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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Benue shifts mass burial of 24 victims of herdsmen massacre

    Benue shifts mass burial of 24 victims of herdsmen massacre

    The Benue State Government unexpectedly rescheduled Friday’s planned mass burial for the victims of this week’s herdsmen attack in Okpokwu.

    The 24, including women and children, were killed at Omusu Edimoga. Dozens of others were wounded while some others are missing.

    Governor Samuel Ortom’s Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, said the mass burial will now take place on Wednesday.

    He gave no reason for the postponement.

    He merely said :“a church service, followed by burial of the victims, will take place on Thursday, next week at Okpokwu.”

    Governor Ortom however announced that President Muhammadu Buhari will visit the state on Monday.

    It is in continuation of Buhari’s visit to states that recently came under deadly attacks by Fulani herdsmen and militants.

    He has already visited Taraba and Plateau states.

    He is also billed to visit Yobe and Zamfara.

    Benue had in January buried 78 people shot dead by rampaging herdsmen in Guma and Logo local government areas of the state.

     

  • Amnesty programme has achieved 96% success – Boroh

    Amnesty programme has achieved 96% success – Boroh

     

    The Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Paul Boroh, on Friday claimed that the programme has achieved 96% success.

    Speaking with State House correspondents, he thanked President Buhari for reposing confidence in him.

    According to him, what is happening in the Amnesty Programme is no longer business as usual.

    He said “The programme actually is a security programme that has to do with critical stakeholders who drive the process in the programme. I’m only there to supervise what they are doing so that we can achieve the aim for which the programme was established, to ensure youth restiveness, to allow and ensure for peace and stability of the Niger Delta region, it is a security programme.”

    On his achievements in office, he said “Greatly in the sense that my task is to ensure peace and stability in the Niger Delta region and you are in better position to testify to that.

    Asked when the programme is ending, he said “Very soon, is a process is not a mathematical solution and we are in the process of achieving sustainable reintegration of the ex-agitators in the programme.

    On the percentage achieved so far, he said “We have achieved 96 per cent. We have only few left, from the 30,000, we have a case low balance of about 10,000 left that need to be reintegrated and we are looking at Mr. President’s vision of alternative to our oil in reintegrating our youths, that has to do with agriculture and that is the focus for which the programme is on now. We are focusing on agriculture as a way of life for the youth in the Niger Delta region.

    “We have gone so far at a point that most of the youths have also bought into the idea and initiative of agriculture as a way of life; as a way of creating job opportunities; as a way to ensure food security in the region and again to develop their financial positions because they will sell their farm products.”

    On the report that some of the ex-militants sent for studies oversea were abandoned, he said “I will never allow any of my children schooling outside this country under government to suffer. So as we speak 96 per cent of those on off-shore scholarship have graduated and returned home. I have only a few, in fact not more than 100 of them left in the entire globe where they have been schooling in the US, UK, Asian countries and South Africa. They have graduated and have come home.

    “The ones that refused to graduate and are trying to make life unbearable for themselves, its their own cup of tea, the federal government is not responsible for them anymore.

    Asked how the government is trying to accommodate those that have graduated, he said “This is a very great challenge that we are all facing as a nation state. The federal government ensured that about 350 of them have been employed in the various ministries in the country.

    “We are only waiting for appropriation so that once they report to their various ministries they will start earning their salaries” he said

     

  • Buhari’s proposed visit to Rivers: Wike must be called to order – APC chairman

    Buhari’s proposed visit to Rivers: Wike must be called to order – APC chairman

    The Rivers State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Davies Ikanya, has insisted that Governor Nyesom Wike must be called to order to stop overheating the polity, ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s proposed visit to Rivers.

    Ikanya on Friday in Port Harcourt, through his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media/Public Affairs Consultant, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, declared that he was not so sure of the soundness of Wike’s mind, especially for his (Rivers governor’s) uncouth words on President Buhari, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

    Wike, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday in Port Harcourt, while kicking off the reconstruction of Egbelu Street and construction of link roads in East-West in Rumuodara, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers, stated that the Federal Government had not informed him of President Buhari’s visit and the reason behind the planned visit.

