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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • We will continue to pray for Buhari ‘s son – PDP

    We will continue to pray for Buhari ‘s son – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), has said that it will continue to pray for the son of President Muhammadu Buhari ’s son, Yusuf for speedy recovery from his power-bike accident.

    A statement fromthe party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan in Abuja on Thursday said the party was shocked by the news of the accident.

    “PDP as a family receive with shock, the sad news of the involvement of Yusuf Buhari, son of President Muhammadu Buhari in a power-bike accident in Abuja on Wednesday.

    “The PDP as a family prays for Yusuf’s speedy recovery to enable him return to his normal life.

    Ologbondiyan said that the party was  reassured by reports from the Presidency that Yusuf was in a steady condition.

    Read also: Buhari ’s son ‘stable’ after bike accident

    “We also commend the prompt intervention by medics even as we value the concern of all well-meaning Nigerians for their prayers for Yusuf and the first family”.

    NAN

  • Buhari mourns late Wazirin Katagum

    Buhari mourns late Wazirin Katagum

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday condoled with Audu Katagum over the death of his father, Alhaji Sule Katagum, Wazirin Katagum.

    Malam Garba Shehu, the president’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, said Buhari’s condolence message was contained in a letter addressed to the Head of the Sule Katagum family.

    In the letter, Buhari said he received with shock and sadness, the news of the death of Wazirin Katagum.

    He described the passing of the revered traditional ruler as a great loss to the Nation.

    The letter read: “I have known him and followed his illustrious career, which spanned the First and Second Republics.

    “His leadership of the Federal Public Service Commission, which was the longest and most eventful, had been with great distinction and uncommon grace.’’

    Read also: Buhari to attend Niger Independence anniversary

    The president paid tribute to Katagum for his numerous contributions to the country and the people of Katagum.

    He noted that as a public servant and traditional ruler he led with ‘‘distinction, competence and exemplary integrity.

    ‘‘There is no doubt that Nigeria, especially the North and Katagum Emirate, have lost a great and irreplaceable son.

    “May his soul rest in perfect peace.’’

    NAN

  • Boroffice frowns at Fayose’s remark on Buhari’s birthday

    Boroffice frowns at Fayose’s remark on Buhari’s birthday

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Science and Technology, Prof Robert Boroffice has disagreed with Gov. Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti over his suggestion that  President Muhammadu Buhari, should retire from politics in 2019 having clocked 75.

    Fayose on Saturday congratulated Buhari and said it would be honourable for the president to step down now, saying he had served the nation as he could with advanced age.

    Boroffice, who is representing Ondo  North Senatorial District, lambasted Fayose.

    “The advice from Gov. Ayodele Fayose that Mr President should not consider seeking re-election due to age consideration should be ignored.

    “Mr President cannot be blackmailed and his right to to  seek re-election should be respected by every Nigerian who believes in the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended),” he said.

    Read also: APC, Fayose felicitate with Buhari on 75th birthday

    He said  it was instructive to note that the constitution does not impose age restriction on a president who wishes to seek re-election.

    “Indeed, advanced age is not a liability but an asset. Also, septuagenarian level does not in anyway suggest a chink in the armour but it radiates gutsiness,” it said.

    Boroffice wished Buhari  many more hearty and healthy years in the service of humanity.

    NAN

  • Buhari returns to Abuja

    Buhari returns to Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Abuja after participating in the “One Planet” summit in Paris, France.

    The President’s aircraft landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 4:35 p.m. on Thursday.

    Buhari was received by senior government officials including his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abba Kyari and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Alhaji Musa Bello.

    While in Paris, President Buhari had appealed to the international community to support Nigeria’s commitment to reduce the negative effects of climate change.

    Buhari told participants that Nigeria could not implement its Nationally Determined Contributions without adequate financial, technical and capacity building support from developed nations

    He said Nigeria had already ratified the Paris Agreement in May 2017 but its Nationally Determined Contributions to reduce emission by 20 per cent by 2020 and 40 per cent by 2030 could not be attained alone.

    Read also: Buhari seeks global support to tackle climate change effects

    According to him, the country is not under illusion of the challenges it is facing, having just come out of recession.

    The summit with the theme “Climate Change Financing,” was attended by over 60 heads of state and governments, as well as representatives of non-governmental and private organisations.

    NAN

  • Bauchi to distribute kits worth N1.5bn to women

    Bauchi to distribute kits worth N1.5bn to women

    The Bauchi State Commission for Youths and Women Rehabilitation ( BACYWARD ) says it will distribute empowerment kits worth N1.5 billion to women in Small and Medium Scale businesses across the state.

