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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • KWAME: DECRIES SMALL DOCTOR’S INVITATION TO ASO VILLA

    Entertainment guru and owner of Nigezie, Femi Aderibigbe, aka Kwame, has slammed handlers of President Muhammadu Buhari for including hip hop sensation Small Doctor as part of the entourage that attended an Iftar (breaking of fast) at Aso Rock Villa, during the Ramadan.

    Kwame said on Facebook on Thursday that the ‘catch phrase’ in Small Doctor’s song, ‘Penalty’  is negatively influencing Nigerian youths.

    “Small Doctor, when he chanted “If you no get money, hide your face”, was simply echoing the “get rich or die trying” creed of some inner city youths trying to survive against all odds,” said Kwame.

    “I’m sure he meant no harm, but the subliminal nature of music has made it a dangerous tool that penetrates your subconscious mind without hindrance and recruits you without permission.

    “Davido echoing the chant in another hit song, helped push the message out of the streets and into elites’ vile. Now,  the message has resonated so well that even a big brand like Airtel has made it a campaign slogan for their data product without considering the negative effects on the psyche of its audience in a depressed economy,” he added.

    According to Kwame, Small Doctor was invited to Aso Villa, and also got photo opportunities with President Muhammadu Buhari, when there are thousands of young people who are better aligned with brand Buhari.

    “I love Small Doctor,” he said, adding: “I love the fact that another young man has been able to pull himself out of poverty and added value to himself and his family, but that’s not enough for me to keep quiet on this because our young people need to hear these words I’m about to write.

    “Henceforth, please tell your kids every day, tell your students in school, tell all our young people that if you don’t have integrity, hide your face! If you don’t have respect for others, hide your face! If you don’t value hard work and appreciate the dignity in honest labour, hide your face! If you don’t believe in processes and procedures and just jump around, hide your face! If you are not a true patriot, loyal, dependable and honest, hide your face! If you don’t love God and honor your parents, whether they deserve it or not, hide your face!

    If you can’t be trusted with anything, hide your face! If you rig elections and cheat in examinations, hide your face! If you make substandard products that kill and maim people, hide your face! If you loot our commonwealth and deny millions the welfare they deserve, hide your face! But if you no get money yet, celebrate your days of humble beginnings and understand that it can only get better! You are not less of a human being, there’s nothing to hide, you are much better in the eyes of God than all those flashing filthy money everywhere. Your best is yet to come, you are definitely on the right path, things may be a bit tough right now, but you will get there eventually! Don’t lose hope, don’t join the bandwagon. Stay strong and never give up,” he admonished.

  • Buhari greets Captain Joseph at 81

    President Muhammadu Buhari has warmly felicitated with the Chairman, Plateau State All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders Advisory Council, Captain Joseph Din (Rtd), as he turns 81 on June 30.

    The President joined the family, friends and associates of the elder statesman in congratulating the retired army officer as he marks another significant milestone in his life.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President commended the patriotism, commitment to justice, equity and integrity which Captain Din has brought to bear since his retirement from the army in 1971 on business pursuits and active politics.

    Read Also: Buhari to hold talks with Togolese President in Kastina

    The President is particularly pleased with the efforts of the founding member of the APC and his colleagues in the Elders Advisory Council to bring about lasting peace in Plateau State.

    He prayed God to grant the revered octogenarian continued good health and longer life of worthy service to his fatherland and humanity.

  • Plateau massacre: NANS condemns incessant killings, demands justice

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has condemned the recent killings in Plateau State in which Police confirmed 86 persons, including children dead on Sunday.

    A statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Abuja and signed by NANS Senate President, Mr Taiwo Bamigbade, urged the government to urgently arrest the situation.

    He expressed concern that brutal killing of human beings were becoming common in the country as value was no longer placed on human live.

    “NANS hereby condemns in totality the unceasing brutal killings of innocent citizens, including children, students and parents by suspected herdsmen in various parts of the country for selfish reasons.

    “Again, we state categorically that it is an aberration that since the heinous attacks began, no meaningful arrests and prosecutions have been recorded except to console the victims, which is the height of injustice and insensitivity.

    “To see helpless and innocent children and their parents massacred in cold blood as seen in Plateau State during the weekend is wicked and a great evil in the sight of God.”

