The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • No cabal can cage Buhari, says Presidency

    No cabal can cage Buhari, says Presidency

    The Presidency on Sunday declared that no cabal or official in the Presidency can hijack the powers President Muhammadu Buhari.

    According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President is very thorough in carrying out the the responsibilities and duties ascribed to him by the 1999 constitution.

    He also explained that it is impossible for any official in government to manipulate Buhari as he pays attention to all necessary details.

    “Over the past few months, some media organizations have published a stream of allegations against some persons around the President attributing them to “persistent rumors and speculations,” with no other objective but to generate hatred and disgust against these hardworking people.

    “As the good Nigerian public can imagine, little time would be left for other tasks more beneficial to the entire nation, if the Presidency were to respond to every single fable published by the free Nigerian press.  However, in the process of advancing their suspicious anti-Buhari agenda, whoever is behind these allegations knowingly or unknowingly has cast some of the most ridiculous aspersions on President Buhari’s competence as a leader of a great country.

    “To begin with, it is absolutely nonsensical and absurd to write that in one week of the President’s return, the Vice President has been sidelined.

    “Quite to the contrary, the Vice President remains the confidante and  the closest adviser to the President,” Shehu stated.

    According to him, the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has attended all the President’s engagements in the last one week, except two functions including the one held while the Vice President was away in Taraba State and the Juma’at Muslim prayer because Osinbajo is a Christian.

    He said “It is difficult to understand what anyone wants to achieve peddling such falsehood that the President, himself a former military general and Head of State and Commander-In-Chief is subject to undue influence and manipulation. It is both ridiculous and inconceivable.

    “As someone who works very closely with President Buhari, I can testify to how my years of experience as a newspaper editor are often put to the test by the sheer thoroughness with which the President edits every single document brought to his desk.  Every memo, statement, speech, is subject to his intense scrutiny, right down to the placement of commas and full stops.

    “Therefore, alleging that President Buhari signs memos brought to him by government officials or a so-called cabal without reading them, immediately casts doubts on the credibility of the ubiquitous unnamed sources that the reporters of these articles quote.,” he added.

    Stressing that the President cannot do everything, he said, it was the main reason why he needs close and trustworthy officials, who will be willing to offend others in the process of ensuring Buhari’s safety and well-being, and the advancement of his vision for Nigeria.

    He pointed out that the attacks on Malam Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to the President, have been leveled with such imperiousness that they must no longer be laughed off as crazy.

    He said “The COS is like the headman of all the President’s political appointees.  He has direct responsibility for multiple levels of staff working for the President. Part of his role includes liaising with ministries and parastatals, so that he can have a full awareness of the issues being discussed whenever these groups meet with the President. It goes without saying that anybody who occupies such office has impeccable credentials of total loyalty to the President.

    “Clearly, some consider this oversight role as a usurping of the President’s powers, and it is their misunderstanding of the situation that some media organisations have swallowed hook, line and sinker.

    “Under this administration, as the ones before it, the office of the Chief of Staff is a branch of the President’s office. There are no power centers here. The only power center is that of the President who is sensitive to grassroots level administration which the Chief of Staff must ensure.

    “For Abba kyari, there is no life after work. He is available to the President 24/7.

    “President Buhari is working day and night to steer Nigeria through these trying times. There are important issues in the hand of government such as poverty reduction, turning around the economy, creating jobs, fighting corruption and terrorism, railway, agriculture, roads, power and rural and urban development that there simply is not enough time to be spent answering baseless allegations in the media.

    “As he builds a new foundation from the mess left behind by previous irresponsible governments, the President cannot do it alone.  He needs the absolute loyalty of his COS, he needs the acumen of government officials, he needs the courage and understanding of the Nigerian people, and he needs the support of institutions such as the media.

    “Publishing poorly-researched allegations and trying to pass them off as investigative journalism or as news may lead to more newspaper sales or to more clicks on a website; but they will also, in the long run, slow down the growth and development of our country, which right now requires the absolute focus of President Buhari and his carefully-selected team to build the Nigeria of our dreams.

    “Unfortunately, this is the path The Punch has chosen and there’s no one to help them but themselves.

    “It is appropriate at this point to dispel the false notion that anyone has tried to undermine the Vice President when he acted in the absence of the President.

