The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Federal Medical Centre Keffi gets new CMD

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Dr. Yahaya Baba Adamu, as the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Federal Medical Centre Keffi, Nasarawa State, it was learnt.

    Dr. Adamu’s appointment is a four year term.

    In a statement signed by Mr. Olajide Oshundun, Assistant Director, Media and Publicity, Ministry of Health, the appointment is with effect from May 7th 2018.

    Read Also: FMC Keffi records three suspected cases of Lassa fever

    The Minister of State, Health, Dr. Osagie Ehinare, according to the statement  also charged the new CMD on the need to work harder to ensure that the hospital continued to provide quality healthcare but strive to improve on the past achievements and leave his mark on the annals of the institution.

    Ehanire in his congratulatory remark further advised the new MD to justify the confidence reposed on him by working with all stakeholders to ensure industrial harmony in the sector and in support of Mr. President’s Change Agenda.

  • Disregard call for sack of service chiefs, group urges Buhari

    The National Committee of Yoruba Youth has urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to disregard the calls being made in some quarters, for the sack of the nation’s Service Chief over increasing violence being witnessed in some part of the country.

    The group said it based his position, on the politicization of the violence being witnessed in some parts of the country, whereas, “people who are supposed to work with government and the affected communities, as stakeholders, have resorted into making political gains, out of these unfortunate incidences that has led to the loss of lives on many Nigerians and properties.” The group further said it sees these calls, “as a serious attempt at demoralizing the nation’s armed forces, who are currently engaged in tackling series of insurgencies and internal security challenges, many of which are politically motivated, by some self serving politicians and their sympathisers”

    The group’s position is contained in a statement issued and signed on its behalf in Ibadan on Tuesday, by its President, Comrade Odeyemi Oladimeji.

    “We are really dismayed, over the inability of these persons, who are desperate about making political gains through the present situation, and are spearheading the call for the sack of the service chiefs, to acknowledge the efforts and landmark achievements, that have been made by the Nigerian military in the fight against insurgency, and other form of banditry across the nation, over the past few months.”

    “As patriotic Nigerians, we have observed the series of a well-funded and politically orchestrated falsehood and campaign of calumny against our Military especially the Nigerian Army from some politicians and self serving individuals. While it is an open secret that some unpatriotic politicians, are behind the recruitment and arming of these various ethnic militias terrorising our various communities. We also strongly condemn the attempt to politicise our nation’s security and the patriotism and selflessness of our service chiefs and their personel.” the statement added

    The group thereby urged President Buhari and Nigerians , to ignore the calls, while also urging Nigerians to support the nation’s security agencies, in tackling the ugly trend of violence presently being witnessed in some parts of the country. It also urged the Federal government to improve its financial obligations to the nation’s armed forces, in order to improve their capacity, towards effectively tackling the unfortunate crisis, being witnessed in some parts of the Country.

  • Presidency blames insecurity, killings on politicians

    Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, has attributed insecurity and killings in the country to corrupt politicians.

    He said that the politicians involved were those who no longer had access loot public treasury.

    Shehu, who stated this on Monday in Abuja while speaking with newsmen, said that such politicians were bent on taking the shine out of the Buhari-led administration.

    “The competition for power has become fiercer because the stakes are very high,” he said.

    According to Shehu, Buhari is being attacked especially because he has unleashed on the country, a war against corruption.

    This, he said, had never been so in the country as access to public treasury for looting had been blocked to some persons.

    The aide, however, said that the president was lucky because he had a judiciary which was transforming itself and was on the same page with him in fighting corruption.

    “As I speak to you now, two former state governors are in jail; a lot of people thought that this war against corruption is a joke and that the back-and-forth that had characterized this over time, will continue.

    “One of the two cases was determined after 11 years of back-and-forth between lawyers and Judges, kicking the ball from this court to that court.

    Read Also: Buhari’s speech at the signing of 2018 budget into law

    “A lot of these harsh attacks against the president are coming from people who had become used to life style they cannot sustain.

