The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Buhari greets Sidi Ali at 81

    President Muhammadu Buhari has sent warm greetings to All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart and member of the party’s Elders Committee in Kano State, Hon. Sidi Ali, as he celebrates his 81st birthday.

    President Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, joined family, friends and professional colleagues in celebrating the resourceful public servant, who spent most of his life serving the country as a Public Affairs Officer; most remarkably for ensuring accurate and balanced information on government activities during and after the Nigerian Civil War.

    Read Also: Buhari congratulates Fayemi

    The President commended Ali’s deep sense of patriotism and nationalistic world view, which has always been evident in his promotion of the unity of the country and projection of values of harmonious and peaceful co-existence.

    As the octogenarian marks his 81stbirthday, President Buhari believed the years he served in the Nigerian International Press Centre, Ministry of Information and National Broadcasting Commission were historic, coupled with his membership of the board of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

    The President prayed that the almighty God will grant Ali longer life, good health and strength to keep serving the nation and humanity.

  • Buhari lauds quality of Nigerian professionals in Netherlands

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday hailed the quality of Nigerian professionals residing in the Netherlands.

    He made the remark when he met with members of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO), the Netherlands Chapter, on the sidelines of his official visit to The Hague, Netherlands.

    This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina.

    He said “I am pleased with the quality of people I am seeing. You are high quality people. Congratulations on your personal achievements.”

    Stressing that he was quite pleased with their intellectual and professional achievements, the President lauded them for representing Nigeria well, and for always being in touch with their motherland.

    Among those who met President Buhari were Julius Nnamdi Nwankpa, Chairman NIDO, Dr Mustapha Gidado, a specialist in tuberculosis, having oversight over management of the disease in 22 countries, Lola Visser Mabogunje, a performance monitoring expert, Dr Peter Ngene, a research scientist and Assistant Professor at Utrecht University, Engineer Cornelius Obot, a software expert, and Toyin Loyo, an artist and culture enthusiast of international repute.

    Read Also: Stop blaming Buhari for Killings, MURIC tells Nigerians

    Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Nwankpa, the NIDO Chairman, commended President Buhari for the war against corruption, “for which you have earned respect around the world,” high improvement in infrastructural development, and for signing into law the Diaspora Commission Bill, which he hoped would “become effective as soon as possible.”

    On the security situation in Nigeria, the NIDO Chairman urged the government and security team to accelerate stoppage of unfortunate killings, while also calling on Nigerians “to play their roles in breaking the cycle of violence, which usually has no winner.”

    The delegation presented the gift of an artwork called Light to President Buhari, with Toyin Loyo, the creator of the work saying: “The work is illuminating. You bring light, which will never go out, and which will shine round the clock.”

  • Presidency releases timeline steps against insecurity

    The Presidency on Monday released timeline on measures taken by the current administration to tackle insecurity in the country.

    This was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina.

    He denied the allegations that the government was not doing enough against insecurity.

    He said “A popular refrain from some quarters is that the President is not doing enough to combat the insecurity that has beleaguered the country in recent times.

    “Lest that untruth begins to wear a garb of reality, let us consider some initiatives taken under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to rein in the security situation, particularly since January, 2018.

    For January 2018, he listed “Leadership of the police deployed to Benue State, after mass killings reportedly committed by herdsmen. This was followed by a fact-finding team led by the Minister of Interior, and deployment of Special Forces of the military, to restore law and order.

    “National Economic Council sets up 10-man committee on farmers/herdsmen clashes, headed by the Vice President.

    “The 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, launched a special operation, Karamin Goro (Small Kolanut), in collaboration with the Air Force, Police, Department of State Services, and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC; to tackle kidnapping, robbery and cattle rustling in parts of Kaduna and Niger States (Minna-Birnin Gwari-Pandogari and Minna-Sarkin Pawa general areas).”

    Measures taken by the government in February 2018, he included “The Nigerian Army commenced Exercise Ayem Akpatumacovering Benue, Taraba, Kogi, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger States, in order to tackle the cases of kidnappings, herdsmen/farmers’ clashes, among others.

    “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) inducted its first indigenous operational Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Tsaigumi. The newly-inducted UAV has day and night capability, an operational endurance in excess of 10 hours, a service ceiling of 15,000 feet and a mission radius of 100km, and is capable of being used for policing operations, disaster management, convoy protection, maritime patrol, pipeline, power line monitoring as well as mapping and border patrol duties.

