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Tag: Femi Adesina

  • Combating corruption will free funds for Africa development – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said that checking the menace of corruption would create major sources of funding for developmental programmes and projects for African economies.

    He made the remark while addressing a High-Level Roundtable on Corruption, Migration, Bridging Africa’s Infrastructural Gap for Sustainable Development organised by NEPAD/APRM Nigeria on the margins of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly in New York.

    According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President expressed regret that huge amounts of funds are still being squirreled out of the continent.

    He said “It is still worrisome considering that billions of dollars, great talents and professionals are continually drained out of the continent through various corrupt activities thus causing poor investment inflows, undermining the rule of law, stifling trade, worsening macro-economic conditions and escalating level of poverty in our countries.

    “These detestable practices are being perpetrated by some international collaborators hiding in secret jurisdictions.” he said

    The Nigerian President, however, expressed delight that “Efforts are being made by African leaders to ensure greater transparency and accountability in government business, fostering regional integration as well as creating enabling environment for our youth.”

    He stressed that “These efforts will remain unabated, as African leaders will remain unrelenting.”\

    Read Also: 2019: Buhari assures Nigerians in diaspora

    Looking ahead, he said: “We must adopt laws, regulations and policies that encourage transparent financial transactions, youth and women’s empowerment programmes as well as establishing good infrastructural links among member states towards sanitising the continent of these ills.”

    Describing the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) as a strategic framework document designed for the “socio-economic development of Africa and a policy framework to address our economic and social challenges,” President Buhari implored his colleagues to: eradicate poverty; place African countries on a path of sustainable growth and development; halt the marginalization of Africa in the globalization process; enhance its full and beneficial integration into the global economy and; accelerate the empowerment of women and youth.

    Calling the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) a flagship programme of NEPAD and a specialized Agency within the AU structure, the President noted that it is mainly “a self-monitoring and assessment tool for peer learning and enthronement of good governance on the continent.”

    Reminding his fellow leaders “That Agenda 2063 is a strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the African continent over the next 50 years with a strong mandate on NEPAD and APRM,” he urged them to “build on and seek the acceleration of the implementation of past and present continental initiatives for our growth and sustainable development.”

    Saying that he looked forward to the conclusions of the conference, the Nigerian leader assured the gathering that, “African leaders are totally committed to delivering these developmental goals, namely, AU Agenda 2063 and 2030 SDGs in order to keep up with the international economic development.”

     

     

     

  • Buhari gets special honours in New York

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday received some honours in New York.

    The State of New Jersey and City of Philadelphia gave him special citations.

    A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said that the President received the honours after making a presentation at the High Level Roundtable on Corruption, Migration and Bridging Africa’s Infrastructure Gap, a programme on the margins of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly.

    Diane Campbell, representing Senator Turner of New Jersey, read a citation of the Nigerian leader, acknowledging his military, professional and political strides.

    Read Also: 2019: Buhari will be easy to defeat – Bafarawa

    President Buhari, according to the statement, stood ramrod straight, as the hall erupted in rapturous applause.

    The Chairman, Nigerian Coalition for Business Development and Investment, Dr Jude Iheoma, also read a citation on behalf of the City of Philadelphia.

    On hand to witness the honour were international investors and captains of industry.

    Also there were ministers; directors-general; Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, CEO NEPAD International; Princess Gloria Akobundu, CEO NEPAD Nigeria; Prof Ibrahim Gambari, former Minister of External Affairs; and top senior government officials from Nigeria.

     

     

  • Buhari welcomes OIC’s support in fight against insurgency

    President Muhammadu Buhari has welcomed the pledge by Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to help Nigeria tackle Boko Haram insurgency through sound education, among others.

    The president made his position known during a bilateral meeting on Thursday, with OIC Secretary-General, Youssef Ahmed Al-Othaimeen.

    The president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in a statement in Abuja on Friday, said the meeting was held on the margins of the 73rd UN General Assembly in New York.

    Buhari underscored the importance of education in purging the mind of indoctrination, particularly on religion.
    He noted that the problem in Nigeria was aggravated by climate change and population explosion.