    The commission Chairman, Mr Ahmed Faruq, made this known on Thursday during the graduation ceremony of 800 women and youths in skill acquisition programme in Bauchi.

    The programme was organised by the Future Assured Initiative for Youths and Women.

    Future Assured is the humanitarian pet project of Mrs Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The initiative has trained women and youths in various trades including Tie and Dye, Pastry making, Spaghetti and Couscous making among others for a duration of one week.

    Faruq said that the initiate was aimed at boosting the economic activities of women in such businesses.

    “The commission has received approval of the governor for partnership with Jaiz Bank under which more than N1.5 billion worth of empowerment kits will be distributed to women across 20 local government areas.

    “This is in realisation that 80 per cent of small businesses are carried out by women, and no economy will wax stronger without the active participation of small businesses,’’ he said.

    Faruq said that the commission has also registered 2,000 youths and women for the O/level examinations, while another 2,000 were sponsored into various diploma and computer programmes.

    In his remarks, Gov. Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi, lauded the efforts of wife of the President on empowerment of women.

    Abubakar said that the state government has designed numerous programmes for women and youths to be self-reliance.

    NAN

  • Udoma says labour matters high on FG’s priority matters

    Udoma says labour matters high on FG’s priority matters

    Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, says labour matters command high priority in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The information is in a statement signed by the minister’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr Akpandem James, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    James stated that Udoma made the remark when he received a team from International Labour Organisation (ILO) led by Ms Cynthia Samuel-Olajuwon, the ILO Assistant Director and Regional Director for Africa.

    He added that the team’s visit was to brief Udoma on the implications of the just released World Social Protection Report to Nigeria, as well as intimate him about the centenary celebration of the organisation planned for 2019.

    He quoted the minister as saying “Federal Government attached high premium to labour issues, especially human capital development, as stated in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

    “Investing in people is one of the three broad objectives of the plan.

    “ERGP is an ambitious four-year plan developed to dramatically turn around the economic fortunes of the country.

    “It is aimed at increasing the productivity of the Nigerian economy by improving on human capacity, as well as encourage private sector investment.”

    Read also: 2017 Budget: recurrent expenditure releases hit N4.24trn – Udoma

    The minister explained that the objectives of the plan were to restore growth, invest in the people and build a globally competitive economy.

    Udoma said government was determined to pursue its human capital investment efforts through social inclusion, job creation and youth empowerment, as well as improved human capacity.

    The minister added that Nigeria would draw from the expertise of the ILO on labour matters, noting that the country had been active in the organisation’s programmes as exemplified by the level of representation in the global body.

    He thanked the organisation for choosing Nigeria as one of the 10 countries in the world where the Global Social Protection Report was launched.

    He assured the organisation of Federal Government ‘s support, saying “ you can count on our continuing support and strong collaboration.”

    Earlier, Samuel-Olajuwon had told the minister that Nigeria was chosen as one of the countries to launch the organisation’s global report because of its importance to ILO globally and Africa in particular.

    The report was launched in Abuja on December 12, 2017.

    She said apart from the fact that Nigeria had strong representation at ILO, noting that it was the first country in Africa where the world body’s office was established.

    The official said the organisation’s collaboration with Nigeria was anchored on Medium Term Framework which emphasised issues of employment, social protection and labour market governance issues, among others.

    NAN

  • Judiciary is victim of corruption – Auta

    Judiciary is victim of corruption – Auta

    Justice Ibrahim Auta, a former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, says the judiciary, especially the judges have become victims of corruption allegation in the country.

    Auta made the assertion during the conferment of Award of Excellence on him by the Society Watch Media Ltd. (SWML), an NGO, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    He said because judges were barred from speaking to the press, most of the corruption allegation leveled against them often appeared to be true.

    The former chief judge said corruption perceptions about judges were becoming acceptable because the people believed whatever they read in the media without verification.

    Auta said there was no country and sector devoid of corruption, adding that it was only the magnitude of the  practice that differed.

    He said the country was faced with many challenges and problems ranging from corruption, kidnapping, ritual killings, lack of infrastructural development, favouritism, nepotism and religious crisis.

    Read also: Judiciary has lost public confidence, says Lagos CJ

    “At the root of this challenges is leadership, what we have been lacking in Nigeria is good and purposeful, nationalistic and patriotic leaders,’’ he said.

