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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • 3.7m Nigerians are currently faced with food insecurity

    Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, says 3.7 million people in 16 out of the 36 states and FCT are currently faced with food insecurity.

    Abdullahi made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at the Second Conference of the “Feed the future Nigeria agricultural policy project organised by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

    He noted that several factors drove the nations challenging food and nutrition outlook.

    Read Also: IYC to DSS chief: Beware of politicians

    He said it includes civic conflicts, climate change, and large scale of displacement, others are high food prices, poverty and high population amongst others.

    Abdullahi commended President Muhammadu Buhari for establishing  the National Food Security Council to address the challenges in the sector.

    He said to ensure sustainable food and nutrition security, there is need to maintain and strengthen the multi-sectoral approach to food security and nutritional policy.

    “We need to examine the intricacies of livelihoods issues of our citizens to design workable policy frameworks.

    “We also need to discuss the role of governance in achieving food security, creating space for interaction between different actors linked by common discourse,’’ he said.

    Abdullahi disclosed that the Eight Senate has passed several bills that would support the Nations food and nutrition security efforts.

    He observed that the issue of food security and nutrition is an urgent and continuous theme that must be daily emergency for any government.

    “Food security and nutrition must be tagged urgent because people, population and environmental dynamics will continue to make it so.

    “It must be continuous because survival is a continuous issue and so long as humanity exist the subject remains stuck with us,’’ he said.

    He said the move has become imperative because food security has been identified as a huge problem in Nigeria, as the country ranked 84th out of 119 countries on the global hunger index.

    Abdullahi said Nigeria came in just below the Republic of Congo.

    The three day conference is being attended by 100 experts from various sectors of agriculture to work on collaborative research for agricultural policy in Nigeria.

  • Why National Assembly put of resumption

    More facts emerged on Monday about why the National Assembly will no longer reconvene this week as formerly planned.

    It was gathered that senators and House of Representatives members concluded that it was practicality impossible for the planned emergency session to hold and approve the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) budget in a single sitting.

    The leadership of the National Assembly had said after a meeting with the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu last week that the two chambers would reconvene today to consider and approve INEC budget and the revilement requested by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Yakubu also told reporters that he was assured that the budget for the 2019 election would be approved this week.

    A competent source however confirmed on Monday that the lawmakers will no longer reconvene in view of latest developments and the practicability of the resumption date.

    He noted that the thinking of many lawmakers was it to consider and approve Buhari’s request would take the National Assembly close to a month at the least.

    He said, “The request by President Muhammadu Buhari is not just a single line item that would just require a one day sitting.

    “The request has variety of committees that would be involved, including the Appropriations, Finance, INEC and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

    Read Also: ‘Invasion of National Assembly bad’

    “It is different from a situation whereby the President is asking for an increase in the size of the budget through a change of benchmark.

    “The request by Mr. President is not something that can be done in one day. Even those who are pushing the agenda know it.”

    He insisted that the National Assembly cannot achieve anything even if it was reconvened in for one sitting “because the request has to be passed to the necessary committees and the committees have to meet with relevant MDAs for their input.

    He added, “Besides, there is another issue that has to do with the Constituency projects. The letter is requesting the lawmakers to remove funds from their constituency projects and use the same to fund INEC.

    “Remember that the Constituency projects are not one line items in the budget.

    “You can’t imagine how long it would take the Appropriations committees to sort out that issue with the MDAs.

    Another source noted that “Reconvening the National Assembly will not really work. It would mean that you want to keep the lawmakers around for the next one month, which defeats the idea of the annual recess.

    “The letter by the President is not just requesting for an increase in benchmark, which can be handledin one day through Senate or House resolution. Treating the letter by the President will take two to three weeks or even more weeks.”

    He said that that the logistics of securing a quorum of either the senate or the House was becoming more and more difficult as members are getting deep into their recess.

