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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Buhari committed to enhanced workers Welfare, says Ngige

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige has said that President Muhammadu Buhari was unequivocally committed to the enhancement of workers’ welfare and prosperity for all citizens, and appealed to workers to continue to support the government in this regard.

    He assured Nigerian workers that there were better days coming ahead for them.

    In his goodwill message to the Nigerian workers on this year’s Workers’ Day, the Minister recalled the historic role of the nation’s workforce across decades and urged it to further stand firm with President Muhammadu Buhari as he returns Nigeria to greatness.

    The Minister said “the cardinal objective of the present administration is the revival of the economy; enhancement of the security of the nation and zero tolerance for corruption. The Federal Government has so far covered a considerable millage notwithstanding teething challenges. I therefore solicit your continued support towards bringing these national goals to fruition.”

    The Minister urged workers to use the occasion of the May Day celebration to reminisce on the positive outcomes of the labour’s struggle for a better working rights and decent work environment. 

    “This is an administration that places a lot of premium on the welfare of workers and all citizenry and has done so in very transparent manner. Our openness is to provide enough window for all Nigerians to appreciate the state of the nation and the efforts of the government.

    “Our modest achievement in creating equable condition for job security and improved welfare for workers, as evident in the fact that no Federal civil or public servant has lost his or her job in the last three years of the administration despite economic downturn, as well as the on-going effort to give effect to a new national minimum wage easily bear out Federal Government’s commitment to the upliftment of the workforce.

     “This year’s celebration therefore presents an opportunity for a collective reflection on the contributions of the labour movement to national growth on the one hand and the steadfastness of the Buhari administration to the welfare of workers on the other.”

  • Workers’ Day: FG pledges commitment to enhance workers’ welfare

    The Federal Government has pledged its commitment to enhance workers’ welfare and prosperity for all citizens in the country.

    Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, made this pledge in a statement signed by Mr Samuel Olowookere, Director of Press in the ministry to mark the 2018 Workers’ Day celebration.

    Ngige said that workers should use the occasion to reminisce on the positive outcomes of the labour’s struggle for a better working conditions and decent work environment.

    According to him, this is an administration that places a lot of premium on the welfare of workers and all citizenry and has done so in very transparent manner.

    “Our openness is to provide enough window for all Nigerians to appreciate the state of the nation and the efforts of the government.

    “Our modest achievement in creating equable condition for job security and improved welfare for workers.

    “This is as evident in the fact that no Federal civil or public servant has lost his or her job in the last three years of the administration despite economic downturn.

    “This is as well as the ongoing effort to give effect to a new national minimum wage easily bear out Federal Government’s commitment to the upliftment of the workforce.

    Read Also:  Workers’ Day: NANS urges FG, states to implement new minimum wage

    “This year’s celebration therefore presents an opportunity for a collective reflection on the contributions of the labour movement to national growth.

    “We should also reflect on the steadfastness of the Buhari administration to the welfare of workers on the other,‘’ he said.

    He, however, called for the continuous support for the success of administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said the cardinal objective of the present administration was the revival of the economy; enhancement of the security of the nation and zero tolerance for corruption.

    “ The Federal Government has so far covered a considerable millage notwithstanding teething challenges.

    “ I therefore solicit your continued support towards bringing these national goals to fruition,’’ he added.

    He further assured all workers of better days ahead.

    NAN

  • FG restates commitment to global fight against terrorism

    The federal government has affirmed its commitment to the global fight against the financing of terrorism.

    A press release issued and signed by Oluyinka Akintunde, Special Adviser, Media and Communications to the Minister of Finance said finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, gave this pledge at an International Conference against the financing of terrorism in Paris, France.

    The Conference, which had as theme “No money for terror”, Akintunde said, was hosted by the French President, Emmanuel Macron and was attended by the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Christine Lagarde; President of the World Bank Group, Jim Kim; US Treasury Secretary, Steven Mnuchin as well as UK Chancellor, Phillip Hammond.

    Adeosun, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the Conference, said the country was reinvigorating efforts to tackle the financing of terrorism.

    In her address to the conference, the Minister said, “the Nigerian Government is very committed to the fight against terrorism and cutting off funding for terrorists’ activities.

    “The Government, in addition to monitoring of the formal channels of finance via the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) and other bodies, is also monitoring ‘non-formal cash-based structures’, which can often be used for illicit purposes.”