    “This, I must say with all emphasis, is utter falsehood.

    “As Acting President, Vice President Osinbajo enjoyed the support of the Villa Staff and the entire cabinet. Otherwise he would not have succeeded and earn the praises of the President. These are just a few among the false and illogical accusations making the COS larger than life, with the aim of pulling him down.

    “No Chief of Staff including this one can create hurdles for a president and survive the next day. The roles and duties don’t warrant the kind of falsehood being spread.

    “When the President was away on the medical vacation, the Chief of Staff rallied the Presidency behind Professor Osinbajo because he knew that his boss,  President Buhari expected nothing less.

    “A careful assessment of some these allegations with a rational mind will show that there is an orchestrated campaign to smear the COS and indirectly the President.

    “If I can speculate on the matter, I will say that the problem Malam Abba Kyari has with most people is that he, like the President he serves, will not throw money at people in order to please them.

    “As COS, Malam has refused to keep cash imprest and has turned down a monthly grant of N200 million customarily given to the office. This is money freely spent because they were not required to account for what they did with it.” he stated

    He urged journalists with questions to ask concerning the President and the Villa administration to always approach the Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, Laolu Akande or himself.

    “Where we don’t have your answers, we are ready to obtain as much as we can, the correct responses to your enquiry,” Shehu  assured.

  • Child marriage worst form of violence against the girl child – Uwais

    Child marriage worst form of violence against the girl child – Uwais

    Mrs Maryam Uwais, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Special Protection Plan, on Sunday described child marriage as the worst form of violence against the girl-child.

    Uwais, who is also a gender activist, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that child marriage deprived such child so much in life and reinforced the cycle of inter-generational poverty in the society.

    She said that such child-bride was uneducated, immature and unprepared to take decisions and address issues in her family.

    She said that a mother who did not go to school would not appreciate the value of education, and her children would not also go to school to get educated and acquire skills to confront future challenges.

    According to her, an educated mother will ensure her children go to school and become responsible and contributing citizens in the society.

    “Some give excuses that they want to prevent the girl-child from engaging in underage sex and getting pregnant out of wedlock to safeguard the family name and honour.

    “Others said child marriage protects the girl-child from being raped, but I believe that even within the marriages the girls are being raped by their husbands.

    “We need to focus on this issue and see what we can do collectively to delay early or child marriage, we are not saying don’t marry, we are saying marry when you are mature, mentally and physically fit,’’ she said.

    Uwais described child marriage as a union between spouses below the age of 18 before the child was physically and physiologically ready to shoulder the responsibilities of marriage and child bearing.

    She said the union may take place with or without formal registration under the civil, customary or religious laws.

    “In West Africa, it is usually the female that is below 18, and if child marriage continues at this current rate, an additional 100 million girls in developing countries will be married off within the next decade.

    “That is, 25,000 new child-brides every single day for the next 10 years.

    “Nigeria has 40 per cent of global child marriages, 76 per cent of adolescents’ girl are in marriages in the North-West, 68 per cent in the North-East and 35 per cent in the North-Central, incidentally where poverty is highest.

    “So, there is a strong correlation anywhere in the world between child marriage and poverty that we seem to overlook. The fact that there is a lot of child marriage means that there is poverty,’’ she said.

    Uwais said that poverty rates in the North-East and the North-West were more than 50 per cent and in some cases above 70 per cent due to high prevalence of child marriage.

    According to her, poverty rates are much lower in Southern states where there is less child marriage.

    She said some families resorted to child marriage as an immediate strategy to escape the cycle of poverty and a way to provide for the girl`s future.

    “I think it is important that we emphasise that child marriage actually entrenches and reinforces the cycle of inter-generational poverty.

    “Over half of the women in the North-West and in the North-East by statistics are married off before the age of 16 and are expected to bear children within the first year of marriage.

    “Bearing children at an age below 18 is harmful and there is no culture or religion that supports harm to any child.

    “So, I think this is the position we need to take because there are lots of religious and cultural misconceptions about whether or not we can peg the age for marriage.

    “These misconceptions are the reason many states in Nigeria have refused to address the issue of pegging the age for marriage or enact a law to delay early marriage,’’ she said.