    He said, “Many of our colleagues have travelled for Hajj. Many are in their constituencies battling the challenges of re-election. If you check even with the APC right now, they can’t get up to 30 Senators and next week is Sallah, Arafat is on Monday and you will have holidays. A number of people have travelled. It is not practicable to reconvene now.”

  • Buhari greets Odigie-Oyegun at 79

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on the occasion of his 79th birthday on August 12, 2018.
    President Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, joined family, friends, well-wishers and party members in celebrating another milestone in the lifetime of a patriotic Nigerian, who personifies the meaning of a progressive in letter and in spirit.
    The President recalled that throughout Chief Oyegun’s distinguished career as a civil servant, first civilian Governor of Edo State, pro-democracy activist and the first elected National Chairman of the APC, whose leadership was instrumental to the advent of the CHANGE government in 2015, he stood out as a beacon of progressive values and principles embodied in change, reforms and intense commitment to the good of the nation.
    He prayed God almighty to grant the celebrant more years of good health and fulfillment to see a nation where positive change, in all facets of our national lives, is a reality for all.

    Odigie-Oyegun relinquished his position as the first APC chairman after the party’s convention in Abuja on June 23.

    He was replaced by Comrade Adams Oshiohmole who emerged unopposed during the convention.

  • Osinbajo berates gospel preachers over corruption

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has berated gospel preachers for failing to lend support to the Federal Government’s anti-corruption war by failing to preach against the scourge.

    Speaking at the 30th National Biennial Conference of the Students Christian Movement (SCM) of Nigeria holding in Enugu, Osinbajo
    noted that preachers were preoccupied with preaching prosperity rather than righteousness.

    “Very rarely do you hear our preachers talk about corruption from their pulpits. If a nation is not righteous nothing will help it.”

    Osinbajo said that the problem with Nigeria was neither ethnicity nor religion but systemic corruption.

    He said that corruption had been so entrenched in the country that if you dare challenge it, you will be in the minority.

    He, however, challenged the youths to change the narrative and make the difference by checking the impunity of those that had stolen the resources of the country.

    “Our problem in this country is not ethnicity or religion; it is not about Christians or Muslims. Our problems are the same wherever you go in this country.

    “The story of our country is about good and evil. It is about those that have left us in this condition by stealing our common resources.

    “Do not let anyone deceive you.”

    The acting president challenged members of SCM to ensure that the movement becomes one of the tools that will move the country forward.

    “You should understand that our country can be delivered by people like you.”

    According to him, young Christians have special and distinct roles to play in the transformation of the country which is superior to those of other sets of people.

    “All of the great nations of the world were transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not a gospel that tickles people’s imaginations or dwells on prosperity.

    “It is not a gospel that fits your fancy. It is a gospel that teaches that righteousness exalts a nation.”

    Osibanjo appealed to Nigerians to stand against the plundering of the nation’s resources as well as support the anti-corruption initiative of the Federal Government, irrespective of party affiliations.

    Earlier in his address, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State commended the organisers of the event for a successful convention.

    Ugwuanyi said that Christians needed such events in order to seek spiritual reformation and renaissance, considering the situation in the world.

    He said that Christians also needed to contribute their quota toward promoting good living among Nigerians.

    Ugwuanyi urged Nigerians to continue to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and for the peace of the nation.

    In an address of welcome, the National President of SCM, Rev. Eric Ighalo, commended Osinbajo for honouring their invitation.

    Ighalo said that the conference was about active involvement of youths in reversing the problems that had held the country down through dialogue, collaboration and contention.

  • I am heeding to popular call – Sokoto APC aspirant

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant in Sokoto state, Alhaji Farouk Malami Yabo said that his ambition was informed by the call from patriotic citizens in the state to serve them.

    He described the ruling APC as strong political formation that was far from a” push over”‎.

    He however, hinged his focus on fast tracking opportunities and policies that would support the actualisation of positive blue print and rolling plan to launch the state on the path of transparency, accountability and collectivity, that would translate to generating  employment, reposition the state’s aching education sector, boost agriculture  ‎for food sufficiency and security, upgrade health facilities in rural areas and expand road networks as well rejuvenate water supply organs and schemes.