    Read Also: U.S. condemns Plateau killings

    He, therefore, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to take urgent necessary measures to secure lives and properties, stressing that it was the primary purpose of government.

    Bamigbade, however, described the procurement of fighter helicopters by the Federal Government toward curtailing the menace of deadly attacks as a highly commendable proactive action.

    He also urged the president to rejig the security apparatus of the country for better results and demanded the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of the evil deeds.

    NANS Senate President further enjoined members of the public to always report any communal disputes and disagreements to security agencies for prompt action.

    He also urged all Nigerians to desist from hate speeches or playing dangerous politics.

    He charged the citizens to report community disputes to the Police rather than taking laws into their hands, to avoid retaliatory attacks.

    The Plateau Government has imposed dusk to dawn curfew on three communities of Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos South local government areas following the massive killings. 

    NAN

  • Buhari signs medical residency training bill into law

    President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the medical residency training bill 2018 into law.

    This was disclosed by the Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly matters, Ita Enang.

    According to him, the President also signed the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (Establishment, etc) (Amendment) Bill, 2018 into law.

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari, has assented to the Medical Residency Training Act, 2018.

    “This Law enacts and regulates the Medical Residency Training Programme for the training of

    Medical Practitioners and Dental Surgeons to be regulated and managed by the National Medical Post-graduate College of Nigeria.

    Read Also: Buhari to shake up security

    “This programme is for persons who possess the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB.BSc, MB. CH, B, BDS), or its equivalent, have gone through the NYSC programme with discharge or exemption Certificate, and possess professional indemnity Certificate from a reputable Insurance company, among others.

    “This Act is directed at assuring the quality and competence of Medical practice and practitioners in Nigeria through Statutory Medical Training Programmes to encourage Medical Tourism from other Countries to Nigeria and build further confidence in Nigeria Medical System” he said

    On the second bill signed, he said, “The Act, No. 7 of 2010 provides in section 2(a): That thirty percent (30%) of the Revenue generated by any Company or authority from the operation of any hydroelectric dams in any member state of the Commission shall be paid and credited to the Commission. The amendment Act just assented to has reduced same from thirty percent (30%) to ten percent (10%)

    “The amendment further fortifies the power of the Minister to issue policy directives as well as re-enforce statutory powers of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to regulate the Electricity Industry under the principal Act.

    “The amendment eliminates ambiguity in the Law and role conflict of the responsible Institutions as well as properly providing for the exercise of statutory powers of NERC which was established before now.” he stated

  • NASS leadership visits Buhari over Plateau killings

    The leadership of the National Assembly on Wednesday in Abuja, met with President Muhammadu Buhari over Plateau killings.

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, in a statement, signed by Dogara said that the visit was to discuss the steps to end killings and violence in Plateau and other parts of the country.

    Dogara said, “Today, the President of the Senate and Dr Bukola Saraki, met with President Muhammadu Buhari over the Plateau violence.
    “We requested for the meeting in order to hear from the president the stepsand measures he is taking to end the orgy of killings and violence, not only on the Plateau but also in other parts of the country.

    “The President briefed us on what he saw firsthand when he visited Plateaustate on Tuesday and the measures he is putting in place to forestall
    recurrence.

    “The President has taken enough steps and told us what he is doing, especially the reorganisation that he plans to put in place to ensure that this doesn’t happen again.

    “We also used the opportunity to advise the President on other measures and actions that will help bring lasting peace in our country.

    “This is in accordance with the resolutions passed at the joint emergency closed-door session of the National Assembly held some weeks ago.

    “These are very sober moments for all of us. In a situation where people in hundreds continued to be killed, we can no longer tolerate this kind of situation as a government.

    Read Also: 2018 Budget: NASS is Insensitive, Self-serving – IYC

    “We call on all relevant government agencies to quickly provide emergency relief services to people in the affected areas, ’’he said.

    Dogara said that the National Assembly would continue to work toward providing necessary legislative backing to the security agencies to tackle the prevailing security challenges in the country.

    “The House of Representatives and indeed, the National Assembly, will continue to work toward providing all necessary legislative backing to the security agencies more especially funding needed,“ he said.

