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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

Military ‘will step up operations’

MILITARY operations are to be enhanced, following an order from President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday.

He gave the order during the National Security Council meeting with top security chiefs, led by Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, at Aso Villa.

On Monday, the President, in a broadcast, promised a rough time for those he described as “terrorists and criminals (who) must be fought and destroyed relentlessly so that majority of us can live in peace and safety’’.

He also told the armed forces not to let the success achieved in the last 18 months in the fight against insurgents “be a sign to relax”.

Gen. Olonisakin told reporters after the meeting that the military would enhance its operations in line with the President’s directive.

”We are going to enhance our operations in all the areas that we need to do that.

“He has given the necessary directives which will be carried out by the military and the security agencies.

“He also directed that we must ensure that lives and properties of the citizens are protected and we must make sure that we secure the whole nation and also that troops that are outside carry out their jobs effectively,’’ Gen. Olonisakin said.

He added: “We have been meeting with Mr President for the last three hours.

“We updated him on all security issues around the country, within the country and outside the country where our troops are (operating).

“He has been receiving regular briefings from the acting president and he has been going through the print media and electronic media to follow the happenings in the country,

“At the meeting, he directed on some areas we should look at so as to enhance our operations in the country.”

“In his address (broadcast) he talked about the unity of the nation, which is non-negotiable. We have all been fully instructed to ensure that that directive is carried out to the letter,” he said.

Asked what the President said about IPOB’s secret service, the General said: “The issues of threat, all security threats were treated one after the other, ranging from terrorism to kidnapping, herdsmen/farmers clash, to IPOB issue. Comments were made as to what to do as regards those issues.”

On whether troops were being mobilised to the southeast, he said: “Every security like I said, is being treated and we are going to enhance our operations in all the areas. We need to do that.”

Asked if the President was worried about Boko Haram, despite the military’s efforts, the Chief of Defence Staff said: “On the Boko Haram issue, you all know it is an asymmetric warfare. It is not that the Boko Haram has stepped up their game, it is just the issue of suicide bombing that has been the problem and, of course, we are also working with the security agencies and the intelligence agencies to make sure that we address that menace.”

At the meting were: National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno, Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), Alhaji Lawal Daura; Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Air Vice Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) and Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris.

Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ekwe Ite-Ibas was represented.

August 23, 2017
Buhari meets security chiefs, others

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met behind closed doors with members of the National Security Council in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting, which started around 11.15a.m., was still ongoing as of the time of filing this report.

It is being attended by all the service chiefs, National Security Adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno and Director-General, Department of State Security, Alhaji Lawal Daura.

It would be recalled that President Buhari on Monday in a broadcast to the nation charged the security agencies not to let the successes achieved in the last 18 months in the fight against insurgents “be a sign to relax”.

He said in the broadcast that “terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed relentlessly so that the majority of us can live in peace and safety.”

Buhari also pledged “to reinforce and reinvigorate the fight not only against elements of Boko Haram, which are attempting a new series of attacks on soft targets, kidnappings, clashes between farmers and herdsmen, in addition to ethnic violence fuelled by political mischief makers.

“We shall tackle them all.”

August 22, 2017
Elections: APC unity sacrosanct says Onyeama

Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama says the unity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State is sacrosanct as the party prepares for future elections in the state.

Onyeama said this in a statement signed by his Personal Assistant on Communications, Mr Flavour Eze, and made available to newsmen on Monday in Enugu.

He said in the statement that preparations for both the Nov. 4, 2017 local government and 2019 polls should be given the seriousness they deserved.

He noted especially the challenges involved as the party strives to unseat the incumbent administration in the state at the 2019 polls.

“In view of this, the unity of the party in the state is sacrosanct as we prepare to build a solid base preparatory to the council polls and future elections.”

The minister said that it was unacceptable that the party would be torn to factions at a time it had made inroads into all segments of the state and urged the opposing factions to sheath their swords.

Onyeama said that as the highest ranking political office holder from the state, he had dedicated his time and resources in ensuring that the APC built on the successes of the past few months.

On the outcome of the recently concluded non-elective local government congress of the party in the state, he called for calm, adding that efforts were on to calm frayed nerves.

It would be recalled that the exercise had produced separate delegates’ lists with each of the factions claiming to be the authentic one.

