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Tag: Garba Shehu

  • Buhari greets Godwin Abbe at 70

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with former military governor Maj-Gen. Godwin Abbe (rtd) on the occasion of his 70thbirthday anniversary.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, rejoiced with the family, former military colleagues, associates and the government and people of Edo State as the former minister of interior and defence reaches the remarkable biblical age.

    President Buhari recalled the outstanding 32-year military career of Gen. Abbe during which he served as military governor of Akwa Ibom State and held several top command positions.

    “Gen. Abbe’s commitment to the unity and development of the country is not in doubt,” the President noted in reference not only to the elder statesman’s military life, but also his public service career as minister even after his retirement from the military in 1999.

    Read Also: Buhari pledges to end illegal tax collections

    President Buhari particularly applauded Gen. Abbe’s role as the pioneer Chairman of the Presidential Committee on the Implementation of the Amnesty Programme in the Niger Delta.

    He prayed God Almighty to grant the septuagenarian many more years of robust health and wisdom to continue to serve his fatherland and humanity.

  • Violation of accord: Presidency drags PDP to Peace Committee

    The Presidency on Tuesday called on the National Peace Committee to act on what it described as a violation of the peace accord signed by presidential candidates in December.by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, also accused the PDP presidential campaign organisation of bad faith, character assassination and inflammatory utterances.

    According to him, the open and unsubstantiated allegations against the President’s family by the Atiku Abubakar media campaign contravenes the spirit of the peace accord that was signed at the instance of former Head of State,  Abdulsalami Abubakar, Bishop Mathew Kukah and other eminent public figures who constitute the committee.

    He said “Dragging the President’s family into the campaign and accusing them of wrongdoing without producing unassailable evidence, amounts to an act of bad faith and malice.

    “Instead of concentrating their efforts on persuading Nigerians on why they should be trusted to rule again after 16 years of failure, the PDP presidential campaign organisation is seeking to divert public attention from the large scale corruption and havoc it wreaked on the country during its 16 years of misrule.” he said

    Read Also: PDP plots to cause friction in Southwest

    He noted that more than one week after accusing President Buhari’s family of corruption and wrong doing, the PDP presidential campaign still cannot provide proof of the allegations against them, despite being encouraged by the Presidency and the public to do so.

    “Instead, they are ridiculously expecting the accused to prove their own allegations instead of it being the other way round,” the presidential spokesman said.

    Accusing the PDP presidential campaign of being indolent and poor in research , Shehu noted that it was irresponsible to go public with allegations that they could not prove, describing that as something other than politics.

    “It is sheer desperation and a clear sign of disarray in the PDP campaign,” he said.

  • Buhari pays tribute to Senator Dangin

    President Muhammadu Buhari has extended heartfelt condolences to the Dangin family on the death of Senator Venmak Kurnap Dangin.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, also commiserated with the government and people of Plateau State on the death of their illustrious son, who served as a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic, between July 1992 and November 1993.

    Read Also: Buhari mourns Shehu Azare

    As a career civil servant and politician, President Buhari believed that Senator Dangin served the country with dedication, and made immense contributions to improve the public service, advance peace and security in the Plateau and build a future that benefits everyone.

    The President prayed Almighty God to grant the departed senior citizen eternal rest and comfort all who mourn him.

     

  • Buhari mourns Shehu Azare

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described the death of a famous Kano businessman, Alhaji Shehu Azare, as a great loss not only to the state, but to the country at large.

    In a condolence message to the governments and people of Kano and Bauchi States, the President said “his footprints on trade and commerce are indelible.”

    The late Azare, he said, was one of the oldest entrepreneurs in Northern Nigeria “who achieved fame and fortune through sheer hard work and determination.”

    Read Also: Buhari seeks respect for democracy in Gabon

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President also noted that “businessmen of Azare’s generation and time believed in hard work and personal resourcefulness to make it rather than seeking shortcuts to prosperity through fraudulent activities.”

    According to President Buhari, “Azare should be a source of inspiration to anyone who believes in hard work and decent business conduct,” adding that “our modern day younger businessmen should imbibe his good virtues.”

    The President prayed Allah to repose the soul of Azare.

  • Presidency: Zakari, not Buhari’s blood relation

    Reacting to allegations by the main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Presidency on Friday said that the party is clutching at straws.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, reads “In another mendacious press release, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has continued their baseless accusations regarding Hajiya Amina Zakari, a commissioner in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) accusing her of partiality and casting doubts about her integrity as an electoral commissioner.