    Adeosun emphasized the need to address the root cause of terrorism and not the symptoms.

    She disclosed that the men and officers of the Nigeria Customs Service were working to effectively track physical cash movements and transactions at the various borders, including Niger, Benin Republic and Cameroon.

  • Killings: What Buhari needs is our support, prayers, says Jigawa Rep

    Rather than being condemned over the killings in parts of the country, Nigerians should support and pray for President Muhammadu Buhari for a lasting solution to the national problem, a member of the House of Representatives has said.

    Aliyu Magaji (APC, Jigawa) said the country’s security situation is not an issue to be politicized because every Nigerian is affected.

    According to the lawmaker, by implication, the socio-political and economic development of the country is affected the incessant killing, as such,  concerted efforts, devoid of political partisanship is required towards a lasting solution to the challenge.

    Saying that President Buhari has what it takes to rescue the situation, Magaji, during the weekend in Abuja noted that Nigerians only needed to look back at the beginning of the administration on how insurgency, vandalism and other forms of violence were contained.

    He said: “I believe that President Buhari has the capacity to solve the security challenges facing us because we all witnessed improvement in security across the country before now.

    “If we are going to be sincerity with ourselves, we all know that these security challenges were there before the advent of APC government but we all know how he tackled them.

    “So what has changed since then for us to be witnessing these incessant killings now?

    “As I said on the floor of the House on Wednesday, this issue should not be seen as a political issue, it should be treated  without sentiments.

    “This is not the time to play the blame game, all hands must be on deck, what President Buhari needs now is not our condemnation but support and prayers because it is not his problem alone,  everyone one of us is affected.

    “Relevant authorities should go around the country and get firsthand information about this, so that necessary steps would be taken by relevant authorities rather than going round in circles and achieving nothing while Nigerians continue to lose their lives,” he added.

    The lawmaker however advised that military Service Chiefs should be relieved of their duties as they no longer appear to offer enough to save the situation.

    “With what we are seeing  everyday on this issue, I think the security chiefs are not providing Mr President with the necessary information capable of surmounting the challenge.

    “It seems they have outlived their usefulness, they no longer  appear to have any idea on how to solve this problem because if they do, they would have provided the President with the best ways to tackle it and we won’t be in this situation now.

    “I think it’s time for them to go,” he added.

  • Nasarawa bans street trading, hawking along Karu-Abuja expressway

    The Task Force charged with relocating traders to the Muhammadu Buhari International Market, Karu, in Nasarawa State, has banned trading and hawking along the Keffi-Karu-Abuja expressway.

    Mr Stanley Buba, Chairman of the Task Force, announced this on Monday in Karu, during a meeting with officials of the Traders and Marketers Association and the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

    Buba, also a Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Umaru Almakura, urged traders to move to the Muhammadu Buhari International Market in Karu, to boost sales and improve the state’s revenue base.

    “Traders must avoid street trading and hawking; they must move to the market to acquire spaces that will be allocated to them at no cost, on temporary basis.

    “When traders move into the market, traffic congestion will be reduced along the Karu-Abuja expressway,” he said.

    He warned that defaulters would face the full wrath of the law, and advised the traders to take advantage of the market to improve their business, fight poverty and end unemployment.

    Buba said that the ban would take full effect on May 1.

    He also warned commercial drivers against parking indiscriminately, saying that anyone caught would be penalised.

    Alhaji Shammasu Dantsoho, Chairman, Nasarawa State Traders and Marketers Association, in a speech at the meeting, promised to cooperate with the committee to ensure sanity in the market area.

    He also assured the committee that his union would educate and enlighten its members on government policies and the need to support them.

    NAN

  • ‘JOHESU demand for salary parity neither practicable, nor acceptable’

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said on Monday that the demand by striking Joint Health Sector Unions ( JOHESU ) for salary parity with medical doctors was neither practicable nor acceptable.

    The minister made this known in a statement issued in Abuja by Mr Olajide Oshundun, Assistant Director of Information of the ministry.

    The statement was a reaction by the ministry to the advertorial by JOHESU in some national dailies.

    The minister, however, said an offer has been made to adjust the salaries and wages of its members by the Federal Government.

    “As a responsible government will do everything within our power to bring the ongoing strike action to an end as quickly as possible.

    “Indeed, the federal government has put machinery in place to ensure that the strike is called off by meeting with JOHESU officials on several occasions.