    ‎Yabo who was two times Commissioner in the cabinet of the immediate past Governor of the state, Aliyu Wamakko between 2007 and 2015, was in charge of the Ministries of Local Government and Community Development and that of Finance respectively.

    Speaking exclusively to The ‎Nation in Sokoto, Yabo described the call as purposeful for the transformation of the state to prosperity.

    According to Yabo who is believed to be popular especially among the youths as well women in the state, “I have to identify with the struggle and vision of hope that the ruling APC nucleus is built on for good governance.

    “My ambition is synonymous with the conventional clarion call by the people of Sokoto state who believe I have the characteristics and visionary record to lead them.”

    Read Also: Saraki replies APC over allegations of incompetence

    The former Commissioner who is from the same Senatorial District with incumbent Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal ‎maintained that he had no better choice of political platform than APC.

    “The bond of political support and commitment enjoyed by the party from people in Sokoto state further convinced my decision to vie in the fold.”

    In the same vein, Yabo noted with optimism that the much celebrated 2019 elections were nothing but good omen for the ruling APC at all levels” I remain convinced that we will sail in victory and President Muhammadu Buhari shall emerge with land slide votes to complete his second term of 4 years”, he pointed out.

    Yabo, who is popularly called “Man of the people” across the state also acknowledged the political resilience of his mentor, leader and demystified Senator Aliyu Wamakko for liberating the spirit of Sokoto people for the progressives under the APC.

    The front-line popular politician noted that the APC led Federal Government  ‎had achieved a lot in so many respects of human and infrastructural development across the country under President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that” he obviously and earnestly need a second term to consolidate his works for Nigeria and Nigerians.”

  • Osinbanjo: APC badly needs Katsina Senatorial bye-election

    The Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo on Thursday disclosed 3 reasons why the All Progressive Congress (APC) must win Saturday’s bye-election for the Katsina North Senatorial district.

    Speaking at Kaingiwa square in front of the Emir palace in Daura during the grand finale of the APC campaign ahead of the poll, Osinbanjo said the APC wants to win the election in order to form a majority in the Senate.

    He said the second reason was to honour the memory of late Senator Mustapha Bukar, the lawmaker who occupied the position before his death on April 4, this year.

    While the third reason, he said was to ensure that the win honoured President Muhammadu Buhari, being the son of the soil and that the election would be taking place at the senatorial zone where he comes from.

    A total of six candidates from same number of political parties are contesting for the position, with Hon. Ahmed Babba Kaita being the APC flag bearer.

    He said “three reasons why we must make sure we vote for our candidate: first, we must have a majority in the Senate. Politics is about numbers. We must vote for him because we want to maintain the majority’’.

    “Secondly, we must honour the memory of late Mustapha Bukar. We should not allow anyone to be there outside our own senator’’.

    “Thirdly, this zone is Buhari’s and a vote for Kaita is a vote for Buhari.”

    He said what the country was currently going through was battle between good and evil, and that evil men trying to bring down Buhari administration would never succeed.

    He called on Nigerians to “vote for the APC in the interest of the common man,” adding that “so long as Buhari ruled the country, Nigeria will only get better and better.”

    Read Also: Osinbanjo, senators, others for prayer for the nation

    He said the current federal government has been up and doing in terms of socio-economic transformation of the country, especially in the area of roads construction.

    “All of these things we are doing when we were earning far less than what was earned when we were not in government,” he said.

    Speaking, the APC national chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomole, said the Buhari administration had “restored the confidence of the country in the eyes of the international community.”

    Oshiomole, who spoke in Hausa language, said many Nigerians, and himself included, could now confidently go abroad without being embarrassed about the country.

    He said that money belonging to the public was wantonly embezzled in the past, but that under Buhari, Nigerians can sigh a relief that their commonwealth was in safe hands.

