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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Remaining Chibok girls to be released soon – FG

    Remaining Chibok girls to be released soon – FG

    The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Alhassan, said on Thursday the remaining Chibok girls that are still in Boko Haram captivity would be released soon.

    Alhassan stated this at the farewell dinner organised by the ministry in honour of the 106 released school girls after about  eight months rehabilitation period in Abuja.

    She said the Federal Government was still negotiating the release of the remaining Chibok girls and other citizens in Boko Haram captivity.

    “The Federal Government has never relented in the negotiation and I want to assure you that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

    “I appeal to their captors to come to the table and negotiate the release of those in captivity,’’ the minister said.

    Alhassan said the that girls were fit and ready for school again, adding that the federal government was fulfilling its promise to the girls by ensuring they were enrolled back in schools with their bills paid and necessary items for school provided.

    She said when the girls were released President Muhammadu Buhari told the world that the girls had seen the worst and promised that they would be given the best.

    “The government is fulfilling that promise as we all know. The girls have been at the rehabilitation centre for a long time and as a new school year begins, they will be in one of the best schools – the American University of Nigeria (AUN) where they will start a special foundation programmes like a pre-degree.”

    “Since their release, we have been giving them therapy to make them understand that challenges are a part of life and whatever happens to one in life is God’s will,” she added.

    The Country Representative of United Nations Women, Ms Comfort Lamprey, commended the efforts of government in ensuring the general well-being of the girls.

    She advised the girls to be responsible ambassadors of the North East, adding that the remaining Chibok girls would be released soon.

    The Deputy Representative of UNICEF, Mrs Peinille Ironside, said the girls’ return to their community was a new chapter in their lives.

    NAN

  • UN pledges support for Nigerian female politicians

    UN pledges support for Nigerian female politicians

    The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) said it would support Nigerian female politicians vying for elective positions in the 2019 general elections.

    The UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka told the Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that there was the need to increase women participation in politics in Nigeria.

    The UN women chief was at the Nigeria House where he met with the Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Prof. Tijjani Bande and the Deputy Permanent Representative, Amb. Samson Itegboje.

    Mlambo-Ngcuka had visited Nigeria in July alongside UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed to push ways to address the many challenges confronting girls and women in the country.

    She said: “We also were in Nigeria to discuss the issue of women’s participation in politics.

    “We were also in Nigeria for how we need to increase the number of women participation in politics in the next elections and the strategies to do that”.

    According to her, the next step for UN Women in the area of women participation is helping to support the women who want to run in different parts of the country to prepare.

    Mlambo-Ngcuka pledged the support of the UN women agency in this regard, saying the men do a lot to position themselves.

    “So we will be working with other civil society,” the UN Women chief said.

    According to her, she was at the Nigerian Mission to give the Ambassador feedback on the visit to Nigeria.

    She added that the briefing also included the progress the UN Women was making in Nigeria and the progress that Nigeria was making at the time of the visit.

    “We were able to renew our commitment to support girls that were affected by the abductions – the Chibok girls in particular.

    “We were also able to look at the women and girls who were in the internally displaced persons’ camps and their conditions.

    “This is to make sure that we address any violations of their rights that may happen. The government has already taken steps to address that, which we appreciate,” she said.

    Mlambo-Ngcuka explained that the UN agency was also doing a lot in the area of women peace and security in general in the country.

    “So it’s also supporting the different initiatives that government has in addressing the safety of women, including safe schools. So we were able to discuss the next steps.

    She said the agency’s tactics was to join the activities of government to increase the awareness of the communities to what creates insecurity for the girls.

    She added UN Women would also support the girls that had come back from Boko Haram abduction to de-stigmatise and to ensure their successful integration.

    She commended Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for the way he handled the affairs of the country during the period he was in the saddle as the Acting President.

    “When we were in Nigeria, we met with then Acting President and we really found each other on the same page and that’s why already we are seeing some follow-up.

    “This includes the fact that he is a ‘HeForShe’ and he’s then committed to relaunch the ‘HeForShe’.

    “We will re-launch the ‘HeForShe’ now with the President – Muhammadu Buhari,” the UN Women chief said.

    ‘HeForShe’ is a solidarity campaign for the advancement of women initiated by UN Women.