    “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) established a total of 10 new Units as NAF had concluded plans to set up Quick Response Wings (QRWs) across Nasarawa State, in a bid to tackle the herders/farmers clashes plaguing some states within the axis.

    In March 2018, he said the government took steps including “President Buhari began sympathy visits to states that had experienced wanton killings in the country.

    “The Nigerian Army extended Exercise Ayem Akpatuma in Taraba State by two months.

    “The committee set up by the National Economic Council on farmers/herdsmen clashes submits report, making far reaching recommendations for peace, including ranching in five states.

    For April 2018, he said that the Nigerian Air Force took delivery of a second batch of 2 brand new Mi-35N helicopter gunships to boost internal security and also deployed Special Force to Zamfara State to combat criminality.

    In May 2018, he said that the Nigerian Police Force inaugurated a Mobile Squadron in Takum, Taraba State, the Nigerian Air Force established 3 new Quick Response Wings (QRW) in Taraba, Nasarawa and Benue States respectively, and deployed Special Forces personnel to these new bases. (Taraba State QRW is located in Nguroje; Nasarawa State QRW in Doma; and Benue State QRW in Agatu).

    Also in May, he said “Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris ordered the deployment of 200 policemen, and 10 patrol vehicles to Birnin Gwari (Kaduna-Zamfara axis) to tackle armed banditry in the area.

    “President Buhari approved the establishment of a new Battalion of the Nigerian Army, as well as a new Police Area Command, in Birnin Gwari LGA of Kaduna State, as part of measures to scale up the security response to the banditry affecting the area. Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai, has since flagged off the new Battalion (2 Battalion Forward Operating Base, FOB) in Kanfanin Doka Village, Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna State.

    “The Defence Headquarters assembled a Special Military Intervention Force comprising more than 1,000 personnel, drawn from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Police, DSS and NSCDC, to respond to the security challenges in the North Central and North West. On May 8, 2018, the Force launched Operation WHIRL STROKE, as a full-scale military operation to completely restore law, order and stability in the affected communities. The Whirl Stroke Operational Force Commander is Major General Adeyemi Yekini.

    “Chief of Army Staff inducted a mix of 49 Toyota Land Cruisers and Innoson gun trucks, at the HQ of the 133 Special Forces Battalion of the Nigerian Army at Azare, to support the ongoing OPERATION LAST HOLD in Northern Borno.

    Read Also: Ekiti: PDP is irreparably broken, dismantled – Presidency

    “NAF launched newly-constructed accommodation for the 205 Combat Search and Rescue Group (CSARG) — established in 2017 to provide aid and operational assistance to wounded and distressed troops serving in combat units — in Kerang, Plateau State.

    “The Air Task Force of NAF commenced Operation THUNDER STRIKE to attack selected locations of Boko Haram Terrorists in the North-East.

    “The Nigerian Army commissioned its new Forward Operating Base in Epe, Lagos State.” he added

    He said that in June 2018, the NAF deployed combat helicopter to its 207 Quick Response Group (QRG) in Gusau, Zamfara State to support the fight against armed banditry in the town and its environs.

    In this month, he said that President Buhari approved the establishment of Operation WHIRL STROKE II, for deployment in Zamfara and Kaduna States.

    Securing the length and breadth of the country, he noted, is a continuing commitment.

    “It is one of the key pledges of the Buhari administration, which it is carrying out night and day.” he said

    According to him, the security situation in the country in May 2015 when the administration came on board was in tatters.

    He added “It pulled up its bootstraps, rolled up its sleeves, set to work, and the Boko Haram insurgency was beaten back. It was eventually degraded.

    “Other security challenges are being tackled and will subsequently become history. Not doing enough, as some critics claim, is not part of the deal, nor is it reality, no, not by any stretch of the imagination. A lot is being done, and success is guaranteed.” he said

  • Killings: Arrest and prosecute killer politicians, Lamido tells Buhari

    Former Governor of Jigawa state and presidential aspirant under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Sule Lamido has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to name the politicians behind the incessant killings in the country and bring them to justice.

