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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Buhari directs immediate conclusion of Minimum wage adjustment negotiation

    Worried by the delay in the commencement of the implementation of the new National Minimum wage, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the immediate conclusion of negotiation on the consequential adjustment between the government and the Joint National Public Service Negating Council to pay way for the implementation of the new wage regime.

    The President has also directed the setting up of a Presidential Committee on Salaries and Wages which will be saddled with the responsibility of receiving complains and reviewing salaries and work schedule as well as assigning appropriate salaries to different categories of workers.

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige who disclosed hen he received the leadership and members of the Labour Correspondents Association of Nigeria (LACAN) in his office said the President has directed that a time limit be set for the conclusion of negotiation between government and workers.

    Negotiation between the government and workers representatives have stalled severally as a result of both sides holding on to their presentation and refusing to shift ground.

    At the last sitting of the negotiating team, it was agreed that the government team should take both presentation to the President for intervention, while a meeting was scheduled for September 4th, but was later rescheduled.

    Ngige said the President was worried that the delay in concluding negotiation will lead to a huge backlog of arrears that many states may not be in a position to pay as the states were waiting for the conclusion of negotiation at the federal level.

    The Minister disclosed the intention of government to reinvigorate factory inspectorate in the country to ensure that workers work in decent work environment saying “my department of inspectorate, as well as Employment and Wage, are going to do more. We are going to fund them so that we can star full factory inspection and make sure that nobody is under employed and that those in employment get what they deserved in the world of work so that they can have decent work.

    Read Also: Buhari mourns former Vice Chancellor, Prof Adeniyi

    “Part of it is the new minimum wage which the President signed in April. It is a pity that after signing it, May came and a lot of us were sent on compulsory leave. We are now coming back from leave. If you remember, a committee was set u and I was a member.

    “When we left, the Permanent Secretary took our place and were negotiating with the Joint negotiating Council on the consequential adjustment. The states are waiting for that and it is not proper for us not to fast track that negotiation so that even the states will not have too much backlog to pay when the consequential adjustment is concluded.

    “We have our own budgeted for in the 2019 budget and we are going to also budget for it in the 2020 budget. We are concerned about the states because some of the states are not proactive like us.

    “So, the sooner we conclude at the federal level and the Joint Negotiating Councils in the states takes it from there and negotiate with the states, the better for everybody. If we spill this into next year, I am not sure how many states will be able to pay the backlog which will lead us to another round of negotiation.

    “It is the determination of the President and this administration to fast track the negotiation on consequential adjustment. I have just received a correspondence from the Chief of Staff to the President and we are putting a deadline to that negotiation.

    “We are fast-tracking it because the government will also want to put in place a Presidential Committee on Salaries and Allowances that will be able to take request after this consequential adjustment.

    “That same committee will appraise the level of workload and evaluate all cadre of work and come out with salaries and allowances commensurate with each. It is one of the things that the government has decided and I have just seen the correspondence.

    “When the details are out, we will let you know. That is to show workers both in the public and private sector that this government is labour-friendly and we want them to be in the decent work world.”
    The Minister traced the recent security challenges in the country to increasing level of unemployment, saying “we have seen the symptom called unemployment which are very visible.

    “When you hear about Boko Haram, that is one of the symptoms, when you hear about banditry and IPOB, it is one of the symptom of jobless people. So, for me, the President has decided that we must fight unemployment. We have to fight because the indices are terrible and that does not call for cheers. We have to decide and wear our thinking cap and take our country away from the doldrums.

    “The President is committed to recreating the middle class in Nigeria. He is committed to lifting at least 100 million people out of poverty and the only way if for our economy to improve. When our economy improves, we would deal a big blow to poverty, social insecurity and also insecurity of lives and property. We have to make our country a better place because we cannot run away from that. We all have a collective responsibility.

    “This Ministry will come out with many programmes that will help the government to recreate the middle class that has vanished from the country. We have a situation now where you have the top most rich who are very rich and those at the bottom. Even down there at the bottom, you still have people who cannot be compartmentalised into the middle class.

