    He commended Prof. David-West’s steadfastness and forthrightness on issues of good governance, democracy, human rights and the unity of Nigeria, especially when some seem to easily give up on the project of building one great nation.

    President Buhari assured the octogenarian that his place in Nigeria’s history is guaranteed for the statesmanship, fearlessness, intellectual depth, resourcefulness and versatility that he brought into public discourse.

    The President prayed that the almighty God will continue to grant the former minister good health and more fruitful years of service to his fatherland.

  • Abuah’s death traumatized us, says Adesina

    Abuah’s death traumatized us, says Adesina

    The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi‎ Adesina on Wednesday said that the death of the State House’s Director of Information,Mr Justin Onuorah Abuah was traumatic.

    Abuah, who served at the State House for thirty years, died on Sunday‎ August 14th after a brief illness.

    Leading the Media Department, State House Press Corps and Protocol Department to visit Abuah’s widow, Loretta and three children, Chinedum, Chike and Amaechi and other family member, Adesina noted that Abuah was very competent and excellent in his job.

    He said, “Words failed me to actually describe him (Abuah), when he passed the first thing that came to mind was that a competent man has gone. He related well with many people.

    “He was an excellent man and did his job excellently. His passage is trauma to us, we realize it is a road all mortals must pass through but we would have felt better if it didn’t happen now.

    “When we come and go are in the hands of God. At 57 he was not an old man, he lived a very quality life. We urge you to keep his memory alive. Be comforted and be consoled”.

    He said that the State House would love to be fully involved in Abuah’s burial plans.

    Also on the visit, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu described Abuah as‎ a pillar of support, an icon of emulation and a unique individual who served seven presidents.

    ‎According to him, they were just beginning to learn from Abuah how his uniqueness made him serve seven‎ presidents.

    Stressing that they were initially angry that ‎his ill-health was not known to them until his passage, Shehu said that Abuah is a kind of person who didn’t like to bother others about his pain.

    He said: “‎We feel a sense of loss over a man who has served seven Presidents with dedication. We lost a pillar of support, an icon of emulation.‎ We were just learning about him, we felt angry we were not in the know of his ill-health but we found out that he is a man who did not like to bother anybody with his pains”.

    The Chairman of the State House Press Corps, Kehinde Amodu, said the corp will miss a man of integrity whose yes was yes and no was no.

    He noted that a man of his calibre will be difficult to replace.

    “He was a senior colleague. His yes was yes and his no was no. He was firmed and truthful and a man of integrity. He was a quiet and private person but he knew everyone individually, we are 109 journalists in the State House and he knew everyone individually. We will miss him; I don’t think he can be replaced”.

    Responding on behalf the family, ‎Arnold Abuah, a‎ retired commissioner of police and medical doctor, described his brother as a man of integrity.

    He said the illness that eventually took his brother’s life was only known to Abuah, his wife and his son.

    He thanked the delegation for coming.

  • Presidency challenges Saraki to name cabal in Buhari’s government

    Presidency challenges Saraki to name cabal in Buhari’s government

    The Presidency on Monday challenged the Senate President, Bukola Saraki to name the cabals in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    Saraki had claimed that there is “now a government within the government of President Buhari”, which has allegedly seized the apparatus of Executive powers to pursue a nefarious agenda.

    But a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said that the claim by Senator Saraki would have been more worth the while if it had been backed with more information.

    It reads: “If he had proceeded to identify those who constitute the “government within the government,” it would have taken the issue beyond the realm of fiction and mere conjecture.

    “But as it stands, the allegation is not even worth the paper on which it was written, as anybody can wake from a troubled sleep, and say anything.

    “The Attorney-General of the Federation is the Chief Law Officer of the state. It is within his constitutional powers to determine who has infringed upon the law, and who has not.

    “Pretending to carry an imaginary cross is mere obfuscation, if, indeed, a criminal act has been committed. But we leave the courts to judge.” It stated

    To claim that President Muhammadu Buhari is anybody’s stooge, the statement said, is not only ridiculous, but also preposterous.

    “It is not in the character of our President,” It added.

  • Buhari appoints Kpotum Idris as Acting IGP

    Buhari appoints Kpotum Idris as Acting IGP

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday appointed Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Ibrahim Kpotum Idris, as Acting Inspector-General of Police.

    He replaces Solomon Arase, who retired yesterday after reaching the mandatory 60 years of age. Arase was appointed IG in April 2015.

    President spokesman Femi Adesina announced the appointment.

    The acting Inspector-General, who hails from Kutigi, Lavun, Niger state, was born on Jan. 15, 1959.

    Idris joined the Police in 1984, after graduating from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture.He also holds a degree in Law from the University of Maiduguri.

    Idris has served in various commands and formations, working in the Police Mobile Force for 17 years as Unit Commander, Squadron Commander, and Commandant.

    He served as Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa and Kano states and was also the Commissioner of Police in charge of Police Mobile Force at the Force Headquarters.

    He was also at the United Nations Mission in Liberia and East Timor and was awarded “Medal of Merit” by the President of the Republic of East Timor in recognition of his service.

    Idris, who was in charge of Operations at the Force Headquarters before his appointment, will act in that capacity pending his confirmation.

