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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

Buhari orders immediate repatriation of Nigerians in Libya

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the immediate repatriation of Nigerians stranded in Libya and other parts of the world for rehabilitation.

This declaration was made in Abidjan, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by Malam Garba Shehu, President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity

According to him, the president made this known in an interactive session with members of the Nigerian Community in Cote D’ Ivoire.

The President vowed to reduce the number of Nigerians heading for Europe illegally through the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea by providing basic social amenities such as education, healthcare, and food security at home, Garba said in the statement.

According to him, the president said that all necessary steps would be taken to stem the tide of illegal migration by Nigerians.

He, however, noted that it is very difficult to know the origin of the people who died, while attempting the perilous journey across the Mediterranean, because of lack of documentation.

“When it was announced that 26 Nigerians died recently in the Mediterranean, before they proved that they were all Nigerians they buried them.

“The evidence I have from the Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs, (Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa) is that only three of them were identified as Nigerians.

“But I’ll not be surprised if the majority of them were Nigerians.

“For people to cross the Sahara desert and Mediterranean through shanty boats… we will try and keep them at home.

“Anybody who died in the desert and Mediterranean without documents; to prove that he is a Nigerian, there is absolutely nothing we can do.’’

On the recent footage on the sale of Africans in Libya, he quotes the president as saying, that, “ it was appalling that some Nigerians (in the footage) were being sold like goats for few dollars in Libya.’’

He said: “after 43 years of Gadhafi, why are they recruiting so many people from the Sahel including Nigerians? All they learned was how to shoot and kill.

They didn’t learn to be electricians, plumbers or any other trade.’’

On domestic issues, President Buhari told Nigerians in the Diaspora that “there is good news from home in the area of security, economy and anti-corruption.

“We are not doing too badly in trying to secure the country, improve the economy and deal with corruption.

“We are doing our best at all levels including security. It is absolute madness for people to blow others up in markets, churches, and mosques.’’

According to him, no religion advocates violence, saying that “Justice is the basic thing all religions demand and you can’t go wrong if you do it.’’

On food security, the President said that his vision of repositioning Nigeria as a food-secure nation was on course as the “country is on the verge of attaining food security.’’

Read also: 580 more Nigerians to return from Libya this week

He attributed the development to positive agricultural reform programmes and bumper harvest occasioned by good weather.

According to the President, interventions through the Anchors Borrows Programme of the CBN and the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative, among others, had been very successful in the agricultural reform initiative.

“People have gone back to the farm. We got the CBN, agriculture minister and money was provided at very low interest to farmers and the farmers responded and it was very positive.

“We are lucky that we are in a position to feed ourselves. So we are going to have food security in Nigeria earlier than anybody ever thought,’’ he noted.

The President advised Nigerians in Cote D’ Ivoire to be good ambassadors in their host country, warning that the Embassy would not hesitate to repatriate those who tarnish the image of the country abroad.

NAN

November 29, 2017
Eid-El-Maulud: FG declares Friday public holiday

The Federal Government has declared Friday as public holiday in commemoration of the Muslims Eid-El-Maulud celebration.

The Minister of Interior, retired Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, according to a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

The statement was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mr Abubakar Magaji.

Dambazau urged all Muslim faithfuls and Nigerians in general to use the occasion to pray for peace, progress and unity of the nation.

He further urged all Nigerians to support the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in its efforts at building a virile nation, and wished Nigerians a happy Eid-El-Maulud celebration.

Read also: Ambode urges Muslims to pray for peace of Nigeria

Eid-El-Maulud is celebrated every year by Muslims on the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi-ul-Awwal as the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

NAN

November 29, 2017
FG reiterates commitment to reward, protect whistleblowers

The Federal Government on Tuesday reiterated its commitment to reward and protect whistleblowers who provided information that led to recovery of stolen funds or assets.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this during a visit to the head office of Leadership newspaper in Abuja.

Mohammed, who was responding to a question on the stash of money recovered from an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos, said the whistleblowers would get the due reward.

He clarified the compensation modality as contained in the framework, saying any whistle-blower whose information led to recovery of up to N1 billion would receive five per cent of the amount.

He said the reward for any amount between N1 billion and N5 billion was 5 per cent for the first N1 billion and four per cent of the remaining N4 billion.