    “Those who are work in Nigeria, the government is trying its best. We have many programmes that has kept people at work. We have refused redundancy being declared, we are fighting casualisation and we are not happy with contract appointment. We don’t want contract appointment in the private sector. We want people given their jobs with full benefit.”

  • Buhari mourns former Vice Chancellor, Prof Adeniyi

    President Muhammadu Buhari has sent condolences to the family of former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Emeritus Adeoye Adeniyi, with an assurance that his contributions to national development, especially the educational sector, will always be remembered.

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, commiserated with the Governing Board of the University of Ilorin, staff and students over the passing of the 4th Vice-Chancellor of the university, who served for seven years, leaving behind a strong legacy of academic excellence.

    Read Also: LIVE UPDATES: Buhari vs Atiku: Tribunal ruling on 2019 election

    As a renowned Professor of Pediatrics and Child Health, President Buhari affirmed that the late Vice-Chancellor’s choice of teaching, research, and providing child care services was most remarkable, reflecting his love for humanity and ensuring a healthy society.

    The President prayed that God will grant Adeniyi’s soul eternal rest.

  • Tribunal decides Atiku’s petition against Buhari today

    THE dispute over the last presidential election, won by President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on March 18, will come to a close today(Wednesday) before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).

    The main opposition party – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the election,  Atiku Abubakar had filed the petition, in which they among others, queried Buhari’s qualification, victory at the election and sought to be declared winners. In the alternative, they prayed the court to void the election.

    The PEPC, sitting at the Court of Appeal,  Abuja, on August 21, and adjourned for judgment after entertaining final submissions from lawyers to parties.

    The Presiding Justice of the PEPC, Justice Mohammed Garba, announced, while adjourning proceedings on August 21, that parties would be notified when the court decides of a date for judgment.

    Parties to the petition have, since then, waited with bated breath for the judgment, with the petitioners reportedly writing the court last week in relation to the pending judgment.

    At about 12noon on Tuesday, information filtered in from the court that the much awaited judgment has been scheduled for today.

    The spokesperson for the Court of Appeal, Mrs. Sa’adatu Kachalla confirmed the development in a brief message on Tuesday.

    Mrs. Kachalla said: “Please be informed that notice has been given for judgment to be delivered tomorrow, September 11, 2019 at 9am in the presidential election petition.

    Four petitions were originally filed against the election, including the one by Atiku and the PDP, marked: CA/PEPC/002/2019, filed on Marc 18, 2019.

    Read Also: Presidency tackles ex-Vice President Atiku over Obasanjo

    There was the one filed by Hope Democratic Party (HDP) and Ambrose Owuru, who claimed to be the party’s presidential candidate. The petition, marked: CA/PEPC/001/2019 was filed on March 7 this year, before that of the PDP and Atiku, marked: CA/PEPC/002/2019.

    The third, marked: CA/PEPC/003/2019 was filed by the Coalition for Change (C4C) and Geff Ojinika, who claimed to be the party’s presidential candidate.

    The fourth petition, marked: CA/PEPC/004/2019, was filed on March 19 this year by the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) and Pastor Aminchi Habu, listed as the party’s presidential candidate.

    Two petitioners, te C4C and PDM, at a point, withdrew their petitions, following which the court dismissed them.

    The court, in a judgment on August 22, 2019 dismissed the petition by the HDP on the grounds that it was without merit, the petitioners having been unable to establish their claims.

    While making their final submissions on August 21 this year in the petition by Atiku and the PDP,  Buhari, the APC and the Independent National electoral Commission (INEC) – who are respondents to the petition,  argued that the petitioners failed to disprove the claim that Atiku is not a Nigerian by birth and as such was not qualified to contest the election.

    Buhari, APC and INEC described the petition by Atiku and the PDP, challenging the outcome of the election as worthless and time wasting. They noted that the petitioner, in prosecution the petition, starved it of necessary evidence and urged the court to dismiss the it with substantial cost.

    They noted that while the petitioners made head wild allegations in their petition, they provided no single evidence in support of their claims and therefore, failed to meet the required standard of proof in relation to all the allegations.