    “On record, there were people in this country, because they are influential, they had permanent suite in major hotels in Abuja where they leave lavishly at public expense.

    “And, when they are leaving, they are accompanied with bags of Ghana-Must-Go,” he said.

    Shehu added that the president had blocked access to national resources for lazy people, politicians, especially those who were fighting back, because they were not happy.

    He said that the Buhari-led Federal Government was building infrastructure across the country.

    According to him, there is no state in the country where a minimum of two federal roads are not being newly constructed or reconstructed.

    “We have more electricity that cannot be consumed, 2,000 megawatts of electricity that nobody is taking.

    “By the year ending, we are going to hit 10,000 megawatts from the 2,600 that we inherited,” he said, adding that government’s problem was how to sale and distribute electricity to those who needed it.

    The president’s aide noted that those criticising Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not give up as 2019 elections drew closer.

    “They will continue to fight the president, but the happiness we have is that ordinary low-level Nigerians understand the huge conspiracy.

    “Nigerians are with the president, the elite are going to places – America and the United Kingdom – and they are clicking in posh homes in Abuja, Lagos and some major cities in the country.

    “They are trying to thwart the goodwill of the president towards the people.

    “But, this economy is being re-built; more foreign investment is coming, more infrastructure is being given to Nigerians and even the security infrastructure which had suffered neglect over the years is being given priority,” he said.

    Shehu added that if those attacking the president had done what they ought to have done by equipping and training the military, things would have been different.

    He maintained that no government in the past was doing as much for the military and the police as the current administration.

    He said the Federal Government was putting in place infrastructure in the prisons and the EFCC that people may think that it was lavishing much money on the institutions.

    Shehu also said that the government was putting in place world-class infrastructure for Nigerians, and the government understood that its detractors wanted to take away attention from it.

    He reaffirmed that the government would continue to stay on the message and on course, no matter the distraction.

    He expressed optimism that the APC would not only win the presidency in 2019, but would win more states, especially in the South-East.

     

    NAN

  • Buhari inaugurates N300m ecological project in Bauchi

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday inaugurated an ecological project in Bauchi, executed at the cost of N300 million.

    Buhari was represented by the Minister of State for Industries, Trade and Investment, Hajiya Amina Abubakar.

    He said that the project was one of the 26 intervention projects approved by the Federal Government for the second quarter of 2017.

    ‘‘The project is in keeping faith with the present administration’s promise that no part of the country will suffer any neglect owing to its geographical location or political consideration.

    ‘‘The completion of this project further demonstrates commitment by my administration to addressing problems confronting various communities across the country.

    ‘‘This intervention has finally put paid to the fears of the perennial flooding and its threat to the peace of mind of the people surrounding the hospital and communities,’’ Buhari noted.

    The President, therefore, implored the state government and the communities to cherish the project and protect it from vandalism.

    Read Also: Buhari to Security Chiefs: Nigerians lives, property must be protected

    ‘‘It is the responsibility of the communities to own and maintain the project to ensure its sustainability.

    ‘‘I appreciate the commitment of the state government and people of the state for a rancour free environment during the execution of the project,’’ he said.

    Dr Mohammed Alkali,  Chief Medical Director, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, said the project had brought relief to the hospital community.

    ‘‘I can still remember 27 years ago when I was working as a junior doctor and when it rained I cannot get out of my house.

    ‘‘The same situation has been there up to last year, when it rained all the doctors will excuse me because all their houses were submerged.

    ‘‘With this project, everything has changed, so I believe this is something that we cannot forget easily,’’ Alkali said.

    He commended President Buhari for the gesture saying it would assist in saving lives and property.

    ‘‘The project is beyond providing buildings and structures to the hospital.

    ‘‘Even the land we allocated to the university for the College of Medical Sciences is now being developed as the result of this single project,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Killings: Gowon wants Buhari to deal with culprits

    Former military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to identify arrest and deal with the culprits responsible for the various killings across the country perpetrated by suspected bandits and herdsmen.