    Lamido was reacting to claims by the Presidency that it has the list of names of politicians who are responsible for the killings of innocent Nigerians.

    “President Buhari said ‘I know those politicians, who are sponsoring these killings,’ he said so, as the Commander-In-Chief. Now, have they been arrested? Who are they? Name them. People are dying every day, and he knows the killers and they have not been arrested. You press men, please ask him (Buhari) who they are, he should arrest them,” Lamido stated.

    The presidential aspirant, who spoke to journalists in his Kano residence, insisted that the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) government has failed to deliver on its three-point agenda of security, economy and fighting corruption.

    Lamido who said he has started consultation with PDP stakeholders across the country ahead of the convention regretted that Nigerians have suffered a lot under APC government.

    According to him, “on security, you see, before it was Boko Haram, it has now gone beyond Boko Haram. It is now inter-tribal. It is between Fulani and Fulanis; it is between Hausa and Hausas, between Igbos and Igbos. In Ebonyi it is there, in Zamfara it is there and in Sokoto, it is there.

    “So, you see, today, we are under siege. It means all they key security chiefs appointed by this government have failed to deliver. Nigerians are now sleepless, they are watching, they have so many things in their minds—whether to go for what they know is safety, security and prosperity or to go for this culture of violence which is now defiling Nigeria as a country.”

    Lamido further stated that, “the three factors that they used during their campaign—economy, security and fighting corruption are all zero.

    “How on earth can Buhari go to Danjuma Goje’s house to beg him—Goje who has been arraigned in court! And Buhari preferred to go to him, by that, the Judge should be very very careful, because it means they cannot convict Goje.

    “If Oshiomole after all these noise and ranting will go to Saraki and Tambuwal and beg them, after calling PDP thieves and what have you, which means their fight against corruption is defeated.”

    Speaking on the just concluded Ekiti governorship election, Lamido said, “the election process in Ekiti was heavily militarized; and I know it shouldn’t be a surprise because we are being led by a former military General who was also a former military Head of State, who was known for arresting political leaders.

    “Number two, you see, he (Buhari) only says politicians are this, politicians are that, which means he is not a politician.

    “So, I think the election in Ekiti, to me, if it is the wish of the people that is announced as the result, I have no quarrels with it. I hope, also, that this is not the kind of thing we are going to experience in 2019 elections because it will spell doom for democracy.

    “You see, even before the election, there was this acrimony, the atmosphere was very tensed. You see, sending 30, 000 police men in Ekiti for a governorship election is very worrisome.

    “From what I heard, they said they sent 30, 000 policemen, we don’t know the number of other security agencies and para-military. If in 2019, they are sending 30, 000 police men to conduct elections in each state, that means 30, 000 times 36, including Abuja—this is very curious.

    “If this was how that election was conducted, that means they instilled fear in the people. To me, the election has come and gone, it has been conducted and the winner has been declared, I certainly hope that it is the wish of the people that was declared. Let it be the wish of the people that is being declared, simple.”

    He expressed confidence that PDP will reclaim power in 2019, adding that PDP has learnt from its past mistakes.

  • AfCFTA must be free and fair, Buhari insists

    …Adeosun elected Afreximbank Chairman

    Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun has been elected Chairman of the board of Africa Export Import bank (Afreximbank).

    Adeosun was elected chairman on Saturday in Abuja at the bank’s Annual General Meeting declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari. She will chair the bank for one year.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony of the AGM, President Muhammadu Buhari noted that Africa’s journey to prosperity “can only be achieved by supporting inclusive and sustainable projects. We must therefore continue to support Afreximbank to deliver on this mandate.”

    President Buhari as expected spoke on the much anticipated Nigeria’s signing of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) stating that, his administration will work towards a fair trade agreement with the rest of the continent.

    According to President Buhari, “significant progress has been made in these consultations. The team has met key stakeholders across our six geo-political zones. The responses have been diverse as would be expected. However, one clear message has emerged which is that any trade agreement must be both “free’ and ‘fair’. This fairness is achievable and we will work towards it.”

    He noted that “no nation can survive on its own. Trading is important and the terms of trade are important. Therefore, there is a need to ensure our national interests as well as our regional and international obligations are balanced.”