    Its goal is to engage men and boys as agents of change by encouraging them to take action against negative inequalities faced by women and girls

     

  • Chibok girls mark 3rd anniversary at AUN

    Chibok girls mark 3rd anniversary at AUN

    The first group of 24 of the escaped Chibok Girls who are undergoing studies at the American University of Nigeria ( AUN ) under the Education Initiative have celebrated their third anniversary.
     
    The occasion recognized outstanding achievements among the first group of 24 who arrived at AUN in 2014 and have been on automatic scholarship.
    A statement issued by the Executive Director, Communications and Public Relations, Mr. Daniel Okereke, said AUN President Dr. Dawn Dekle and Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari, Maryam Uwais, were among the special guests of honor.
     
    Mr. Okereke said the initiative, also called New Foundation School (NFS) started in 2014 to cater specially for the kidnapped Chibok girls who braved an escape from the captivity of Boko Haram.  
     
    He said eight of the initial intake have graduated from the NFS and are enrolled in AUN to pursue their university education.
     
    “Among them are three in the University’s pre-med program, Natural and Environmental Sciences, and two in Accounting. The rest are studying Law, Computer Science and Journalism.
     
    “There were awards for the most punctual, best behaved, the most outgoing, and the best public speaking student.  
     
    “For athletics, there were awards for students in specific skills, as well as the overall best athletic participant.  In the academics category, there was an award for the best student in every subject in both the intermediate and the advanced classes,” he said.
     
    AUN’s President, Dekle was quoted in the statement as saying: “I took special care looking at everything you have done, and I couldn’t be more proud.
     
    “You really do live out our virtues of excellence, integrity, and service.”
     
    Dr. Dekle promised to continue to work with the girls and to make the word “Chibok” become synonymous with positive virtues, with courage, integrity and knowledge.  
     
    “This year, I want you to work with me and everyone in this room to make Chibok the latest word in the Oxford English Dictionary.  Do you remember when I said we are going to make it something else besides a village?  C-Character, H-Honesty, I-Intelligence, B-Bravery, O-Openness, and K-Kindness,” she said.
     
    Ms. Uwais, noted that her invitation was an opportunity to really get to know how AUN is transforming the girls.  
     
    “I am delighted to be here.  Moreover, I am very inspired by what I have seen….This is just an awesome experience for me….This is really a worthwhile endeavor and I am very hopeful that this is just the beginning for all of you….You have come this far and you are going to go much farther because you all have some steel in you,” she said.
     
    Ms. Uwais said through the empowerment that they receive at AUN the students would go on to do great things in life.  
     
    She charged the young women to remain focused in their studies.
     
    “Even though what happened to you should not have happened to anybody, I am a firm believer in ‘everything-happens-for-a-purpose.
     
    “What has happened is that a vast opportunity has been created for you all here.  I expect that you will take advantage of it and be true to yourself and your faith.  And just reach out for the stars,” she added.
     
    Also, Assistant Vice President, Community Engagement, Reginald Braggs, who coordinates NFS, said: “This is always the special evening for us.  We highlight our students and all of the things that they have done in the last year academically, socially, and athletically.”
     
    Mr. Braggs noted that AUN, being a development university, felt obligated to do something about the tragedy that had befallen the kidnapped girls.
     
    “We offered these students the opportunity to turn tragedy into triumph,” Braggs added.
     
    According to the statement, NFS grouped the students on different scholastic levels–basic, intermediate, and advanced– starting with English Language, Mathematics, General Knowledge, and Spelling.  
     
    “Five more courses were then added and it became an eight-subject program.  They needed to get into a pipeline towards their dream.
     
    “We really want them to have an overall general type of education, not only focused on academics but also on activities such as basketball, bike riding, art class, game night, movie night, karaoke night, spelling bee contest, and music class,” Mr. Braggs added.
     
    The Administrator, NFS, Jimoh Abubakar, said the program is transforming the young girls.
     
    “The NFS is a highly organized group of intellectuals, saddled with the responsibility of teaching, nurturing, loving, mentoring, and perfecting the young ladies into a set of confident, academically sound, behaviorally upright, athletically fit, and active women capable of developing themselves and the society at large,” Abubakar added.
  • Presidency assures timely release of Ecological fund

    Presidency assures timely release of Ecological fund

    Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu, says President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration will ensure the timely release of the Ecological Fund to States to address pressing ecological challenges in their localities.