    At the August 21 proceedings, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) led  Alex Izinyon (SAN) and other lawyers for Buhari;  Yunus Usman (SAN) led INEC’s team; Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) led the team of the APC, while Livy Uzoukwu (SAN) led the petitioners’ team, which included Mike Ozekhome (SAN).

  • Ex-chief justice quizzed over $9.6b contract verdict

    DETECTIVES of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday grilled a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alfa Belgore, in connection with the $9.6 billion judgment debt against the Federal Government.

    The Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID) is the beneficiary of the judgment.

    Also quizzed are the Deputy Manager, Mechanical/Facilities of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Mr. Gbolahan Okesanya and 10 others.

    Investigation by The Nation showed that Belgore was invited for his alleged roles before the Arbitration Panel.

    The ex-CJN was alleged to have testified against the Federal Government in London on the controversial contract.

    It was not clear last night if the ex-CJN was detained.

    He did not respond to text messages sent to him last night.

    EFCC’s detectives have debriefed three senior lawyers, who are part of the country’s defence in the controversial deal.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said “the former CJN was invited for a friendly chat.”

    The source added: “In some of the proceedings of the arbitration panel, Justice Alfa Belgore was alleged to have made a representation to the Arbitration Panel. Based on his submission, the investigative panel decided to interact with him.

    “We are working on clues that his alleged submission was against the Federal Government. We want to establish the veracity of this.”

    The source added: “The EFCC has interrogated more than 10 others connected with the Gas Supply and Processing Agreement (GSPA) with P&ID, including the Deputy Manager, Mechanical/ Facilities of the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), Mr. Gbolahan Okesanya.

    “I can conveniently tell you that we have gone far in probing the circumstances which led to the award of the contract.”

    Read Also: ‘N650m fraud’: PDP chieftain is flight risk, EFCC tells court

    It was also learnt that the delay in constituting President Muhammadu Buhari’s first term cabinet appeared to have made it difficult to arrest the $6.9billion judgment in 2016.

    Also, non-presentation of proper documentation to the High Court of Justice, Queen’s Bench Division (Commercial Court) accounted for the legal mess the nation is facing.

    The trial judge, Justice Phillips, who dismissed an application by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources on February 10, 2016, gave these reasons in his order.

    The ministry of Petroleum Resources had approached the court to challenge the Part Final Award.

    He said Nigeria did not present compelling reasons to halt the award over four times the statutory limit.

    The P&ID has given conditions for an amicable settlement of the case.

    It said although during the arbitration, Nigeria claimed to be interested in reaching an amicable settlement with P&ID, it never made a serious offer.

    It said apart from the judgment debt, Nigeria lost the opportunity to add 2,000 megawatts of power to its generation capacity through the Gas Supply and Processing Agreement (GSPA).

    According to a document, exclusively obtained by The Nation, Nigeria is in a dilemma because of alleged tardiness in handling the matter.

    The court document revealed that  the Ministry of Petroleum Resources  filed  an application under Part 62.9 of the Civil Procedure Rules to extend the 28-day time period in which to apply to challenge the Part Final Award by the Arbitration Tribunal of 17 July 2015.

    Those on the arbitration panel were Lord Leonard Hoffman, Chief Bayo Ojo and Sir Anthony Evans.

    The proceedings at the High Court of Justice, Queen’s Bench Division confirmed that Nigeria took things for granted by wasting time.

    In his order, Justice Phillips said Nigeria’s move to arrest the award outside the statutory time limit was unacceptable.

    The order reads in part: “The application under S. 68 of the Arbitration Act is made more than four months after the expiry of the 28-day time limit. Compelling reasons would have to be shown to justify an extension of over four times the statutory time limit.

    “In this case, the delay is said to have been caused by the fact that the new President of the Federation of Nigeria, sworn in on 29 May 2015 did not appoint an Attorney-General until 11 November 2015 with the result that London solicitors were instructed in relation to the application until 13 November 2015.