    “But what JOHESU is asking for is parity with medical doctors which is neither practicable nor acceptable to the federal government,’’ the minister said.

    Adewole described the current strike action by the unions as unfortunate, noting that“the health and wellbeing of many Nigerians have been affected.”

    The minister reiterated that there was no agreement between the federal government and JOHESU prior to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He added that what JOHESU brandished as 2014 agreement were minutes of meetings they had with organs of government.

    He explained that in September 2017, JOHESU presented 15-point demand and the Federal Government has implemented 14 while the last demand was still been attended to.

    Adewole therefore appealed to the unions to immediately call off the strike and allow for the conclusion of the assignment given to a high powered body on the 2017 agreement.

    “The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari will not renege on any agreement entered into with any labour organisation including JOHESU,’’ he said

    The minister also appealed to the general public to bear with the government as efforts were on to end the ongoing strike as quickly as possible.

    NAN

  • Impeachment: Take it easy – group tells NASS

    The Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data Initiative ( ARDI ) has appealed to the National Assembly ( NASS ) to show understanding over President Muhammadu Buhari’s alleged purchase of  $496 million aircraft from the U.S. without due process.

    Mr Dennis Aghanya, Executive Secretary of ARDI, told our correspondent in Lagos on Sunday that the president, as a human being, could make mistakes.

    He advised the legislators to avoid actions that would heat up the system.

    “The president’s only sin is that he did not seek the approval of NASS for the release of the fund; he did not embezzle it.

    “For anyone to think of impeachment process against him is not right.

    “We have many problems at hand. Violation of a constitutional provision is bad but it is worse to act in an immoral manner,” Aghanya said.

    The ARDI scribe said that Buhari’s regime was prosecuting a vital project – fighting corruption and insecurity – and might circumvent the provision of the constitution in some instances to succeed.

    He said that guidance or correction of the executive should not be with a sledge hammer.

    Aghanya claimed that the legislature had at some points also thrown caution to the wind to be able to achieve an aim.

    Aghanya said: “There is no doubt that Mr President erred in his approval and release of such magnitude of fund to place order for the controversial aircraft, but I prefer to view his actions from his intention rather than the technicalities associated with the process of releasing the fund.

    “He meant well and nobody can take away that fact.

    “We were all witnesses in this country where funds were appropriated and released and it was completely diverted and embezzled and nobody was questioned.

    “I must confess, however, that I am also happy that the National Assembly could be on top of its game by living up to its oversight function.”

    According to him, the beauty of every constitutional democracy is going by the rules as guided by the constitution of the country.

    Aghanaya said that all the arms of government must adhere strictly to the rules.

    “We will get over it; it is a gradual process. When our democracy matures very reasonably, we will not only impeach but will also start recalling legislators that have failed to live up to expectations.

    “Some governors, justices and legislators have done badly, but we are taking it calmly; that is the way it should go.

    “For those appearing on national television to justify this action of Mr President, I will disagree with them.

    Whatever is bad should be condemned and apologies rendered.

    “That is the only way we can continue to adjust in areas we have made mistakes and consolidate where we are getting it right.”

    NAN

  • Expectations, opportunities as Buhari visits Trump at White House

    President Muhammadu Buhari would be hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday at the White House to discuss issues, including fighting terrorism and economic growth.

    Buhari, during the one-day official working visit to the U.S. at the invitation of Trump, would have bilateral meeting with the U.S. president and a working lunch.

    “President Trump looks forward to discussing ways to enhance our strategic partnership and advance our shared priorities: promoting economic growth and reforms, fighting terrorism and other threats to peace and security, and building on Nigeria’s role as a democratic leader in the region.

    “The relationship of the United States with Nigeria is deep and strong, and Nigeria’s economic growth, security, and leadership in Africa will advance our mutual prosperity,” the White House said.

    International affairs experts say Buhari’s U.S. visit is strategic in many fronts, especially in view of the fact that the Nigeria-U.S. relationship was not too good prior to the inauguration of Buhari as president.

    They say Buhari, being the first democratically-elected African President that would be hosted by Trump since his inauguration and also being the first African leader Trump spoke to on phone following his inauguration as the U.S. president, speak volume.

    They also note that former U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited Nigeria in March in a first five-country African tour embarked upon by any official of the Trump administration.