    This Dogara said was necessary “to reform and equip our armed forces to tackle the prevailing security challenges confronting us as a
    nation.“
    “I am also restating my earlier call for a total reform and overhaul of our internal security architecture which has failed to address the spate of insecurity in the land.

    “I want to seize this opportunity to once again offer our condolences to families of victims of violence in Zamfara, Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Adamawa, Kaduna Nasarawa, Borno, Yobe and other places.

    “I urge our citizens to embrace peace without which there can be no meaningful development.

     

    NAN

  • ‘Government must stop killings’

    Pan-Igbo socio-cultural group, Igboekulie has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to address the orgy of killings in the country.

    The president of Igboekulie Prince Ben Onuora in a statement said last Saturday’s killings in Plateau State, where over 100 citizens were killed was condemnable.

    He said Nigerians were becoming hopeless on security

    He added:  “Our President cannot continue to do the same thing all over again and expect a different outcome. After each round of killings in Benue, Taraba, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Kogi, Enugu, Delta, Ondo and other places, Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari condemns the killings, promising to improve on the security of the nation.  These promises are hardly kept because nothing seems to change beyond the presidential commiseration.”

    The group said government’s failure to arrest and prosecute the killers and their collaborators was making the situation hopeless.

    “Igboekulie condemns in very strong terms the unabating massacre of innocent Nigerians by invading and rampaging herdsmen who appear to have immunity against arrest or prosecution.

    Read Also: Killings: Buhari to put more pressure on security chiefs

    “We also, condemn the unwholesome nonchalance of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the unprecedented loss of lives in the past three years.  An FGN that has successfully dealt with restive groups across Nigeria cannot suddenly be helpless, unless out of mischief, when it concerns the murderous herdsmen.

    “After three years of unrelenting bloodshed, it is time for the President, as Commander-in-Chief, to critically evaluate the performance of the security agencies and rejig same to reflect the diversity of the country in line with the federal character principle.

    “This nation is being brought to its knees daily with unprovoked violence by people who insist on illegally grazing their cattle on the farmlands of other Nigerians.  If this journey to anarchy is allowed to continue, no one is sure of how it would end.”

    “We call on all other socio-cultural groups to rise and condemn the spate of killings by the protected invaders against the weak in our society and the contrived helplessness of the FGN.  An injury to one is an injury to all.  If this madness is not halted, it could be the turn of your community tomorrow.”

  • Buhari commissions Rice Seedling Factory in Calabar

    President Muhammadu Buhari, Tuesday, commissioned the Cross River State seedlings and seed multiplication factory in Calabar which he described as people-oriented project.

    The President said the project was in line with his administration’s zero oil economic roadmap with Cross River Governor, Senator Ben Ayade becoming a reference point in that vision.

    His words: “When we assumed the rein of leadership of our dear country, our administration launched a zero-oil economic roadmap as a way of making our country less dependent on oil, while encouraging investments in other sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture.

    “I am happy that Governor Ayade keyed into that policy and has today become the reference point in our agricultural revolution effort.”

    While emphasising the significance of the event, President Buhari said: “That we are gathered here today is no doubt a determination woven through to precision and a glowing testament to the fact that the policy is working.”

    The President who lauded Ayade for the giant stride and for keying into his agricultural policy,  further noted that the factory spoke loudly about his administration’s strides in agriculture, adding that it’s capacity to produce high yield and disease resistant seeds, will aid in job creation and earn revenue for the state.

    Read Also: Ayade unveils theme for Carnival Calabar 2018

    “The factory, said to be the first in Africa, is an automated plant with a capacity to produce high yielding vitaminized and disease resistant rice seedlings,” Buhari said.

    On the impact of the seedlings factory on the economy, the President said: “Seedlings from this factory will improve rice yield from the current national average of 3 to 4 tons per hectare to about 9 to 10 tons per hectare, thus helping to ensure rice sufficiency in the country and doing away with import and saving foreign exchange for Nigeria.

    “Besides creating employment opportunities for the unemployed, I have no doubt that this rice factory will also be a veritable platform for income generation for Cross River.”

    Continuing, he said: “I am further told that the factory has the capacity to meet both foreign and domestic demands. This will go a long way in placing Nigeria on the global rice production map.”