    Arase spoke to reporters at the Villa on his successor. He said: “I want to formally introduce my successor, AIG Idris Kpotum, he is going to be in acting capacity until the Police Council confirms.

    “I want to seize this opportunity to thank Nigerians for the cooperation given me ýwhile I served as Inspector General of Police.  By extension, I want to also appeal to you to give the same support that you gave to me to my successor.

    “He is a younger man. So, I am sure he will be abreast with the contemporary policing issues.”

    The Acting IGP said: “Honestly by collective leadership, the Nigerian police is going to be governed by internationally recognised core values of policing ýeverywhere in the world, that is the issue of integrity and accountability, issue of respect for diversity, issue of compassion, issues of ensuring that our streets, our neighbourhoods, our communities remain safe.

    He promised that his tenure will ensure that the best service is provided for the country.

    Some officers who came with them to the Presidential Villa were jubilating that the state was producing the IGP for the first time.

  • Buhari condoles Ghanaian President over mother’s death

    Buhari condoles Ghanaian President over mother’s death

    President Muhammadu Buhari has spoken to President John Mahama of Ghana to offer condolences to Mahama’s family on the passing away of his mother, Hajia Abiba Nnaba.

    In a telephone call on Wednesday, President Buhari prayed that Almighty Allah will grant the soul of Hajia Nnaba eternal rest and comfort all who mourn her.

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, told the Ghanaian leader that his personal thoughts and prayers as well as those of Nigerians are with him as he mourns the passage of a beloved mother.

    He further prayed that the loving memory and virtues which Hajia Abiba Nnaba lived for will continue to inspire all who knew her and generations to come.

     

  • Presidency: Buhari not incapacitated from performing his duties

    Presidency: Buhari not incapacitated from performing his duties

    *Osinbajo becomes Acting President

    The Presidency on Monday maintained that President Muhammadu Buhari is not incapacitated by his ear infection from carrying out his functions as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, who spoke with newsmen at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja as the President was leaving for London, said that it was wrong to refer to the ‘ear infection’ as ‘illness’.

    According to him, there is nothing wrong for a President to take 15 days rest in one year in office.

    He said: “The buzz going round town is that the President is “ill”, but “ill” will be a misnomer, it should not be the right word to use.

    “The President is going for a 10 day rest and during that period he will see specialists who will look at his ear because he has been treating that ear locally for some time.

    “Nigerian physicians have looked at it and now they have said you are going to UK, now that you will be there let specialists look at the ear. They have treated it locally so it is not a question of whether the President is ill. If he is ill, it presupposes that there are certain things that he cannot do.

    “Till the very last minute that he is traveling, the President performed the duties and functions of his office as the President.

    “So illness is not the issue, but as a human being yes he can rest. He has been President for one full year, you know that in February he took 5days leave, he is taking another 10 days now that means 15 days leave in one year.

    “You and I take more than that, so it is natural that the President as a human being is taking 10 days rest but he is not ill.” He added

    Rather than going into frenzy, he urged Nigerians to show goodwill and patriotism, pray and wish the President well.

    “Things about health life and death are in the hands of God, but I believe that all is well without President and God will take care of him and take care of the country,” he said.

    Asked on his message to Nigerians as he leaves for London, President Buhari said: “I have already told Nigerians that I am going for 10 days to get my ear checked.”

    Replying to the question on how to calm the tension that will follow a President falling sick, Buhari fired back: “Is there anybody that doesn’t fall sick?”

    On whether he has informed the National Assembly as required by the law, he said: “The National Assembly knows, they have been formally informed.”

    By informing the National Assembly, Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution allows Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo to be Acting President to prevent any vacuum.

  • Nigeria never benefited from past naira devaluation, says Buhari

    *Buhari: Naira was strong till I was removed from office in 1985

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said that he was yet to be convinced that the vast majority of ordinary Nigerians will  derive any tangible benefit from devaluation of the Naira.

    He spoke at a meeting with members of the Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to him, he still held the conviction which motivated his principled resistance to devaluation in his first tenure as Head of State.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said: “When I was military Head of State, the IMF and the World Bank wanted us devalue the Naira and remove petrol subsidy but I stood my grounds for the good of Nigeria.”

    “The Naira remained strong against the Dollar and other foreign currencies until I was removed from office in August, 1985 and it was devalued.

    “But how many factories were built and how many jobs were created by the devaluation?

    “That is why I’m still asking to be convinced today on the benefits of devaluation,” President Buhari told the retired Permanent Secretaries led by Otunba Christopher Tugbobo.

    He welcomed the Council’s pledge of support for the successful implementation of his administration’s Change Agenda, especially in the priority areas of improving security, curbing corruption and revitalizing the national economy.

    He added: “I am glad you have rightly identified the key issues we campaigned on.

    “We need a dynamic bureaucracy which will not mislead us into taking wrong decisions,” the President said.

    The Council of Retired Federal Permanent Secretaries was established in 2004 to serve as a platform for retired permanent secretaries to offer constructive advice to government on key policy issues.

    Chief Philip Asiodu, the Pioneer Chairman of the Council, said that its members want the present Administration to succeed because Nigeria has already lost many opportunities for progress.

    “We are non-partisan. The interest of Nigeria is paramount to us and we are anxious that you should succeed,” Chief Asiodu told the President.