    These historic events, the experts say, apart from reaffirming Nigeria’s strategic position in Africa, raised a lot of expectations and opportunities during the visit.

    The Special Adviser to Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, highlighted some of the expectations and opportunities.

    “The meeting is to discuss ways to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries and to advance shared priorities, such as promoting economic growth, fighting terrorism and other threats to peace and security.

    “The meeting will further deepen the U.S.-Nigeria relationship as the United States considers Nigeria’s economic growth, security and leadership in Africa to be critical aspects of their strategic partnership.

    “Later in the day, President Buhari will meet with a group of business persons in agriculture and agro-processing, dairy and animal husbandry,” Adesina said.

    Ahead of the visit, meetings were scheduled between senior Nigerian Government officials and executives of major U.S. companies in the areas of agriculture, aviation and transportation.

    The presidency said the Nigerian officials would be meeting with Boeing, the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world, on the National Carrier Project.

    On agriculture, the Nigerian delegation will also meet with large equipment manufacturers with focus on harvesting and post harvesting equipment.

    In the area of transportation, the officials will meet with the GE-led consortium for the implementation of the interim phase of the narrow gauge rail concession.

    A substantive concession agreement will be negotiated and finalised, to provide the consortium the opportunity to invest an estimated two billion dollars, to modernise the rail line from Lagos to Kano and from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.

    In addition, the concession framework and the interim phase framework agreements are expected to be signed during the visit.

    The Nigerian officials will also meet with U.S.-EXIM Bank and the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation to explore competitive financing arrangements.

    U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Stuart Symington, said the Buhari-Trump meeting “will be a very high level meeting; it will help the U.S. to also understand Nigeria’s projection”.

    “There will be independent conversation on security, governance, the Lake Chad Basin and Nigeria’s role as a democratic leader in the region,’’ Symington said.

    Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also described the visit as a sign of the growing cooperation between the U.S. and Nigeria.

    Mohammed said: “There will be independent conversation on security, governance, the Lake Chad Basin and Nigeria’s role as a democratic leader in the region.”

    “The meeting between President Trump and President Buhari will centre majorly on security and the economy and I think it’s not by co-incidence and I think it’s quite important.

    “He ( Buhari ) is the President of the most populous country in Africa, the president of the country with the largest economy in Africa.

    “And this is quite important because it is going to offer the opportunity for the two countries to reset their ties.

    “And I think it’s probably the fact that the world is now understanding that Nigeria is very strategic not just to the sub-region but the entire Africa,” Mohammed said.

    Amb. Hakeem Balogun, Nigeria’s ambassador to Indonesia, sees a very positive outing, saying the Nigeria-U.S. relation has improved greatly since Buhari became president and described the relationship as “very warm”.

    “The Nigeria-U.S. relationship is quite good. It’s been very warm and lovely ever since the coming of this administration.

    “Prior to President Buhari’s ascendancy, the relationship was sort of lukewarm following the American’s complaints over Nigeria’s handling of security issues, human rights allegations, issues of corruption, issues of governance.

    “These are issues which the present government has come in to make the focal point of its administration. And no doubt, even since then, our relationship has been very robust.

    “Our relationship has entered the fulcrum of the Bi-National Commission and based on that, it has formed the bedrock of our relationship; the bi-national commission is the foundation, the basis of the relationship between both countries.

    “Well within the bedrock of that bi-national commission, are issues of good governance, corruption, security and others, which formed the basis of our relationship with the United States.”

    On Corruption, Balogun, who was Nigeria’s former Charge d’ Affaires in U.S., said the U.S. was quite impressed with how far Nigeria had gone in the fight against corruption under Buhari.

    “They (U.S.) really have this belief that the person of Mr President was okay to handle the issue of corruption in Nigeria and that he’s been doing well.

    “So I can definitely tell you that the United States is pleased with what we’ve been doing at that level, ditto the efforts to revive the economy,” Balogun said.

    To corroborate Balogun’s assertion, Trump, during his phone conversation with Buhari in February 2017, discussed the strong cooperation between the U.S. and Nigeria, including on shared security, economic, and governance priorities.

    Trump underscored the importance the United States places on its relationship with Nigeria, and he expressed interest in working with Buhari to expand the strong partnership.

    The leaders agreed to continue close coordination and cooperation in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and worldwide.

    The U.S. president, particularly expressed support for the sale of aircraft from the U.S. to support Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram.