    He directed relevant federal parastatals to partner with the state even as he hoped that the factory, alongside other agro-based industries being built by the state will inspire other leaders to key into his vision of ensuring food security for the country. “I therefore, enjoin relevant Federal Government Agencies such as the Ministry of Agriculture and the Central Bank of Nigeria, through its anchor borrower’s programme, to partner with Cross River in the area of supply of seedlings to our farmers.

    “With Governor Ayade’s other investments in agriculture such as the ongoing construction of an ultramodern rice mill in Ogoja, the cotton farm in Yala, the cocoa processing plant in Ikom and the Banana plantation in Odukpani, the feed mill and yellow maize farm in Obubra as well as the ultramodern poultry farm for export of frozen chicken amongst others, it is clear that Cross River has found a pathway to decouple itself from over reliance on federal allocation.

    “It is evident also that by conceiving projects such as this, Governor Ayade has a keen eye for tomorrow; focusing on projects that are building a new economic base for the state rather than projects with short term benefits for the purpose of making cheap political gains.

    “It is therefore, my hope and expectation that other states that are yet to fully take advantage of the zero-oil economic roadmap of the federal government will take a cue from Cross River State.

    “Once again, I commend Governor Ayade for this laudable initiative as our country makes steady and assured progress towards self-sufficiency in food production.”

    In his address, Governor Ayade said the state was aware of the President’s focus which inspired the decision to invest in agro-allied industries which include the cocoa processing industry, banana Plantation, soya bean, calapharm, Instant noodles, rice mill, among others.

    “These are all products of your discussion with me each time I have to meet with you and therefore, everything Cross River gives me and the entire people of Cross River credit,” Ayade said.

    Ayade subsequently called for a  standing ovation for the President,  a directive which he explained: “I say so because we have five million hectares of paddy soil in Nigeria, unfortunately, less than 1.7 million hectares of that used to be cultivated; but since you came in with your aggressive program on rice, the amount of cultivable land has grown to three million hectares and it is rising.

    He disclosed that the country used to spend about NGN460 billion importing rice and an additional NGN60 billion in December, which according to him, “has come down dramatically and saved the pressure on the naira, courtesy of your innovative thinking.”

    The governor posited that with the population statistics, Nigeria faces a “humongous challenge that can lead to absolute social disorder if you don’t take a deliberate step to ensure that we improve on the rice demand and rice supply chain.

    “It was against this background that we realise that we needed to do something very specific on rice cultivation.”

    Justifying the Modernization of rice production, Ayade argued that the old way of preserving rice seeds was outdated and counterproductive as the yield was always low, hence the need to go scientific in seed multiplication and preservation which made it “unacceptable for people to go into farming.”

    “We needed to change and bring agriculture into a digital age and nexux. It is against that background that Cross River State under my watch and based on your advice,  we focused on automated rice seed and seedling factory,” he said, adding: “We are just not stopping at providing seeds and seedlings, we have gone further to also set up the first vitaminised rice plant.”

    In a bid to bring optimal value for the rice produced, the governor said it will also serve as a raw material for the instant noodles factory being set up by the state government.

    On the challenges of financing the projects, Ayade said: “There is a new concept which is not just doing business with other people’s money, the new concept in Cross River now is called intellectual money. It is that intellectual money we have adopted to bring all these to reality.”

    Soliciting the support of the President, Ayade added that “We have done all we can, we can only pass it to the father of the country. This is your property, this is your product, this is a product of your intellectual acumen.”

    The president, accompanied by the governors of Kebbi, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, his Abia state counterpart, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu; deputy governor of Akwa Ibon State, Elder Moses Okon, the head of civil service of the federation, Mrs. Winnifred Oyo-Ita; Niger Delta Affairs minister, Mr. Usani Usani and his Transport counterpart, Rotimi Amarachi,  among others,  were then led on a tour of the complex by Governor Ayade amidst cheers from the large  crowd that poured out  to witness the historic occasion.

  • Oshiomhole takes over APC, says Party Supremacy will be paramount

    Wants Obasanjo to refund $16billion spent on power

    The new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole on Tuesday assumed office at the APC national secretariat with a strong commitment to deepen the principles of internal democracy and party supremacy, saying all organs of the party must learn to respect decisions arrived at meetings of the various organs of the party which must be made functional.