    Read Also: 2019: Buhari assures Nigerians in diaspora

    The Nigerian leader emphasised the need for the recharge of Lake Chad through inter-basin water transfer, “to take care of about 45 million people who depend on the lake for agriculture, animal husbandry, fishing, and many others”.

    The OIC scribe had told the Nigerian president that the organisation had passed a resolution committing member states to support Nigeria in combating extremism.

    He said that the body was ready to use its facilities and institutions to correct the wrong narrative that the Boko Haram insurgency was about Islam.

    Al-Othaimeen, who noted that development was essential to addressing extremism, also pledged assistance for Nigeria in that respect.

  • Buhari meets, congratulates first black man elected senator in Italy

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met and congratulated the first Black man and Nigerian, Mr Toni Iwobi, ever to be elected senator in Italy.

    Mr. Iwobi has domiciled in Italy for 41 years.

    Buhari, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, met Iwobi on the sidelines of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly in New York, long with a high-powered team from the Italian Senate.

    “My congratulations to you, and to Italy more,” President Buhari told Iwobi, who was elected in March this year, on platform of the far-right League Party.

    “It shows the advanced respect of Italians for human beings, in spite of colour. It’s very impressive.” he added

    The team from Italy discussed issues like illegal migration and how it can be curbed through investments in Africa, recharge of the Lake Chad via inter-basin water transfer, among others.

    “Africa doesn’t need charity, but collaboration to develop,” Senator Iwobi declared.

    Responding, President Buhari noted that what causes irregular migration from developing to developed countries include lack of security, education, health care, among others, stressing: “Climate change has had negative impact on a big country like Nigeria. That is why our youths often defy the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea, to try and get to Europe. It is a problem that needs to be solved.”

    The Italian Senate delegation plans to visit Nigeria soon.

  • 2019: Buhari assures Nigerians in diaspora

    * Says he will make a difference if he wins

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday told Nigerians living in America that if he wins the 2019 election and spent another four years in office, he will leave some difference in the office.

    He gave the assurance in a meeting with the Nigerian community in the United States of America on the margins of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly in New York.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President regretted that the elite allowed Nigeria to be mismanaged for 16 years of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rule, without as much as raising a voice in consternation.

    “They didn’t say a word,” President Buhari declared.

    He added “Under the PTF (Petroleum Trust Fund, of which he was Chairman), we did roads from Lagos to Abuja, to Onitsha, to Port Harcourt. Since then, the roads were not done, between 1999 and 2015, yet the elite did not say a word.

    Read Also: Osun Guber election: Buhari congratulates APC, Oyetola

    “I was called Baba Go Slow. Those who were going fast, where did they get to?

    “In 1983, military officers gathered, and made me Head of State. I packed the politicians into jail, told them they were guilty until they could prove their innocence. We seized what they had looted, but after I myself was put in detention, the politicians were given back what they had looted. How many elite complained about that?

    “Three times I contested elections; three times I went to court after the elections were rigged against me. No justice, but I said ‘God dey.’

    “It was mainly the ordinary people that stood by me. That is why I am always conscious of them. They are my constituency. Even pregnant women on the queue would fall into labour, go to have their babies, and still come back to vote for me. I will keep doing my best for the country.” he said

    The diaspora Nigerians, in their scores, are top flight professionals, drawn from fields like medicine, engineering, sports, the arts, investment, academia, politics, agriculture, transport, education, publishing, and many others.

    Most of them expressed the wish to come back home, and contribute to the change making a headway in Nigeria.

    The President replied them with “You are contributing to this great country (America). If you want to help back home, invest in education in your constituencies. If you educate people, they won’t then accept nonsense from anybody.”

    President Buhari said the administration he leads has by and large kept faith with its three key campaign promises; to secure the country, revive the economy and fight corruption.

    “I’ve tried to do my best since I came,” he stressed, adding: “Security-wise, we are better. Boko Haram still conducts cowardly attacks, but the insurgency is not the same as it used to be. They are terrorists, and have nothing to do with religion.

    “We will continue to deal with them. Ask people in the North-east, especially in Borno State, they will tell you they can sleep with two eyes closed now.” he said

    The parley was put together by Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora Matters, and the Nigerian professionals were drawn from different parts of the United States and Canada. Representatives of USA chapters of Nigerians in the Diaspora Organisation (NIDO).