    He therefore called on Nigerians to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari that whatever he was doing would be of benefit to Nigerians.

    He also called for the recruitment of more policemen to ensure adequate security for the country.

    According to him, the current insecurity ravaging the country necessitated the need employ more police personnel that will be equipped and adequately funded.

    He said the current figure of policemen in the country was inadequate to provide security for over 200 million Nigerians.

    Mr Michael Balogun, the Chief Executive Officer of SWML, said the challenges bedeviling the country were outright lack of focus and good leadership.

    “Our problem is not corruption as we are made to believe, but leadership because a good and purposeful leader will know that stealing our common resources is a sin against God,” he said.

    Balogun lauded the former chief judge for distinguishing himself as a man of integrity whose performance was excellent within the period he was in office from 2011 to 2017.

    NAN

  • FG pledges support for FCWC

    FG pledges support for FCWC

    The Federal Government has pledged to support the Fisheries Committee for the West Central Gulf of Guinea ( FCWC ) to achieve its goals for the benefit of the member states.

    Dr Bukar Ibrahim, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, conveyed the assurance at the 10th Annual Ministerial Conference on FCWC in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Ibrahim, who was represented by Mr Azeez Muyiwa, a Director in the ministry, said that the Federal Government would support the efforts of the committee to ensure that the fishery resources of the sub-region were sustainably exploited and managed.

    “Today’s annual conference is unique because the organisation is celebrating its 10th anniversary of existence.

    “The organisation’s excellent performance in fisheries management, promotion of fish trade, fight against Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported ( IUU ) fishing and regional cooperation among the member countries cannot be overemphasised.

    “The conference could not have come at a more auspicious time than now that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has redirected the focus of the Nigerian economy towards agriculture.

    “Efforts at harnessing the huge potential of fisheries and aquaculture will no doubt give an added impetus to the realisation of our shared objectives in wealth creation, food and nutritional sector in the Gulf of Guinea,’’ he said.

    Ibrahim, however, urged the participants to come up with a workable document that could be used to implement fishery development programmes that would be beneficial to the sub-region.

    Read also: ‘Mechanised Farming, key to Nigeria’s food security’

    Mr Seraphin Dedi, the Secretary General of FCWC, said that if the public and private sectors and all partners in the fishery sector invested appreciable resources in fishery development projects, the sector would record significant improvement.

    “If we are able to invest enough resources in the fishery sector, we may improve the contribution of fisheries to the food security, nutrition and the development of the sub-region.

    “The fishery sector is one sector that is helping a lot in terms redistributing the value addition of the sector to the population. So, if we invest in fisheries, you are sure that it will affect the people of the region.

    “If we look at the value chain of the fishery sector, we will discover that different people are involved in the system; by investing in the sector, you can touch all these people and facilitate the development of the region,’’ he said.

    Dedi said that FCWC was the regional fisheries body that managed the fishery resources of the region which comprised six countries — Nigeria, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin Republic.

    “We are having this meeting in Nigeria, which is the conference of ministers.

    “We use to meet once a year and move from one country to the other. Part of the focus of the current meeting is the celebration of the 10th anniversary of our existence.

    “It means for the past 10 years, we have been working together as a body, sharing our experiences and implementing measures to combat illegal fishery in the region and manage our fishery resources.

    “So after 10 years, we need to sit down and reflect on what we have done so far and how far we can go again.

    “We have noted in our past discussions that investment in fisheries is not sufficient enough.

    “So, in efforts to support our region’s development, we decided to choose `Investment for Growth and Sustainability in Fisheries in West Africa’ as the theme of this year’s conference,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Quest for change made me team up with Buhari – Amaechi

    Quest for change made me team up with Buhari – Amaechi

    The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, says that his pursuit for change made him to leave his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ), to join the All Progressives Congress ( APC ).

    Amaechi made the disclosure on the sidelines of the Future Awards Africa held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos last Saturday.

    He said that he would have done otherwise by staying in PDP and fight for the change, instead, there was a need to cross over to APC because of his belief in President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “I moved from PDP to APC because I am tired of what is happening in the party, I have the option to stay because of my position as the Chairman of the Governors then.

    “I can use my position to fight them (PDP) and get what I want because I believe Nigeria was not going in the right direction by then.

    “My attention and belief shifted to Buhari which was the viable alternative, I believe in the change mantra because it is the only way to improve on what is on ground.