    “In their desperation, they forget that it was the PDP government that appointed her in the first place and they keep lying, as they have been caught doing on so many issues, by imputing a blood relationship between her and President Muhammadu Buhari.”

    He said that President Buhari and Commissioner Amina Zakari don’t share a family relationship.

    Read Also: Buhari: We’ve put a stop to pensioners’ dehumanization

    He said “An inter-marriage occurred in their extended families, so the imputation of blood relationship between the President and the electoral commissioner is a simple lie.

    “What is even more curious about all the fuss coming from the PDP is that they, as a ruling party picked Mrs Zakari, judging her by her own merit and made her an electoral commissioner.

    “She served so well with distinction as can be verified from the records that President Buhari approved the recommendation that she be reappointed, as he did other PDP nominees for second-term of four years.

    “PDP, therefore, has no moral right to keep harassing this hardworking mother unless they have a hidden agenda.

    “By this statement, the PDP is guilty of scoring an own goal and two, of harassing an innocent citizen on the basis of a lie, pure and simple.” he stated

  • Presidency warns political appointees against extortion

    The Presidency on Tuesday issued a stern warning to political appointees, government officials and party men against influence peddling for corrupt pecuniary gains and other forms of extortion.

    A presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, told State House Correspondents in Abuja that complaints of extortions of innocent people by what he called “self-serving name droppers and influence peddlers” was causing increasing embarrassment to the Presidency.

    He said: “President Buhari had made it very clear since his inauguration that he won’t tolerate any form of impropriety by his appointees, aides, and government officials who abuse and misuse their offices for illegal financial advantages.’’

    Shehu, who is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, explained that using one’s office or influence for private advantage or financial gains is corruption.

    He, therefore, warned that the president would not tolerate any conduct by anybody to use his name to extort innocent people.

    The media aide stressed that President Buhari’s commitment to fight corruption at all fronts in his government remained unchanged.

    He added that “those who are not genuinely committed to this vision would be weeded out once caught and punished accordingly”.

    He advised Nigerians to report any government official or appointees using the president’s name or that of his aides and appointees to extort the public.

    Shehu added that the current zero tolerance for corruption by the Buhari administration would not condone this repugnant culture in government or public business.(NAN)

  • Buhari hails Swiss Govt for returning stolen funds

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abuja said Nigerian government remains deeply grateful to the government and people of Switzerland for their support in resuscitating the economy, especially the return of illegally stolen funds.

    He made the remark while receiving Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of Switzerland to Nigeria, Mr George Steiner, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. 

    President Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity  Garba Shehu, said the return of stolen funds and interventions in the crisis in the North East further indicate the Swiss government’s commitment to the development of Nigeria.

    “We are grateful to the Swiss government for allowing illegally stolen funds to be brought back to Nigeria,’’ he said.

    The President noted that the facilitating roles the Swiss government had been playing in the North East, particularly in reaching out to Internally Displaced Persons, had been most helpful, adding that bilateral relations between both countries will continue to be strengthened.

    Responding, the Swiss Ambassador said his government will always be disposed to supporting Nigeria in ensuring peace in the country, especially in the North East.

    Read Also: Buhari to INEC: put Nigeria first in 2019

    “We have strong and solid relations with Nigeria. It’s an honour and privilege for us to contribute to issues of importance in the country,’’ he added.

    Steiner told President Buhari that the Swiss government looks forward to having stronger relations on economic issues with Nigeria that will be mutually beneficial, pointing out that the ongoing reforms in the country already send right signals to investors.

    President Buhari, who also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of Belgium, Dr Daniel Dargent, said feasibility studies to revamp the Lake Chad Basin will require a diversion of River Ubangi in the Congo Basin.

    The President said the diversion of  River Ubangi will improve the livelihood of more than 40 million people who survive on Lake Chad Basin, urging the Belgian government to support the negotiation.

    In his remarks, the Ambassador of Belgium said his government will support an initiative that will improve the livelihood of people.

    “We are in a global world and we need to start evolving more on issues that directly touch lives, especially in supporting Nigeria which will one day become a Permanent member of the Security Council’’ he said.

    While receiving his Letters of Credence, President Buhari congratulated the Ambassador of Hungary, Dr Sandor Gyorgy Beer, on his posting to Nigeria, urging him to sustain the healthy relations that had existed between both countries for many years.

    The Hungarian Ambassador said relations between both countries had been strong over many years, noting that he will work towards improving it, especially on economic issues and sports.

    Dr Beer said Nigeria and Hungary already had a strong pedigree in sports, especially in football, that can be improved, assuring the President that he will work towards more exchanges between both countries by setting up a football academy in Nigeria that will promote matches, trainings and skills development.