    Shehu, who is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

    The statement, which was signed by Mr Atta Esah, Deputy Director (Information), State House, said Shehu spoke at an audience participation programme on FRCN Kaduna, entitled: ‘Hannu Da Yawa’.

    He pledged that the presidency would continue to assist flood victims across the country.

    The presidential aide added that the administration would under no circumstances abandon its humanitarian obligations to alleviate the distress of flood victims.

    ‘‘In spite of Nigeria’s technological limitations and the paucity of funds to handle or manage large scale and complex emergencies, the APC administration will leave no stone unturned in offering succour to victims of natural disasters across the country,’’ he said.

    According to Shehu, an aide to the presidency, it is the right of citizens to demand the judicious use of the Ecological Fund, which is distributed among the three tiers of government from the Federation Account.

    ‘‘The largest chunk of the Fund goes to the States and Local Governments. Every month, States and Local Governments receive 1.4 per cent from the Federation account as Ecological Fund, compared to the Federal Government’s share of 1 per cent.

    ‘‘From the 1 per cent the Federal Government gets, NEMA takes 20 per cent for its operation,’’ he said.

    He noted that lately, disaster management in the country was gradually being ceded to the Federal Government by other tiers of government.

    ‘‘Whenever there is an emergency from natural or man-made disasters, all you hear is ‘where is Buhari, what is he doing?

    “What happens with the other tiers of government?”

    The presidential aide, therefore, enjoined Nigerians, at the state and local government levels, to always demand for transparency and accountability in the management of ecological funds by their Governors and Local Government Chairmen.

    ‘‘Without accountability by local political leaders, the Federal government would continue to be the scapegoat for the failure of states and local governments to use ecological funds for the purposes they were released,’’ he said.

    Shehu said the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation had also been mandated to step up the provision of relief infrastructure to those in need.

    The presidency, had on Aug. 31, directed the National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ) to immediately mobilise personnel and resources to come to the aid of the victims of the flooding in Benue where over 100,000 persons were displaced and many communities submerged as a result of downpour in the state.

  • ‘5m benefitted from amnesty programme since 2009’

    ‘5m benefitted from amnesty programme since 2009’

    Retired  Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme,  says more than  five million people in the Niger Delta  region have benefited from the initiative   since 2009.

    Boroh, who is also the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, disclosed this in Akure  shortly after receiving an award as Niger Delta Peace Ambassador from the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ondo State Council.

    He said that the  amnesty programme was initiated  in 2009 due to the conflict in the Niger delta region.

    Boroh said that it  was difficult to be specific on the amount that Federal Government had  so far spent  in restoring  peace in the area.

    “For all I know,  the programme has impacted  on well over five  million people in the entire region  and also aided efforts to achieve peace in the Niger Delta,’’ he said.

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for sustaining the amnesty programme, saying this demonstrated  his concern  for the people of Niger Delta region.

    The presidential aide also commended the response and efforts of the Federal Government in restoring  peace across  the country.

    “I, as a Niger Deltan, I’m very concerned  about what is happening in the region.

    “It is because of  the performance of the programme that our crude oil output has increased  to 2.3 million  barrels  per day as we speak.

    “This was achieved  by the efforts  of the government through the presidential amnesty programme,’’ he said.

    Boroh pleaded with the Niger Delta people to hasten their desired development of the area  and embrace peace.

    He also reiterated the government’s  warning  on  anyone promoting   hate speeches capable of disrupting the peace of the country.

    “Basically,  peace resolution is  a collective effort and responsibility of all Nigerians,  particularly in our region, Niger Delta.

    “It is all our responsibility to achieve this, let us not be tired, don’t allow negative forces to weigh you down and be positive even in your pronouncement,’’ he said.

  • Buhari condoles with Mexico over earthquake

    Buhari condoles with Mexico over earthquake

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday commiserated with the President of Mexico, Mr Enrique Pina Nieto, over the devastating earthquake that claimed the lives of 65 people in that country.