The minister added that any amount above N5 billion would attract 2.5 per cent reward.

Mohammed noted that the policy of government was to keep the identity of whistle blowers secret.

He described as unfortunate the situation where more than one person came out as whistle blowers for the Ikoyi recovery.

He disclosed that Federal Government had come up with comprehensive strategy to tackle violent extremism across the country.

He said the strategy was contained in a document entitled “Policy Framework and National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism” launched by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mohammed said the document was developed after consultations with agencies of government, civil society organisations, the media and academia, as well as the international community.

He also spoke on the various policies and programmes of government at revamping the economy, building infrastructure and creating jobs.

On the fight against corruption, Mohammed said government was winning the war, having succeeded in driving corruption under the table.

He hailed Leadership newspaper for carrying out its duties professionally.

NAN

November 29, 2017
Buhari not interested in automatic ticket in 2019 – Kalu

Former Abia governor, Dr Orji Kalu, said on Saturday that President Muhammadu Buhari might not be interested in getting an automatic ticket to re -contest.

Kalu told newsmen at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, that the president would prefer a situation where other candidates would explore the democratic process to test their popularity.

“Buhari himself is not even looking for automatic ticket.

“He is a man that is very fair and free in what he does.

“And his feeling is that if any candidate is willing to contest against him, he should come out.

“So President Buhari is also feeling that an automatic ticket for him is not right.

“He believes that the political space should be opened up for other people who also want to contest and he wants an open primary (elections) to take place,” he said.

He said he would support Buhari should he indicate interest to run for a second term.

“I have said it times without number, that the president needs to consolidate on his achievements because he is very popular.

“He is still the only person carrying 15 million votes in his back despite his tenure being besieged by illness.

“So the president genuinely deserves a second tenure,’’ Kalu said.

He also ruled out the chances of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) coming back in 2019.

Kalu said Buhari was under restraint not to expose the gargantuan corruption that took place at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

He said if Nigerians knew what happened at NNPC, they would not allow any of the looters to run away from the country.

Kalu wished former Vice President Atiku Abubakar well on his future endeavours following his decision to leave APC.

NAN

November 26, 2017
It will be injustice not to implement 2014 Confab report – Ike Nwachukwu

Retired Maj.-Gen. Ike Nwachukwu on Saturday re-echoed the need for the Federal Government to implement the 2014 National Conference report, saying it addressed issues of restructuring in the country.

He made this known at the retreat of Southern Senators’ Forum in Calabar on Saturday.

Nwachukwu said it would be injustice to Nigeria not to have recommendations of the report implemented in view of its relevance to the call for restructuring.

“I had the privilege in 2005 of serving as a member of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Political Reform Conference and it rolled into 2014 National Conference.

“I will dare to say that the amount of work put into the 2014 conference, of course, building on the outcome of the 2005 conference, produced a fantastic report.

“It will be total injustice to Nigeria if the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference are jettisoned.

“Most of what we are talking about today were raised there, and after several weeks of grinding discussions, the report was drafted.

“I recommend it to the Nigerian legislature to take a look at and use in finding solution to our present problems,’’

Nwachukwu urged President Muhammadu Buhari to make history by heeding to the call of the people to implement the report.

“I want to say to my senior colleague, President Muhammadu Buhari, that he has a fantastic opportunity in history.

“He has the privilege to call a meeting of well-meaning Nigerians to take a look at the report to be able to set our country on a new path of unity, trust and better understanding.

“We have a country with less ethnicism, less religiousity and we can build a country we all will want to live in.

“I often wonder that if I get called by God, what I would say that I have bequeathed to Nigeria.

“Here is the opportunity to bequeath to the generation coming after us a country on the path of unity, better understanding and love for one another,’’ he said.

While recalling the contributions of the military to the unity of country, the elder statesman said the narrative had changed and there was a need to address some issues.

He said that the military did what it did believing that that was the right thing to do to keep the country from falling apart.

Nwachukwu, a member of the 2014 confab, stressed that while decrees were put in place and a new constitution written in the quest to building one united country, it had been a long time and things had changed.

He pointed out that events had proven that though those intentions had kept our country united, it could no longer sustain the yearnings of the people.

