The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • National Sports Festival: Cross River solicits FG’s support

    National Sports Festival: Cross River solicits FG’s support

    Cross River Government on Sunday appealed to the Federal Government to assist it funds to enable it to host the National Sports Festival.

    A statement by Nneka Ikem-Anibeze, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Youths and Sports, said the Deputy Governor of the state, Prof Ivara Esu, made the plea when he visited the Minister, Solomon Dalung, in Abuja.

    It quoted Esu as acknowledging that the hosting right for the festival was given to the state about five years ago but that for some exigencies, the games had not held.

    He said that the previous administration in the state constituted up a team of consultants to market the festival to raise funds.

    He said that much money had been sunk into the renovation and building of new infrastructure as part of preparations for the festival, adding that some of the projects had been completed.

    “We have been preparing for this National Sports Festival since 2012.

    “The government before us had set up a team of consultants to raise funds for the games. I am sure that when they hear about the festival coming alive, they will come back for re-engagement.

    “So much money has already been sunk into building of infrastructure and facilities for the games. Some of the facilities are 100 per cent completed. Others are between 65 to 85 per cent ready.

    “We have considered various ways in which we can cut cost. I also know that the kind of money we are looking for is not in the budget of 2017.

    “We are not passing the entire budget for the festival to the Federal Government. We need help of 60 per cent of the cost of the facilities, which we have presented to the ministry.

    “I know that President Muhammadu Buhari and the minister have contacts that we can leverage on to raise funds,” he said.

    Esu stated that the state government had made efforts to raise funds “but we have assessed that at no time will we be able to raise more than 40 per cent of the funds needed.

    “Certainly, we can’t get money even from our federal allocation.

    “We are number 35 out of the 36 states; so, if we can’t get the remaining funds, we will not be able to host this games”.

    In his response, Dalung promised to discuss the issue with the president and thanked the deputy governor for the visit, saying it demonstrated the state government’s commitment to “rescue” the festival, which had been in limbo.

    “The National Sports Festival has been on the front burner and the concern of many Nigerians. At every given opportunity, there is a question about the fate of the festival.

    “That confirms how passionate the people are about the games. It is sad that for a long time we have not been able to host the games.

    “I quite agree with the challenges, especially economic challenges confronting the nation but let us not lose touch of the fact that sports is our national heritage and passion and a service-oriented item.

    “Therefore, we must do our best to mobilize funds and give our people those things they yearn for,” he said.

    Dalung recalled that the National Youth Games was held in Ilorin after a long time.

    “We did that not because we had sufficient budgetary allocation. We had only N9 million allocated for the games, but we had to think outside the box and engaged the private sector and sponsors to raise enough funds for the games.

    “So, I think Cross River state needs to put up a structure of consultants to market the games and I assure you that it will pay off.

    “It is not a matter of setting up committees and getting the right people who will mobilize the right investment.

    “If you insist on using a committee made up of just people from the state’s sporting architecture, you will achieve nothing.

    “The state government may not have money but there are many Nigerians who are ready to give the state funds needed to host the festival if they are sure that the investment will be deployed judiciously.

    “I know of states who are hosting international competitions. So I know people will also want to invest in national competitions which have direct benefits on Nigerian youths,” he said.

    The Minister also promised to assist the state to seek the intervention needed to host the games.

  • Buhari won’t move against those calling him names, says Adesina

    Buhari won’t move against those calling him names, says Adesina

    Presidential spokesman Femi Adesina has described President Muhammadu Buhari as “a reformed democrat, a pious man’’ who will never move against those calling him all sorts of names in the past two years.

    Adesina, in a special feature titled; “President Muhammadu Buhari and the descendants of Shimei’’, released in Abuja on Saturday, described such people who were bent on tarnishing the good image of President Buhari as “descendants of Shimei’’.

    According to the presidential aide, the descendants of Shimei are the evil wishers, the hate monger, and those who spend their days conjecturing tragedy for leadership.

    “President Buhari has tolerated people who have called him all sorts of names in the past two years. If he didn’t move against them directly, he could have allowed many Abishais to move against them, “and take off their heads.”

    “But not our President, a reformed democrat, a pious man, who has resolved to leave the people suffused by hatred unto God.’’

    Adesina attributed the “devilish’’ activities of the Nigerian Shimei to the outcome of the 2015 presidential election.

