The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Pray for perfection of Buhari’s healing, Dogara urges Nigerians

    Pray for perfection of Buhari’s healing, Dogara urges Nigerians

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Mr Yakubu Dogara, on Saturday welcomed President Muhammadu Buhari back to the country after over three months of medical vacation in England.

    In a statement in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, the speaker expressed gratitude to Almighty God for granting the president healing and journey mercies back home.

    Dogara said that the president’s recovery and safe return attested to the healing power of God, in response to the fervent prayers of Nigerians “who prayed day and night for the president”.

    “It is now time for us all to continue to pray for the president for the perfection of the healing and divine rejuvenation to enable him steer the affairs of the nation in the right direction.

    “On our part, the House of Representatives wish to assure the president of our determination, support and commitment towards delivering on our promises to the Nigerian people as members of the same government.

    “The president can always count on our support in this regard,” he said. (NAN)

  • I’m “President in-waiting”, says Fayose

    I’m “President in-waiting”, says Fayose

    Ekiti State Governor Peter Ayodele Fayose is famous for his controversies. On Saturday, ahead of President Muhammed Buhari’s arrival from London,  Fayode declared himself as Nigeria’s president in-waiting.

    He spoke at the Jolly Nyame Stadium, Jalingo –the Taraba State capital during the funeral service of former Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai.

    The Ekiti governor came when all other dignitaries were seated and the occasion had begun.

    He waved at the gathering, acknowledging cheers which briefly interrupted the service.

    He wore a white garment with brief arms and white half-shoe to match.

    As he strode in, some people initially had mistaken him for former President Goodluck Jonathan, in spite of their stark difference in body frame and height.

    Leading Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State and Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong to the podium to offer their condolences and tributes, Fayose stirred a melodrama.  Twice, he called himself president in-waiting.

    He humorously thanked the moderator, GT Kataps for giving him the chance to step on the podium.

    “Thank you for giving me the chance. Maybe I am the president in-waiting,” he said. There was a thunder of laughter and cheers from the audience.

    As he made his speech, members of a women choral group began to make noise. “Women should not make noise, especially when a president in-waiting is talking,” he said. Again, he was cheered up by fans.

    He based his tribute on “courage and fearlessness” which he is known for, which were also attributes of late former Governor Danbaba Danfulani Suntai.

    But when it was the turn of the Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong to speak, he told Fayose that there was no qualm since his presidency was a waiting type.

    Lalong said: “Thank God you are a waiting president. You will wait for my President, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; he is returning today; you will welcome him.”

    It was a few hours after Lalong’s speech that President Buhari arrived the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

    Lalong is of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Fayose is of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Fielding questions from newsmen, Fayose said he attended Suntai’s funeral because the deceased was an achiever, and particularly when Governor Darius Ishaku of the PDP won his election in the court he celebrated the victory in Ekiti too.

  • Adeboye visits Buhari in London

    Adeboye visits Buhari in London

    President Buhari on Friday  received General Overseer Worldwide Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye at the Abuja House London

  • Charly Boy almost lynched at Wuse Market

    Charly Boy almost lynched at Wuse Market

    Popular entertainer, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, who is leading the #ResumeOrResign protest against President Muhammadu Buhari’s continued medical vacation in the UK was on Tuesday attacked at the popular Wuse Market by angry protesters.

    Charly Boy was attacked in Wuse Market by angry protesters who are believed to be supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    His he car was damaged by the thugs.

    The gates of the market were temporarily closed and manned by heavily armed security operatives after the incident.

    One of the leaders of the group, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed the development on twitter.

    He said the attack was masterminded by a regular face among pro-Buhari protesters – a group involved in solidarity protest in support for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “We just went to Wuse market for mobilization against 100 days event tomorrow and a regular face at Unity Fountain brought thugs to attack us.

    “They attacked us with police on Tuesday. Tried to attack us at Unity Fountain with their government sponsored thugs. Today is Wuse Market.

    “Charly Boy’s car was damaged by the thugs. This is a senseless government. #ResumeOrResign,” Adeyanu wrote on twitter.

  • NASS says no more delayed salaries, underfunding in foreign missions

    NASS says no more delayed salaries, underfunding in foreign missions

    The Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Foreign Affairs have said that the era of non-payment of workers’ salaries at Nigerian foreign missions, was over.

    The committees, led by the Chairperson of the Senate Committee, Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu, stated this during a fact-finding mission to the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN in New York.