He said that unless “we set a new path that we will work to ensuring that we are truly our brothers’ keepers, no amount of military or writing of constitution will make us a one united country’’.

NAN

November 26, 2017
Ikpeazu calls for increased allocation to federal universities of agriculture

Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has appealled to the Federal Government to increase its allocation to federal universities of agriculture in the country.

Ikpeazu made the call on Saturday at the eighth convocation and silver jubilee celebration of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), near Umuahia.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari “for refocusing on agriculture as a way of finding ourselves out of the economic duldrome in Nigeria.”

He described the decision to revive the nation’s agricultural sector as lofty but noted that it ought to have come earlier.

He further spoke on the Federal Government’s directive to critical federal tertiary institutions, including MOUAU, to revert to their core mandate.

“As Abia citizens, our desire would have been for this university to continue to train our children in different areas of academics, irrespective of their inclinations.

“This is because we do not have any other federal institution that can fill the gap except this great institution,” the governor said.

He further said that the global challenges of survival faced by graduates of such institutions would require the dynamics of training in all fields of human endeavour in a comprehensive curriculum, to enable them to perform better.

He said that Nigeria should emulate other world renowned universities, established for specific disciplines but also taught courses that were ancillary to their core mandate and helped to produce all-round graduates.

According to him, “You cannot be a proper graduate if you do not know a bit of everything.”

Okezie commended Federal Government’s “extra attention to agriculture.”

He, however, said that the efforts would amount to lip service, if they were not marched with proper funding of the universities of agriculture.

He expressed the hope that agriculture would be made a serious business, capable of producing millionaires, to be able to attract Nigerian youths.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe, restated Federal Government’s commitment to transform agriculture and make it the mainstay of the nation’s economy.

Ogbe, represented by the Abia Director in the ministry, Mr Eziri Ebere, said that the present administration had introduced a number of programmes to resuscitate agriculture.

Some of them, he said, included the creation of 10,000 jobs in the agricultural sector for youths in each state of the federation and Anchor Borrower for rice production.

Also, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Francis Otunta, listed some achievements as the accreditation of 20 out of the 21 programmes in 2016, plus eight out of nine additional programmes in May/June.

Otunta also spoke on developmental projects in the university, saying that the institution received over N2.1 billion, representing 40 per cent of the 2013/2014 NEEDS Assessment Fund, to resume work on abandoned projects.

He said that his administration revived 25 uncompleted projects out of the 45 under the fund.

He said that over N684 million was utilised to pay old debt to 31 contractors, to enable them to return to site.

He said, “Work is now in progress on some projects, while some are still suffering setback due to an upward variance in costs resulting from the fall in the value of the naira.”

On Tertiary Education Trust Fund for the university, Otunta said that three of the six projects for the 2012/2013 fund were completed but only four out of the 20 for the 2013/2014 intervention had so far been completed.

He regretted that projects, which were hitherto funded with internally generated revenue, had suffered setback due to “too many irregularities”.

Otunta further said that the university could not pay full salaries to its workers since the past one year due to the drastic decline in the Federal Government’s subsection.

“The university receives subvention of N325 million instead of the much-needed N451 million

“For this reason, therefore, it has been impossible to meet our commitment of paying full salaries.

4,958 students graduated, including 98 First Class, 1,437 Second Class Upper, 2,111 Second Class Lower as well as 1,276 Third Class and 36 Pass.

Highpoint of the ceremony was the conferment of a posthumous honorary Doctor of Science on the late Premier of the defunct Eastern Nigeria, Dr. Michael Okpara, and honorary Doctor of Science on the former President of Ohaneze, Prof. Joe Irukwu.

The ceremony, which was scheduled to start by midday, started at about 1.45 pm, due to the monthly sanitation in the state.

NAN

November 26, 2017
Oba of Benin appeals to South Africa to end hostility toward Nigerians

His Royal Highness, Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, has appealed to South African Government to take measures to end hostility toward Nigerians in that country.

The Oba of Benin made the call at a reception and Cultural display held in his honour by Edo indigenes residing in Abuja on Saturday.

He said that Nigeria contributed a lot for South Africa to be freed from Apartheid, as well as helped Angola.

According to him, we are sad that Nigerians are constantly being bombarded with hostility and aggression.