The minister said that he had not taken sides with any of the factions but was working to resolve the crisis and restore unity among party members.

“We acknowledge that two separate delegates’ lists were produced during the non-elective local government congress of the party in the state and we are working to resolve the matter.”

The minister said that he had concluded plans to meet with the two factions on Aug. 28 during which all contentious issues would be resolved.

Onyeama gave an assurance that party faithful in the state would continue to give unalloyed support to President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

August 21, 2017
FG spent N1.3trn on capital projects in 2016, says Osinbajo

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo said on Monday that the Buhari administration spent N1.3 trillion on capital projects in 2016, the highest in the history of the country.

Osinbajo disclosed this at a plenary of the 2017 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) national conference in Lagos with the theme: “African Business: Penetrating Through Institution Building.”

The sub-theme of the plenary was “Conversations With The Vice-President”, moderated by Miss Zain Asher, a CNN news anchor.

“The Federal Government spent about N1.3 trillion on capital projects in 2016, the highest in the history of the country.

“The power sector reform is also ongoing as it is one of the most important sectors in the country,” Osinbajo said.

Responding to Asher’s questions, Osinbajo said the administration had set a solid foundation for the nation’s economic recovery which, he described, as the most important reform of the administration.

He said:“We were dealing with a mono-economy (relying on one major export or natural resource) and a financial industry that was essentially opaque.

“We have set a foundation of rebuilding the economy, creating the Single Treasury Account (TSA), monitoring government’s spending, modifying the tax system to be more efficient and implementing executive orders.”

According to the vice-president, the administration has also cleared what he described as a mess inherited from the previous administration.

On whether poor Nigerians in the rural areas have felt the impact of the reforms, Osinbajo said diversification into agriculture had been embraced in most northern states with a lot of transformation.

“For the economy, we are going to see a tripling in the harvesting of rice, prosperity is returning to some states like Kebbi and Zamfara.

“The rural areas where the highest level of poverty is experienced, there is a turnaround as the highest number of people who went for 2017 hajj were farmers.

“There is a lot of export of agricultural products, what we need to do is to engage in more value added exports and we have quite a few investors,” Osinbajo told the conference.

He noted that agricultural sector had witnessed hi-tech farming and investments with more people taking to farming.

The vice-president, who also spoke on the efforts of government in tackling corruption and laundering the country’s image, pointed out:“Government ownership of business encourages corruption. The more private sector involvement in businesses, the more efficient the system will be and the less corrupt the system will be.

“We are currently working on a `one-government system’ to tackle bureaucracy. For example, if you need five different approvals from five government agencies, under this system communication with one agency is sufficient as all the agencies will liaise with one another.

“We have introduced technology in a lot of processes. For example, company registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC); tThe less human contact, the less incidences of corruption.

“We must punish offenders, there must be consequences for offenders, fighting corruption is multi-sectoral and we have to work together.

“ Convictions on corruption cases have been slow, from my experience as a former prosecutor, getting cases to court is slow, the system allows a lot of inefficiencies.

“We have to try cases efficiently and secure convictions so people can see the consequences of corruption.”

Osinbajo stressed the need for collaboration among the three arms of government to make the reforms a success.

On the initiative get more wealthy Nigerians into the tax net, he said government had introduced the `Beneficial Ownership Scheme’ giving them a 90-day period of grace to disclose their property in order to pay tax or face the full wrath of the law.

“We have got quite a few wealthy Nigerians approach us to disclose what they own.”

Osinbajo noted that the global oil crisis had given rise to the promotion of the non-oil sector in the country, pointing out that all over the world, oil was losing its relevance, citing countries such as Japan, China and Britain looking for alternative sources of energy.

Commenting on business opportunities in the country, the vice-president said: “There are more opportunities for entrepreneurs., imports are more expensive, there are more opportunities for local production.

“There is no guarantee of immediate prosperity but the opportunities are there. Our commitment is to leave the country with sufficient resources as honestly and efficiently as we possibly can.

“We are improving the economy, the electricity sector, manufacturing as well as the growth of the business environment.

“We are committed to running a government that is efficient, serves the people and sensitive to the Nigerian people.

“These are the projections that we make, the future is certainly bright for the country.”