    “Nigeria is a great country and it’s an honour to be here,’’ he said.

  • Buhari calls for calm over deadly violence in Cross River

    President Muhammadu Buhari calls for calm over deadly violence in Cross River has expressed concern over reports of violence in four communities in Biase Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    The violence has resulted in loss of lives, injuries and displacement of villagers.

    Calling for calm and restoration of peace in the affected communities bordering Abia State, the President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, urged the people of the areas to allow law and order to prevail.

    Read Also: Buhari: I’ll not complain again about Nigeria’s problems

    “Our communities must be ready to live together in peace since no development can take place in an atmosphere of recurring violence,” he said.

    President Buhari, who commended the State Government for the steps taken so far towards bringing peace to the areas, also lauded the State Police Command for speedily mobilizing its personnel to the affected communities to contain the crisis.

    He urged all stakeholders to cooperate and ensure that lasting peace returned to the affected areas.

  • We won’t rest until remaining Chibok girls are released — Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari pledged that his government will not rest until the remaining Chibok girls kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists in April 2014 are safely released

    According to a statement issued by President Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja  Buhari made the pledge on Monday in Katowice, Poland, during a bilateral meeting with Swiss President Alain Berset, on the margins of the UN Climate Change Conference, COP24.

    The Presidential aide said Buhari had spent the whole day at the International Conference Centre, Katowice, where he delivered his national address at the opening of the 12-day meeting of COP24.

    Shehu said the president had also met with several world leaders and visited the impressive Nigerian pavilion at the climate summit.

    During his meeting with the Swiss President, the Nigerian leader thanked the Swiss Confederation for its efforts and important role as intermediaries to secure the release of some Chibok girls.

    He assured him that the issue of the remaining kidnapped girls and other abducted persons would remain a ‘key priority’ for the Nigerian government.

    President Buhari and his Swiss counterpart, according to the statement, discussed joint strategies to ensure the safe return of the girls, building on the past successes of securing the release of some of the Chibok girls and other abducted persons in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.

    The President also welcomed the Swiss President’s commitment to continue providing humanitarian assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria and to ensure the safe release of the abducted school girls.

    ”We will continue to make the safe release of the remaining Chibok girls a priority and will welcome any kind of support from any quarters to make this happen, ” the President said.

    In separate bilateral meetings with the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda and the Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, President Buhari commended the country for a successful outing at the opening of the COP24 meeting in Katowice.

    The President told his Polish counterpart that Nigeria was facing serious climate change challenges, particularly the receding Lake Chad, which had been a source of livelihood to some 40 million people living in the region.

    ”Nigeria is totally committed to global efforts to mitigate and adapt to effects of climate change,” President Buhari told the Polish leader, whose country is the president of COP24.

    In his meeting with Prime Minister Morawiecki, the President lauded the plan by the Polish Government to open a Trade Office in Lagos soon, promising that “investors who look to Nigeria can be ‘guaranteed’ of safe returns on their investments.’’

    He said: ”We have a vibrant and active young population and our government is doing so much on the Nigerian economy, including diversifying to non-oil sectors.

    Read Also: Buhari: I’ll not complain again about Nigeria’s problems

    ”We welcome increased cooperation with Poland and will encourage investments in other sectors of the economy like solid minerals and information technology.’’

    Morawiecki told President Buhari that traditionally 96 per cent of oil imports to Poland came from Saudi Arabia and Russia, adding ”but now we are looking at importing oil from Nigeria.”

    The Prime Minister noted as the fastest growing economy in the European Union, Poland had identified Nigeria, Egypt and South Africa, as three top investment destinations in Africa.

    ”We want the hub of our investment destination to be in Nigeria,” he added.

    The Polish Prime Minister welcomed the pledge by the Nigerian leader to immediately put in place a framework to encourage more Polish investments in Nigeria.

    Meanwhile, the President’s bilateral meeting with his Austrian counterpart, Alexander Van der Bellen, focused on the challenges of Lake Chad and what was required to recharge it.

    While noting that the Lake faced the two challenges of technology and financing, President Buhari told the Austrian leader that enormous financial resources and technology were required to transfer water to Lake Chad from the Congo Basin.

    Van der Bellen, who indicated his country’s interest to cooperate with Nigeria on recharging the Lake Chad, talked about climate change challenges in Austria including drought, glaciers melting, among others.