    Uwais said that programmes were ongoing in the North-West to overcome some of the challenges associated with eliminating child marriage, saying that it is more of an attitude issue and mind set.

    “We need to see how we can enable our girls go to school, get educated, boost their confidence and self-esteem to be prepared for future challenges even in marriages.

    “We need to push these issues forward that girls have a right to education, skills acquisition and self-actualisation.

    ”There must be a strong focus on education because it can transform our society and human capital by making them more healthier, better educated, empowered and productive.

    “We need the government, the religious organisations, the communities, activists and non-governmental organisations in this advocacy because a country that protects, provides and plan effectively for its children is assured of its future,’’ Uwais said.

  • PAP trains 14,366 ex-agitators, more to graduate before December. – Boroh

    PAP trains 14,366 ex-agitators, more to graduate before December. – Boroh

    The Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh has said that about 14,366 ex-agitators had been trained in the programme.

    Boroh made this disclosure when he featured at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Sunday.

    He explained that their capacities had also been developed in the areas of agriculture, automobile engineering, aviation sector and then we are also looking at the sports sector.

    “As we speak we have trained well over 5,000 persons in the area of education capacity development and we have trained well over 22,000 others in the area of skills acquisitions and entrepreneurship development.”

    He added that since the inception of the programme, it had granted amnesty to 30,000 ex-agitators of the Niger Delta region as well as pronouncement of their engagement to capacity development.

    Boroh said that between now and Dec. 17, its organisation would continue to graduate more ex-agitators, who have benefited from the scheme.

    According to the Coordinator, the Amnesty education programme is winding down and there is need to graduate more of the beneficiaries.

    He said the role of education in a national development cannot be over emphasized.

    He added that education was a pivotal investment for human and economic development and also influenced by the environment within which it exists.

    Boroh said that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is aware of the need of today’s youth to have a specific set of skills to survive in this competitive world to progress.

    The Presidential aide said that the beneficiaries who are now graduates were aware of the socio-economic scenario of the nation and can help in moving the region and the nation forward.

    According to him, the beneficiaries can now contribute towards nation-building which requires a democratic society that allows the contribution of all, rich or poor.

    “From now till December 17 you will be hearing of graduations because we are winding down and positively for that matter as well as empowerment.

    “We are using government institutions, we think the resources we spent in this programme will be better utilised within the country.

    “That is why we are using government owned institutions instead of institutions abroad, this is our focus.

    “Right now we have trained about 14,366 ex-agitators in the programme and their capacities have also been developed in the areas of agriculture, automobile engineering, aviation sector and then we are also looking at the sports sector,‘’ he said.

    He said other areas included skill acquisitions, entrepreneurship and educational development.

  • Basketball: You’ve elevated Nigeria’s status globally, envoy tells D’Tigress

    Basketball: You’ve elevated Nigeria’s status globally, envoy tells D’Tigress

    Mr Ken Nwachukwu, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mali, has hailed the Musa Kida-led Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and the National  Women Senior Basketball Team for raising Nigeria’s global status at the 2017 FIBA Afrobasket

    D’Tigress were unbeaten in their  seven matches to the final of the continental championship.

    This was made known on Sunday in an electronic mail sent by NBBF to the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Abuja.

    NAN reports the girls defeated formidable teams, including defending champion, Senegal and the hosts Mali, 48-47 points in their semi-final match on Saturday in Bamako.

    Nigeria will have a duel on the court against Senegal again on Sunday, having defeated them in a group match by 58-54 points on Thursday.

    Nwachukwu commended NBBF and D’Tigress during their courtesy visit to the Nigerian Embassy in Bamako, Mali.

    During interaction with the tram,  led by NBBF President Kida, some board members and D’Tigress, the envoy  said sport was an element of power.

    “In international relations, there is something we call elements of power, they include population, education, minerals, human resources and sports.

    “Given your accomplishment at this tournament, you have become part of the power projection of our country, Nigeria,” he said.

    The ambassador, at a dinner for the team, said resounding victories recorded after their group games had not gone unnoticed on the streets of Bamako and throughout Africa.

    “Your gallantry has again confirmed the giant status of Nigeria on the continent,” he noted.

    He praised the new NBBF board for assembling a crop of dedicated players and a sound technical crew which had not only shown commitment to duty but also defended integrity of the country.