    Oshiomhole took over the leadership of the party from the former Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun at about 2.45 said even the President can be accused of anti-party activities if he deviate from implementing decision taken by the National Executive Committee which he is part of.

    Oshiomhole who spoke for almost 40 minutes also wonder why President Muhammadu Buhari has not demanded former President Olusegun Obasanjo to return the 16 billion dollars spent by his government on power which did not yield results.

    In apparent reaction to a letter said to have been written to the Independent National Electoral Commission by the Social Democratic Party accusing the APC of “stealing’s slogan”, Oshiomhole said the slogan of the party remain Change, adding that the party has not taken any decision to alter its slogan.

    He said: “When we talk about party supremacy, it can only be operational if there are organs of the party meeting to take decisions on variety of policies and when we take decisions like that, at the National Executive Council meeting and the President is seated, if the President act to violate such decision, he can be accused of anti-party because he is a party to the decision.

    “The same thing goes for the National Assembly. If we establish these basis for quality decisions, executive and legislative actions must coincide with the promise and the manifesto. Where they don’t, we will have the kind of situation where the chassis is going right and the engine is going left. We must bring that to an end by creating a platform.

    “We have come in to build on what we met and to reposition our party as we approach 2019.

    “We want to go beyond being Electoral platform to be a party that is guided by its constitution and manifesto and we will do everything possible to support both the federal executive and federal legislature to ensure that both executive and legislative actions are informed by our commitment as reflected in our manifesto on the basis of which we were elected.

    Read Also: Oshiomhole: Beyond the song and dance

    “We will create a situation where every year, we must have convention, not in the open like Eagle Square in centers we choose. The agenda will not be election, but to look at our manifesto and our performance and see the gap, if there is, between what we promised and what is happening and to explain that gap and get those elected to explain to us what they will do differently to avoid deficit between promise and reality.

    “I also believe that in a world that is ever changing, the manifesto you wrote in the morning might be obsolete in the evening. For example, we promised to fight Boko Haram and to the credit of Mr. President and the armed forces, the Boko Haram that forced us to postpone national election in 2015 has been decimated which is a huge project.

    “As that time, we never envisage the current magnitude of the herdsmen crisis even though they have always been there, maybe it has escalated. In terms of going forward, we must now review our security architecture to deal with new forms of criminality as they arise.

    “People will also agree that level of kidnapping was much higher in 2015, but it has substantially reduced. But as you deal with one issue, new issues emerge and so, because the environment is dynamic, policies reflected in our manifestos must be subjected to constant review and ensure that they meet changing reality.”

    While lamenting the polarization in the nation’s body polity at the moment, he said “Right now, one of the things that is faction-able in headlines is crime, new ethnic groups emerging and even those who have presided over Nigeria are returning to their places of birth to whip ethnic sentiment because their conscience tells them that they have committed a crime for which they can possibly be candidates for prison.

    “We must scrap our these ethnic champions and religious bigots by putting up for national discourse policy issues that has to do with the Nigerian policy, economy and society.

    “Let that be the basis for our agreement and disagreement and if there is going to be a fight within the rank of the APC, let the fight be that some people are raising issues about our educational policy and what we promised, our economic choices. The policies of the CBN as it affect investments and wealth creation rather than have ethnic nationalities conferences.

    “If we fix Nigeria, everybody can worship in full freedom without worshiping on an empty stomach. We must work together to understand that in the 21st century, we need brains to drive our programmes. We are celebrating quantity which is not right. We are the most populous and the most endowed nation.

    “I think the real challenge is that our party must work to move on to becoming the most skilled and united nation on the account of what we have achieved. What we should be celebrating is how democratic are we, how smart are we are how inclusive are we. How participatory are our processes for decision making.

    “I am not aware that any organ of the party, there was a decision to change the slogan of the party that we all agreed to and as far as I know, we have not changed it and so, our slogan remains Change. We must sustain the change and deepened the change.

    “When we do that and we are consistent, then progress will be the outcome because progress is the outcome of a sustained change. We have a duty to correct people on this one. We are proud of our slogan, we are committed to it.

    “Recently, I watched the President asked questions about power and he 16 billion dollars that was spent on it. Maybe the President need to now asked the follow up question that since we cannot find the power, then, you must return the money that you spent.

    “If he doesn’t do that, then the accusation of limited anti-corruption may begin to have come currency. So, to assist PDP to overcome their accusation, our President needs to do the needful. Courage should not fail him and he should recover the 16 billion dollars back into the treasury from the man who presided over the spending.”

    Turning to Chief Oyegun, Oshiomhole said “I want to thank you for your leadership of our party and for leading us to victory in the presidential election and winning more states than the number of states that came together to form the APC.

    “However hostile the historian may wish to be, there are facts that are stubborn. These are stubborn facts that are to your credit and I think that you have every right to enjoy the fact that you made records as chairman of our party.

    “People are too busy pursuing day to day survival that basic fact often escape. We have the PDP as the first governing party in Nigeria and in their 17 years of existence as a political party, they had 14 National Chairmen.

    “So, when they are going to write the history of internal democracy, stability of leadership and adherence to constitution as to when people leave office and how the6 leave, you will be the only in our history so far since 1999 who was elected, run the party on its rules and exited in glory on the basis of those procedures provided for in our constitution.

    “It is to your credit that you didn’t have to be chased out of office for refusing to resign. There are so many things you have accomplished. So, when we talk about democracy, stability, due process and internal democracy, you led us to internalize these values.

    “Our President also demonstrated that we can, when convenient speak to party supremacy and the next minute, the executive is treating party executives as if they his appointees. Between you and President Buhari, you have kId the foundation which I hope others will be able to copy.

    “I wish that now that you are going to be less busy, I am going to be disturbing you about advise, about things I see and how you think we can deal with them. You can be elected to a position, but age is not by election and there is wisdom associated with aging.

    “What you have going for you is not just age, but experience in various facet of life. This is not the first time I will be subjecting you to such unremunerated service. As governor, you freely offered advise sometimes and they were helpful and I will continue in that direction. I want to assure you that we will work hard as best as we can to improve the record that you have already set.”

    On the elections in Ekiti, he said “I am also clear that we are assuming office on the eve of an election in Ekiti State. I am confident that all that we need to do is to make sure that the instrument that was ruthlessly deployed be then ruling party to rig us our is dismantled.

    “They must now go through the rigour that we have a,ways gone through to persuade people why we are better. We won’t resort to using their own tactics because we promised to be different and we will be different. But I know that old gangs can’t change their habit and cannot learn what they have never known, which is how to win votes.

    “They perfected how to write results which is no longer in vogue. I am very confident that Ekiti state will be won the basis of our record in comparison to their own records and ensuring that there is free and fair election. As you know, we launched one man, one vote.”

    Handing over the reign of office to Oshiomhole, former Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun apologized for delaying the handover, saying he needed time t9 rest after spending two days at the Eagle Square for the convention.

    Oyegun said “I pay my due respect. I congratulate you for your signal victory and also all members of your team for their victory. It is my hope, expectations and prayers that yours will be a most distinguished and successful four years.

    “My duty today is brief and short and that is to introduce you to what is now your property, your headquarters, your building and your office and to go through the formality of a handover.

    “I have put my thoughts on paper and I thank God that you have some of the best brains that has survive the electoral process and will be working with you.

    “So, I have put everything I thought is important on paper, with a lot of attachment which include an inventory of everything in this building and the papers for the purchase of this building and all the minutes of the National Working Committee, the caucus and the NEC. They will serve as a bank of knowledge.

    “All that is left is to pray that during your period being signal successes to the party, that your period will make the party grow to greater height and your period will finally establish what we stand for, the smartest party in Nigeria and Africa.

    “I have no doubt that it will become a reality that this party is the smartest party in the whole of Africa. May God grant you success in the elections that are coming, beginning with Ekiti and then Osun”.

  • Nigerian Army Day: Buratai highlights troop’s commitment to nation’s sovereignty

    Ahead of this year’s Nigerian Army Day celebration, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai, has given a detailed account on the activities of the army on its 155 years existence in the country.
     Buratai  also spoke on the success story of the Army as well as activities lined up ahead of the event.
    Speaking at a press conference on Friday, the army chief said the Nigerian troops were committed  to the nation’s sovereignty.
    He therefore, called on every Nigerian to support activities of the Army as it’s troops were making frantic efforts to to keep this entity called Nigeria as one.
    Full text of his speech below.
    Let me begin by reminding us on the reason for this celebration as well as give us a brief history of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration.
    The unfortunate 30-months long Nigerian Civil War was announced by a shot that was fired on the 6th of July 1967 at Garkem which is in present day Cross River State. The Nigerian Civil war was fought to keep Nigeria one and a lot of soldiers paid the supreme price in that process. The  Nigerian  Army  Day  Celebration  is  therefore  a  constant reminder of the sacrifices paid by troops most of whom as I said laid down their lives to ensure we remain united as a nation.
    This celebration is also designed to array Nigerian Army personnel and equipment as well as showcase the combat capability of the Nigerian Army.  Furthermore, the celebration affords us the opportunity to celebrate our evolution, achievements and also to showcase our transformational strides in the area of innovation, research and development, civil military relations and technological advances. This is in addition to projecting the Nigerian Army as an instrument of national unity, integration and development. This year, the Nigerian Army will be marking 155 years of its existence, dating back to its inception in 1863.
    We are aware of the many security challenges that have bedeviled this country in the last decade or so. However I am pleased to state that the Nigerian Army has made giant strides in this regard particularly in the last one year. Our security architecture as a country is one with a very positive outlook. We have not only consolidated on the gains established in the fight against insurgency in the North East but have progressed to the Post  stabilization  phase  where  all  efforts  are geared towards ensuring displaced persons return to their biological homes which are now safe.
    That is why I directed that an operation codenamed Operation LAST HOLD be conducted in the fringes of the Lake Chad waters and Northern Borno. This operation is a humanitarian one in which we seek to return the Internally Displaced Persons and also provide the much needed security and guarantee for them to return back to their economic lives of farming, fishing and trading.  With the defeat of the insurgents, it is time to encourage our people to return to their ancestral home.
    This year’s Army Day Celebration is quite unique as you will see the innovative, research and development and technological side of the Nigerian Army. We have carefully packaged some activities along this line which you will witness in the course of the celebration. That is why the theme for this year’s celebration is “The Nigerian Army and National Security: A Panacea for Nigeria’s Economic Development”. We  as  an  Army  are  determined  more  than  ever  before  to contribute our quota to national development. This theme is also  in  line  with  my  vision  “to  have  a  Professionally Responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its Constitutional Roles”.
    Like I stated in the beginning, this press briefing kick starts the series of activities for this year’s celebration. Later today, Jumua’at Prayers will be held at the Prayer Ground in Maimalari Barracks here in Maiduguri and across all formations in Nigerian.  Likewise, there will be an Interdenominational Church Service at the All Saints Military Church, Maimalari Barracks as well as across all formations in the country on 1 Jul 18 as part of the events for the Nigerian Army Day Celebration.
    Other activities lined up for the week long celebration include the following:
    a.Sanitation Exercise
    b.Medical Outreach to be undertaken at selected locations across Borno State and other parts of the country by all Nigerian Army Formations and units between 2 – 6
    July 2018.
    c.Local and International Military Equipment Manufacturers Exhibition.
    d.Mini Trade Fair.
    e.Static Display of Nigerian Army’s Equipment Capability.
    f.Airborne/Paratroopers Demonstration.
    g.Fire Power Demonstration among others.
    The grand finale of the celebration will take place on Saturday 7 Jul 18 at Monguno. The President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to grace the occasion as the Special Guest of Honour on that day.
    Gentlemen of the press, the Nigerian Army is continuously making sacrifices towards ensuring the unity and development of this great nation. We therefore use the occasion of this celebration to solicit for the cooperation, prayers and goodwill of all. Let us join hands to collectively build and take this nation forward. I therefore urge us all to desist from acts that are capable of truncating the peace. We must be tolerant of one another and learn to give peace a chance. Let us also remember that no nation can develop or be economically vibrant without peace. I therefore want to use this medium to solicit with us all to be our brothers’ keeper. We assure all Nigerians that the Nigerian  Army  is  for  you  and  will  continue  to  work  for the common good of the country while professionally carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
    The current crisis in Plateau, Benue, Taraba and Zamfara States are both induced internally and externally. So many forces are against Nigeria. The target is the corporate existence of Nigeria as a country. The blame game along ethnic and religious fault lines is not the solution. Nigerians must unite to solve this serious challenge.  The Nigerian Army is not sleeping. We are continuously exploiting all the linkages and leads towards addressing the security challenges we shall get to the roots of all the crisis militarily. Therefore, we must be tolerant of one another and give peace a chance. let us also remember that no nation can develop or be economically vibrant without peace. I therefore want to use this medium to solicit with us all to be our brothers’ keepers. We assure all Nigerians that the Nigerian  Army  is  for  you  and  will  continue  to  work  for the Common good of the country while professionally carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.
    On this note, let me express my sincere gratitude to the media for their wonderful support to the Nigerian Army at all times.   I  urge  you  to  give   this  year’s   celebration  the  wide coverage and publicity it deserves. Finally, I thank you for your continued support in our efforts in the pursuit of peace, security and progress of our dear nation.

  • Fayose lied on cattle colony, says Fayemi

    The Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation has debunked claim by Governor Ayodele Fayose that the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Kayode Fayemi, plans to create cattle colonies across the state for cattle rearers.

    A statement by the Director of Media and Publicity, Wole Olujobi, said that Fayose’s fabrication is a rehash of an earlier online press statement traced to the governor’s media aides who have perfected the art of attributing unpopular positions or comments on public issues to innocent people.

    He said Fayemi is noted for the protection of life and property of his people as shown during his four years in the saddle of Ekiti State government.

    “Fayemi’s position on farmers-herders clash is focussed on protecting lives and property. More lives had been lost during the Fayose administration with his hare-brained policy than it ever happened under our administration.

    Read Also: Ekiti will be great under Fayemi, say aides

    “We ensured harmonious relationship between our indigenous and non-indigenous population and there was absolutely zero tolerance for farm destruction.

    “It is to be noted that all the resources provided for security forces by Fayemi’s administration to protect farming communities particularly in Iyemero and Oke Ako axis were summarily cancelled when Fayose took over the administration of Ekiti State.”

    Counselling Fayose to direct his energies to good governance and transparent conduct of government’s affairs, Olujobi said Fayemi never spoke with any reporter anywhere on the creation of cattle colonies.

    “The false story about Fayemi talking about creating cattle colonies in Ekiti State was first published online about a month ago and it was discovered that it was orchestrated by Fayose’s media aide, who published the story on a cloned website of an online publication.

    “Adebayo Jackson in his latest press statement is just doing a rehash of a dead news item in the most hackneyed manner that Fayose’s media men have been spreading falsehoods in the media space.

    “Fayose and his media handlers have developed notoriety for reckless lies and, unfortunately, they are not ashamed of their integrity being soiled in their unedifying enterprise.

    “Honourable people that cherish their integrity would not take seriously any news items  from Fayose and his men that seek to attribute  unpopular comments on public issues to his political opponents.

    “In the last one year, Fayose’s men have been in the habit of concocting press interviews and attribute unpopular comments and remarks in the interviews to innocent people that never spoke with any reporters.

    “They did it to Fayemi’s wife when they said the woman abused President Muhammadu Buhari for not supporting her husband.

    “They did it to APC State Chairman, Jide Awe, when they concocted an interview that Awe abused Pastor Adejare Adeboye of the Redeemed Church of God for visiting Fayose in the Government House.

    “They also did it to APC State Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, when Fayose’s media aide concocted a story that Olatunbosun addressed reporters where he purportedly said that Buhari’s wife was involved in Halliburton scandal and asking the woman to defend herself whereas these innocent people never addressed reporters anywhere.

    “It is a pity that the administration of our state is in the hands of the people who are a perfect match in integrity deficiency.

    “Fayose and his men have a background of infamy they are coming from and so we can understand their nuisance.

    “Fortunately, July 14 governorship election is around the corner when these  characters will be chased away from the life of Ekiti State to enable the people reclaim their land and restore their values that have been thrown into the mud by hustlers who have chosen Ekiti State as a trading post for the benefit of one man,” Olujobi said.