August 21, 2017
CAN lauds President’s broadcast, urges Nigerians to support fight on insecurity

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Niger chapter has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s nationwide broadcast denouncing inflammatory statements capable of causing chaos in the country.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Monday, Rev. Mathias Echioda, the state CAN chairman, also commended the President’s resoluteness that the country’s unity was not negotiable.

NAN reports that Buhari, who returned from London on Saturday after a medical trip, said the government would no longer tolerate hate speeches and inflammatory statements.

“President Muhammadu Buhari’s address to Nigerians this morning is a move in the right direction.

“Buhari’s statement is a clear call to all sectional patriots and hate champions of our dear country to put away their swords. We are better together as a Nation.

“We don’t only welcome Buhari home we congratulate him for such a bold step this morning,’’ he said.

Echioda said that the state chapter of CAN was in support of Buhari’s leadership and fight against corruption and other forms of social menace.

“As CAN in Niger state we are genuinely behind him in his fight against the social menace.

“This makes us as Nigerians to believe in the leadership style of Mr President because the statement clearly shows that he is anti corruption, insecurity and sectionalism,’’ he said.

The CAN chairman urged all Nigerians to continue to support the Federal Government’s efforts in sanitising the country.

August 21, 2017
Buhari tasks security agencies on fight against insurgents

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday charged security agencies not to let the successes achieved in the last 18 months in the fight against Boko Haram insurgents be a sign to relax.

Buhari gave the charge in a nationwide broadcast after his return from a medical vacation in London.

“Terrorists and criminals must be fought and destroyed relentlessly so that the majority of us can live in peace and safety,’’ he said.

He assured that his administration would reinforce and reinvigorate the fight against elements of Boko Haram, which were attempting new series of attacks on soft targets.

Similarly, Buhari said government would reinforce against kidnappings, farmers and herdsmen clashes, in addition to ethnic violence fuelled by political mischief makers.

“We shall tackle them all,’’ he stressed.

He appealed to Nigerians to eschew petty differences and come together to face common challenges of political evolution and integration as well as economic security and lasting peace among all.

“I remain resolutely committed to ensuring that these goals are achieved and maintained,’’ the president said.

He thanked Nigerians for their prayers while he was away on the medical treatment in London.

“I am pleased to be back on home soil among my brothers and sisters.”

Buhari left Nigeria on May 7 to United Kingdom to seek medical attention for an ailment.

He returned on Saturday amid tumultuous welcome by Nigerians.

August 21, 2017
Nigeria’s unity not negotiable – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday condemned recent comments and discussions, especially in the social media, which questioned Nigeria’s existence as a united country.

He said that such comments had “crossed our national red lines’’.

In a nationwide broadcast following his return, on Saturday, from a medical vacation in London, Buhari said that he was distressed by the comments while abroad, saying “this is a step too far.’’

“Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable.

“We shall not allow irresponsible elements to start trouble and when things get bad they run away and saddle others with the responsibility of bringing back order, if necessary with their blood,’’ he said.

He recalled that in 2003 he hosted the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu in his house in Daura, where after discussing for two days “in great depth’’, they concluded that Nigeria must remain united.

“Every Nigerian has the right to live and pursue his business anywhere in Nigeria without let or hindrance.

“I believe the very vast majority of Nigerians share this view.’’

Buhari said this did not, however, mean that there were no legitimate concerns among different groups in the country, adding that the beauty and attraction of a federation was that it allowed groups to air their grievances.

He stated that Nigerians, irrespective of their ethno-religious backgrounds, must shun all divisive tendencies to enable the nation tackle the challenges of economic security, political evolution, integration and lasting peace among all Nigerians.

The president charged Nigerians with genuine grievances to always channel them through proper and legally acceptable bodies for possible solutions.

According to him, the National Assembly and the National Council of State are the legitimate and appropriate bodies for national discourse.

“The national consensus is that, it is better to live together than to live apart,’’ he said. (NAN)

August 21, 2017
NMA to Buhari: Equip Nigerian hospitals like UK’s before 2019

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has risen from its August 2017 National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, asking President Muhammadu Buhari to replicate medical equipment he had seen in London, United Kingdom in Nigerian hospitals before the end of his tenure.

The umbrella body of medical practitioners in the country said Doctors in the country would have been able to handle the President’s health challenge if the health sector had been properly equipped and funded.