    He added that the Federal Government was aware of their patriotism.

    “Let me inform you that the President, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari is aware that you are here.

    Despite just returning to the country recently, in his usual meticulous self, he knows you are here on international assignment and he is monitoring your progress,” he said.

    Nwachukwu urged the team to sustain their winning streak throughout the tournament.

    He added that if the momentum showed by the current board was maintained, Nigeria’s basketball would soon become a reference point in the world.

    “Coming to Mali and going unbeaten is part of power projection. When you walk as a Nigerian on the streets of Bamako, you walk as a star by what you have done.”

    He added that if the momentum showed by the board was maintained, Nigeria’s basketball would soon become a reference point in the world.

    Responding, the NBBF president said the dominant performance of the team was due to the new policy statement of his board on athletes’ welfare after their swearing-in.

    “In fulfilment of our mandate as a board, Nigerian players all over the world are our clients because without them there will be no basketball federation.

    “Players are now free to express their opinion and table their grievances which has given them a new status.

    “They now see themselves as an integral part of the system rather than just mere tools in the hands of administrators.”

    “The accommodation arrangements during their weeklong camping and prompt payment of their entitlements, have shown that players welfare is paramount to the new NBBF.

    “Players and the coaching crew have nothing to worry about than just to play basketball,” Kida said.

    He later presented Nwachukwu with a replica jersey of the team during the event.

  • Buhari condoles with family of Bob Ogbuagu

    Buhari condoles with family of Bob Ogbuagu

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the family of former Managing Director of Champion newspapers and one of Africa’s foremost Public Relations practitioners, Bob Ogbuagu.

    President Buhari, in a condolence message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, also commiserated with the professional colleagues of Ogbuagu.

    The President noted that the Ogbuagu spent most of his life in the service of God and nurtured the growth of journalism and public relations in Africa.

    He also said the deceased consistently followed the path least travelled by many in his profession in order to establish public relations in Nigeria and Africa.

    President Buhari saluted the uncommon courage, foresight and integrity that Ogbuagu brought into the practice of journalism and public relations.

    He attributed Ogbuagu’s success to the lessons drawn from the nationalist movements and inspirations from the late President of Nigeria, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.

    The President, therefore, prayed God to grant the family and close associates of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss.

    Ogbuagu, the Umuahia-born statesman and one time President, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and Federation of Africa’s Public Relations Associations, died on Monday at 92. (NAN)

  • APC backs establishment of special courts for hate speech

    APC backs establishment of special courts for hate speech

    The National Youth Caucus of All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday in Abuja expressed support for the establishment of special court for hate speech in the country.

    The National Chairman of the group, Mr Mark Nsimbehe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the group’s news briefing that the courts would help to guard against divisive speeches in the country.

    Nsimbehe said that the group was in support of every effort targeted at unifying all ethnic nationalities in Nigeria.

    “We are for peace, we are for progress and we are one Nigeria; so, we urge the Federal Government to step up and arrest those disgruntled elements and their sponsors accordingly.’’ he said.

    The youth chairman urged those clamouring for restructuring to do so with caution, and advised them to channel their reasons for the call to the appropriate quarters.

    He pointed out that political structures evolved over time and that Nigeria had been restructured at various times yet the agitations had not stopped.

    “Let us therefore restructure our hearts and minds so that the real restructuring of the country can be meaningful.

    “We also want to see a blueprint of the restructuring as it is being clamoured for us to know the essence of it, if it means creating more states or reducing the states’ revenue formula.

    “We also want to know if it is about a change from the presidential to other forms of government; let them detail their position and submit same to the National Assembly.’’

    Nsimbehe said that the group was in support of the government’s anti-graft war, adding that the courage and the political will the government was using to recover loots was also commendable.

    He said that the group shared in the pains of Nigerians as it concerned high cost of food items.

    He said that food became scarce partly due to the insurgency in the North-East as farmers abandoned their farms for fear of being attacked.

    Nsimbehe, however, said that the government had done well in returning the farmers to their various locations and expressed optimism that in few months, the food problem would abate.

    He reiterated the group’s loyalty and support to APC and its programmes, especially those targeted at improving the lives of the youths like N-Power and conditional cash transfer.