    He alleged that the proposed visit might be aimed at reviving the fortunes of the APC that he claimed to be dead in the state, fondly referred to as “Rivers of Blood,” in view of the fact that Wike emerged governor through violence, massive rigging, killing and beheading of many members of the APC.

    The Rivers governor urged people of the state not to be bothered about the politics or otherwise of President Buhari’s visit to the state, claiming that the state is very peaceful.

    Wike said: “Maybe the President is  coming to make sure that he will improve the fortunes of the APC that is dead in Rivers State. Apart from Jesus Christ, we do not know of anyone who has risen a dead thing. APC is a dead party in Rivers State. No matter how you fast and pray, it will never wake up.

    “Let nobody bother him or herself that the President is coming for security reasons. We do not have security challenges in Rivers State. We have never had herdsmen killings or crisis in the state, except when some criminals tried to disrupt the  peace and they were checked. We resolved that challenge.

    “Since the administration has abandoned Rivers State for three years, this visit may be a blessing in disguise. The President may  use the visit to complete the Port Harcourt International Airport, the neglected East-West Road, the neglected sea ports and the rejected Port Harcourt-Aba Road.”

    Rivers APC chairman, however, stated that Wike attempted to incite the people of the state against President Buhari by insinuating that the Federal Government decided to abandon Rivers state since he assumed office in almost three years.

    Ikanya said: “Wike’s remarks are provoking, uncouth, inciting, unacceptable and should be withdrawn, as a matter of urgency, as members of APC in Rivers State will not for any reason risk the life of our dear President in the hands of Wike and his misguided cohorts.

    “Let Wike be warned that the proposed visit of President Buhari will not be like the visit of some Northern governors that visited Port Harcourt in 2014 to sympathise with their colleague, the then Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (now Transportation Minister), over the wicked humiliation he suffered in the hands of Wike and his collaborators, but the visiting governors were attacked and their vehicles damaged at the Port Harcourt International Airport by Wike’s thugs

    “It is difficult to forget how Wike as Minister of State for Education and the then PDP’s governorship aspirant, ordered his militia group, the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), to attack the visiting governors in 2014. In case Wike is planning similar attack on President Buhari, he will be disappointed this time.

    “Everybody knows Wike’s type of politics of violence, but no harm should be visited on President Buhari or any member of his delegation during the visit to commiserate with the people of Omoku and other parts of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State, for the sad and unfortunate killing of their loved ones during the New Year’s Day massacre of 23 innocent worshippers, after the crossover service, by associates of Wike.

    “Wike’s claim that APC is dead in Rivers State is laughable, because a party with two Senators (Senator Magnus Abe and Senator Andrew Uchendu), compared with Wike’s dying PDP’s one sleeping Senator cannot be said to be a dead party in Rivers State. Wike is the Chief Campaign Officer of APC for the 2019 general elections, based on his wicked policies against the youths, students, civil servants, pensioners and foreign investors. Although, Rivers people are sad over Wike’s lack of good policies to improve the lot of our people, but he (Wike) will unfailingly be voted out in 2019, thereby allowing the enthronement of a government that will be ready to work for the people of Rivers State.

    “If Rivers State is peaceful, as claimed by Wike, why is he budgeting a whopping sum of N22 billion to establish a private army unit, named Neighbourhood Watch, or is he saying that he intends to divert the fund to his private businesses? Wike should educate us on what his actual motive is, if we do not have any security challenges in Rivers State.”

    Rivers APC chairman also maintained that President Buhari’s visit to Rivers would not be for the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate Wike’s motor parks and markets, his major projects since he assumed office.

    He insisted that President Buhari had not and would not abandon Rivers state, considering the risks that APC members and other lovers of democracy took to get him elected, at the risk of their lives, in the hands of Wike, his collaborators and thugs.