    On the Saturday election, he called on voters to “accept monies given them by politicians from other parties,” but “vote for the choice candidate of the APC.”

    The rally had several dignitaries in attendance including the Kano state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, Minister of state for aviation, Hadi Sirika, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

    Others were the water resources minister, Suleiman Adamu, Kaduna state governor, Nasiru El-rufai who was represented by the commissioner of lands, Suleiman Abdulkwari.

    The host governor, Aminu Bello Masari, senators from Katsina, Umar Kurfi (Katsina central), Abu Ibrahim (Katsina south), among others, were also at the event

    Also speaking at the occasion, the state Governor Aminu Bello Masari, said the party will win landslide come Saturday. He appealed to the people to troop out in numbers to vote for APC

  • Stop Ngige from committing Illegality, Pensioners union tells Buhari

    Members of the Electricity Sector of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) have asked President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Minister of Labour and Employment to desist from going against the laws of the land by registering another union to cater for the pie interest.

    The Labour Laws of the country does not allow foe the registration of a union to represent workers where a union already exists, but the union insists that the Minister is interfering in the internal affairs of the union and plan to register another union with the aim of divine the union.

    The pensioner who led a protest to the ministry of Labour and Employment also accused the Minister of prevailing on the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate to stop deducting check off from their Pension.

    They claimed that they have been reliably informed that the minister has concluded plans to register Chief Temple Ubani’s ESREWA to run parallel with the Nigeria Union of Pensioners.

    Read Also: Ngige and the parable of the stolen fowl

    Addressing journalists during the protest chairman of the NUP electricity sector branch, Alhaji Idi Bawa cautioned Dr Ngige “to desist from any act or acts that will not only bring his office to disrepute but also serve as a bad precedence in the annals of Trade Unionism.”

    Bawa explained that In defiance of disciplinary action taken against him in accordance with the regulations of the constitution, Chief Ubani and his cohorts voluntarily pulled out of the Union and formed an Association (ESREWA) to run parallel with the Union.

    He said, “Such an act if allowed is tantamount to illegality and against the rule of law.  In all circumstances, rule of law must prevail in accordance with the mantra of the present government.

    We are also reliably informed that the deductions of check-off dues was stopped by PTAD in contravention of Trade Unions Act section 17a&b, CAPT 17 of the 2004 at the intervention of the Hon. Minister.”

     

  • ‘Support Buhari’s administration’

    Nigerians have been urged to rally support for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in its bid to tackle the menace of corruption pervading the country.

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC),Olukayode Ehinlanwo made the appeal on Wednesday while declaring his intention to represent Ilaje/Ese-Odo federal constituency for the 2019 election held at Igbekebo,headquarters of Ese-Odo local government of Ondo state.

    According to him, the present change mantra has various dimensions of infrastructural and organisational benefits through which federal and state governments have made giant strides.

    He said” a lot of ground can be regained if we re-strategise our focus, more so with the various opportunities abound for the benefits of our people”.

    Ehinlanwo said the urge to the tap from these multi-farious opportunities the primary objective while he declared his intention to serve his people.

    The aspirant said APC is the only platform that could cater for the collective well-being of the masses.

    Read Also: Tinubu alerts of plot to impeach Buhari

    He noted that the fight against corruption and insurgency were on course, stressing that economic revival, prudent and transparent management of our nation ‘economy and  compassion  for the social welfare of the people would transform the country.

    Besides, he said improvement in power supply, social intervention scheme for school pupils and Agriculture revolution  part if the laudable achievements of Buhari’s administration.

    He said “there is a need to compliment all these efforts and we can only do this by electing people with genuine understanding of what an effective and robust representation is.

    “A representation hinged on diligence, transparency and accountability. These efforts can also gather immeasurable momentum if  we give full support to President Buhari’s re-election in 2019”.