    He also expressed support for all the issues raised by President Muhammadu Buhari in his broadcast on Monday.

    The youth chairman pledged the group’s readiness to mobilise and consolidate the more than 75 million youths in the country to key into the party’s course of winning the 2019 general elections.

    He decried the harassment and intimidation of APC members in Abia and Bayelsa and urged the Inspector-General of Police and other security agents to put a stop to it.

  • Gov. Yari denies presidential ambition

    Gov. Yari denies presidential ambition

    Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari of Zamfara, on Thursday said he has no presidential ambition and dismissed as fake, trending online media campaign for him to run in 2019.

    The governor said in a statement issued on Thursday in Gusau by his media aide, Ibrahim Dosara that his main preoccupation now was to deliver on the mandate given to him by the people of the state.

    It described the online accounts as fake and urged Nigerians to ignore them.

    “I hereby inform the general public that the creators and managers of such fraudulent twitter and indeed all other related online platforms accounts are doing such campaigns on their own,” the statement added.

    It stressed that the governor has not indicated interest to contest for any political position in the country or asked anybody to campaign for him.

    “The attention of the general public is therefore drawn to such campaigners of calumny who are bent on tarnishing his image.

    “The general public is also advised to ignore any information from such fake online platforms accounts and campaigners, as all are fake and baseless,” the statement said.

    It said that the governor has congratulated Nigerians for the return of President Muhammadu Buhari from medical trip in London.

  • IPOB, non-violent, peaceful mass movement – Kanu

    IPOB, non-violent, peaceful mass movement – Kanu

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) will never resort to armed conflict or rebellion, notwithstanding the killings, arrest and arbitrary detention of its members, says its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

    Kanu said this in an interview with newsmen at his Afara-Ukwu, Umuahia country home, on Wednesday, while reacting to President Muhammadu Buhari’s national broadcast on Monday.

    He, however, said that the group had formed a security outfit, known as ‘Biafra Security Service’ to checkmate the activities of suspected herdsmen in the South-East.

    “IPOB is a peaceful mass movement.

    “It is non-violent and our people carry no arms; so, it is wrong for anybody to compare the group with a terrorist group such as Boko Haram.’’

    “There is no record of where people fought or engaged in open altercation in any of IPOB gatherings.

    “We are the most disciplined, well-behaved mass movement anywhere on the face of the planet.”

    He, therefore, implored Buhari to adopt a peaceful approach and dialogue rather than threat in dealing with separatist groups in the country.

    Kanu said it would be counter-productive for security agencies to apply the same measure used against Boko haram insurgents on IPOB.

    According to him, the plan to use brute force rather than dialogue to deal with Biafran agitators will not work.

    “In this debate for freedom, everybody has to be heard.’’

    He expressed dissatisfaction with the comparison of IPOB to Boko haram, which he described as an “internationally recognized terrorist organisation”.

    “It is well-known that IPOB has remained a peaceful, non-violent organisation since its formation,’’ Kanu said.