    Sunmonu regretted the condition of the members of staff and the infrastructure decay at the missions, but noted that things had improved from their previous state.

    “What we had last year was not the same thing as what you’re having right now and this is just the beginning; wouldn’t rest until the best is achieved.”

    She commended the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives for their cooperation saying “if we haven’t got their support, all our hopes and efforts would have been shattered”.

    “We also thank Baba, Mr President – Muhammadu Buhari – and we pray to the Lord Almighty to bring him back safely because of the vision that he has for Nigeria.

    “God was just giving him that grace and we are looking forward to his return and we know that God will answer our prayer,” she said.

    Sunmonu noted that the July salaries of the foreign missions had been paid and assured that monthly salaries would now be paid before the middle of the month.

    “Your salaries have been paid up till July. Today, we are going to phone the Minister, and I will tell him that he should just please try and buckle up.

    “I can tell you that the reason that there was some delay is because of the transition, the Permanent Secretary just left, he needs to handover to somebody.

    “The representative of the Ministry has been cooperating with us, although if the executive doesn’t cooperate with the legislature is a problem.

    “We can have marriage of convenience, as long as we are getting things done. That’s the most important. But this week, by God’s grace, you would have received your alert.”

    The Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Shaaba Lafiaji, assured the mission officials that the committees were doing their best to protect their interests and that of the country.

    “We are out there working and doing everything possible to protect your interest out here and protect the interest of the country as a whole.

    “The Chairperson has consistently insisted that the budget that is meant for all the missions should directly go to them and she succeeded in doing that because she stood firm.

    “Before then, budgets are lumped together, sent to the Ministry and the Ministry chose and picked and those of you that are out there were always the worse for it.

    “We know what you’re going through; we know what sacrifices you’re making; remember you’re making these sacrifices for your country; don’t give up, continue to stand strong for Nigeria.”

    Vice-Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee, Ibrahim Dutse, said the fact-finding mission was in line with relevant provisions for the House to oversight at the end of every appropriation.

    “Whatever we appropriate to any agency, organization, or department, we need to see exactly what was done with the funds. That’s why we’re in New York, London, Geneva and Washington.

    “We came here to check the appropriations we made last year and we are pleased to note that your Mission has complied substantially with most of the appropriated funds.

    “The funds were actually assigned for the purposes they were appropriated. So I want to thank the Ambassador and the ministry that things are getting to normal in our missions.”

    A member of the House of Representatives Committee, Mukaila Kassim, expressed happiness that things had improved at the foreign missions through the efforts of the two legislative committees.

    “I want to tell you that we won’t stop until we see that everything gets to normal. We will make sure that we are there. I know to get there is not easy.

    “Even the British system that has been set up for several years, they are still saying that ‘we’re getting there’. So definitely, we’re getting there and we will get there.”

    The Deputy Permanent Representative at the Mission, Amb. Samson Itegboje, praised the committee members for their visit.

    Itegboje, however, pointed out that the mission and the workers had continued to endure and work under difficult conditions in the overall interests of the country.

  • FG spends N6.2bn to feed three million pupils, hires 33,000 cooks – Akande

    FG spends N6.2bn to feed three million pupils, hires 33,000 cooks – Akande

    The Federal Government says it has so far spent N6.2 billion under the National Homegrown School Feeding Programme, one of its four ongoing Social Investment Programmes (SIP).

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity (Office of the Vice-President), Mr Laolu Akande, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.

    He said the expenditure was in fulfillment of the Federal Government’s plan to ramp up the Social Investment Programmes, this year.

    According to him, the Buhari administration is now close to its target of feeding three million primary school pupils this year under the Homegrown School Feeding Programme.

    “Specifically, at the last count, a total of N6, 204,912,889  has been paid out to 14 states during the school year ending August 2017.

    “The 14 states that have been covered under the School Feeding Programme are: Anambra, Enugu, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ebonyi, Zamfara, Delta, Abia, Benue, Plateau, Bauchi, Taraba and Kaduna.

    “So far, a total of 2,827,501 school children are currently benefiting from the School Feeding Programme, which is well on course to achieve the Federal Government’s projection to feed over three million pupils this year,’’ he said.

    According to the presidential aide, 33,895 cooks have been engaged in the communities where the schools are located across the 14 states.

    Akande gave the breaking of the payment to each state and the number of school children being fed under the programme.