    His administration he added “has adopted a policy of inclusive economic growth and is determined to attain this by reducing our over reliance on crude oil. To date, we have invested aggressively in infrastructure to support our growth potential in agriculture and solid minerals. We are alsoempowering many Nigerian entrepreneurs in the entertainment and digital economies to mention a few.”

    Government he said will stand to enable those who can help themselves “but is equally committed to supporting those who can’t.” A decision that has forced the government to introduced “our Social Investment Program which is changing lives through, school feeding, conditional cash transfers and youth employment, among others.”

    Read Also: Buhari condoles with Japan over deaths

    Buhari informed the international gathering that “Nigeria has a very unique and important role to play. We are a vast nation of nearly 200 million people, with diversity of language, culture, natural endowments and aspirations. However what we all have in common is that at all levels, Nigeria is a trading nation.”

    The highlight of the day’s activities was the combined signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Afreximbank and Nigeria’s Bank of Industry (BoI) and Dangote group to finance his refinery valued at $750 million and $650 million respectively.

    Addressing the gathering, Afreximbank President, Dr. Benedict Oramah disclosed that Afreximbank has created a specialized institution, a fully owned subsidiary called the ‘’Fund for Africa’s Export Development” (FUNFED)”.

    The objective of the fund he said “is to contribute towards expanding the share of manufactured and service exports in Africa’s total exports by attracting appropriate FDI flows into those dynamic sectors.”

    Afreximbank’s initial investment commitment in the FUND amounts to US$100 million which is expected to attract additional investments to bring funds under management to US$1 billion in the near term.

    Speaking on the bank’s financial performance for the year end, 2017, Oramah stated that “revenues grew strongly by 25 percent to US$645 million, driven by healthy interest income on average assets of about US$14 billion, of which about 70% were loans and advances.”

    Net income as a result rose by 34 percent to reach a new record high of US$220 million.

    Oramah noted that “despite the fact that loans dropped by 18% at year- end following the repayment of about 3.2 billion in Countercyclical Trade Liquidity Facility loans, that fell due in December, Non-performing loans ratio only rose marginally from 2.4 percent to 2.5 percent.”

    The strong capital injection and internal capital generation ensured that the Bank ended the financial year with Shareholders’ Funds rising by 31% to US$2.1 billion, bringing combined shareholders’ fund and contingent capital to close to US$3 billion, up by 33% from 2016; Capital Adequacy ratio was at 26%, compared to 23% in 2017.

    Liquidity he told shareholders “was very strong with cash and due from banks reaching US$3.2 billion, up 153% from US$1.3 billion in 2016. Liquidity cover ratio was very strong at 185%, above our target of 105%. Access to debt markets was quite diversified with African sources of liquidity maintaining their importance in 2017 in line with our strategic goals.”

    Based on the very good performance, the Board of Afreximbank recommended a dividend payment amounting to a dividend yield of 5% fully paid shares.

  • Buhari visits The Netherlands

    President Muhammadu Buhari will on Sunday, July 15, 2018, depart for the Netherlands to participate in activities to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), at The Hague.

    A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said that President Buhari is the only world leader invited to deliver a keynote address during the Solemn Hearing to commemorate the anniversary at Courtroom 1 of the ICC’s Headquarters at The Hague.

    In buttressing Nigeria’s commitment as a member of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC, the President, as the current anti-corruption champion for the African Union, will use the global platform to reaffirm Nigeria’s support to the fundamental values of the Rome Statute and to the ideals of the ICC.

    He will also highlight his administration’s campaign against corruption in Nigeria.

    After the event at the Courtroom, the President will have a bilateral meeting with the ICC Prosecutor, Ms Fatou Bensouda.

    President Buhari will attend a dinner hosted by Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, the President of the ICC who is a Nigerian.

    The Nigerian leader, while in The Hague, will meet with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, to discuss bilateral issues such as migration, peace and security, and economic cooperation.

    Read Also: ADP pulls out coalition against Buhari

    The President and his delegation will have a separate roundtable with some Dutch Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of companies based in Nigeria with a view to urging them to expand their investments, especially in agriculture, oil and gas in Nigeria.

    President Buhari will also tour the Port of Rotterdam and Shell refinery Pernis, Hoogvliet.

    On the margins of the President’s visit, Nigeria and the Netherlands will sign a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral consultations.