    “Even if the absence of an Attorney-General was an insuperable obstacle to instructing London solicitors (which is far from clear view of the evidence filed by the defendant), the claimant could and should have prepared all documentation in readiness so as to proceed with expedition once London solicitors were instructed, not least in view of the fact that the claimant continued to participate in the arbitration proceedings throughout the period with the benefit of external counsel.

    “In the event documentation was not provided to London solicitors until 25 November and the application under S.68 was not issued until 40 days after London solicitors were first instructed, a period in excess of the statutory time limit.

    “No good explanation is given for that further excessive period of delay. In those circumstances, it is not appropriate to extend time.

    “In refusing to extend time, I further take into account that the grounds of appeal have no merit.

    “As to ground A, it is incorrect to say that the Tribunal found that the claimant was not in breach of Article 6(a): the finding was that the claimant had put itself in a position where it was impossible for it to comply with Article 6(a) by virtue of its own breach of Article 6(b). There was no internal inconsistency in the Tribunal’s reasons.

    “As to ground (B), the Tribunal clearly addressed the actual authority of claimant to enter and perform the GSPA, holding that that was the prima facie position and rejecting the claimant’s arguments to displace that starting point. There was no ambiguity or confusion in its findings between the concepts of capacity and authority.

    “As to ground (C), there was a clear and sufficient finding that the breach of Article 6(b), rending it impossible to perform Article 6(a), was a repudiatory breach. The contention that separate consideration should have been given to a breach of Article 6(b) alone is misconceived.”

    The Irish firm gave synopsis of how the contract was conceived and how things went wrong.

    In a statement, the P&ID said it is left for Buhari administration to come to terms with the award and decide whether to continue with delaying tactics to postpone the inevitable.

    It also asked the Federal Government to “atone for its previous mistakes and reach a settlement that will allow the country to move forward.”

    The company’s position was made known by Brendan Cahill, who is a co-founder of P&ID.

    The statement said in part: “Process and Industrial Developments Limited (P&ID) is an engineering and project management company founded and led by Michael Quinn and Brendan Cahill who had over 30 years’ experience of project management and execution in Nigeria.

    “P&ID conceived and planned a project that would deliver much-needed power generation to millions of Nigerians, and create profitable by-products for sale on the international market.  Under an agreement with Nigeria, P&ID would build a state-of-the-art gas processing plant to refine natural gas (“wet gas”) into “lean gas” that Nigeria would receive free of charge to power its national electric grid. ”

    “The Buhari administration continues to incur costs in fighting this battle in the UK and US courts, and due to its failure to comply with court procedures, has been forced to pay some costs of P&ID’s counsel.

    “The re-elected Buhari administration must come to terms with the award and decide whether to continue with delaying tactics to postpone the inevitable, or if the new government has the courage to atone for its previous mistakes and reach a settlement that will allow the country to move forward.”

     

  • We’ll continue to treat insurgents as bandits – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari said remnants of Boko Haram in the North-east region of the country are bandits, and they will continue to be treated as such.

    The President spoke Tuesday at State House, Abuja, while receiving Mr. Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, said “Boko Haram has been degraded, but its members are still a nuisance around Lake Chad and surrounding islands.

    “That is why we are cooperating with Chad, Cameroon, Niger Republic, and other countries. We are also using the Air Force quite effectively. They are bandits, and we will continue to treat them as such.” he said

    The President said the government was concentrating on repairing damaged infrastructure, rehabilitation of internally displaced persons, securing their communities, so that they can return home.

    He applauded the support of the ICRC and other humanitarian organizations, noting: “The situation of the displaced persons is very pathetic. Some children don’t know where their parents are, neither do they know where they come from.

    “We are focusing on education and healthcare, along with rebuilding of infrastructure. The agency formerly under the leadership of Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd) and now headed by Major-General Paul Tarfa (retd) is quietly making an impression. We are dedicating lots of resources to the area.”

    Read Also; Buhari, Red Cross President meet in Aso Rock

    President Buhari disclosed that great progress has equally been made in disabusing the minds of people that the insurgency was religious.