“We appeal to South African Government to do its best to stamp out hostility toward Nigerians as the country played a great role in the fight against apartheid, so that Nigerians can live in peace in their country.

“This will enable Nigerians to reap what they sowed in other African countries.’’

The Oba also emphasised the need to uphold the Edo culture and value system.

“I want you to please uphold your culture very high, hold our value system seriously and do not let anybody destroy it because that is the identity we have.

“Anywhere you go, their culture is very important to them, so let us not import other people’s culture from foreign land to supersede our own. That is why I try to encourage the use of indigenous language in the home.

“That is why I also want to encourage the re-introduction of Edo language in schools and it is worrisome that history is not taught in our schools.’’

He urged Edo indigenes in Abuja to do their best to uphold the unity of the country.

“I want to plead with all indigenes of Edo in Abuja to do their best to keep operate within the law, abide by the rules and regulation of the country and try not to find a way to use shortcut to breach established regulations in whatever you are doing.

“We will be praying that you succeed in whatever legitimate activities you lay your hands on.’’

The Edo monarch also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for receiving him at the Vila and also for the support he accorded him during and after his coronation.

The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki said that the position of the Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II was sacrosanct.
According to him, the Oba’s responsibility is not only to preserve the tradition and culture of the people of great Benin Kingdom, but to also ensure that peace, harmony, and justice prevail among his subjects.

The governor, who was represented by Mr Festus Osaigbovo, the Director-General, Edo Liaison Office, Abuja, said that the Oba upon ascending the throne, ensured that there was peace and justice in the land.

“Permit me to mention that in the past one year of my administration, the state has been relatively peaceful.

“A lot has been achieved owing much to the tremendous support and cordial relationship with the Oba’s palace.’’

Alslo speaking, the former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole expressed delight that the Oba had built on the enviable foundation laid by his forefathers.

“Those of us who have watched your actions, your pronouncement, your styles and your carriage are proud to have you as our paramount traditional ruler.

“By your title, you are the Oba of Benin but in truth you are the Royal Father of Edo.

“We are proud of our father, we are respected because of our intelligence, creativity and because of our resourcefulness, Edo man will never take second.

“This is why our Oba is number one.’’

Mr Dickson Omoregie, the Chairman of Edo community in Abuja, solicited the permission of the Oba of Benin to erect a Bini House for the display of artefacts of the rich cultural heritage of the Kingdom.

According to him, this will accommodate the Benin Cultural artefacts for local and international viewership, to be unveiled by the President and witnessed by other Heads of State.

NAN

November 26, 2017
FG approves N800m as budget support loan facility for states

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the release of N800 million for each of the 36 states of the federation as part of the Budget Support Loan Facility.

The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo udoma, stated this when he briefed State House correspondents, alongside Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo, on the outcome of the meeting of the National Economic Council ( NEC ) in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

Udoma said the Accountant General of the Federation reported to the Council that approval for the payment of the amount had been received by his office and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had been directed to pay the money to the states.

“Governors expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the restoration of the Budget Support Loan Facility for July and August 2017,’’ he said.

He said the Accountant General also informed the Council that the balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA) as at Nov. 17 stood at $2,309,693,583.35

He said the Council was also updated on the balance of the Stabilisation Fund Account (SFA), which, as at Nov. 17 stood at N6,689,072,836.11

The minister said the balance of the Natural Resources Development Fund Account stood at N100, 314, 169, 190,23 as at Nov. 17.

Akeredolu told the correspondents that the Council received the Report of the NEC hoc Committee on Export Promotion.

The committee was set up in September.

“The report dwelt extensively on an export promotion plan geared towards achieving governments’ policy on the “zero oil Plan.

“The Committee recommended, among other things, the establishment of a National Committee on Export Promotion, chaired at the Presidency level.

“It also recommended the setting up of a Technical Committee involving federal and states MDAs to help provide technical information and direction to the proposed committee.

“The Ad-hoc Committee further recommended that Export procedures and documentation be streamlined with the identification of existing domestic investors and engagement plan for output expansion.

He said the committee also recommended the establishment of more laboratories and testing centres to help improve quality and standard of export and the domestication of the Office of Technical Regulation (OTR) as recommended by UNIDO.