    President Buhari’s delegation to the Netherlands will include Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State; Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.

    Others are the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh; the Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar; the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Maikanti Baru; and the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman.

  • ADP pulls out coalition against Buhari

    …Says we don’t want to honour with those who destroyed Nigeria

    The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has joined the growing list of political parties that have pulled out of the PDP led coalition of political parties ganging up to wrest power from President Muhammadu Buhari led APC government in 2019, saying it does not want to parley with those who destroyed the country in the first place.

    The ADP said it was never part of the arrangement In the first place as it was not in a hurry to hobnob with those who mismanaged Nigeria for sixteen years and now regrouping in an un-strategic haste to resume unprecedented loot of the nation’s treasury, the Alliance for New Nigeria said they will not be part of any alliance that will take “the country back to Egypt “.

    National Chairman of the Action Democratic Party, Engr. Yabagi Sani said at a news conference that the party was the third force that Nigerians have been waiting for to take over power from both the PDP and the APC and provide the credible alternative to end killings, hunger and executive lawlessness.

    He said: “You will recall that on the 9th July, 2018, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in conjunction with about 34 other Political Parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to field a common Presidential Candidate for the 2019 general elections. The Parties are also to collaborate in several other areas to ensure that the APC-led Federal Government is defeated in the impending elections.

    “Let me say here for the avoidance of doubt that we are not part of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP). ADP is the third force that will provide the Credible Alternative Nigerians passionately yearn for to end hunger, wanton killings and executive lawlessness.

    Read Also:  Bus conductors back Buhari’s re-election

    “At our inception in June 2017, we proclaimed to Nigerians that ADP is a child of necessity that will deepen democracy and good governance to establish the credible political platform that will rescue the country from the imminent collapse of the political space.

    “We also promised that ADP will introduce a corruption free leadership selection process that will create a new leadership class with commitment, focus and force of will to rebuild the Country after the damage done by PDP and APC.

    “We vowed that we would provide an All-inclusive Governance Model that would mobilize and unite all Nigerians to build a new nation.

    “It is incontrovertible that the PDP and APC are two sides of the same coin. For sixteen years, PDP ruled this country with impunity and without regard to the universally accepted norms of democracy. Stealing, misappropriation and all forms of corruption became parts of the state policy.

    “ADP is not prepared to jettison its values and constitutional provisions like the use of direct primaries as against the often used corrupt delegate system by the other parties in the Coalition.

    “ADP is also not in a hurry to hobnob with those who mismanaged Nigeria for sixteen years and now regrouping in an un-strategic haste to resume unprecedented loot of the nation’s treasury.

    “It is important to know that those who pushed Nigeria to the precipice are the drivers of the Coalition and have nothing new to offer. To collaborate with them, is to sleep with strange bedfellows.

    “The ADP is not averse to any political Coalition that can bring about a positive overhaul of the Nigerian system. But this shall be done with true patriots who are not a part of the Nigerian problem.

    “In the desire to acquire power, we shall not compromise the basic principles and ideology that informed our birth which includes All-inclusiveness, Democratic Empowerment of the Youth/Women and Party Supremacy.

    “We find it extremely difficult to compromise our principles and align with ‘ANYTHING BUT BUHARI.’ Let it be known that for us, it is not negotiable that Buhari must go. He has failed and those who love him should tell him that his time is up.

    “At ADP, we believe the time has come for a generational shift in leadership and not putting old wines in new bottles, which are what the PDP led coalition represents.

    “It is instructive to remember that it was a similar ragtag coalition that brought the rudderless APC to power in 2015, so Nigerians must wake up and resist another deceit by the same desperate and corrupt politicians.

    “We are committed to the birth of a new Nigeria that offers hope to all. We shall pursue policies that will ensure transformation in Health, Education, Infrastructure, Security, Employment etc. What Nigeria needs is a new direction championed by true patriots. ADP is determined to drive this process.

    “We shall be calling on like-minded Patriotic, God fearing and credible Nigerians who are determined to join the ADP led coalition to rebuild Nigeria and make our nation the pride of Africa, fulfilling its God given potentials, purpose, and promise of happiness.”

  • Youths sue for peace, demand more political roles

    A group, The New Nigeria Youth Movement, aka Youth Movement for Better Nigeria, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to overhaul the security architecture owing to the wanton of killings across the nation.

    Its president, Comrade Folarin Adekanbi, told reporters in Lagos that Nigerians must work collectively to guarantee peace in the nation.

    Lamenting the massive loss of lives and property over Boko Harm insurgency and herdsmen killings, Adekanbi said the attacks on defenseless communities and villagers were barbaric.

    He warned the situation could degenerate into an ethno-religious war if not checked.

    “Any act of abuse of a right of any citizen of the country is condemnable and unacceptable irrespective of the class, creed or religious divide of the perpetrator, as it contradicts the provisions of the laws of the land.

    “We have to be careful so that we don’t plunge the nation into a war with ethnic and religious colouration that would be difficult to end,” he stressed.

    He urged the army and other security agencies to be more professional in engagements with civil populace to avoid tarnishing their image before the international community.

    He noted the police in recent times have come under bad light for the incessant harassment of innocent citizens, advising concerned authorities to checkmate these excesses to improve relations with Nigerians.

    Publicity Secretary of the group, Festus Akinrinde, canvassed for more inclusion of youths in political decision- making, noting youths are not just good in entertainment and sports but will also do wonders if given the opportunity in politics.

  • Buhari seeks stronger partnership with banks to improve infrastructure

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja called for stronger partnership with lending banks to reduce the nation’s infrastructure deficit.

    He also assured of his administration’s full commitment to implement all agreements.

    The President spoke while receiving the Board of African Export and Import Bank, AFREXIM, led by Dr Benedict Okey, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said the Federal Government will keep “knocking on the doors’’ of the banks to participate more in building infrastructure and developing the real sector.

    “We are grateful for the much you are doing for us, but we will continue to knock on your doors for more and more as we strive to overcome our infrastructure deficit.

    Read Also: NLNG: Buhari congratulates stakeholders

    “We realise that we do need money to fix the appalling state of infrastructure we met; to do roads, railways, power and communications – a sector now mostly in private hands which is doing very well.

    “Don’t be tired of us. We will be coming to you again and again.  Please accommodate us,’’ the President told the Board of AFREXIM.” he said

    President Buhari said the nation already faces a challenge of fixing and putting in place long delayed infrastructure and will need strong partnerships for quick and better results.

    The President said it was an honour for Nigeria to host AFREXIM’s Annual General Meeting and 25thAnniversary in Abuja.

    In his remarks, the President and Chairman of AFREXIM Board of Directors, Dr. Oramah expressed satisfaction with the support of the Nigerian government in the operations of the bank, noting that the bank’s confidence in Nigeria justifies the huge loans it had granted to the country.

    He said the 20,000 participants attending the Annual General Meeting had already expressed their satisfaction with the quality of arrangements for the event, which includes security.

  • ‘Buhari’s re-election in 2019 certain’

    The former Deputy National President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Issa Aremu and the Kwara state Coordinator of the Buhari Campaign Organization (BCO) Abubakar Suleiman on Thursday said that the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election in 2019 general election is certain

    Aremu, a member of the Buhari campaign team added that what Nigeria needs at this time is coalition of all patriots for national development not just for power grabbing sake.

    Aremu said this in Ilorin during the official opening of the BCO secretariat, the Kwara State capital.

    Comrade Aremu chronicled various landmark achievements of President Buhari from 2015 up till date.

    Read Also: Buhari commissions Abuja light rail

    He said that Buhari had surpassed his predecessors in terms of quality service delivery.

    He described President Buhari as a labour friendly leader who thought outside the box by providing bailout in three consecutive times including Paris fund to all state governors for the payment of the backlog of their workers’ salaries.

    He said that the initiative was first of its kind in the history of the country.

    Aremu also commended the President Buhari for setting up Minimum wage Committee tobreview the N18, 000 minimum wages.

    He hinted that negotiations are ongoing and expressed confidence that the committee will come up with a good package for Nigerian worjers soon.

    Aremu noted that the President’s seal commitment in fighting corruption is encouraging and worthwhile adding that corruption is an extraordinary situation which requires extraordinary action the exact way President Buhari is handling it the country.

    Alhaji Sulaiman noted that 99 percent of Kwarans are behind the re-election of president Muhammadu Buhari in the forthcoming general elections in 2019.