    “How can you kill people, and say ‘God is great.’ It’s either you don’t know that God, or you don’t know what you are talking about. God is God of justice. And the people have understood the message well, so recruiting is now difficult for the insurgents,” the President said.

    Mr Maurer said Nigeria was the 5th largest operation of ICRC worldwide, and the organization would continue to render humanitarian action to people affected by violence.

    On the recent killing of two officials in the North-east, he said: “We are shaken by the killing of our staff, but not discouraged. Humanitarian assistance should continue, and we applaud the hospitality of Nigeria.”

    The ICRC President said relationship will be further strengthened with Nigeria, submitting that “the more we see activity from Nigerian authorities, the easier it is for us to add here and there.”

  • Buhari to South Africa: stop attacks on Nigerians

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari on Monday admonished South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to take “visible steps” to halt the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other foreigners resident in that country.

    The President said the persistent attacks and violence were capable of denting the image of South Africa as a leading African country.

    President Buhari ordered the immediate voluntary evacuation of Nigerians willing to return from South Africa due to increasing xenophobic attacks.

    The President spoke after receiving the report of his Special Envoy to South Africa and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar. The envoy was in the country for on-the-spot assessment of the attacks and consultations with the South African president and other government officials.

    Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina said the special envoy, who was in Pretoria from September 5 to 7, “conveyed the deep concern of President Buhari and Nigerians about intermittent violence against Nigerians, their property and business interests in South Africa.”

    The president, according to the statement, also stressed the need for the South African Government to take visible measures to stop violence against citizens of brotherly African nations.

    “President Buhari is worried that the recurring issue of xenophobia could negatively affect the image and standing of South Africa as one of the leading countries on the continent, if nothing is done to stop it.

    “The Special Envoy conveyed the assurance of President Buhari that the Nigerian Government is ready and willing to collaborate with the South African Government to find a lasting solution to the involvement of few Nigerians in criminal activities, and to protect the lives and property of the larger groups of other law abiding Nigerians and indeed Africans in general, against all forms of attacks, including xenophobia.

    “President Buhari further assured that the Nigerian Government will guarantee the safety of lives, property and business interests of South Africans in Nigeria.

    “On his part, President Ramaphosa agreed that the violence was most disconcerting and embarrassing, adding that his government completely rejects such acts, which undermine not only the country’s image but also its relations with brotherly African countries.

    “President Ramaphosa reaffirmed his stand against criminality and committed to do everything possible to protect the rights of every Nigerian and other foreign nationals in the country.

    “The Special Envoy also interfaced with his South African counterpart, where they reviewed the situation of foreign immigrants in general and Nigerians in particular. They agreed to work together to find a permanent solution to the root causes of the recurring attacks on Nigerians and their property.”

    The statement said President Buhari had taken note of the report and instructed  Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama  to continue to engage with appropriate authorities on the concrete measure the South African Government is expected to take.

    Already, about 640 Nigerians have registered for evacuation from South Africa. Giving details of the plans to airlift them, the Chairman of Air Peace, Allen Onyeama, said the first batch of Nigerians to be evacuated will arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos tomorrow.

    Onyema explained that the 320 Nigerians that will be airlifted tomorrow were part of the over 700 Nigerians captured 640 the documentation.

    Onyeama, who spoke on phone with The Nation, said the carrier had secured necessary approvals from the aviation and government authorities in Nigeria and South Africa for the evacuation.

    He said the aircraft deployed for the operations will depart Nigeria today, adding that it will return tomorrow.

    Onyeama said the aircraft will return to South Africa on Wednesday to airlift other Nigerians who could not be accommodated in the first batch.

    Sources said officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) are already on the alert for the operations.

    Read Also: Buhari’s Special Envoy, Ramaphosa, pledge peace

    Also, former presidential candidate, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, and leaders of the Nigerian community in Cape Town have requested President Ramphosa to apologise to Nigerians and other countries whose citizens were victims of the attacks.

    Ezekwesili, who was in Cape Town, South Africa for the World Economic Forum (WEF), joined the entrepreneurs, professionals and other members of the Nigerian community, led by Mr Cosmos Echie, to decry xenophobic attacks.