    General Gowon, who was speaking while in Katsina State for a 2-day North West zone Nigeria Prays event, also called on government to bring justice to all those affected by the incidence. He said Nigerians needed to come together and condemn all forms of animosity among her citizens, including bloodletting, clashes, and hate speech.

    The former Nigerian leader further observed that if it were not for God’s mercy, the country would have been plunged into crises as result of the killings, as orchestrated recently in Plateau state where more than 100 people lost their lives.

    Read Also: Gowon, ouster and corruption

    He maintained that the Nigeria Prays project is aimed at praying for the peace, prosperity and security of the country, adding that prayers were able to solve problems faster than what generals and solders were able to do with weapons of war.

    He said “We are gathered in the true spirit of worship to intercede fervently for our dear nation for God’s intervention in our affairs, particularly social, political and economic, and to douse hatred and animosity amongst our citizens’’.

    “If not for God’s abundant mercy and grace, the nation would have been plunged into another round of crises’’.

    “Let us be assured that our prayers are not in vain. I can say this with every authority that prayer can solve problems better and faster than generals and soldiers can do with physical weapons of war’’.

    “I have no doubt in my heart that God will honor our collective prayers and intercession for our nation and heal our nation of insecurity.”

    “We however call on the authorities to deal with culprits and bring justice to the grieved. We must rise to condemn needles bloodletting and clashes, hate speeches and all manner of evil,”

    The event, which lasted for two days, is expected to be held in other parts of the country in the coming months.

  • Stop pretending, everything is wrong with Nigeria – Tambuwal to leaders

    Sokoto state Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state on Saturday voiced out, urging leaders at all levels to accept responsibility rather than continue to pretend that all was well with our nation.

    According to him, “everything is wrong with our nation and we must as a matter of urgency rise to the challenges.”

    Similarly, while commenting on security situation resulting to the incessant killings in the country, Tambuwal said it has justified their calls for state police.

    According to him, state Governors have to evolve and be allowed some measures of control of security personnel in their respective states.

    The APC governor however, frowned at and described it as unacceptable that a Governor would call the Commissioner of police over an important security issue but his call would be ignored.

    “Whether we like it or not there is seeming justification for state police and there is seeming justification for state government to have some measures of control over security personnel. You call police Commissioner and that call is ignored is unfortunate and unacceptable,” he said

    Read Also: Tambuwal seeks lasting peace in Zamfara

    Tambuwal who spoke while declaring the National Executive Council meeting of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) open in Sokoto also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to do something about the serving chiefs and their mode of operations.

    “Because providing security rely squarely on government, particularly, federal government. We must call a spade by its name. The President has to do the needful. We have qualified people who can bring fresh ideas,” he said

    The Governor however, cautioned journalists against writing things that would further worsen the current security situation in the country.

    “Because the situation in the country calls for caution,” he said

    In his remarks, the national President of NUJ, Abdulwaheed Odusile said traditional and past leaders should desist from fanning the ember of hatred in the country.

    “They should mind what the say and media should also be mindful of what they write,” he cautioned.

    He urges Nigerians to learn to live in peace with one another and not to resort to violence in settling their differences.

    Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko who was represented at the event by Isa Galadanchi admonished media practioners to see their profession as a sacred duty between them and God, hence they should shun bias and unprofessional conduct capable of causing disunity in the nation.

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  • 2019: Youths commence moves to unseat Buhari

    … Says “We will unveil youths’ candidate in Abuja soon”

     

    Despite the plea by President Muhammadu Buhari while signing the ‘Not Too Young to Run’ bill, on Nigerian youths not to contest presidential race against him, youths have commenced move to unseat the President come 2019.

    The youths however said, they were set to mobilise young Nigerian to actualise ‘young President’ in 2019 and make a national declaration in Abuja to unveil their Presidential candidate for 2019 and fresh people in all positions of power.