    He said that Anambra received N693, 013,300 while 103,742 children had been fed thus far, with 1,009 cooks paid.

    “Enugu state got a total of N 571,877,400 and 108,898 children have been fed so far, with 1,276 cooks paid.

    “In Oyo state, a total of N490,296, 800 was released by the Federal Government for the feeding of 107,983 children, with 1,372 cooks engaged.

    “Osun state received a total of N1,000, 394,888 for the feeding of 151,438 children. A total of 2,863 cooks were engaged in the state.

    “Similarly, Ogun received a total of and N1,042,217,400 for the feeding of 231,660 schoolchildren, while a total of 2,205 cooks were paid.’’

    Akande further stated that Ebonyi received N344,633, 100 for the feeding of 163,137 pupils so far, with a total of 1,453 cooks paid while Zamfara received N402,295,600 for the feeding of 107,347 school children while 1,127 cooks were engaged.

    He also disclosed that Delta received N225,896,300 for the feeding of 141,663 pupils and 1,364 cooks engaged in the state.

    Akande also said, “Abia and Benue received a total of N128,763,600 and N337,157,800 respectively to feed a total of 61,316 and 240,827 pupils.

    “In Abia, a total of 750 cooks were engaged, while 3,344 cooks were paid in Benue.

    “Plateau and Bauchi states received a total of N133,187,600 and N214,909,101 for the feeding of a total of 95,134 and 307,013 pupils respectively in the states.

    “Also, 1,418 cooks have so far been engaged in Plateau state, with 3,261 in Bauchi state.’’

    The presidential aide also said Taraba received N120,284, 500, adding that 171,835 pupils had been fed while 2,596 cooks were paid.

    He said that Kaduna state received N499, 985, 500 while 835,508 pupils had been fed so far and 9,857 cooks were paid under the programme in the state.

    According to him, more states and primary school pupils across the country are expected to benefit from the feeding programme by the time schools re-open next month for a new session.

  • President Buhari values relationship with China – Femi Adesina

    President Buhari values relationship with China – Femi Adesina

    Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina says the relationship between Nigeria and China is one that President Muhammadu Buhari cherishes and values highly.

    Adesina said this in a statement signed by Mr Abiodun Oladunjoye, a Deputy Director (Information), Presidential Media Office, Abuja.

    Oladunjoye said Adesina stated this when he received the Vice Minister of Information of State Council, People’s Republic of China, Mr Guo Weimin who was on an official visit to Nigeria.

    According to Adesina, the fact that the Nigerian President cherishes the cooperation between Nigeria and China automatically means that there will always be areas of mutual cooperation between the two countries.

    Adesina explained that media organisations from the two countries should profit from the mutual cooperation.

    The presidential aide reiterated the readiness of the presidential media team to build on the existing mutual relationship while also exploring other areas of cooperation.

    He assured Weimin that the presidential media office would work closely with the Chinese Ministry of Information to explore areas where agreements were signed during the visit.

    Adesina expressed optimism that such agreements would enhance the interests of the Nigerian media in particular and the Nigerian Government in general.

    Earlier, Weimin said the delegation, comprising officials of the Chinese Government was in Nigeria to explore areas of exchange of ideas toward deepening the relationship between the Chinese and the Nigerian media industry.

    He identified New Media, transparency in governance, broadcast communication and socio-cultural values as areas in which the delegation hoped to share ideas with their Nigerian counterparts.

    The vice minister, who said Adesina had had a big role to play in deepening the relationship between the two countries solicited his cooperation.

    Weimin disclosed that his delegation had interacted with a broad spectrum of Nigerian media professionals, to get the first hand information from them on their expectations from the visit of the delegation.

  • We are praying for Buhari’s recovery — Makarfi

    We are praying for Buhari’s recovery — Makarfi

    Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, the National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says the party will continue to pray for the recovery of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    At the party’s non-elective convention held on Saturday in Abuja, Makarfi said it was the desire of the party that Buhari should be well soon.

    “We mean well for our president. We will continue to pray for him, we want him to be fit but that does not mean that we will go to sleep. We will work hard to win the 2019 elections,’’ he said.

    He described the non-elective convention of the party as an affirmation that the PDP was a government in waiting.

    Makarfi commended the security agencies for ensuring that the convention was conducted in a secured environment.

    He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for being unbiased and for demonstrating its independency.