    In a communique after its meeting in Cape Town, described the attacks as Afrophobia, urging the Nigerian and South African governments to refrain from provocative statements.

    Echie said: “It was unanimously agreed that the crisis is detrimental to the spirit of African renaissance, affirmation of black heritage, progress and development. Afrophobia compromises everything that the recently brokered intra-African trade, Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement, represents and aspires to deliver.”

    He urged President Ramaphosa to apologise to Nigerians and other countries whose citizens were attacked, come up with measures that will end the conflict and ensure that bilateral trade agreements between the countries are not affected.

    Echie said: “Officials of the government of South Africa must immediately desist from making any further pejorative and incendiary comments targeting Nigerians and their country and instead publicly commit to taking preventive and surveillance measures that will foreclose a repeat of Afrophobic attacks of Nigerians and other African nationals.

    “The President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, should rise to the demands of leadership and reach out to the President of Nigeria to trigger the series of dialogue and actions necessary for swift de-escalation of the brewing conflict between their two countries.

    “The President of South Africa should offer a sincere public apology to Nigeria, other countries affected by the attacks and the entire continent for the tragic hostility and harm perpetrated against their citizens.

    “The President of South Africa should send a sharp signal to South Africans and the continent by visiting the victims of the Afrophobia attacks to empathize with and reassure them of their safety in South Africa and the government should consider paying compensations for losses sustained in the attacks.

    “South Africa and Nigeria should agree on a mutual legal assistance cooperation scheme for tackling cases of crimes occurring among their citizens.”

    “The Nigerian High Commission and Nigerians in South Africa should design a fact-based campaign to widely convey  the accurate and positive narrative of the value they contribute to their host country. For example, South Africans must be made aware that more than 18 per cent of lecturers in their higher institutions are Nigerians. A significant percentage of the medical personnel in rural hospitals are Nigerians. Most Nigerians and Nigerian-owned businesses operate responsibly in legitimate and professional practices in South Africa compared to the less than one per cent of cases of shadowy activities.”

    Following a protest by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) to the African Commission over the orgy of violence against foreign nationals, the commission has indicated its readiness to take South Africa to the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights to seek reparation for Nigerian victims.

    Chairperson of African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Ms. Soyata Maiga, said the commission will approach the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights for redress and compensation for victims of the attacks.

    The decision to sue South Africa followed protests by SERAP, which urged the commission to  put pressure on the South African authorities and political leaders to uphold the highest standards in the protection of human rights of Nigerians and halt the trend of hate, violence and discrimination.

    SERAP said: “If the victims see that a process for ensuring adequate compensation for the crimes committed against them in South Africa is underway, it will also discourage revenge violence and killings and help break the cycle of violence that is now spiraling beyond control in the country.”

    The Director-General of the Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike Dabiri Erewa, disclosed in Abuja yesterday that the Nigeria government was keenly interested in the progress and outcome of the court cases against policemen who aided and abetted the attacks in South Africa.

    Mrs. Dabiri-Erewa said eight policemen were charged to court for their involvement in previous extra-judicial killing of Nigerians, adding that the other four were charged for complicity in the recent attacks.

    She stressed: “Eight policemen are in court over previous killings in South Africa. The case has been on for a while and we are saying win these cases.

    “Four policemen were arrested and charged to court over the killing of a Nigerian in his house a while ago. And in the case of Mrs. Uju Ndubuisi Chukwu the case has been made a high profile case and is being handled by a Brigadier General. We are saying let these cases end so we would know the result.”

    “Mrs Chukwu, Deputy Director-General of Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria was in South Africa to attend the conference of the African Insurance Organisation (AIO) but was murdered in her hotel room in Johannesburg on June 13.”

  • Buhari loses staff

    President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the passing of a loyal and honest staff, Buhari Nalado Sandamu, who served him and his family for more than 30 years.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said “I have lost a good and honest caretaker,’’

    Buhari offered prayers for the repose of his housekeeper, who was better known as “Commander’’.

    “I have lost a prudent and a wonderful custodian who did so well taking care of my country home in Daura. May Allah bless his soul and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss, Ameen,” President Buhari added.