    Nigerian youths under the auspices of Intellectual Revolution Group (IRG) made this declaration at Arewa House, Kaduna on Saturday while inaugurating its state executives and zonal leadership for the North West zone.

    Inaugurating the zonal executive, the National Coordinator of IRG, Salaudeen Lukman said, 2019 must usher in ‘Young President’ with proven record of purpose and determination, adding that “old age politician who have milked our dear nation dry must go to rest and assume advisers role. Its a sin to rule their generation and still be forcing themselves on our generation.

    “Our resolve includes mobilizing our teeming youth to form strong ideological political movement that will support ‘Young President’ come 2019.

    “We are aware of ‘First Force’, the Assembly of liars and deceivers, like wise the ‘Second Force’ the assembly of looters, suspects on trial for corruption and other criminal related matters, we equally believe that the newly formulated ‘Third Force’ is a gathering of aggrieved First and Second Force, expired political elites who are desperate to kajole Nigerians again to smuggle themselves into power.

    “Therefore, we rise to appear as ‘Fresh Force’ with total commitment to birth A New Nigeria. We declare recycling of politicians on position of power unacceptable hence we call for its end.

    “Today we have just inaugurated all state executives for the North West States and the zonal leadership, we shall replicate same for other five zones and continue to mobilise young Nigerian to actualise ‘Young President’ come 2019 with national declaration soonest in Abuja to unveil our Presidential candidate for 2019 and fresh people in all positions of power.

    Read Also: Youths protest marginalization in Ondo

    The youths leader continued when he said that, “The rating of our dear nation as poorest in the world and incessant killing of innocent citizens by terrorist boko haram and Fulani herdsmen, massive looting of our common wealth and misplacement of our priority is a pointer to note the failure of government of old generation in old Nigeria from their primary responsibility .

    “We have observed in the recent the coalition of old retired military personnel who are imposing themselves on Nigerians under the guise of repentant democrats to rule us by force again even when they lack innovative programmes and idea to improve our dear citizenry’s living standard.

    “This necessitates our rise as young Nigerians with passion to make Nigeria work again by taking the bull by the horn and champion the course for New Nigeria.

    “The new Nigeria of our dream is a great united Nation where Justice, equity, transparency, rule of law and prosperity for all irrespective of religion, tribe or background will be hallmark. We believe it is achievable with commitment of all young Nigerians to this New Nigeria project.

    “We are sincerely worried with level of decay in our education, poor economy, obsolete infrastructures, arrogant disobedience of court orders, disrespect for rule of law, unstable power supply, nepotism and favoritism characterized in our dear nation day to day activities of government, the increased in crime rate and uncontrollable rise in number of out of school children including *almajiris* call for holistic rescue of our future.

    “It is unfortunate that people who enjoyed free and qualitative education with standard infrastructures in Nigeria those days are the one making education unaffordable for us today.

    “We have resolved to step up beyond social media rants, nagging and complains every time, hence we resolved to get to work in the spirit of way forward to take full control of our future, we hereby commence the Run For a New Nigeria”, Lukman said.

    The Zonal and state executives however took oath office and were given mandate to go and mobilise youths in their thousands from their respective state for their new course.

  • FG to review 500% tarrif on local alcoholic beverages to save jobs

    The Federal government is set to review the recently imposed 500 percent tariff on locally produced alcoholic beverages in other to save about 200,000 workers in the sector from being thrown into the Labour market.

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige who disclosed this at a meeting with members of the National Union of Food, Beverage and Tobacco Joint Employers and Workers Association said President Muhammadu Buhari will ask the Minister of Finance and the economic management team to review the tariff.

    He said the country cannot afford to create poverty and job losses here while promoting abundant jobs in other countries, adding that job losses are not part of this government and will not support the 500% tariff increase.