On market for Nigeria’s products, he said the committee recommended the deepening of commercial diplomacy, one-stop shops for export and a National Export Portal to generate global orders to link suppliers to buyers

“On Value Chain Development, the Committee recommended the development of clusters along product value chain, market driven research and development and the provision of seeds and seedlings.

“The committee recommended the recapitalization of NEXlM Bank, the provision of Export Development Fund in line with NEPC Act, a five-year financial window on export expansion grant and funding scheme for exporters similar to the CBN Anchor Borrowers programme.

NAN

November 24, 2017
Stop discussions on 2019, focus on governance – Tambuwal

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has described discussions on the 2019 elections as a `distraction and unhelpful’ to elective office holders.

Tambuwal made the remark in Sokoto on Thursday and said what should be paramount now were discussions about governance and how the mandates given in 2015 should be executed.

“I do not know why you are asking to comment about 2019 elections when we only just crossed the half way mark of the mandate entrusted to us in 2015.

“Elective office holders need us to discuss more about governance. By the time you raise issues about 2019 in 2017, you are distracting the entire polity.

“We can discuss 2019 election when the time comes but for now, let us discuss governance issues,” he maintained.

The governor said his administration would continue to promote agricultural and other economic ventures to boost revenue and employment opportunities.

He said through close collaboration with the private sector, agricultural activities in Sokoto State had increased.

“With the Anchor Borrowers’ scheme and other interventions by the Central Bank of Nigeria, we have made positive impact on the lives of our farmers.

“Our partnership with Dangote to develop rice through the out-grower scheme at the Goronyo and Middle Rima Valley has been a huge success so far.

“From 500 hectares in the first year, we have now set aside 2,000 hectares of land for cultivation.

“In addition to that, Dangote Rice Ltd will establish a rice processing mill here in the state.

“All these are geared towards harnessing our potential in the sector for the benefit of our citizens,” he said.

Tambuwal said Sokoto State had positively felt the impact of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, and urged all Nigerians to support the president for continued success of the administration.

NAN

November 23, 2017
Oba of Benin makes historic visit to Abuja

His Royal Majesty, Omo N, ‘Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolor, Oba Ewuare II- Oba of Benin, on Wednesday made an historic visit to Abuja after his coronation in October 2016.

The Oba who arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 5:05p.m., was received by some Benin traditional chiefs, prominent Benin indigenes and friends.

Chief Odigie Oyegun, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), one of the Edo indigene at the Airport to receive the Monarch, said that the visit by the Oba was historic being his first after his coronation.

“The Oba’s visit is bringing peace, hope to the country and change in the nation.

“Everybody is here as you can see came to give him a rosy welcome. It is an historic occurrence, our new Oba, a unique Oba with a unique culture.

“We also have a unique president in the person of Muhammadu Buhari with a unique way of doing things. A lot of good things will come out of this visit,’’he said.

Similarly, Mr Johnson Agbonayinma, a member of the House of Representatives, said the Edo indigenes in Abuja are excited to welcome the Oba which he described as caring.

“There is a saying that if you do not value what you have, somebody else will help you devalue it.

“I value my traditional Institution and all I can do is to tell my Honourable colleagues, friends of Edo to let them know that we have a caring King.

“I am happy to see the crowd that came to receive the Oba; I ask God to bless them and the chiefs as well.

“This is to tell you that our Oba is one who deserves all the respect accorded to him without being sentimental.

“It is a glorious day as his mission is to also show appreciation to all those who supported him during his coronation.

“It will be an honour to understand that we have an Oba who cares about the unity of the country.

Also Mr Dickson Omoregie, the President of Benin community in Abuja described the visit as a multi-dimensional as he would move from one place to another to appreciate those that supported him during his coronation.

“That is why he is starting here in Abuja to visit his children, we are delighted to receive him.

“When your daddy comes to visit you, you are so excited; It is a joyful day for us Edo people in Abuja.’’

Also, Mr Osazuwa Imasuen described the Oba as a man of the people, a highly trained diplomat who knows the value of friendship.

“We are glad to receive the Oba as he brings us peace and goodwill,’’he said.
Traditional dancers from Benin Kingdom and Abuja thrilled the crowd who came to receive the Oba.

NAN

November 23, 2017