    Ikanya said: “President Buhari has visited Rivers State on four remarkable occasions, through the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, SAN, to establish a peace pact in the Niger Delta region, inaugurate or kick off key projects. For Rivers governor, because of politics, to turn around to accuse President Buhari of abandoning Rivers State is unacceptable, wicked, evil, divisive and exhibition of ingratitude to a man who has done so much to develop Rivers State and the Niger Delta region.

    “Prof Osibanjo, with the express approval of President Buhari, visited Rivers State to kick-start the Ogoni clean-up, abandoned by the PDP government of the then President Goodluck Jonathan, with the connivance of Wike. The Vice President also visited Rivers State to kick-start the construction of the strategic Bonny-Bodo Road. Prof. OsInbajo was also in Rivers State on another occasion to inaugurate the world-class fertilizer plant, built by Indorama Eleme Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited in Port Harcourt, among other visits by the Presidency.

    “Wike forgot so soon that Dr. Jonathan, a son of the Niger Delta region, in his six years as the President of Nigeria, acknowledged that he failed Rivers State and the Niger Delta by not embarking on any meaningful project in the region, apart from imposing Wike as the governor of Rivers to promote insecurity in the state and other parts of the Niger Delta region.

    “The APC-led administration of President Buhari has proved within less than three years that the party has the best interest of Rivers State and Niger Delta region at heart, by the various interventions the Federal Government has embarked upon in the region within the last three years.”

    Rivers APC chairman also stated that Rivers state would benefit from the Calabar–Lagos Rail Line, the renovation/reconstruction of both Enugu–Port Harcourt and the West-East Roads, the renovation of the Afam power plant in Rivers State, resumption of work on the Port Harcourt International Airport, renovation and reconstruction of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Rail Line, among other projects that were abandoned by the previous PDP’s governments.

    Ikanya lauded President Buhari on the proposed visit to Rivers at this time, based on his love and commitment towards the development of the state.

     

  • AFAN lauds Plateau on tractor scheme

    AFAN lauds Plateau on tractor scheme

    The Plateau Chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria ( AFAN ), has lauded the State Government for introducing tractor ownership scheme for farmers.

    AFAN Plateau Chairman, Mr Philip Azi, made the commendation in an interview with our reporter on Friday in Jos.

    According to him, the initiative would boost agricultural activities in the state, as farmers would cultivate their farms with ease.

    “The arrangement will be of immense help to farmers in the state.

    “Farmers have over the years found it difficult to access tractors for usage on their farms, which often make them cultivate late and in turn grossly affect the level of production.

    “But with the coming of the tractors such anomalies will be naturally addressed.
    “So, it is a very good thing that is happening to farmers in the state,” Azi said.

    He called on AFAN members, particularly the beneficiaries of the scheme to abide by the terms and conditions of the programme.

    Azi also urged all farmers to take advantage of the scheme to maximise their outputs and boost agricultural production in the state.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had inaugurated 100 out of the 400 units of tractors under the scheme as part of his official visit to the state.

    The scheme has a tripartite arrangement, in which the beneficiaries would pay 60 per cent of the total cost, while state and local governments would pay 30 and 10 per cent balance respectively.

    The tractors were supplied at the cost of N1.4 million each.

    NAN

  • FG distributes relief materials to insurgency victims in Zamfara

    FG distributes relief materials to insurgency victims in Zamfara

    The Federal Government has distributed relief materials and empowerment items to the victims of insurgency in Zamfara.

    The distribution was made to the victims at Zurmi, Moriki and Shikafi emirate councils in Zurmi and Shikafi Local Government Area of the State.

    Speaking during the event, the Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees Migrant and Internally Displaced persons ( NCRIM ), Hajiya Farouq  Saadiya expressed her condolences to the emirates, families of the deceased and entire community.

    Saadiya said the relief materials were provided to ease the victims’ hardship and assist them in returning to normal life.