    He maintained that, “the All Progressives Congress (APC), inspired by Muhammadu Buhari, halted the 60-year pipe dream of PDP at the polls in 2015. Has the latter forgotten? No, they won’t forget till forever.

    “But so much is the animus, the antipathy towards the President that they wish him dead. While millions of Nigerians are praying, some elements are rejoicing, and imagining evil.

    “But they forget: man is not God, and Jehovah always has the final say. The descendants of Shimei need to learn vital lessons from their forebear.’’

    The presidential aide further narrated a historical but spiritual episode to further buttress his points.

    “You don’t kick a man that is down, goes a saying, but Shimei not only cursed David, he also threw dust and stones at him. It was a show of shame.

    “David had succeeded Saul as king of Israel. And Shimei was from the family of Saul (read, People’s Democratic Party, PDP). Shimei hadn’t forgotten the bloody nose the family of Saul got, when the kingship was taken away from them, and given to David.

    “So when the latter got into a time of travail, no pity at all from people still smarting from bloody noses.

    “And will they get their just desserts one day? As night follows the day, they will. If not from man, they will get it from God. Their forefather, Shimei did. He reaped what he sowed,’’ he said.

    He further narrated: “After some time, the rebellion led by Absalom was crushed by loyal troops, and David regained the throne. As he headed back into the city, who came to meet the king, with one thousand of his relatives, pleading for mercy? Shimei.

    “The Yorubas say the same mouth that the snail used to abuse the gods, is what it uses to lick the dusts of the earth. Shimei had suddenly become gentle.

    “And humble, too. He fell down before David, and said:”I have sinned. Have mercy on me. Don’t remember what I did against you on the day you went out of Jerusalem.”

    “Heh, on a certain day, some people would come to prostrate, begging for mercy, asking President Buhari to forgive and forget. What will the President do? What did David do? Abishai said again to King David:”Let me bring down the head of this man, who cursed, and threw stones at you?”

    “But David said to Shimei:”Thou shall not surely die.” And the king swore unto him.

    “But did Shimei live happily ever after? Old sins, they say, have long shadows. Before David died, he instructed Solomon his son, who succeeded him, not to forget to deal with Shimei.

    “At least, David had kept his part of the bargain not to kill Shimei.

    “What did Solomon do? He restricted Shimei to Jerusalem, adding that any day he went out of the city would be his last on earth. Days, weeks, and months went by. Shimei remained gentle.

    “But on a certain day, two servants belonging to him ran away to Gath, another city.

    “Shimei saddled his horses, and led his men to bring back the servants. He had received mercy from David, but he couldn’t show mercy to the servants. Mercy begets mercy.

    “The story was told to Solomon. Shimei has left Jerusalem. He went to Gath, contrary to your instructions. It was time for judgment.

    “Solomon commanded that what Abishai had long wanted to do should be done to Shimei. And his head was brought down.

    Adesina concluded his article with satirical questions, saying that, “Will the descendants of Shimei repent, turn a new leaf, and become human? Will they recognize their own mortality?

    “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he that is filthy, let him be filthy still. He that is overtaken by hate, let him remain hateful still. Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give to every man according as his work shall be.

    “Let the descendants of Shimei who have ears to hear please hear. There is recompense for evil, and there is also recompense for good.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on Friday the Guinean President, Alpha Condé, ordered a 24-hour fervent prayers for President Buhari, who is currently on medical vacation in London.

    Condé gave the order while addressing the country’s Council of Ministers in a meeting.

    Guinean President expressed concern for President Buhari’s health and declared prayers for his quick recovery.

  • Four Nigerian states domesticate SDG’s – presidential aide

    Four Nigerian states domesticate SDG’s – presidential aide

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, says four States have so far domesticated the SDGs in the country.

    Orelope-Adefulire, who disclosed this when she led a delegation to the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN, said Nigeria was doing well in the implementation of the SDGs.

    The SDGs is a successor programme to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), with a set of 17 global goals and 169 targets aimed at transforming the world by year 2030.

    The SDGs, which implementation started on Jan. 1, 2016 and terminates on Dec. 31, 2030, is a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

    The New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Orelope-Adefulire was in New York to present Nigeria’s SDGs National Voluntary Review to the UN High-level Political Forum.

    The presidential aide said the states are Benue, Edo, Lagos and Nasarawa, adding that Kaduna state is also on course to domesticate it.