    Trump thanked Buhari for the leadership he has exercised in Africa and emphasised the importance of a strong, secure, and prosperous Nigeria that continues to lead in the region and in international forums.

    Balogun also said Buhari’s visit would be a win-win for both countries considering Nigeria’s ability to rally Africa on any issue at the international stage, a diplomatic advantage, which U.S. desperately needs.

    “The U.S. recognises Nigeria as the leader on the continent. It shows that if they (U.S.) have to have a foothold in Africa or to do something in Africa, anything positive, they need the support of Nigeria.

    “All our activities in the troubled spots in Africa – the championed peace on the continent and even beyond the continent; we’ve always been there on peaceful missions around the world,” Balogun said.

    NAN

  • Buhari: Historical books, service to humanity

    President Muhammadu Buhari, has described authorship of historical books as an act of rendering service to humanity. President Buhari said this on Saturday in Katsina, during the public presentation and launching of biographies of Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar and his predecessors.

    The President, who was represented by the Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Masari, said that writing of historical books had the capacity to promote mutual understanding and unity.

    “The authorship of books on history is an act of rendering service to humanity. “The more we write books, the more we understand ourselves and the more we unite.

    “What is important is that those who disagree in the history should also write their books,” he said.

    He stressed the need for Nigerians to work hard to sustain the unity of the country.

    Also speaking at the occasion, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, charged all Nigerians to embark on projects that would help strengthen the unity of the country.

    He described the attendance of different personalities at the event, irrespective of their religions and tribes as a sign of national unity.

    The Sultan, however, said, “I urge the books’ authors to adjust a few fallacies in the books as few chapter distorted history.’’

    The chief launcher of the books, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, also harped on unity of Nigeria.

    “What is dividing us is lack of understanding of history. Whether you are from West, South, North, nobody has control over what God has for our lives.

    “Whom I am, where I am coming from and where am going, my destiny, it is in the hands of God.

    “Our problem in Nigeria is not about poor economy, but lack of understanding of difficulties Nigerians are going through,’’ he said.

    Tinubu charged Nigerian leaders to preach peace and unity irrespective of their religions, tribes and geopolitical zones, saying: “There should be no tribal war; we must share boundaries, coexist and share economic issues with ourselves.’’

    Read Also: Buhari commends Adenuga for creating jobs in Nigerians

    The Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, who chaired the event, said that he attended the event because of the relationship between the people of his constituency and the Gwandu Emirate.

    He stressed that he would continue to support any cause that would promote peace and unity of Nigeria.

    Saraki commended late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, for initiating the writing of books to foster understanding and knowledge in the country.

    “The books will further brighten the future of Nigerian youths,’’ he said.

    The newsmen reports that the event was attended by dignitaries from the National Assembly, Emirs from the northern part of the country and state governors from neighbouring countries of Benin and Niger Republics.

    The newsmen also reports that over N100 million was realised from the launching of the books.

    NAN

  • Buhari commends Adenuga for creating jobs in Nigerians

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Chief Michael Adenuga who turns 65 on Sunday and commended his deep sense of loyalty and patriotism by investing in sectors that have created jobs for many Nigerians.

    The president gave the commendation in a congratulatory message addressed to Adenuga which was issued by the president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Saturday.

    President Buhari noted that Adenuga had added strong value in the provision of effective services that make life easier and more comfortable for many in the country, and across the African continent.

    The President therefore joined family, friends and the business community in congratulating the business magnate, philanthropist and one of Nigeria’s most renowned entrepreneurs.

    He observed that Adenuga rose from a modest background, defied many odds, and realized his dream of setting up and grooming successful companies in the oil and gas, banking and telecom sectors.

    Read Also: Buhari, NASS and unlawful use of $469m ECA funds

    President Buhari stated that apart from creating jobs through entrepreneurship, Adenuga’s contribution to the development of sports and the entertainment industry had remained remarkable.

    He said these sectors of the economy had continued to provide lifelines for many, and inspiring ingenuity and creativity.

    The President believed that Adenuga’s exploration and encouragement of youth entrepreneurship in the country would always be remembered, while his penchant for helping the less privileged through scholarships and healthcare financing deserves more commendations.

    He prayed that the almighty God would grant the Otunba of Ijebu land longer life, good health and more wisdom to continue serving the country and humanity.

    NAN