    The powerful 8.2 tremor that hit the southern states of Chiapas, Tabasco and Oaxaca registered 8.2 on the Richter scale, damaging buildings and created fear of Tsunami.

    Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mexico,  Aminu Iyawa, conveyed President Buhari’s condolences in a letter to the Mexican President through the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

    President Buhari said that Nigerians sympathised with Mexico and are praying for the repose of the souls of the departed and the quick recovery of the injured.

    The powerful earthquake was felt as far away as the capital, Mexico City, sending residents out in the streets for fear of aftershocks.

    Amb. Iyawa said that all Nigerians living in Mexico had been accounted for and were in touch with the embassy.

    The neighboring country of Guatemala was also affected by the Friday’s powerful earthquake.

  • Atiku: Buhari government sidelined me

    Atiku: Buhari government sidelined me

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Buhari’s government of sidelining him after helping it to power.

    Speaking on the Hausa Service of the Voice of America (VOA) on Wednesday, Atiku said: “Honestly speaking, I’m still a member of the APC; I was part of all the processes, including campaigns until success was achieved.

    “But sadly, soon after the formation of government; I was side-lined, I have no any relationship with the government, I’ve not been contacted even once to comment on anything and in turn, I maintained my distance. They used our money and influence to get to where they are but three years down the lane, this is where we are.

     “Yes, there were successes but not comprehensive success because the Boko Haram miscreants are still very active, killing our people and many local government councils in Borno and Yobe are under their firm grip. People cannot dare go back to their dwellings

    “This thing baffles me; I never imagined that Nigeria will fight a protracted battle with Boko Haram for five years. At a time, we fought the Biafra war, which was more complicated because of the terrain in the South but the Biafran soldiers were roundly subdued in 30 months. But here we are, fighting an endless battle with the Boko Haram and there’s no end in sight”.

    On the anti-graft war, he said: “How many people were arrested, prosecuted and jailed? How much was recovered from the looters?

    “When we came on board in 1999, I remember we recovered between $4.5 and $4.7 billion from those that looted under (the late Gen. Sani) Abacha.”

  • Disquiet as minister backs Atiku for 2019

    Disquiet as minister backs Atiku for 2019

    Ministers were troubled yesterday following the leakage of a video footage showing Minister of Women Affairs Aisha Alhassan endorsing former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for president in 2019.

    She also told the BBC Hausa Service yesterday that should Atiku join the presidential race, she would support him instead of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    She does not mind leaving the cabinet because of her preference for Atiku, Mrs Alhassan said.

    Leading an All Progressives Congress (APC) delegation from Taraba State  to Atiku, the minister was shown in the video as saying: “Mr President, our father, Nigeria’s president for 2019,  God willing, in your presence today are your people who have been placed under your care for forever.”

    Most cabinet members were shocked by their colleague’s stance.

    There were fears that the minister’s comments might hasten changes in the cabinet.

    Some ministers said the comments smacked of disloyalty; others said it was typical of Senator Alhassan.

    A minister said: “Some of us called her when the video went viral and she confirmed the comments attributed to her.

    “To me, I think it is like passing a vote of no confidence on your boss. I think it is untidy to write off your boss as incompetent to continue in office.”

    Another source in the cabinet said: “I am not surprised; it is typical of the Minister of Women Affairs. But the ideal thing is to leave and pursue your career. This development might affect our unity in the cabinet. Some will certainly not trust her again.”

    Another minister said: “She shocked me because I used to think she is closer to the President. What you cannot dispute is that the President has never hidden his respect for her. She was away from the cabinet for months when she was ill and the President tolerated her absence. She should have chosen a different approach to it because one good turn deserves another.”

    A government official said he suspected “a script”. It might not be only her. Maybe she is flying a kite,” he said, pleading not to be named.

    An APC stalwart, who also spoke in confidence, said: “I think she is kick-starting 2019 politics. I could see cracks in the coalition which formed the APC.”

    The presidency  has not commented on the video clip.

    A source in the Presidency said: “The President has just come back from Daura and he is just settling down. Actually, there is nothing to say.

    “The Minister of Women Affairs has confirmed to BBC that she made the comments. What else do you want the presidency to say?”

    In an interview with the BBC, the minister said: “Atiku is my godfather even before I joined politics.” She spoke in Hausa. “And again, Baba Buhari did not tell us that he is going to run in 2019.