    She said before now the staff of the commission were in the areas to train victims on different types of skills with the aim of making them economically self-reliant.

    She said that the empowerment was considered the best form of assistance.

    According to her, the commission sees it very necessary to train IDPs and other victims of insecurity in the area on various skills acquisition.

    The areas of training for the victims included rice milling, clothes sowing, soap making and agricultural businesses.

    She said that the items distributed was a massage from President Muhammadu Buhari as part of his concern to the plight of victims.

    The relief materials distributed included food items such as rice, maize, beans and millet.

    Others were clothing materials, house holds items, kitchen utensils and health care materials.

    The empowerment items distributed at the event were sowing machines, rice milling machines, general granding machines, plough and animals such as ram, sheep and cows for livestock and animals husbandry.

    She, therefore, called on the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items given to them, so as to sustain the effort of the government in reducing poverty among IDPs and other victims of insecurity.

    Responding at the event the Emir of Zurmi, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku thanked the commissioner and the Federal Government for the kind gesture and assistance.

    The Emir said the emirate was not the only area faced with the banditry attack in the state but we received the highest concern.

    He said since the time of the attack they have been receiving visitors from within and outside the state.

    Smillaly the Emir of Moriki, Alhaji Samaila Muhammad and that of Shikafi, Alhaji Makwashe Idaho both expressed stisfaction with commissioner and thanked the Federal Government as well.

    According to them, the assistance will surely touch the lives of the victims and assist them in returning to normalcy.

    Some of the beneficiaries commended the Commission and assured that they will make good used of the assistance.

    NAN

  • SDGs: Buhari’s Aide calls for improved women empowerment

    SDGs: Buhari’s Aide calls for improved women empowerment

    Nigeria can only attain Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), if  women are empowered, it was learnt on Thursday.

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja by the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire as part of ways to celebrate International Women’s Day.

    She also noted that the goals would be achieved faster if gender perspective is mainstreamed into the national development plan.

    She called on all stakeholders to show more commitment in supporting the course of women and shun all forms of violence against women to engender an equitable society.

    Read Also: Int’l Women’s Day: Obaseki harps on inclusive policies

    Orelope-Adefulire also stated that the importance of women empowerment led to the decision of global leaders to recognise gender equality as a stand-alone goal in the post-2015 development agenda.

    According to her: “Nigeria is a signatory to many international conventions targeted at improving gender equality.”

    Some of the declarations the country is a signatory to are: “Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Addis Ababa Declaration on the Elimination and Prevention of all forms of Violence Against Women and Girls, Millennium Declaration, and Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.”

  • Tight security in Jos as Buhari visits Plateau

    Tight security in Jos as Buhari visits Plateau

    Security has been tightened up in most parts of Jos, Plateau State, ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s two-day working visit to the North-Central State.

    Correspondents of our reporter, who went round the city, observed heavy security presence with fierce-looking armed personnel in areas considered as flash points.

    Our reporter, also observed that armoured tanks were positioned around many roundabouts in the city centre, while various teams of security personnel in siren-blaring vehicles were seen patrolling the city.

    Read Also: State police, challenges and security reality

    Mr Terna Tyopev, the Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO ), who spoke to our reporter, said that the strategy was to ensure “visibility policing” and facilitate quick response to distress calls.

    “The heavy presence of the security personnel is deterrent in nature; it will create fear among members of the public, particularly those with evil intention,” he said.

    Our reporter,  reports that Buhari, who is visiting Plateau for the first time since he became President in 2015, is expected to inaugurate some road projects and also launch the state’s tractor ownership scheme.

    NAN

  • Osinbajo at 61: Ndoma-Egba describes VP as highly dependable

    Osinbajo at 61: Ndoma-Egba describes VP as highly dependable

    The Chairman, Governing Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) has described the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) as highly dependable.