    They also presented awards to President Buhari in appreciation of his performance, urging him to do more.

  • Buhari congratulates Pa Fasanmi at 93

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated elder statesman and political stalwart, Pa Ayorinde Fasanmi, as he turns 93 years on September 27, 2018.

    The President joined family members, friends and political associates of the nationalist in sharing in the joy of the moment, which has been heralded by the grace of good old age, the blessings of wisdom and unusual strength and interest in serving the nation.

    At 93, the President affirmed that Pa Fasanmi demonstrates uncommon strength and wisdom enjoyed only by a few people of his age.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President noted that his knowledge, experience and regular counsels to governments have been a major pillar for the stability of the country.

    Read Also: Buhari greets Awolowo at 55

    He believed the elder statesman’s legacy of always seeking the good of the country and all Nigerians through sacrifice of personal interest, forthrightness, diligence and broad mindedness are benchmarks for upcoming political leaders.

    The President prayed that the almighty God will continue to bless Pa Fasanmi with longer life, good health and strength to keep serving the country he loves so much.

  • Buhari expresses Nigeria’s commitment to SDGs

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to the faithful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).

    This was contained in the President’s solidarity message on the Global Day to Act for the SDGs which coincided with the third anniversary of the adoption by Member States of the United Nations of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and commitment to the implementation of the 17 SDGs.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said “On this anniversary of the adoption of the SDGs, I want to reiterate our commitment to working for a prosperous, peaceful and sustainable world, ensuring that no woman, man, girls or boy is left behind.”

    He stressed that as a committed member of the comity of nations, Nigeria “will continue to work with multi-stakeholders including the United Nations System, civil society, development partners, private sector and the academia in the implementation of the SDGs.”

    He reaffirmed further that, “We are faithfully committed to our Country Transition Strategy and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, both of which are guiding our national efforts.”

    Buhari emphasized that these efforts “at promoting accountable governance and fighting corruption, will provide for institutional effectiveness and increased resources to achieve the SDGs in the medium and long terms.”

    Read Also: Buhari condemns xenophobia, discrimination

    The President, while noting that the “SDGs provide us with an opportunity to work together to give present and future generations, a world without poverty, hunger and inequalities, and a planet which can sustain lives and ensure prosperity for all,” joined the UN SDG Action Campaign to call on all stakeholders “to commit to achieving the historic 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.”

    Calling for collective engagement and action, President Buhari said: “Working in partnership, we have every opportunity more than before to ensure access to quality education and healthcare, to fight inequalities and ensure inclusive economic development, and to sustainably explore, manage and preserve our environment for present and future generations. Let us work together.”

  • Buhari condoles with family of Justice Ogbuagu

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the family of the deceased and the National Judicial Council over the passing of Justice Francis Ikechi Ogbuagu.

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, commiserated with friends and professional colleagues of the late jurist, who served variously in the Federal High Courts in Imo and Abia, before rising to the Appeal and Supreme Court.

    He believed the legal luminary served diligently, and contributed immensely to the strengthening of the judiciary, which remains the bastion of Nigeria’s democracy.

    Read Also: Buhari extols Mandela’s value of humility, compassion

    President Buhari saluted Justice Ogbuagu’s deep sense of patriotism, loyalty and commitment to nation building, which was long sustained after he retired from the Supreme Court in 2010.

    He prayed that God will grant his soul eternal rest, and comfort his family.

  • Buhari extols Mandela’s value of humility, compassion

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in New York extolled the immense values embodied by the late South African President and Nobel Peace Winner, Nelson Mandela.

    Mr Femi Adesina, the president’ Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday morning, said Buhari stated this at a High Level Meeting on Global Peace in honour of the Centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela.

    The event is also known as the Peace Summit.

    Adesina said the president, who was speaking on the sidelines of the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly, described the anti-apartheid icon as “a man whose lifetime symbolised uncommon humility, compassion, courage and forgiveness.”

    According to the President, the centenary celebration provides an avenue to reflect on the legacies of Mandela and his unwavering advocacy for human rights, social justice and peace.

    He said: “It also affords us the rare privilege to rededicate ourselves to the service of humanity by championing democracy, conflict resolution, disarmament, mutual respect, reconciliation, gender equality and the fight against poverty.”

    Buhari noted that in the quest for peace and development, the world would definitely “draw inspiration from the life of Nelson Mandela.”

    He commended the adoption of the Nelson Mandela Decade of Peace by a Political Declaration.

    The Nigerian leader called for concerted efforts to build a just, peaceful, prosperous, inclusive and fair world, and revive the values for which Mandela stood by placing human dignity at the centre of our actions.

    “As we herald the Nelson Mandela Decade of Peace, Nigeria calls on all states to recognise that the United Nations is built on pillars of peace and security, development and human rights, which are the foundations for our collective well-being,’’ he added.

    According to him, there can be no peace without sustainable development and no sustainable development without peace and the full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.

    He added that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance represent the very opposite of the noble purposes of the United Nations.

    Buhari also recognised that the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all peoples of the world were the foundations of freedom, justice and peace.

    He noted that Nigeria also accepted that “tolerance of cultural, ethnic, racial and religious diversities are essential for lasting peace, understanding and friendship among peoples, nations, cultures and individuals.”

    According to the Nigerian leader, the world is currently facing diverse challenges ranging from conflicts, climate change, terrorism, desertification, poverty, arms trafficking and violent extremism, among others.

    He, however, believed that its also “a time of great hope and renaissance,” referring to Mandela’s famous declaration as he faced the death penalty during his Rivonia Trial in April 1964.

    “As Mandela passes into history, we stand with him in his aspirations for a better world.’’

    Buhari added that, “it is our duty to live up to his indelible legacy by collectively holding ourselves accountable to the values and principles of this Declaration by striving for a just, peaceful, prosperous, democratic, fair and inclusive world.’’

  • Buhari departs for New York Sunday to attend UN General Assembly

    President Muhammadu Buhari will on Sunday depart for New York to participate in the 73rdSession of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA73) which officially opened September 18, 2018.

    The theme for this year’s Session is: “Making the United Nations relevant to all People: Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable Societies.”

    The highpoint of President Buhari’s participation, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, will be his address on Tuesday to the General Assembly on the opening day of the General Debate.

    “The President’s presentation of Nigeria’s National Statement is expected to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to international peace and security; sustainable socio-economic development; disarmament and denuclearisation; youth and women empowerment; climate change; rule of law and human rights; among others.

    ‘He is also expected to particularly canvass international support for the fight against corruption; the return of illicit assets; counter-terrorism and insurgency; curbing irregular migration; re-settling Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs); recharging the receding Lake Chad; and calls for the reform of the United Nations, especially the expansion of the permanent membership of the Security Council to make that vital principal organ of the global organisation reflect regional and equitable geographical representation.” he said.

    Read Also: Buhari, Saraki and caustic electioneering

    The statement also said that the President and his wife, Aisha, will also attend a welcome reception hosted by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres and his spouse for Heads of State and Government and their spouses.

    The Nigerian leader and his delegation will participate in a High-Level meeting on the Fight against Tuberculosis organised by the World Health Organisation as Nigeria currently ranks seventh amongst the high TB-burden countries globally, and second in Africa.

    The Nigerian delegation is expected to attend the Mandela Peace Summit, which is a High-Level Meeting on Global Peace in honour of the centenary birth of the late South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Nelson Mandela.

    Other side-events lined up for the Nigerian delegation include: High-Level Meeting on Financing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; World Economic Forum’s Sustainable Development Impact Summit; the Second Annual Bloomberg Global Business Forum; High-Level Meeting on Action for Peace-Keeping; Commemoration and Promotion of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons; High-Level Meeting on the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa; and Pathway to Localising a Global Agenda.

    During the course of his stay in New York, in addition to the audience with the UN Secretary-General, the Nigerian President is also expected to have bilateral meetings with African and world leaders including Bill Gates with a view to promoting national and African interests.

    He will also grant audience to a select group of Nigerian professionals based in the United States.

    Apart from his wife, President Buhari will be accompanied by Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechukwu Enelamah; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma; and the Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibrin.

    Others on the presidential entourage include: the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd); Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakar; Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Mohammad Babandede; and the Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu.