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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Catholics ask Buhari to resign over killings in Benue

    Catholic faithful in Akwa Ibom state on Tuesday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign over the gruesome murder of 2 Catholic priests and 17 parishioners by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Benue state.

    This is as members of the church who trooped out in the hundreds stormed the streets of Uyo, the state capital in protest and solidarity with victims and families of the Catholic massacre in Benue.

    The placard-carrying catholic leaders, priests, women, youths and children marched from the Uyo Diocesan headquarters at Brook Street with placards to the Government House, where they registered their complaints before governor Udom Emmanuel.

    Some inscriptions on the placards read, “No to religious terrorism”; “Live and let’s live”; “No weapon fashion against Christians shall prosper”; “Say no to terrorism in places of worship”, Christian lives matter”; “No to ethnic cleansing”; “Human life is sacred”, etc.

    Read Also: FG saved N120bn from ghost workers – Buhari

    Addressing Journalists, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Uyo, Most Rev. John Aya, lamented over the collapse of security architecture in the country, noting that such lapses led to the invasion of the Catholic Church in Benue, where two Priests and 17 parishioners were killed by armed herdsmen.

    He, therefore, urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to resign in line with the resolution of the Catholic Bishops Conference (CBC), noting that “any government that fails to secure lives and properties of citizens has failed and should resign”.

    “The killings portray lack of security in the country and Buhari should know that there have been too many killings in the country. We should not continue to live in fear in the country.

    In the same vein, the Vicar General in-charge of administration in the Diocese, Donatus Udoette, urged Christians to remain calm in the face of these unprovoked attacks and admonished adherents to continue to rely on prayers, mass and rosary as their spiritual weapons.

    “We want to live in peace. Catholics can’t carry arms for self-protection because our only weapons are prayers, rosary and mass. Therefore, we are asking Christians not to take up arms, but fight the battle with prayers and peaceful protest”.

    However, Governor Emmanuel commended their peaceful protest over killing of Christians in the country and appealed to the Federal Government to step security in the country to forestall further killings of citizens some parts of the country.

  • Economic saboteurs had no love for Nigeria – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said those who mismanaged Nigeria’s economy in the past, through fraudulent electricity projects and misuse of revenue earnings from oil, had no love for the country.

    The president stated this when he received members of the Buhari Support Organisations (BSO) led by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    President Buhari urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and ensure that only ‘‘people of conscience are in-charge of governance at all levels’’, as the nation prepared for general elections in 2019.

    He said: ‘‘I challenge anybody to check from Europe, America and Asia; between 1999 and 2014, Nigeria was producing 2.1 million barrels of crude oil per day at an average cost of 100 dollars per barrel and it went up to 143 dollars.

    ‘‘When we came it collapsed to between 37 and 38 dollars and later was oscillating between 40 and 50 dollars.

    ‘‘I went to the CBN Governor, with my cap in my hand, and asked if we had savings. He told me we had only debts, no savings. Some of the roads were not repaired since the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) days.

    ‘‘I don’t care the opinion you have about Abacha but I agreed to work with him and we constructed roads from Abuja to Port Harcourt, Benin to Onitsha and so on. We also touched education and health institutions.

    ‘‘One of the former Heads of State was bragging that he spent more than 15 billion dollars on power in Nigeria. Where is the power?’’ the President said.

    On the mismanagement of the economy by previous administrations, President Buhari noted that the perpetrators lacked imagination and plans for the development of the nation.

    ‘‘Sometimes, I wonder about those who can afford to send their children abroad for studies and yet continue to sabotage the economy, I wonder what kind of Nigeria they want their children to return to and work. There is a lot of lack of imagination.

    ‘‘If you are working for the country, then you shouldn’t be misappropriating and misapplying public funds the way people did,’’ he said.

    The President noted that under his watch, the 2016 and 2017 budgets recorded the highest appropriation and releases in capital projects, with over N2.8 trillion disbursements in two years.

    The President urged Nigerians to reject those bent on dividing the country along religious and ethnic lines, warning that “they do not mean well for the country.

    ‘‘I have said severally that we do not have any other country than Nigeria and we will remain here and salvage it together.

    ‘‘We have nothing to regret. Absolutely nothing. God has given Nigeria everything. We are rich in human and material resources. Let us keep on praying to God to put people of conscience in-charge at all levels.’’

    On the activities of the support group, President Buhari apologised for not rallying them before announcing his intention to seek re-election in 2019 during a meeting of the National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress on April 9, 2018.

    He thanked members of the group for their resolute support to him as a Presidential candidate in 2015 and all through his term in office, adding that their voluntary sacrifices were an indication of their trust and belief in the great future of the country.

    In his remarks, Ali said the group and majority of Nigerians are passionate about a second-term for President Buhari because of his integrity, honesty, love and patriotism.

    He noted that President Buhari had entrenched fiscal discipline and prudent management of resources, improved the nation’s security and delivered on his promise to revamp agriculture, as a major revenue earner for the country.

  • 15 agencies failed to account for N8.1tr under Jonathan – Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that 15 revenue generating agencies of the federal government failed to remit N8.1 trillion to the Federation Account between 2010 and 2015.

    He spoke in Osogbo, Osun State, on Monday while commissioning the Channelization, De-silting, Flood Control and Development of Okoko and Ogbagba Rivers, phases one and two, on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said the discovery by the auditing firm KPMG is many times worse than the N1.34 trillion carted away by 55 public officials between 2006 and 2013.

    “Recently, the Federal Government ordered an audit (between 2010 and 2015) of 15 government revenue generating agencies. The result was the discovery that the agencies had not remitted over 8.1 trillion Naira to the Federation Account. This amount is about six times the 1.34 trillion Naira that was stolen between 2006 and 2015.

    Read Also: Govt feeding 7.5m people not anti-youths, says Lai Mohammed

    ”It is also the equivalent, on the average, of the country’s yearly national budget! Imagine, for a moment, how many kilometres of roads could have been constructed, how many kilometres of rail tracks that could have been laid, and how many modern hospitals and schools that could have been built if that money had been properly accounted for,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

    He told the mammoth crowd at the commissioning that the Buhari Administration’s fight against corruption remains very critical because it will free the much-needed resources for national development.

    The Minister said the projects being executed by the present administration, including the one that was commissioned in Osogbo- one of 53 being commissioned across the country – could have long been completed but for the mind-boggling looting of the treasury by previous administrations, which deprived the nation of infrastructural growth

    He said that every kobo that is not looted is a plus for development, adding: ”This is why we will not stop talking about those who have looted the public treasury, despite the pushback from their apologists. If we do not stop the looting of the treasury, there will be no money for the kind of projects we are commissioning here in Osogbo today.”

     

  • Buhari, IGP observe Jumaat prayer in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday observed his Jumaat prayer along with other Muslims faithful in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Among those in the mosque during the Jumaat prayer were the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris and Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai.

    When the IGP went to exchange pleasantries with the President at the end of the prayer, President Buhari asked him: “Are you back?”

    Read Also: Saraki to meet Buhari over ‘IGP’s plot to implicate him’

    Idris in recent weeks had not been in good term with the Senate as he failed to honour three invitations extended to him over increasing killings by herdsmen and harsh treatment against Senator Dino Melaye by the Police.

    The Senate had subsequently passed a vote of no confidence on the IGP, describing him as “enemy of democracy’’ and unfit to hold any public office anywhere in the world.

    The Senate President Bukola Saraki, on Thursday, accused the IGP of trying to implicate him and Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, in a criminal case involving some suspected cultists.

    Following the accusation, the Senate has raised a 10-man panel to meet with President Buhari over the allegation leveled against the IGP by Saraki.

  • Buhari happy with Nigeria – U.S relations

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed satisfaction with the current level of relationship between Nigeria and the United States.

    The President, who spoke on the issue when he received a telephone call from the U.S. Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo also used the opportunity to congratulate the new Secretary of State on his appointment.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, also recalled his past meeting with Mr Pompeo, then as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and thanked him for the enormous support the U.S. has extended to the Nigerian security and intelligence services.

    Read Also: Pompeo calls Buhari, reaffirms Nigeria-U.S relations

    The President requested the Secretary of State to extend his appreciation to President Donald Trump for the warm reception he was given in the course of his recent visit to the White House.

    Secretary Pompeo assured President Buhari that with him in the Department of State, relations between both countries would get even better.

    He reiterated the desire of the U.S to continue to pursue, side by side with Nigeria, matters of common interest on the African continent, including the fight against terrorism and corruption, trade and development.

  • Herdsmen in military uniform killing people in Kogi – Reps member raises alarm

    Lauds Nigerian Army for first wave of arrest

    Calls on FG, KGSG to end herdsmen menace

     

    Many communities in parts of Kogi West senatorial zone now live in  fear following fatal attacks, burning of farmland and houses along with looting by bands of herdsmen in military uniform, Honorable Teejay Yusuf has said.

    Raising an alarm and calling on both the Kogi state and Federal Government to help end the wave of killings that began on Monday, 14th May 2018,  Yusuf who represents Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency of Kogi state in the House of Representatives stated that victims in affected communities recall being attacked by a group of almost fifty armed herdsmen in military uniform.

    In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, Hon Yusuf lauded the Nigerian Army for arresting an unspecified number of the suspected killer herdsmen who had been terrorizing communities along Obajana-Kabba road on Wednesday, adding that Kogi state and the Federal Government must do everything in their power to prevent the state from sliding into anarchy.

    Urging citizens to guard against revenge attacks, Hon Yusuf condemned what he described as the attackers’ ‘devilish rampage’ and counseled that everyone should allow government to get to the root of the problem.

    “At around  4.30 am on Monday, 14 May, 2018, there were simultaneous attacks on Tiv people in Iluagba and Illai communities in Ijumu local government area and Mopa-Amuro local government area of Kogi West respectively and people reported that about fifty suspected Fulani herdsmen in military uniform burnt farmlands being cultivated by some Tiv people and killed four persons.

    “The men whose weapons were said to include Ak-47 rifles also burnt houses and carted away people’s food supplies.

    “In broad daylight, around 2pm on Tuesday 15th May, 2018, two men who were returning from the farm in Agbede Apa: a village along Obaiana-Kabba Road encountered these audacious bandits; one of the men fled with injuries while the other one, was killed and his corpse is now at the mortuary of the General Hospital Kabba.

    “While many wonder why our law-abiding rural people could be under the threat of such armed and rampaging bandits, we must all note that after the traumatizing experience, many communities in my area now live in under an atmosphere of needless intimidation and palpable fear,” he said.

    According to the legislator, most farmers now fear to spend much time on their farms and there is high anxiety that can only be reduced by firm, prompt and consistent effort from government.

    “We commend the military for arresting some of the suspected attackers by Wednesday but peace can only be restored when all the suspected attackers are rounded up and made to face justice.

    “As we continue to encourage our people to continue striving to sustain the peace and unity that the entire Kogi West area is historically known for, we plead that the Kogi state government must ensure that our area is not turned into a theatre of war.

    “We also call on the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that it lives up to citizens’ expectations, especially as the safety of lives and properties remain the most fundamental basis upon which government exists.

    “Kogi state and the Federal Government should urgently help safeguard the lives of our people because dangerously armed herdsmen in military uniform have begun wanton killing of my people,” Honourable Teejay Yusuf stated.

  • Nigeria lags behind in productivity – Ngige

    As Oyo-Ita bags productivity merit award

     

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige said on Thursday that Nigeria was lagging behind smaller and less endowed African countries in productivity measurement and competitiveness despite the abundant human and natural resources the country is blessed with.

    The Minister who spoke while briefing the media on plans for the 2018 National Productivity Day celebration announced that the Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Ohio-Ita and 14 other Nigerians are to be honoured along side five companies with the National Productivity Order of Merit award by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Ngige said “Nigeria is abundantly blessed in human and natural resources, but unfortunately lags behind smaller or even less endowed African countries in productivity and competitiveness”, adding that in other to achieve high productivity and competitiveness, Nigeria’s productivity and competitiveness gap need to be closed.

    The Minister said that the government is conscious of the critical place of productivity in the realization of the change agenda as no nation can be self reliant and competitive in the international market without productivity improvement in all sectors of the economy.

    According to him, Indeed, no nation enjoys a standard of living higher than its level of productivity, adding that “since this administration cam on Board in 2015, the country has been witnessing an ambitious reform agenda, focusing on the economy, security and anti corruption. These series of reforms are encapsulated in our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan. It is a calculated effort to Change the way things were done and give the country a new sense of direction.

    “The plan which is timely and articulated as an accessible framework of positive change focuses on three strategic objectives of restoring growth, investing in our people and building a competitive economy.

    “Productivity is indeed the most important determinant of socio economic growth, wealth creation, employment generation and overall improved standard of living. Giving this cardinal role of productivity, it is imperative that the citizenry be consistently reminded of the need for developing a productive mindset that would ensure the productive growth of all sectors of the economy.

    “The objective include institutionalising productivity consciousness and excellence in service among workers and organizations in both public and private sectors in Nigeria, emphasising hard work, high performance, efficiency, discipline, dedication, humility and patriotism.

    “It also include ensuring high level of effectiveness and efficiency in the implementation of policies and programmers of various public services, encouraging and fostering the spirit of competitiveness amongst workers, firms and companies in Nigeria among others.

    “A competitive economy is characterized by rapid manufacturing of goods and export growth combined wit( sustained technological upgrading and diversification, virile institutions, adequate infrastructure, stable macroeconomic environment, high level of education and training, Labour market efficiency, financial market development, technological readiness, business sophistication and innovation.”

    Those to be honored alonside the Head of Service of the Federation are Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Dr. Abdul Hussein, Mrs. Mary Joshua Gadi, Engr. Umar Baba Bindir, Hon. Al-Amin Umana Lawan, Engr, Anebi Joseph Garba, David James Lalu, Dr. Jones Yerinbuluemi Stow, Clement Chukwu Nwogbo, David Iheanyi Onyemata, Dr. Tina Aduke Olayemi, Victor Folasele Olajorin, Somade Taofeel Osuolale and Engr. Dozie Mbanefo.

    The companies to be honored are Farm Crowdy Nigeria Limited, Fresh Direct Nigeria, May and Baker Nigeria Plc, Alo Aluminium Manufacturing company and Seven Up Bottling company.

  • We remain committed to stability of West Africa, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja said his administration will continue to work with ECOWAS countries to ensure stability in the sub-region as cross-border crimes pose more challenges to people and governments.

    “ECOWAS is doing its best, and as you know, Nigeria is fully involved in the process of restoring stability in Guinea Bissau,’’ President Buhari told the Ambassador of Guinea Bissau, Mr Henrique Andriano Da Silva, at the State House after receiving his Letter of Credence.

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said the relationship between Nigeria and Guinea Bissau had always been healthy, noting that as the country regains its stability there would be more room for improvement.

    President Buhari, who also received the Letter of Credence from the Ambassador of Thailand, Mr Wattana Kunwongse, said Nigeria and Thailand had a lot to share in the ongoing effort to diversify the economy, with focus on the agricultural sector.

    “Our relationship has been very long and very commendable. We appreciate the help we get in agriculture from Thailand and we will keep working together,’’ he said.

    In his remarks, the Ambassador of Guinea Bissau said his country remains grateful for all the support it received from Nigeria during the prolonged political crisis.

    “We are very grateful for your commitment to ensure peace in Guinea Bissau and your soldiers have been in our country to ensure stability,’’ the Ambassador said.

    The Ambassador of Thailand said Nigeria’s position as a “regional power’’ puts it in the spotlight for the recovery and stability of Africa.

    “Under your leadership and guidance, we believe the economy will recover and the entire country will be strengthened,’’ he said.

  • FEC approves 15.4bn for 2 road projects

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari approved 995million dollars  for the reconstruction of the phase II of Abuja – Keffi – Akwanga – Lafia – Makurdi road.

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, revealed this to State House correspondents at the end of the Council’s meeting held at the Council Chamber of the presidential villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

    He said the 995 million dollars for the execution of the project would be obtained from the China-Exim Bank as loan.

    “I need to stress that this the section that comprises 16:0 kilometers, which is the Lagos by-pass and the section that also comprises 251.7 kilometers from Ninth Mile through Otukpo to Makurdi.

    “The reason is that it is the Abuja -Keffi road which was awarded in 2015, for which finance is now available.

    “”So, this is the second phase for which the finance is not yet available but the award is the pre-condition to now get the loan from the China-Exim Bank, so that by the time work on the first phase finishes, we can seamlessly continue the second phase all the way to Makurdi,’’ he said.

    The minister also disclosed that another N15.45 billion was approved for the reconstruction of 58.9 kilometer Magama – Kwajani – Ningi road connecting Bauchi and Kano states.(NAN)

  • ‘Igbo better off with Buhari presidency’

    A group, the Yoruba Ronu Leadership Forum, has urged the Igbo to support the re-election bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    It said the Southeast would fare better with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in power.

    The group said while the Igbo made a political “mistake” in the past, it must avoid a repeat in 2019.

    Yoruba Ronu, in a statement by its Secretary General Akin Malaolu, said President Buhari deserves the support of the Igbo because of his integrity.

    It said the President has ensured that development spreads across Nigeria, including Igboland.

    “The Igbo must hold the present leadership in high esteem because of his probity and requisite caliber.

    “The government today and with its present leadership has modernised the rudiments of administration and has departed completely from the attitude of ‘we’ as against ‘others’.

    “Developments are today springing up everywhere in the Igboland and that must not be discouraged. The nation needs the Igbo people just as the Igbo also need Nigeria completely,” it said.

    The group urged the Igbo not to repeat what it called the mistake of the past when it voted massively for Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

    “The Igbos made some bad moves during the Jonathan era of ugly opportunism that gave rise to division both from religion and tribe. All of these must be forgotten and we must make Igbos partners in all affairs of Government at the centre.

    “Igbo people must do well to accommodate our differences in diversity. They must play politics with obvious intention to contribute to the growth of first the Igboland and secondly Nigeria.

    “The prosperity enjoyed by the Igbos in their participation in previous administrations shows clearly to be individualistic in nature and not generally for Igboland as compared to today.

    “2019 is around the corner and we feel it necessary to plead to the Igbos that the APC has enough space and heart to give the Igbo people equality and respect which they rightfully deserve.

    “It is only in APC that the Igbo prosperity can be enriched with comfortable speed. Igbos should come on board the APC train and take their rightful positions in the affairs of our nation.”