    Read Also;  Tribunal: Buhari, Atiku know fate Sept.11

    The President also sent a delegation to the family of the bereaved in Sandamu Local Government Area, Katsina, comprising Senior Special Assistant, Domestic and Household Matters, Sarki Abba, Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu and State Chief of Protocol, Amb. Lawal Kazaure.

    The President’s Housekeeper, Saleh Yuguda, was also on the delegation that visited the family of the bereaved.

    “Commander” died at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano on Monday.

  • Police arrest army deserter for robbery in Adamawa

    The Adamawa Police Command spokesman, DSP Suleiman Yahaya, confirmed the development to newsmen in Yola.

    Yahaya said the deserter, Dompa Hyellambamun and one Emmanuel Adeka had accosted a woman in the early hours of Tuesday around target junction in Yola, where they fired four shots scaring her to hand over her car.

    “She immediately reported the incident to our men on patrol in the area, who, in collaboration with some vigilante personnel, trailed the suspects and arrested them.

    “The vehicle was recovered. Also recovered are AK 47 rifle with 35 rounds of ammunition and a military uniform.

    Read Also: Ban on procession applies only to IMN – Police

    “One of the suspects introduced himself as a military man and that he was deployed to Monguno in Borno for special duty,from where he abandoned his duty,’’ Yahaya said.

    Also speaking, the army deserter said he was given pass which lapsed on Aug. 8.

    “I am trying to go back but have no money and I am yet to collect salary and allowance’’, Hyellambamun said. (NAN)

  • Buhari greets Chief Igbinedion at 85

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with Esama of the Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, on his 85th birthday billed for September 11, 2019.

    He saluted his high sense of patriotism, love for humanity and dedication to helping the poor and underprivileged.

    As the Esama of Benin turns 85, the President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, noted with pride, his contributions to the nation’s development as a serial entrepreneur who finds joy in investing in sectors that directly impact the livelihood of Nigerians, including education, health, transportation and the media.

    Read Also: Buhari to South Africa: stop attacks on Nigerians

    While joining his family, friends and associates to celebrate the milestone, the President believed Chief Igbinedion’s active role in Nigeria’s business space inspired many younger people to start-up companies that have continued to buoy the economy, and his contributions to national development will remain appreciated.

    He prayed that Almighty God will grant the Esama of Benin good health, strength and longer life to continue the good work.

  • Inside Africa’s largest solar plant

    Power supply is a major problem in Nigeria, which the Federal Government has battled unsuccessfully. But, solar power is coming to rescue. Bayero University, Kano (BUK) is now home to Africa’s largest off-grid solar hybrid power plant (7.1MW), writes CHINAKA OKORO

    Things are not the same again at the Bayero University, Kano. Poor electricity supply to the campus has made students unable to study seamlessly.

    The Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is struggling with power supply. One of its ways out is the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) through which electricity is provided to universities and rural communities. BUK is the latest beneficiary.

    Last Tuesday, BUK became home to the largest off-grid solar hybrid power plant (7.1MW) in Africa. Residents, as well as students, were jubilant at the inauguration. Now, 55,815 students and 3,077 members of staff of the institution have access to electricity supply from the university’s 7.1MW solar hybrid power project.

    The project at Bayero University, Kano is the second to be inaugurated under Phase 1 of the Energising Education Programme (EEP) that will deliver clean and sustainable energy, using solar hybrid and/or gas-fired captive power plants. The inauguration at Bayero University, Kano included the launch of 11.41KM of street lighting as well as a world-class renewable training centre.

    To realise the policy of training students in renewable energy, the rural electrification agency established what it called the Female Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Students Internship Programme where female students were trained in renewable energy.

    At the inauguration of the BUK off-grid solar hybrid power plant, 20 female students who participated in the internship programme graduated. The female students, who received practical training during the course of the project construction, were awarded certificates of completion.

    Vice-President  Yemi Osinbajo  noted that the programme aligned with the Buhari administration’s Next Level Roadmap and upholds the Federal Government’s adherence to global best practice in the provision of cleaner sources of energy.