    Read also: How APC can win 2019 elections – Amaechi

    “He has not disappointed because the economy is now back on track and is growing. This is evident in the current prices of food items because it’s getting lower,’’ he said.

    Amaechi said that prices of food would further crash because of the efforts of the government at making the country self-sufficient in food production.

    “With the change going on, the price will further crash because before this government came in, the price were soaring because we were importing food items, things we can grow here.

    “Now the policy of government which banned the importation of rice is working, the price is now about N16,000, but before now,  we are importing about N3 billion worth of rice.

    “Before now too, we were importing another N3 billion worth of poultry products, we are importing tomatoes but with the ban, we are now concentrating on our local production.

    “Many states in the northern part of the country are now growing rice in large quantities though by right, the South-South geo-political zone should be doing that because they are the ones in the swampy area,’’ he said.

    Amaechi said that the wastage in the PDP era was alarming, adding that the depletion of the excess crude account was supposed not have been.

    “When Obasanjo was leaving, he left about 65 billion dollars in the Excess Crude Account, but this money was frittered away and we wonder where the money is.

    “As at then, the price of crude oil during the president Goodluck Jonathan’s administration hovered around 140 dollars with this, they did not leave anything for the incoming government.

    “With that kind of money, we should be thinking of connecting Nigeria through rail system. The rail between Ibadan to Kano would have been completed.

    “Also the rail gauge between Port Harcourt to Maiduguri and Lagos to Calabar, but all the excess crude money was frittered away, we need to ask questions,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • We are expecting additional 1,129 MW in 2018 – Fashola

    We are expecting additional 1,129 MW in 2018 – Fashola

    The Federal Government on Monday announced that when some power generation projects were completed by 2018, they could generate additional 1,129 Mega Watts to the current 7,000 Mega Watts in the country, the Minster of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola revealed.

    The Minster said this at the 22nd monthly meeting of stakeholders in the power sector at Geregu, Kogi.

    Fashola said “the Azura power plant will give us another 450MW; I know that we will also get 10MW of wind power from Katsina State.

    “I know that we will get 115MW from Gbari and 30MW from Kashimbila.

    “From Afam III, we will give 240MW of power in 2018, while Gurara is working to deliver 30MW, as Dadinkowa in Gombe will provide 29MM and Kaduna will generate 215 MW.

    “All these power plants do not involve the mini grids and solar systems that are coming.”

    The minister explained that in spite of the attainment of the current 7,000MW in the country, 2,000MW of the total power was not being distributed to Nigerians.

    He said it was important to devise means of taking the unutilised 2,000MW to Nigerians who needed power, noting that “we cannot afford to keep power; that is not good for business, especially those who invested in it.

    “One of the steps we are taking with the Niger Delta Power Holding Company ( NDPH ) is to try and complete some of the distribution projects under the Nigerian National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) projects.

    “In Kogi, the distribution project that will affect the people positively are the ones in Okene, Igba, which will be completed in the first quarter of 2018.”

    Fashola said the narrative must change from not enough power to how unutilised power could be distributed.

    He explained that he had contacted the President of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to discuss how its members could key into the undistributed power.

    Read also: Why I believe power sector ’ll be fixed, by Fashola

    He added that “Director Generator, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and other chambers of commerce had been contacted on how to take up the 2000 unused megawatts

    “We are also working on how Distribution Companies (Discos) could benefit from the entire process.”

    The minister, who said the sector had made progress on power Generation and Transmission, added that Distribution issues would also be cleared soon.

    He attributed the success recorded in the sector so far to government polices, “especially the provision of N701 billion assurance guarantee fund that enabled the payment to gas suppliers by Generating Companies (Gencos).

    “The assurance guarantee brought confidence to power production business, which resulted to increased power production which took us to all-time high of 7,000MW power availability.”

    “As at Dec. 5, 2017, power supply stood at 5,019MW, which was below the 5,074MW achieved in January 2016.

    “However, grid supplied power peaked at all-time high of 5,155MW on December 8, an increase over the January 2016 figure of 5,074 MW.”

    He said the success was due to teamwork and leadership provided by President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbanjo and other stakeholders.

    He then urged stakeholders to join hands in solving the problems in the sector, saying it was a privilege to be involved in salvaging the challenges in the sector.

    The Managing Director of Geregu Power Plant PLC, Mr Aderemi Adenuga, said owners of the company injected 94 million Dollars to overhaul and upgrade the plant.

    He said the company was comfortably running the tree turbines in the plant and thanked Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET) for payment of the electricity generated to the company.

    NAN