    According to her, Nigeria is implementing an all-inclusive SDGs to ensure that no one is left behind.

    Orelope-Adefulire said all Nigerian groups were involved in the implementation of the SDGs, noting that while the MDGs was government-oriented, the successor programme was people-oriented.

    She explained that the Federal Government had integrated the SDGs into Nigeria’s national policy and planning frameworks.

    She said her office has Focal Persons from all the states working with the governors as well as Desk Officers in the Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

    The presidential aide commended the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari in the implementation of the SDGs and called for the support of all Nigerians for the administration.

    “We should pray for president Buhari because he is a good man. We should also support the administration because we have no other country.

    “Yes, there are challenges but God has a purpose for us as a country,” she said.

    In his remarks, the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, Prof. Tijjani Bande, described Nigeria as “a very unique and important country” to the world.

    Bande said that most countries understood the place of Nigeria in the comity of Nations, adding that Nigerians have made their marks across the globe in all human endeavours.

    “People go from other countries to Nigeria but no one goes and return the same; they come back with deepened knowledge.

    “Nigeria has tried in various ways; what we require now is coordination and calmness,” he said.

    The Nigerian envoy commended Nigeria’s SDGs national voluntary review, saying that Nigeria had set a pace for other countries.

    “A lot of countries will learn from our review; a lot of countries require the leadership of Nigeria to follow.

    “God did not make a mistake to make Nigeria a leader; we at the mission here are playing the leadership role required of Nigeria to other missions,” he said.

  • Buhari’s health condition delayed APC’s Convention

    Buhari’s health condition delayed APC’s Convention

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed that the health condition  of President Muhammadu Buhari has largely been responsible for the inability of the party to hold its constitutionally mandated mid-term non elective convention, but assured that processes leading to the programme will begin on Saturday, July 29.

    The party also said it has set up a nine member committee headed by Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir elRufai to define and work out a “shared understanding” of what it meant by restructuring as contained in its manifesto in other to give a clearer understanding of the issue.

    Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum and Zamfara state governor who addressed newsmen at the end of a meeting between the governors elected on the platform of the party and the National Working Committee however said that the the party has decided to meet with the Acting President to discuss the issue and fix a suitable date  for the convention.

    When reminded of an earlier promise to meet with the Acting President after their meeting in May, Yari said even though the President is supposed to be present at the convention as leader of the party, they will still meet with the Acting President to decide on a date.

    He  however noted that they were conscious of the fact the Acting President is playing a double role of he at the moment and therefore has a very busy schedule.

    He explained that in view of the relationship between the executive and the legislature and the need to forge a cordial relationship within the hierarchy of the party, they decided that principal officers of the National Assembly will henceforth be part of the regular meeting with the leadership of the party.

    In his opening remarks, National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said the turn out of the governors for the meeting was a clear indication that it was becoming an avenue to mobilize opinion towards the smooth running of the party.

    Governors at the meeting include Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar of Zamfara, Nasir elRufai of Kaduna, Simon Lalong of Plateau, Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa, Yahaya Bello of Kogi and Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano, while the deputy governors of Lagos, Osun, Ogun, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger and Borneo represented their governors.

    Governors of Ondo, Sokoto, Bauchi, Yobe, Adamawa, Kwara, Edo, Oyo and Katsina states were not present at the meeting and were not represented.

  • NDDC to build women development centres

    NDDC to build women development centres

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it will build and equip women development centres in nine states of the Niger Delta region as part of its efforts to empower women economically.

    Mr Nsima Ekere, the Managing Director of NDDC made this known in a statement issued by the commission’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr Ibitoye Abosede in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

    Ekere said this when members of the Forum of Niger Delta Women (FNDW) visited the commission.

    Ekere said that the commission would work closely with the Forum to provide women with training programmes in agriculture, among others.

    “The training will come with starter packs and seed capital to ensure its sustainability aimed at developing the capacity of women in the region.

    “We are only concerned with the behaviour of some trainees who sell their starter-packs which reverses the gains of the programme,” he said.

    According to Ekere, women are drivers of the economy and have played important roles in the development of the country since independence.

    “Women are drivers of the society as well as shape the thinking of society and order the ways of the youth.

    “This is because, mothers have great influence on a child, and as such, whoever jokes with women will have him or herself to blame,” he said.

    Ekere urged the forum to sensitise younger women on the need to avoid violence and criminality that were inimical to the progress of the country.