    He reiterated that “the Energising Education Programme is strategic to fulfilling Nigeria’s commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change as it aims at reducing Nigeria’s carbon footprint using renewable energy technologies, in line with the Federal Government’s mandate and efforts to increase renewable energy.”

    Osinbajo expressed his happiness over the unveiling of the largest off-grid solar hybrid power plant in Africa.

    Enumerating the benefits of the project, he said: “The installed 7.1MW decentralised solar hybrid power plant funded by the Federal Government’s green bond will supply over 58,000 students and members of staff with clean, safe and reliable electricity. I am sure that the entire student body, management and members of staff of the Bayero University are proud to be beneficiaries of this, most especially as the only Federal University in Kano State and one of the longest-standing ones.

    “As a result, students can now focus on their academics and vocational training in a safer and illuminated environment.

    “This significant initiative upholds the Federal Government’s adherence to global best practice, as we transit to cleaner sources of energy in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. These projects being implemented by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) are strategic to fulfilling our commitments to the Agreement as they strive to reduce Nigeria’s carbon footprint.

    “The leveraging of renewable energy technologies is in line with the Federal Government’s mandate and related activities. Nigeria’s plans to reduce carbon emissions by 20 per cent unconditionally and 45 per cent with international support by 2030 aim at limiting the damaging effects of climate change.

    “Our policies and objectives under the Energising Education Programme in this administration’s Next Level roadmap remains the same. The ultimate goal is to increase access to modern technical education in safe and illuminated learning environments, empower the girl child and create jobs in the power sector value chain, among others.

    “Thus far, this project created 182 energy-related jobs from power system engineers to electricians as well as trained 20 young female STEM students with the skills to contribute to strengthening our energy sector. It is initiatives such as this that creates an impact on Nigeria’s socio-economic growth.”

    Osinbajo commended ministries of Power and Environment, METKA, the Managing Director of Rural Electrification Agency, Damilola Ogunbiyi and her team.

    Minister of Power Sale Mammansaid he was delighted to be part of the historic moment.

    Mamman commended the 20 participants of the Female STEM Internship Programme as they graduate, even as he implored them to be focused as Nigeria needs their skills to develop.

    Ogunbiyi expressed her delight that the agency was able to inaugurate another university project, under Phase 1 of the Energising Education Programme at the Bayero University, Kano (BUK).

    “The EEP project at BUK is the second to be inaugurated. The first was the 2.8MW solar hybrid plant at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo Ebonyi State on August 2, 2019, It is noteworthy that Bayero University project with an installed capacity of 7.1MW, is the largest off-grid solar hybrid power plant in Africa.

    “Another important component of this project is the Female STEM Internship Programme, where 20 BUK female students received training in the design and construction of the solar hybrid power plant. Under the tutelage of the solar developer, these women received hands-on field and classroom training through the course of this project’s implementation.”

    Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar  Ganduje said Kano State is committed to fostering technical and practical training. Therefore, the EEP programme is strategically aligned to the state level job creation and capacity building objectives.

    “Now our students can study without ceasing without fear of power failure or insecurity on the university campus, thanks to the reliable electricity and installation of 11.4Km of streetlights across the campus.”

    BUK Vice-Chancellor Prof. Muhammad Yahuza Bello said he was delighted about the history made by his institution.

    “The Federal Government’s EEP project could not have been implemented at a better time for BUK, where over 55,000 students and 3,000 members of staff will now experience teaching, learning and research in an environment that is safer with access to clean and reliable electricity..”

    The Managing Director, METKA West Africa Limited, the EPC contractor, Mr. Evangelos Kamari said: “The state-of-the-art solar hybrid power plant will result in carbon dioxide savings of 108,875,120Ibs, a feat we as green contractors are proud of.”

    Dignitaries present at the landmark occasion were Mr. Goddy Jeddy-Agba, Mallam Adamu Adamu, Alhaji Nasiru Gawuna, Dr. Mohammad Mahmoud, Alhaji Sabo Nanono and Mrs. Nike Giwa.