  • PDP, ICF, criticise Kogi’s work free day over Buhari’s return

    PDP, ICF, criticise Kogi’s work free day over Buhari’s return

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kogi State chapter yesterday criticised the declaration of Monday as a public holiday, by the Kogi State government, for the return of President Muhammadu Buhari to the country.
    The PDP described as an aberration, the public holiday declared by the government in honor of the return of President Mohammadu Buhari and Thanksgiving for the safe return from medical trip abroad.
    The Director General on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, in announcing the holiday, on Sunday, said it was in line with the “support of the Kogi people for the renaissance of our nation by Mr. President”.
    He added: “We urge Kogites to also use the occasion of the public holiday to pray for Mr. President, as he resumes his responsibilities of repositioning Nigeria”.
    Relatedly, the members of the Igala Consultative Forum (ICF) said they condemn in totality the sudden declaration of the public holiday, which they described as diversionary.
    The group in a statement issued yesterday in Lokoja and by the
    National secretary, Sam Ugbede said: “In as much as we all are happy for his health improvement and smooth trip back home, which is to the delight of all Nigerians, we thank God and the British doctors for the healing and treatment.
    “We all remain eternally grateful to God for answering our collective prayer, by granting our leader abundant health. The Buhari we saw; we all are happy but our surprise is the sudden declaration of public holiday by the government of Kogi State suddenly, what is it for?
    “Imagine a governor of a state where a dangerous disease has already claimed over ’62 lives’ and still claiming more, particularly in the western senatorial district of the state (Okun land), instead of declaring state of emergency in the health sector, has the temerity to shutdown the state to declare public holiday.
    “As we speak, lives of innocent kogites are in danger as a result of the epidemic, which diagnosis revealed as ‘gastroenteritis’. What is our governor doing to stop the spread of this deadly disease?
    The PDP  in a statement signed by Achadu Dickson, Director, Research and Documentation, said that “while it is an acknowledged fact that governance in the state has drifted in the last 17 months, declaring a public holiday in the state is the height of lack and loss of ideas”.
    According to him: “While governance in the state has been brought to its lowest ebb, with workers owed salaries and pensions for as much as 17 months, the heavy indebtedness by the state to commercial banks to the tune of N35 billion, with nothing to show in terms of infrastructure, it leaves much to be desired by the declaration of a public holiday.
    “The PDP shares in the joy of the recovery of Mr. President, and has always joined in the prayers for the quick recovery of the nation’s number one citizen, loss of man hour with the declaration of a public holiday is an indication that we have reached the lowest ebb in terms of governance.
    “The action shows that we’ve entered a one-chance administration in which the ship of state is heading in no direction.
    Citizens should pray for God to heal Kogi State. The state has lost focus and is losing the decency of comity of serious states in the country.
    “President Buhari must be disgusted by the bootlicking attitude of the governor. Kastina State, the home state of our beloved president has not declared public holiday, why then, is Yahaya Bello taking panadol for another man’s headache”.
  • Nigeria donates relief materials, cash to Freetown mudslide victims

    Nigeria donates relief materials, cash to Freetown mudslide victims

    Nigeria has donated 315 tonnes of assorted relief materials and one million dollars cash to Sierra Leone to help alleviate the suffering of people affected by flood and mudslide in the country.

    Nigeria’s  Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, made the presentation to  his Sierra Leonean  counterpart, Mr Samura Koroma, in Freetown on Tuesday.

    The relief items included bags of rice, beans, maize, sorghum, milk, spoons, plates, mattresses, blankets, roofing sheets, soaps, mosquito nets and mats.

    Others were medical supplies, such as anti-malaria drugs,  antibiotics  and disinfectants.

    Onyeama, while making the presentation, said President Muhammadu Buhari sent him to express to the government and people of Sierra Leone his profound sadness over the tragedy that occurred last week.

    “We have come on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari who heard the sad tragedy that befell your country and your people.

    “Myself, the Director-General of NEMA, Mustapha Maihaja; and  representative of the Minister of Health, Zainab Sheriff, have come to really express our profound sorrow and condolences for the large loss of lives, damage to properties and suffering of a large number of people in your country”, he said.

    Onyeama said Nigeria and Sierra Leone had a very strong bond making both countries feel they belonged to the same family.

    “Therefore, your loss is our loss. We grieve with you at this occasion,” he said.

    He said although Nigeria was facing a huge humanitarian, economic and social challenge, it shared the pains of the people of Sierra Leone.

    “We are flying constantly large quantities of food supplies and medicines and also a cash donation of a million dollars.
    “Our planes will be carrying about 315 tonnes of food and medicines.’’

    He said some of the cargo might be delivered by sea.

    Onyeama said the gesture was ‘’a token of our solidarity with the Government and people of Sierra Leone.

    ‘’You are very much in our heart and we pray for you to overcome this tragedy soon.”

    Koroma expressed appreciation to Nigeria for the  gesture,  adding that ‘’Nigeria had always been there for Sierra Leone in the past.

    “You were there for us during the civil war when Nigeria sent her troops.

    ‘’You sent your support and personnel during Ebola disease outbreak, and you are here to support us again during this time of mudslide and flood.”

    On Aug.  14, a downpour which caused severe flooding in Freetown and a mudslide in the Regent area left more than 300 people dead, including children.

    The incident left more than 3,000 homeless and in need of humanitarian assistance.

    Some 600 people are still missing and rescue workers warn that the chances of finding survivors are decreasing each day.