    President Buhari also met with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and both leaders followed up on their past discussions, during their last meeting in The Hague, Netherlands, in July, which centred on trade, investments and partnerships in agriculture.

    The President welcomed the proposal by the Dutch Prime Minister to visit Abuja soon and promised that the Nigerian government would continue to provide a conducive business environment for existing and prospective Dutch investors.

    On the sidelines of COP24, President Buhari also met with the Prime Minister of Estonia, Jüri Ratas.

    The Prime Minister of the Northern European country sought Nigeria’s support on its bid for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for 2020 to 2021.

    “The two leaders also discussed bilateral cooperation and climate change mitigation,’’ the statement said.

     

    NAN

  • Buhari to military: End Boko Haram threats now

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Maiduguri, Borno State, ordered the military to eliminate all threats of Boko Haram.

    According to him, the war against terrorism is “a must win’’.

    He made the remark while declaring open the 2018 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said “It is a must win war. I want to encourage our troops not to be distracted by speculations but remain focused and committed to the task of eliminating Boko Haram from the surface of the earth,’’

    He assured the military that his administration will continue to address their needs in terms of manpower development and equipment supply.

    The President  promised that their welfare and entitlements will also be improved.

    “I want to reassure you that as your Commander-In-Chief, I will do everything within my power to continue empowering you by providing all the necessary equipment, force multipliers and enablers required for you to prevail on the field.

    “I also want you to be aware that I am currently looking into measures to improve your entitlements and welfare generally,’’ he added.

    He commended the efforts and sacrifices of the military in safeguarding the peace, security and territorial integrity of the country.

    He said “The officers and men who are fighting against the curse of terrorism in the North East deserve all the attention our country’s leadership can give them.

    “As President of the country, I am determined to ensure that every citizen feels safe and secure in all parts of the country. To achieve this, the security agencies must rise to the challenge and curb threats to security in our country.’’

    President Buhari called on the armed forces to embrace “the wind of change that is blowing across the country,” urging more cooperation at inter-service and inter-agency levels.

    “To this end, the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs must work closely together as well as with other security agencies to improve on strategies that will defeat terrorism, militancy and other forms of criminal activities in our country,” he said.

    President Buhari, who also addressed officers and men of the Nigerian Army at the Maimalari Barrack, headquarters of Operation Lafiya-Dole, said he shared in the agony of loss of gallant soldiers.

    “I have come to pay homage to the gallant soldiers lost by the nation and to console the injured ones in recent terrorist attacks. I urge you to remain focused and win the war,’’ the President said.

    Read Also: Buhari cancels private visit to Daura

    President Buhari also commended Nigerian Army’s commitment to upholding democracy and urged them to remain committed to their profession.

    “As we approach the 2019 General Elections, I want to urge all members of the Armed Forces to live up to their responsibilities and remain non-partisan. In addition, you must all remain vigilant throughout the electioneering period and alongside other security agencies, prevent every form of violence that could disrupt the process in line with your Rules of Engagement,’’ he said.

    He urged the soldiers, who were on parade, to always show disciplined conduct.

    “No matter how equipped the military is, the military is of no use if it doesn’t have discipline,” he said, urging them to uphold the tenets of the constitution and ensure tight security to protect lives and property.’’

    In his statement at the conference, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai said internal security had greatly improved from what it was in 2015 when President Buhari assumed office.

    Lt. Gen. Buratai said a new proactive strategy would be put in place to counter the recent military losses.

    He said the army remains neutral and non-partisan and will carry out their constitutional duty of safeguarding the nation’s democracy.

    The Minister of Defence, Brig. Gen. Mansur Dan Ali (rtd) assured the President that the military was putting in place new strategies to stabilize the country.

    President Buhari asked for a minute’s silence in memory of the gallant soldiers and before his departure, he went round the wards to visit wounded soldiers in the hospital within the army barracks.

    He gave assurances that the soldiers would be taken care of.

    At the Palace of Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, President Buhari said his administration will do everything to secure the country, commiserating with all Nigerians who lost loved ones  following recent setbacks in the fight against terrorists.

    “We have to remind ourselves where we were and where we are now and what happened in between. The people of Borno State know what we did in the last three years. The situation would have been worse,” he said.

    President Buhari also expressed his determination to change the unemployment situation of youths in the country, pointing out that “Jobs for the young persons, especially those who are 30 and below in Borno State and across the federation continue to engage our attention. We go to bed with it and wake up with it.”

    In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno, who spoke on behalf of the State’s Council of Chiefs, thanked the President for bringing peace to the state, and asked for intensive security patrols across the territories to save people from attacks on farms.