    Ndoma-Egba made this remark, in a 61st birthday congratulatory message to Prof. Osinbajo, in a statement by Mrs Clara Braide, Special Assistant, Communication Office, NDDC, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Describing the Vice President as “Highly dependable and cerebral,” the NDDC Chairman, who also turns 62 on the same day as Prof. Osinbajo, acknowledged several landmark achievements, which had no doubt, singled out the Vice President.

    Ndoma-Egba added that Osinbajo’s integrity, intelligence and selfless service has been essential to the numerous achievements recorded by President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

    “The vision and wisdom of this quintessential leader of our time is evident for all to see in his ability to discharge his assigned duties loyally.

    “I pray that God will continue to bless him with good health, wisdom and many more years in the service of God and our great nation,” he said.

  • Call your people to order, Catholic Archbishop urge Buhari

    Call your people to order, Catholic Archbishop urge Buhari

    The Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan Metropolitan See, Archbishop Gabriel Abegunrin has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency exercise his power as the leader of the entire country and quickly call to order, the rich Fulani men to stop funding the herdsmen killing innocent people at will.

    The cleric who noted that it is sad and even sadder that shedding innocent blood is now a continuous events in Nigeria as well as the indiscriminate blocking of roads in the heart beat of Abuja and Ibadan by Fulanis herdsmen cows is a terrible thing.

    Abegunrin made the disclosure while addressing newsmen at the occasion of the Ibadan North Denary Cathedralticum programme held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ilupeju, Ibadan, Wednesday.

    Pointing out that, this is not the first time “we will be having Fulani in our midsts,  but events since the inception of this regime under President Muhammadu Buhari calls for rethinking and proper analysis.

    “Is it because their man is at the helms of affairs that is why they are sacking people indiscriminately from their abodes? They cannot be the owners everywhere. This incessant harassment, lawlessness being carried out is destroying this government so much.

    “They are more than terrorist, attacking people in their homes at night, maiming and killing them is more than terrorism. The act, if not quickly checked, this country may not be speaking and relating as one again. We are now leaving as a stranger in our land, it is terrible and uncalled for”, the cleric warned.

    He advised the Federal Government to copy the ranching system as been practiced in advance country for the development of agriculture in Nigeria rather than what is happening now.

    According to the cleric, the Cathedralticum event is an occasion to remember the less privilege in the society. Goods, properties and fund were also gathered and shared to the needed individuals.

    He further stressed that Nigeria needs “prayers at this crucial time so that calamity will not occur and for it to continue to be united as one family once again.”

     

     

  • Buhari receives FIFA World Cup trophy

    Buhari receives FIFA World Cup trophy

    No financial reward announced for CHAN Eagles 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday received the FIFA World Cup trophy at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The trophy is presently touring 91 cities in 51 countries across the globe ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup competition billed for Russia in June.

    Apart from thanking the world football ruling body, FIFA for allowing the trophy to tour two cities in Nigeria, Abuja and Lagos, President Buhari promised to support the Super Eagles towards winning the trophy in June.

    He was glad that the Super Eagles was the first African team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

    According to him, football has been a great unifying factor among the ethnic groups in the country.

    Even as no cash reward was announced at the short ceremony for the CHAN Eagles that won silver in Morocco, the President said that the country appreciated their efforts.

    “We are proud of you and the team to the Bobsleigh Winter Olympics in South Korea.” He said

    While commending Coca-Cola for their role in football development in Nigeria, he urged other organizations to emulate the company.
    The Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, disclosed that the two ladies that brought honours to Nigeria at the Bobsleigh Winter Olympics in South Korea, were based in the United States and sponsored their training and participation at the competition.

    He noted that the honours coming to Nigeria under the present administration won’t have been possible without the support of the President.

    FIFA representative, Christian Karembeu who presented the FIFA World Cup trophy to President Buhari, urged the Super Eagles to believe in themselves in order to go far in the competition.

    The President of Coca Cola West Africa, Peter Njonjo, hoped that the ceremony on Wednesday would turn out to be a dress rehearsal for the return of the trophy in July if the Super Eagles wins the competition.