    The managing director said that President Muhammadu Buhari was committed to the development of the Niger Delta, and as such, deserved support of women in the region.

    Earlier, Mrs Maureen Tamuno, the Coordinator of FNDW said the forum was prepared to work with NDDC to develop the region.

    She commended the commission’s governing board and management over formulation and implementation of policies that sought to improve lives of the people.

    “We observed with pleasure the commission’s desire to bring about development and readiness to engage women and youths to curb restiveness in the society,” he said.

    Tamuno called on NDDC to build women centres in every state and in some local government areas of the region to give women a sense of belonging.

  • Buhari committed to peaceful, developed Niger-Delta – Boroh

    Buhari committed to peaceful, developed Niger-Delta – Boroh

    The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, says President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is committed to a peaceful and developed Niger Delta region.

    Boroh, who is the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York on Wednesday that this commitment has encouraged investors movement into the region.

    “The impact of the Presidential Amnesty Programme in the Niger Delta region has been very satisfactory and encouraging because the ex-agitators have imbibed that culture of ensuring peace.

    “This is to allow for growth in the region and they are happy about it because a lot of valuable entrepreneurship programmes are ongoing in the entire Niger-Delta region.

    “Their (ex-agitators) morale is high and they are happy.

    “Each time I go to discuss with the ex-agitators and the youth, they pledge their loyalty and support to the present administration.

    “This is so that the administration can continue the good things it is doing because of the commitment of Mr President in ensuring peace, stability and development in the region.

    “The Niger Delta today is stable, peaceful and expecting investors moving there and help in adding value to the region,” Boroh said.

    According to him, well over 5,000 ex-agitators have benefitted within the past two years in critical areas of aviation, maritime, oil and gas and agriculture.

    The amnesty coordinator said agriculture was now the main focus of the programme in line with the government’s economic diversification strategy.

    “This is to ensure that the ex-agitators imbibe the details of the new agricultural policy so that they can be professional farmers at the end of the day.

    “This will create massive job opportunities, ensure that there’s food security in the region and the country at large and again, enhance our financial position.

    “Niger Delta is stable and investors are moving in to continue their business,” Boroh said.

    The presidential aide also explained that the programme has a terminal phase but that the ex-agitators would be empowered before the final phase.

    “The programme has a timeline to phase out. It has to do with ensuring that the ex-agitators that are in the programme are adequately trained and empowered so that they can leave and this is ongoing.”

  • Buhari mourns Madam Omowunmi, sends ‘heart-felt condolences’ to Bisi Akande

    Buhari mourns Madam Omowunmi, sends ‘heart-felt condolences’ to Bisi Akande

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed “heart-felt” sadness over the death of Madam Omowunmi Bisi Akande, wife of the founding chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress, (APC).

    Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, said Buhari’s condolence message was contained “in a letter penned by him”.

    He said the president had earlier spoken on telephone  to the bereaved party chieftain on Wednesday, where he (President Buhari) described the death of Akande’s wife of 50 years as an “irreparable loss’’.

    The President’s message read: “I received the very sad news of the death of your dearly beloved wife, Madam Omowunmi Akande this morning.

    “I am following our phone call with this letter of condolence, which comes from my heart.

    “To lose a wife, a dear wife after 50 years, a constant and loving companion through good and bad times, is a blow only a man of unshakeable faith can withstand.

    “Please extend my personal condolences to the immediate and wider Akande family and to friends of the family for this irreparable loss.

    “May Allah give you the strength and Iman to endure her passing away.’’

    It would be recalled that the Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari, on Wednesday, led the presidential delegation to condole with Chief Bisi Akande over the demise of his wife.

    Kyari described the death of the deceased as a loss to the nation.

    “Yesternight, I received a call from Acting President Yemi Osinbajo while he was with President Muhammadu Buhari in London.

    “He gave me the news of Madam Akande’s death and said that the president and himself are very sad over the sudden death of Mrs Akande.

    “He thereafter directed that I lead a presidential delegation to Ila-Orangun immediately to condole with Chief Akande,’’ he said.

  • Buhari gives Osinbajo approval on some ‘decisions, appointments’

    Buhari gives Osinbajo approval on some ‘decisions, appointments’

    A Cabinet reshuffle is likely soon, The Nation learned yesterday.

    It is all part of the fallout of Tuesday’s London meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, sources said, pleading not to be named.