NMA in its communique issued and jointly signed by its National President and Secretary General, Professor Mike Ozovehe Ogirima and Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu respectively after their just concluded National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Kaduna said it has “resolved to call on the President to utilize his positive experience in the health systems of other climes to impact on the health care system in Nigeria.”

Reading the communiqué to newsmen Professor Ogirima said, Nigerian doctors are competent to handle any form of ailment if enabling environment and good working tools are on ground, adding that the President may have sought for medical attention outside the shores of this country perhaps as a result of ill-equipped hospitals in the country.

According to him, “the nature of the President’s ailment is not known to NMA, and even if it is known to us, we have to respect our oath of secrecy. The President like every other citizen of this country has the right to seek second opinion, that is part of medical practice. However, the Doctors in Nigeria are capable of handling any ailment if optimal working conditions are provided.

“We have read and heard on BBC that, the President does not believe in the Nigerian health system. What was wrong by the President going outside? It is a fact that our hospitals are not optimally equipped. Am sure that, the President after spending 100 days in London has first hand experience of what we have been shouting, equip! Equip! Upgrade our hospitals.

“We are happy that the President is back. Based on his experience, we are saying he should come and replicate what he has seen in London, at least to take care of the masses. So, we expect him to replicate such within the next two years.”
According to the communique, “the NEC observed with dismay the continuous low budgetary allocation to health leading to declining health care service delivery in the country.

“The the NEC observed with dismay the worsening availability, distribution, development and utilization of human resources for health within Nigeria’s health system and the increasing trend of brain drain especially affecting the already weakened man power base in the country.

“NEC calls on government to implement the Abuja Declaration of at least 15 percent budgetary allocation to health and ensure timely release of funds with effect from 2018 budget and appealed to the National Assembly to fast track the passage of the bill on Residency Training Program (RTP) in Nigeria.

“NEC calls for the improvement in Epidemic control, preparedness and establishment of more Infectious Disease Hospitals (IDH) through out the country, and that the government to intensify efforts to improve funding on immunization services and further strengthen the collaboration between government and non governmental agencies,” NMA stated.

August 20, 2017
Buhari : Kogi declares public holiday for thanksgiving

Kogi State government has declared Aug. 21 as a public holiday for citizens to thank God for safely returning President Muhammadu Buhari to the country.

The Director -General, media and publicity to the state governor, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, said it was to enable the people to give thanks to God for returning Buhari in sound health and sound mind.

He said that decision was also in line with the support the people of the state had been giving to Buhari in his efforts at correcting the ills of the past and putting the nation on sound economic footing.

“ 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, “ the statement said.

The statement quoted the state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello as thanking the people for for standing by the President while undergoing treatment in London and for trooping to Abuja to welcome the him. (NAN)

August 20, 2017
NANS happy over Buhari’s return, calls for cabinet reshuffle

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has expressed delight over the return of President Muhammadu Buhari to the country after a medical vacation in London.

A statement by NANS’ President, Mr Chinonso Obasi, on Sunday in Abuja, said students stood with the President through the difficult times and would continue to stand with him in prayers.

He prayed God to grant Buhari more wisdom; understanding and energy to enable him provide the necessary leadership needed to move the nation forward.

“As Mr President settles down, I will, in the spirit of comradeship and solidarity, mobilise the leadership of Nigerian students to pay a special welcome back solidarity visit to him.

“We will intimate him of certain developments in the nation’s educational sector and other issues of critical national importance.

“We urge the President to use the opportunity of his return to quickly introduce a new sense of vigour into his administration by re-positioning his cabinet for effectiveness and efficiency.

“There is need to bring on board, cerebral, competent, vibrant, contemporary and dynamic young people to stimulate the administration and revive the ailing economy,’’ he said.

Obasi also condemned the recent murder of lecturers of the University of Maiduguri and others who embarked on oil exploration in the Lake Chad region.

He appealed to Buhari to use his broadcast, scheduled for Aug. 21, to address the indefinite strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities so that students could return to school soon.

Obasi, however, noted the critical challenges of the Nigerian universities and stressed the need to include Nigerian students in the recently launched Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

He also called for the inclusion of students and youths in decision-making process on issues that concerned them, to enable them actively participate in such process and contribute to national development.(NAN)

August 20, 2017