    He said “You have written to the Federal Government through me that the increase in excise duty on alcohol and beverages will create job losses because once you add a new cost and pass it on, there will be consumer resistance, resulting in low patronage whereas the products coming from overseas that are being smuggled in which are cheap, will take over the market. It is a statement of fact.”

    “I have passed your complaints and luckily we have a listening President who wants the good of all Nigerians. He will definitely ask the Minister of Finance and the economic management team to review the tariff. We cannot afford to create poverty and job losses here while promoting abundant jobs in other countries. Job losses are not part of this government and will not support the 500% tariff increase.  ”

    The Minister said the Economic and Recovery Growth Plan (ELGP) of the Federal Government was partly tailored towards job creation rather than losses, saying that the Executive Order No. 1 and 4 was for job creation as well as ensuring that jobs created were done by the locals.

    He stressed that the cardinal place job creation and protection occupy informed the administration’s fidelity to non-declaration of redundancy in the Federal Ministries and Agencies, hence no retrenchment of workers.

    Read Also: Buhari approves new excise duty rates for alcoholic beverages, tobacco

    “This is not to say that we don’t know that in some places available jobs have more than available staff members to match them but this is a compassionate administration. The President does not want to throw many families into anguish. The President always said that he was a salary earner in all his working life.

    “You can also see that we did not place an embargo on recruitment as we used to have years ago even while we were under recession. The Federal Government has been replacing staff members who exited as well as creating new jobs in the public sector. But this has to be complemented with the private sector jobs to have a full blend.”

    He also spoke of the resolve of the President to the policy of non-retrenchment made him further push the policy down to the states through Federal Economic Council to ensure that no worker is sack at any level of the Federation, “otherwise some of the Governors who can’t pay salaries would have retrenched by now. He has also followed it up with various bail-out funds, Paris Club Refund e.t.c to the state governments.”

    Further buttressing the commitment of the Federal Government to the welfare of workers, the Minister referred to the staff housing programme for workers being operated by the office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, under the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) as well as other housing programmes meant to provide cheap houses to Nigerian workers.

    The Minister, therefore, said, “The Federal Government who has this level of commitment to the upliftment of the Nigerian workers cannot resort to any measure that can trigger job losses. We will certainly not commit to any policy that will make us lose two hundred thousand jobs.”

    He further assured the delegation that the Federal Government through the Custom and Excise Department was working round the clock to tame the activities of smugglers so as to save local industries.

    Acting General Secretary of the Union Com. Mike Olarenwaju, said the 500% tariff increase by the Ministry of Finance on their products was counter-productive as the measure was an assured destruction of the sector, adding that if allowed p, It will kill investments, it is already creating palpable fear in the operators, jobs losses is looming while imported products will displace local goods for reasons of smuggling and cheapness”.

    He, therefore, explained they were on SOS to the Hon. Minister to save the sector from going the way of the textile industry as well as prevent the loss of about 200, 000 jobs with the attendant economic and social consequences.

    “We have run to you as our last hope. Your antecedent in protecting the cause of the workers, that you have zero tolerance for anything that hurts the workforce is source of our confidence that the 500% tariff on our products, which spells doom for the sector will be looked into by the government.

    They further raised fears on the displacement of workers by the creeping automation regime in the industries to which the Minister assured that the demerits of new technology will be modulated by policy of compliance to Corporate Social Responsibility Policy in order to give jobs to the locals where the industries are sited.

  • I’ll miss my mother greatly – Tunde Bakare

     

    …as Tinubu, Aregbesola, Amosun, Dangote bid pastor’s mum final good bye

     

    Pastor Tunde Bakare on Saturday bid his mother, Abigail Eebudola Bakare, final good bye to meet her creator, lamenting that he would “definitely miss her greatly.”

    Madam Eebudola Bakare died in his son’s Lagos residence on last May 5 and was interred at the family house in Sodeke area of Abeokuta by Saturday noon. She was aged  108. 