    Some ministers may be dropped.

    The imminent action is believed to be delaying the inauguration of the two ministers-designate already confirmed by the Senate.

    Some ministers may also swap portfolios in the new plan.

    The looming shake-up has caused anxiety among members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    It was also gathered that President Buhari endorsed all the measures taken by the Acting President to keep the nation united. Osinbajo was also said to have got approval for some decisions and appointments.

    According to the sources, the need to reshuffle the cabinet for “efficiency” was one of the key issues discussed between the President and the Acting President.

    It was however learned that it might not be a wholesale dissolution of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) “because the nation cannot afford such a luxury now”.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “There is likely shake-up of the cabinet in line with the new fast-paced focus of the Buhari administration. Some of the ministers cannot cope with the portfolios assigned to them.

    “Some ministers were also found to be behind the crisis of confidence between the Executive and the National Assembly.

    “So, apart from dropping some, others may swap portfolios for efficiency. It is just some restructuring of the cabinet to ensure service delivery.”

    Responding to a question, the source added that there had been anxiety among members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    “Obviously, there is disquiet in the cabinet on this latest development. I think the likely changes in the cabinet accounted for the delay in inaugurating two ministers-designate.

    “I cannot tell you when the changes will be effected but the cabinet shake-up came up as an item between the two leaders, “ the source said.

    Osinbajo is believed to have briefed the President on the renewed separatist and secession agitation.

    It was gathered that Buhari was shocked by the situation and insisted that Nigeria must be kept united.

    Another source said: “The President endorsed all the consultations and actions taken by the Acting President and asked him to continue to take steps to keep Nigeria indivisible.

    “The President was delighted that Osinbajo managed the threats to the nation’s unity with courage and maturity.”

    On some outstanding issues, the source said: “Osinbajo secured approval to take some decisions and make some appointments.”

    Regarding how the meeting went, the source added: “The President and the Acting President were together without any third party. And they had fruitful talks. We should expect some actions soon.”

    Also, there were indications last night that the Acting President briefed FEC on the health status of the President.

    A member said: “The Acting President told us that there was no cause for alarm. He said the President had been recuperating well.

    “We were all relieved because this first-hand information was the most authentic we have got.”

  • Buhari in high spirit, recovering fast, says Osinbajo

    Buhari in high spirit, recovering fast, says Osinbajo

    …says Buhari will return very soon

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday said that President Muhammadu Buhari is in good spirit and recuperating very fast.

    He made the disclosure to State House correspondents just before entering the Council Chamber to start the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

    Osinbajo, who left Nigeria on Tuesday to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari in the United Kingdom, returned to the country on Wednesday morning.

    Read also: Osinbajo back from visit to Buhari

    Buhari left Nigeria since May 7th to meet up with follow up consultation with his doctors.

    Osinbajo on Wednesday assured that Buhari will soon return to Nigeria.

    He said: “Well, first as you know I went to see him, I went to check up on him to find out how he was doing. I had of course been speaking on the phone and I thought it will be a good thing to go and see him and you know generally check up on how he was doing and also to brief him on developments back at home.

    “So we had a very good time, we had a very good conversation on wide ranging issues and he is in very good spirit, he is recuperating very quickly and he is doing very well.

    On the state of the President’s health, he said: “Well, as I have said he is in very high spirit, he is recuperating very well and we had very long conversation, we spoke for well over an hour and his humor is all there. He is doing well and he is recuperating fast.

    Read: Osinbajo to update Nigerians on outcome of meeting with Buhari

    Asked when Buhari is due back in the country, he said: “I think very very shortly. Very shortly. I think we should really expect him back very shortly. Like I said he is recuperating very fast and he is doing very very well.

    On whether the President will return within 90 days from May 7th, he said: “No no. Deadlines aren’t a very good thing but as I said he is recuperating fast we expecting him very shortly. Much sooner than you will expect.

    Asked if the meeting dwell on the report of the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director General, Ayo Oke, he simply said that the meeting covered wide ranging issues.

    Read: Buhari, Osinbajo meet in London on state of nation

    “I really can’t go into specifics of all of the discussions we had.” he added

    He also said that the meeting didn’t discuss swearing in of the two ministerial nominees.

    On when they will be sworn in, he said: “Well, I’m not in a position to say anything. I don’t have a date in mind but I’m sure very very soon we will do that.”

     

  • