The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Garba Shehu

  • Ohanaeze must help to promote peace – Presidency

    Ohanaeze must help to promote peace – Presidency

    The Presidency urged the Ohanaeze Igbo leaders to see themselves as partners with the FG in the bid to promote peace and stability in the country.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, made the call while reacting to criticisms of the President’s Independence Day speech by the Ohaneze leadership.

    In a statement issued in Abuja, Shehu said it was unfair for the group to blame the recent unrest in the South East region on the Federal Government.

    He said: “President Buhari was not abdicating his responsibilities. He didn’t request any political leader to do anything seminal or out of the box. All he said is, talk to your out-of-the-line-youth so that we have some peace.

    “Igbo leaders need not to be on the defensive for the misbehaviour of the IPOB which they rightly condemned.

    “The President was simply saying that the regional leaders also have a role to play in keeping their hot-headed youth in check.”

     

  • Garba Shehu and Buhari’s 32″ TV

    SIR:Nothing is more ludicrous and banal than a senior special assistant to the president condescending so low as to brazenly revel and make a national issue of Buhari’s TV set at his private home in Daura because, according to him, it proves the president’s “simplicity, honesty, incorruptibility and personal integrity”.

    In a nation where university lecturers are on a nationwide strike with other staff unions soon to join them leaving our young ones stranded and unsure of what the future holds for them, and where resident doctors have also embarked on nationwide strike action leaving patients unattended to even as many suffer avoidable slow and painful death as a result; a nation that is so sunk in economic hardship, social dysfunction, political uncertainty and combustible disquiet in the presidency, it is most unfortunate that a high ranking presidency official decided to treat Nigerians to a tragi-comedy of antiquities of some sort from Daura.

    When a presidency indulges in the pedestrian narrative of its activities, it is because it lacks anything to showcase as a positive outcome of its feeble efforts towards improving the lives of the people. It is the same bug of celebrating nothing as something in the presidency that also compelled Bashir Ahmad, the president’s personal assistant to tweet the president’s picture alighting from the presidential jet with his wife behind him on their way from Daura after the Sallah holidays and labelled it “Class”.

    Many twitter users questioned the rationale behind such showing asking if alighting from a plane bestows on one any particular class or other status.

    In a society as troubled as ours, government officials should actually have been very busy organizing press conferences, granting press interviews, making press releases, meeting critical stakeholders and the sections of Nigerians wherever and whenever possible explaining, clarifying, defending and promoting government plans, policies and actions being taken to move Nigeria forward. Essays from such officials should border around matters of national importance, and there are many of them to write.

    Instead of wasting precious time and efforts dwelling on a TV model of President Buhari, Shehu should have utilized such time and resources to write essays on why ASUU, resident doctors and those planning to go on strike soon should have a rethink and cooperate with government. He has rather exposed Buhari as a man left behind by time because TV sets of these days are now packed with a lot of functions that can even make one use them for other very useful purposes apart from just watching programmes.

     

    • Jude Ndukwe,

    jrndukwe@yahoo.co.uk

  • Presidency assures timely release of Ecological fund

    Presidency assures timely release of Ecological fund

    Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu, says President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration will ensure the timely release of the Ecological Fund to States to address pressing ecological challenges in their localities.

    Shehu, who is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

    The statement, which was signed by Mr Atta Esah, Deputy Director (Information), State House, said Shehu spoke at an audience participation programme on FRCN Kaduna, entitled: ‘Hannu Da Yawa’.

    He pledged that the presidency would continue to assist flood victims across the country.

    The presidential aide added that the administration would under no circumstances abandon its humanitarian obligations to alleviate the distress of flood victims.

    ‘‘In spite of Nigeria’s technological limitations and the paucity of funds to handle or manage large scale and complex emergencies, the APC administration will leave no stone unturned in offering succour to victims of natural disasters across the country,’’ he said.

    According to Shehu, an aide to the presidency, it is the right of citizens to demand the judicious use of the Ecological Fund, which is distributed among the three tiers of government from the Federation Account.

    ‘‘The largest chunk of the Fund goes to the States and Local Governments. Every month, States and Local Governments receive 1.4 per cent from the Federation account as Ecological Fund, compared to the Federal Government’s share of 1 per cent.

    ‘‘From the 1 per cent the Federal Government gets, NEMA takes 20 per cent for its operation,’’ he said.

    He noted that lately, disaster management in the country was gradually being ceded to the Federal Government by other tiers of government.

    ‘‘Whenever there is an emergency from natural or man-made disasters, all you hear is ‘where is Buhari, what is he doing?

    “What happens with the other tiers of government?”

    The presidential aide, therefore, enjoined Nigerians, at the state and local government levels, to always demand for transparency and accountability in the management of ecological funds by their Governors and Local Government Chairmen.

    ‘‘Without accountability by local political leaders, the Federal government would continue to be the scapegoat for the failure of states and local governments to use ecological funds for the purposes they were released,’’ he said.

    Shehu said the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation had also been mandated to step up the provision of relief infrastructure to those in need.

    The presidency, had on Aug. 31, directed the National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ) to immediately mobilise personnel and resources to come to the aid of the victims of the flooding in Benue where over 100,000 persons were displaced and many communities submerged as a result of downpour in the state.

  • FG to provide 4m bags of fertilisers to farmers by Dec.

    FG to provide 4m bags of fertilisers to farmers by Dec.

    The Presidential Fertiliser Initiative ( PFI ) is to deliver four million bags of 50kg Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium (NPK) fertilisers to farmers at an affordable price, by December.

    Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

    The statement which was signed by Mr Atta Esah, Deputy Director (Information), State House, said Shehu spoke at an audience participation programme on FRCN Kaduna, entitled: ‘Hannu Da Yawa’.

    According to Shehu, the projected delivery of the commodity by December is in addition to the six million bags of 50kg fertilisers already sold to farmers since the Initiative commenced early this year.

    ‘‘The problem of the shortage of fertilisers and its attendant high cost plaguing the nation’s agricultural production, seemingly intractable for decades, have been resolved following the successful execution of the mandate of the PFI.

    ‘‘Since the implementation of the Initiative, the six million 50kg bags of NPK fertilisers were purchased by State Governments and agro-dealers across the country,’’ he said.

    The presidential aide also revealed that the 11 fertiliser blending plants in the country would be increased to 18 by the end of the year, adding that this would in turn provide direct employment to no fewer than 50,000 Nigerians.

    He noted that the production of locally-blended fertilisers had saved the Federal Government about 150 million dollars this year, hitherto spent on foreign exchange; and N60 billion in budgetary provisions for fertiliser subsidy.

    He added that the successful implementation of the PFI had made fertilisers available to Nigerian farmers at affordable prices and in time for the 2017 wet season farming.

    ‘‘Last year, Daily Trust newspaper reported that a bag of 50kg NPK fertiliser was sold at N10, 900 in Benue.

    “Today the same commodity is being sold at about N6, 500 in different locations across the country, while the government-approved price is N5, 500.

    Quoting the same newspaper report, Shehu noted that a bag of maize which was sold at N21, 000 last year is currently being sold at an average of N10, 000.

    According to him, this is an indication that the Initiative has enhanced food security as a result of the increase in food production.

    “There is also a reduction in food-induced inflation while economic activities across the agriculture value chain are very impressive,’’ he further noted.

  • Buhari tasks corps members on national unity

    Buhari tasks corps members on national unity

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) as tool for national development and challenged corpers to promote national unity in their areas of primary assignments.

    Buhari spoke on Friday in Daura, when he received some members of the NYSC at his residence, who paid him sallah homage.

    Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, who addressed the corpers on behalf of the president, assured them of government’s commitment to the unity of the nation.

    Buhari said that the NYSC scheme was the best reconciliatory scheme and would remain relevant, adding that his administration would continue to uphold the unity of the nation.

    Mr Nnamdi John, who spoke on behalf of the corps members, commended the president for granting them audience.

    He said that as corps members, they would continue to promote the unity of the nation through enlightenment and community development services.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the corpers were presented with 10 bags of rice, a bull and N250,000 cash for their sallah celebration.

  • Buhari walks home as crowd welcome him

    Buhari walks home as crowd welcome him

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday arrived his country home in Daura, Katsina State and opted to walk through the street from the helipad as an overwhelming crowd surged to welcome him.

    The President, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, was received at the helipad by the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk and abandoned the motorcade as a large number of people had already gathered around the helipad, snaking all the way to his house.

    READ ALSO: Buhari presides over FEC, announces N1m gift for each D’Tigress player

    An elated crowd cheered as the President walked home, screaming “baba ya da wo, baba oyoyo”, meaning “baba is back, welcome home”.

    Buhari was earlier received at the airport in Katsina by the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, and the Emir of Katsina,  Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, before he was airlifted with a chopper to Daura.

    READ ALSO: Defunct CPC members to Buhari – Cede SGF position to us

    The President will be spending time with his family during the Eid-el-Kabir.

  • No cabal can cage Buhari, says Presidency

    No cabal can cage Buhari, says Presidency

    The Presidency on Sunday declared that no cabal or official in the Presidency can hijack the powers President Muhammadu Buhari.

    According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President is very thorough in carrying out the the responsibilities and duties ascribed to him by the 1999 constitution.

    He also explained that it is impossible for any official in government to manipulate Buhari as he pays attention to all necessary details.

    “Over the past few months, some media organizations have published a stream of allegations against some persons around the President attributing them to “persistent rumors and speculations,” with no other objective but to generate hatred and disgust against these hardworking people.

    “As the good Nigerian public can imagine, little time would be left for other tasks more beneficial to the entire nation, if the Presidency were to respond to every single fable published by the free Nigerian press.  However, in the process of advancing their suspicious anti-Buhari agenda, whoever is behind these allegations knowingly or unknowingly has cast some of the most ridiculous aspersions on President Buhari’s competence as a leader of a great country.

    “To begin with, it is absolutely nonsensical and absurd to write that in one week of the President’s return, the Vice President has been sidelined.

    “Quite to the contrary, the Vice President remains the confidante and  the closest adviser to the President,” Shehu stated.

    According to him, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has attended all the President’s engagements in the last one week, except two functions including the one held while the Vice President was away in Taraba State and the Juma’at Muslim prayer because Osinbajo is a Christian.

    He said “It is difficult to understand what anyone wants to achieve peddling such falsehood that the President, himself a former military general and Head of State and Commander-In-Chief is subject to undue influence and manipulation. It is both ridiculous and inconceivable.

    “As someone who works very closely with President Buhari, I can testify to how my years of experience as a newspaper editor are often put to the test by the sheer thoroughness with which the President edits every single document brought to his desk.  Every memo, statement, speech, is subject to his intense scrutiny, right down to the placement of commas and full stops.

    “Therefore, alleging that President Buhari signs memos brought to him by government officials or a so-called cabal without reading them, immediately casts doubts on the credibility of the ubiquitous unnamed sources that the reporters of these articles quote.,” he added.

    Stressing that the President cannot do everything, he said, it was the main reason why he needs close and trustworthy officials, who will be willing to offend others in the process of ensuring Buhari’s safety and well-being, and the advancement of his vision for Nigeria.

    He pointed out that the attacks on Malam Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to the President, have been leveled with such imperiousness that they must no longer be laughed off as crazy.

    He said “The COS is like the headman of all the President’s political appointees.  He has direct responsibility for multiple levels of staff working for the President. Part of his role includes liaising with ministries and parastatals, so that he can have a full awareness of the issues being discussed whenever these groups meet with the President. It goes without saying that anybody who occupies such office has impeccable credentials of total loyalty to the President.

    “Clearly, some consider this oversight role as a usurping of the President’s powers, and it is their misunderstanding of the situation that some media organisations have swallowed hook, line and sinker.

    “Under this administration, as the ones before it, the office of the Chief of Staff is a branch of the President’s office. There are no power centers here. The only power center is that of the President who is sensitive to grassroots level administration which the Chief of Staff must ensure.

    “For Abba kyari, there is no life after work. He is available to the President 24/7.

    “President Buhari is working day and night to steer Nigeria through these trying times. There are important issues in the hand of government such as poverty reduction, turning around the economy, creating jobs, fighting corruption and terrorism, railway, agriculture, roads, power and rural and urban development that there simply is not enough time to be spent answering baseless allegations in the media.

    “As he builds a new foundation from the mess left behind by previous irresponsible governments, the President cannot do it alone.  He needs the absolute loyalty of his COS, he needs the acumen of government officials, he needs the courage and understanding of the Nigerian people, and he needs the support of institutions such as the media.

    “Publishing poorly-researched allegations and trying to pass them off as investigative journalism or as news may lead to more newspaper sales or to more clicks on a website; but they will also, in the long run, slow down the growth and development of our country, which right now requires the absolute focus of President Buhari and his carefully-selected team to build the Nigeria of our dreams.

    “Unfortunately, this is the path The Punch has chosen and there’s no one to help them but themselves.

    “It is appropriate at this point to dispel the false notion that anyone has tried to undermine the Vice President when he acted in the absence of the President.

    “This, I must say with all emphasis, is utter falsehood.

    “As Acting President, Vice President Osinbajo enjoyed the support of the Villa Staff and the entire cabinet. Otherwise he would not have succeeded and earn the praises of the President. These are just a few among the false and illogical accusations making the COS larger than life, with the aim of pulling him down.

    “No Chief of Staff including this one can create hurdles for a president and survive the next day. The roles and duties don’t warrant the kind of falsehood being spread.

    “When the President was away on the medical vacation, the Chief of Staff rallied the Presidency behind Professor Osinbajo because he knew that his boss,  President Buhari expected nothing less.

    “A careful assessment of some these allegations with a rational mind will show that there is an orchestrated campaign to smear the COS and indirectly the President.

    “If I can speculate on the matter, I will say that the problem Malam Abba Kyari has with most people is that he, like the President he serves, will not throw money at people in order to please them.

    “As COS, Malam has refused to keep cash imprest and has turned down a monthly grant of N200 million customarily given to the office. This is money freely spent because they were not required to account for what they did with it.” he stated

    He urged journalists with questions to ask concerning the President and the Villa administration to always approach the Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, Laolu Akande or himself.

    “Where we don’t have your answers, we are ready to obtain as much as we can, the correct responses to your enquiry,” Shehu  assured.

  • Presidency: rodents have damaged Buhari’s office

    Presidency: rodents have damaged Buhari’s office

    The Presidency yesterday shed more light on why President Muhammadu Buhari has been working from home since his return from medical vacation in the United Kingdom.

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu said: “Following the three months period of disuse, rodents have caused a lot of damage to the furniture and the air conditioning units.”

    He said renovation work was necessary to make the office conducive but that it won’t affect the pace of work because the president has a well equipped office at home.

  • Moves to derail anti-graft war will fail – Presidency

    Moves to derail anti-graft war will fail – Presidency

    The Presidency on Thursday assured that attempts to derail the war against corruption using subterfuge and bluff would not succeed.

    The Presidency also praised Nigerians for rising against protesters demanding the return of President Buhari, dismissing such demands as unlawful.

    Addressing members of the Center for Civil Society and Justice, CCSJ, a civil society coalition who staged a rally in support of President Muhammadu Buhari at the precincts of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu dismissed the “return or resign” agitation as an illegal assembly stealthily organized to deliver a body blow to the war against corruption.

    In a statement, he said: “It might be taken for granted that the beneficiaries of the old order are fighting back. We have been warned that corruption will fight back. In a country where just one woman for having the opportunity to serve as minister has N47.2 billion and $487.5 million of public resources in cash and property traced to her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), you don’t expect the beneficiaries of that order to allow the Buhari administration some peace.

    “They want to distract us. But what the Acting President wants to assure patriotic citizens is that the government will not bend.

    “As far as the President is concerned, he has done the needful by handing the reins of authority to the Vice President. Since the law of the country does not give a time limit for the President’s return, it cannot be imposed by a saber-rattling group or individual.”

    The presidential spokesman also commended the CCSJ for being orderly in their demonstration and urged them to shun all provocations by opponents of government.

    He added: “By divine intervention, Muhammadu Buhari unexpectedly got elected with the ostensible mandate of reversing national decline and securing its future. He got into the Villa through democratic victory at election.

    “Anybody desiring to replace him, whether you are wrestler, a hairdresser or a musician, you should go through that process. In a democracy, threats don’t work.”

    Speaking on behalf of the demonstrators, the convener, Comrade Prince Goodluck Obi said his group has “absolute faith and trust in President Buhari’s administration and not machinations of corruption and destabilization.

    “We are saying from today, 10th August 2017, we will be holding a rally/protest march here at Unity Fountain for the next one month and beyond in order to send clear and unambiguous message to agents of chaos and unity, that Nigerians are solidly behind President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration based on our democratic mandate entrusted to him on 28th March 2015.”

     

  • Updated: Government won’t be distracted – Presidency

    Updated: Government won’t be distracted – Presidency

    The Presidency on Monday said it would remain focused and not be distracted by calls for President Muhammadu Buhari to either return to Nigeria on resign from office.

    The President has been in the United Kingdom since May 7 for follow up consultations with his doctors.

    The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, said the people (protesters) asking the President to resign have overstepped their boundaries.

    In a statement issued in Abuja, Shehu said: “I wish to respond to media enquiries following demonstration by few citizens this morning in Abuja. The demonstration is in the exercise of their freedom under the constitution, which guarantees their right to embark on peaceful protests.

    “So long as they remain peaceful, we have no problem with them.  What is democracy if citizens can’t peacefully demonstrate?

    “On the second issue, demanding the President’s return, or resignation or certain explanations, I would say that they have over-stepped their bounds.

    “The President has complied 100 percent with the constitution by handing over power to the vice president before proceeding on his vacation.  He has not breached any law or the constitution by staying away from office to take care of his health.

    “Equally, there is nothing like a power vacuum in the country given the competence and general harmony with which the whole government is running.

    “Any such calls as being made by this or any other group represent an irrational assault on the constitution and should be ignored by well-meaning members of the public.

    “The need of the hour for this country is to rid it of corruption, reform and reinvigorate the economy and to fight crime and insurgency.

    “The government is busy with the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure all over the country.  It is creating jobs for the unemployed.  It has set its sights on the larger picture of the country’s development, investing in rail and power projects and redeeming the country’s image from the mountains of corruption scandals that have marred it. We will not, therefore, be distracted by this or any other groups.”