    Bakare who likened his mother’s exit to a bodily part of him separating, said until her death, “she carried a heavy load of intercession,”  for him, adding that she was also a great “cook.”

    The Senior Pastor of Latter Rain Assembly and running mate of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2011 Presidential election, made this known in his remarks during the funeral service for the centenarian at the Victory Life Bible Church, Ajebo road, Abeokuta,  where she worshiped regularly in her life time.

    Joining Bakare at the funeral service to bid her mother a final farewell, are eminent Nigerians including the All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Chairman, Dangote Group, Alh. Aliko Dangote, Aremo Segun Osoba, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Femi Otedola, Finance Minister, Mrs Kemi Adeosun who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu among others.

    The Convener of Save Nigeria recalled that her mum had predicted that people from all walks of life would converge to bury her and expressed the joy that the prediction actually came to pass.

    “She predicted that people from every corner of the world would come to bury her. I’m so grateful because we are gave her a befitting burial. She is irreplaceable for ever. I will continue to cherish her memory for ever. My mother’s exit was glorious,” Bakare said.

    Read Also: Tunde Bakare urges FG to restructure Nigeria

     To keep the memory of her mum alive, he said he had written a book in her honour entitled :”The woman who saw the valuable future,” which he added, would be launched on October 28, 2018 and given out to people free.

    According to him, the book contains valuable lessons the mother taught him which made him the person he is today. 

    In his sermon, the officiating minister Apostle Lawrence Achudume, drew inspiration the book Nehemiah 13: 10- 14, 29 – 30, he said no matter how long one lived, one would definitely leave the world one day.

    The cleric who happened to be the founder of the Victory Life Bible Church, said what counts most would be what such a person would be remembered for.

    Reliving his interactions with late Eebudola, who was an elder in the church, Achudume noted that after her passing, it is all stories of her worthy deeds to humanity.

    He said: “In life no matter how long you lived, you will  definitely leave this world one be you President, be you governor or where you find yourself, one day your own trumpet will sound and you will go to give account of yourself. 

    “So, no matter what position one finds oneself, one must learn to do good. Mama was a mother indeed. Today, we are celebrating her. Mama conquered death, she was so loving and wish every woman and man will be as caring as Mama. 

    “You don’t visit Mama without eating and when she gives you food, you must finish it. She paid her tithe and offering regularly. To show that Mama conquered death, she bought all her burial accessories like gown, hand gloves beforehand and even chose a particular spot in the family compound where she wanted her remains interred.”

  • Group lauds Buhari over APC convention

    A group, Buhari/Osinbajo Continuity Group (BOCOG) has lauded the conduct of the last week Saturday convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.

    It hailed President Muhammadu Buhari, immediate past National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie Oyegun and the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Other leaders of the party, including the National Convention Committee chairman,the Jigawa State Governor Abubakar Badaru and his Deputy, the Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu were also appreciated for their effort towardst the successful convention.

    In a statement by its Director of Communications Steve Bayode, the group described the emergence of Adam Oshiomhole as a round peg in a round hole.

    According to the group, “Our leaders, President Muhammadu Buhari, his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief John Odigie -Oyegun and others shocked the enemies of our party by the peaceful conduct of the national convention last Saturday and the acceptable outcome.

    Read Also: Buhari: Lagos fire shocking

    “The opposition was expecting the convention to cause irreparable implosion just like their experience in 2014 and ever since have not been able to put their house in order.

    “We believe that the need of the convention is aimed at fortifying the stronghold of our party across the nation.

    “We in BOCOG believed that all stakeholders saw this purposeful drive and ensured peaceful conduct and acceptance of the outcome.

    “We, however, urged our new National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to hit the ground running by embracing everyone and work assiduously to bring more people on board our party towards 2019.

    “We in BOCOG also suggest that Comrade Oshiomhole should move round the 36 states of the Federation to collate whatever challenges the party is facing in their respective states and work on how to surmount them with a view to strengthening our party to the grassroots.”