    In his remark, Sen. Ben Obi, the Secretary of the PDP National Caretaker Committee, said all hands must be on deck to reposition the party to rescue Nigeria.

    Also, Mrs Iyabo Apampa, PDP stalwart from Ogun, expressed joy that PDP came back to life in spite several efforts to destabilise the party.(NAN)

  • Drama as groups protest for and against Buhari in Abuja

    Drama as groups protest for and against Buhari in Abuja

    The protest led by the popular musician, Mr. Charles Oputa (Charlie Boy), at the Unity Fountain in Abuja to demand President Muhammadu Buhari’s immediate return to the country or his resignation, continued on Thursday with another group of protesters in support of the President.

    The protesters under the aegis of #OurMumuDonDo#, as early as 9am  were holding their protest when another group, Buhari Support Group under the auspices of Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiatives arrived the scene putting up their own tent at the other end of the Unity Fountain.

    The police and other security operatives on ground immediately took over the arena to avoid any clash and  break down of law and order.

    While the protesters against Buhari were monitored till the end of the activities, the other group for the President was allowed to carry placards chanting the goodwill of President Buhari.

     The police authority also allowed them to move around town singing from the Unity Fountain through to the secretariat road.

     The Buhari support group, the Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiatives, led by Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi while condemning the activities of the #OurMumuDonDo#, said there is no cause for alarm over the President’s health.

     The group also said there was no provision in the constitution that stipulates for how long the president can stay out of office while on medical vacation.

     According to the group, what the President needed to do which is stipulated in the constitution was to transmit power to the Vice President through a letter to the National Assembly, which President Buhari already did before leaving for the UK.

     At the other end of the Unity Fountain the #resume or resign protesters called on President Muhammadu Buhari to demonstrate integrity by resigning from office, saying he is incapacitated and cannot rule the country.

    The civil society coalition members reminded Buhari that he asked late President Musa Yar’Adua to resign or be impeached when the latter was sick in 2010, stressing that he should toe the path honour by doing so.

    Speaking to journalists on the fourth day of their protest at the Unity fountain, Maitama, Abuja on Thursday, the convener, Deji Adeyanju said Buhari should leave office if he knew what integrity meant.

    He insisted the President should have done so within one month of leaving the country on medical leave. 

    Charlie Boy urged the youths to fight for their future by joining the campaign to compel Buhari to resign, insisting that Nigerians had the right to demand the health status of the President whose medical bills, he said were being paid by the public.  

  • FAO to address livestock development challenges in Nigeria

    FAO to address livestock development challenges in Nigeria

    Mr Suffyan Koroma, Food and Agriculture Organisation Country Representative to Nigeria, has said that the organisation will organise a livestock development conference in August to address challenges in the sector.

    Koroma made the disclosure when he presented his letter of commission to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, in Abuja on Tuesday.

    He said the conference was part of the organisation’s support to improve the utilisation of grazing reserves in the country.

    “Our support to improve the utilisation of grazing reserves and stock routes to mitigate conflicts and promote commercialised stock production has led to calls for a national conference on livestock development.

    “The conference is expected to come up with comprehensive recommendations to address all issues associated with grazing reserves and livestock production; this will happen sometime this month.

    “We are also looking at developing a national dialogue for the livestock policy development,” he said.

    Koroma further said that the activities of the FAO to respond to the crisis in the northeast was “fully aligned” with the intervention initiative of the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

    He added that FAO supported Nigeria’s economic growth plan and agricultural promotion policy aimed at reducing food and agricultural imports and boosting exports.

    “The strong confidence my UN colleagues have in my technical and leadership ability led to revised implementation modalities of the UN sustainable development framework for Nigeria.

    “It also put FAO as the lead agency for the diversified economic growth outcome area which is a key aspiration for Nigeria within the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.”

    In his response, the foreign affairs minister commended the FAO’s response to the crisis in the northeast.

    He said that the resumption of the new country representative would contribute to “more holistic approach to putting agriculture front and centre of our development goals”.

    Onyeama also commended the organisation’s initiative to organise a livestock development conference adding that the transhumance crisis needed to be addressed sub-regionally.

    “This has led to conflict and security issues and it is one of the items we also want to place on the sub-regional agenda of ECOWAS because it is not just a national issue.

    “The transhumance aspect of it is significant and we have to adopt a sub-regional approach to addressing that issue; the national conference to address that will be important,” he said.