    “Let me tell you today that if Baba said he is going to contest in 2019, I swear to Allah, I will go before him and kneel down and tell him that ‘Baba I am grateful for the opportunity you gave me to serve your government as a minister but Baba just like you know I will support only Atiku because he is my godfather. If Atiku said he is going to contest.”

    “If because of what I said I am sacked, it will not bother me because I believe in Allah that my time has elapsed, that is why…

    “Baba is not a mad man like those calling for my sack. They have been sending it and spreading that if Baba sees this I will be sacked.”

    A pro-democracy group, the  Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution (CDNDC) yesterday  said the minister’s comments was at variance with the position of APC National Chairman  John Odigie-Oyegun.

    The group  in a statement by its Co-Convener, Ariyo-Dare Atoye, said: “The comment  by Mama Taraba is contrary to the obscure claim by the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), John Oyegun  that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock in 2019.

    “Everything that has happened has now confirmed that bombshell of an interview by the President’s wife, Aisha Buhari, when she warned she might not campaign for her husband in 2019.

    “She knew there was a plan to take advantage of her husband for 2019 and this much is known to Alhassan through her latest comment…”

  • Nothing wrong with visit to Atiku – Aisha Alhassan

    Nothing wrong with visit to Atiku – Aisha Alhassan

    Sen. Aisha Alhassan, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, declared on Wednesday that those criticising her Sallah visit to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in Yola, were being “mischievous”.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes commentators on social media as alleging that Alhassan’s visit, during which she made philosophical comments on the 2019 presidential contest, was a tacit support for Abubakar’s presidential ambition.

    They also alleged that it signified disloyalty to her current boss, President Muhammadu Buhari, who may still be interested in seeking a fresh mandate.

    But Alhassan, in a telephone interview with NAN, said that her Sallah homage to Abubakar did not amount to  disloyalty to Buhari.

    She explained that Abubakar had remained her political mentor over the years and was still a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that her loyalty to Buhari and his administration, which she serves as a minister, was “unshakable”.

    The minister accused her “political detractors” of “amplifying and misinterpreting” the visit so as to smear her image because  they were afraid of her growing political strength in Taraba.

    “In a nation where politicians are quick to dump the people that assisted them to get to where they are, for political expediency, I have chosen to maintain a long standing family relationship with Abubakar, as well as Buhari, who I consider as a father.

    “Besides, neither Buhari nor Abubakar has officially told anyone of an interest in seeking election in 2019,” she said.
    Declaring that power comes from God, she said that if she loses her job because of her visit, she would consider it as the will of God.
    She urged Nigerians to support the policies and programmes of the Buhari administration because it was time for governance and not yet time for politicking.

    NAN recalls that criticisms has continued to trail the minister’s pronouncements over the 2019 presidential contest during a Sallah homage to Abubakar on Sept. 4, 2017, with many viewing it as a campaign for Abubakar.

  • Recession: Exit, result of Buhari’s hardwork – Adesina

    Recession: Exit, result of Buhari’s hardwork – Adesina

    The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said on Tuesday that Nigeria’s exit from economic recession is a clear testimony that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is working for the progress and prosperity of all Nigerians.

    He made the remark in Abuja while addressing a solidarity rally organized for the Federal Government by the Centre for Civil Society and Justice.

    Adesina said: “You have chosen a very auspicious day for this solidarity rally. Earlier today, we were told that Nigeria had officially exited recession.

    “That shows that we have a government that is working for us. We have a government that is interested in our welfare. We have a government that is interested in our well-being.

    “Recession came due to some mistakes of the past and in just about a year, the government battled it and today we are officially out of recession and we give all glory to God.’’

    Adesina assured the rally that he would relay their message of support and solidarity on the unity of Nigeria to the President.

    “You know the President swore to uphold the Constitution and the Constitution recognises Nigeria as one indissoluble entity.

    “The President has sworn to keep the unity of the country and whatever it takes; he will keep to that pledge,’’ Adesina added.

    The presidential aide advised those ‘‘beating the drums of separation’’ to keep their peace, adding that the present government is resolute to preserve the unity, cohesion and togetherness of Nigeria.