    Ehinlanwo assured that even though ‘looters’ are staging come back, but vowed that they will fail with the determination of progressive Nigerians.

     

  • Tinubu alerts of plot to impeach Buhari

    Sen. Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), has alleged that some members of the National Assembly were planning to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari.

    But he warned the plotters to drop their sinister move because it is not “possible for a lizard to wrestle an antelope’’.

    Tinubu spoke on Wednesday at the formal defection of ex-senate Minority Leader, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, at a packed full Ikot Ekpene township stadium in Akwa Ibom.

    He described what is happening in the country now as a war between progressives and the conservatives.

    “We believe in government of the people, for the people and by the people but the conservatives believe in government of sharing.

    “We say Nigerian money belongs to Nigerians. We say Nigerians must be given development. We believe in investing in the people.

    “But they believe in sharing and looting the money.

    “Today we are aspiring in our vision, but the PDP has no vision. They believe in sharing and looting the treasury.’’

    Nigerians, he said, gave PDP 16 years to rule but the party failed.

    “Today, Buhari says we must change; we must account for Nigeria’s money but they are resisting.’’

    He expressed happiness that Akwa Ibom had embraced the change of Buhari.

    With the present posture of the state, it “shall sweep the evil out with the broom’’.

    Quoting the Bible, Tinubu, a Muslim said: “The people in the city shall be swept away with brooms.’’

    He praised the wife of Akpabio, Ekaete for her resilience and steadfastness in her support for her husband.

    The Secretary to Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, who represented Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, told the people of President Muhammadu Buhari’s love for them.

    He said that the facts on ground support the agitation for the return of Buhari in 2019.

    He explained that of the 36 ministers, 18 were Muslims and 18 Christians with the Christians holding many important positions.

    Mustapha, a Christian, explained that Vice President Osinbajo is a pastor. He named other key members of the government who are Christians to include governor of Central Bank of Nigeria; Ministers of Finance, petroleum, national planning; as well as the party’s national President.

    He said that Buhari was the only candidate who could generate 10 million votes unlike others that could not boast of 800 votes.

  • Benue State Account freezing, unconstitutional, says NGF

    Says EFCC action will shut down govt

    Hails Osinbajo for DSS boss sack

    Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari on Wednesday said that freezing accounts of Benue State government by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was an attempt to shut down the state.

    Yari, who is also the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), also described the action of EFCC as unconstitutional, and wrong especially as the state was still battling with security challenges.

    He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He urged the Federal Government not to allow security agencies to become lawless.

    He said “The freezing of any account of the state government whether Benue or anywhere is unconstitutional and is not right. That is shutting down government. Government must spend, most especially Benue that is facing insecurity challenges.

    “Well, we don’t know why the EFCC took the action. But if indeed EFFC freezed the account, from my point of view, it is wrong.

    “This government will not sit down and oversee unlawful operation from the security agencies. From what happened yesterday (Tuesday, Daura sack), everyone can understand that government is following due process and the laws of Nigeria.

    Read Also: Benue and Imo travesties

    “For one to just send security agencies to shut down the National Assembly, and the action that followed, that is what gave credit to this government by local and international community.

    “Similar thing had happened in 2011 and 2014 respectively, but nothing was done about it, this time around, government said enough is enough. But the government of Muhammadu Buhari is following due process and will never oversee an unlawful activity by any security agency. So in the case of Benue, I believe something must be done.” he said

    Also speaking to State House correspondents, Governor Umar Ganduje of Kano state condemned Tuesday’s invasion of the National Assembly by security agents, saying that the legislature must be allowed to operate according to law.

    He said: “To use security agencies in trying to prevent them from doing their own normal legislative functions, i think it wrong.

    “But I have to salute the acting President for taking immediate action in order to save the situation.

    “The National Assembly is a very important institution and we not embarrass ourselves and allow foreigners to view us as undemocratic. It’s very important.

    “The situation now has been corrected. It is something that  is unfortunate, we have to move forward.” he added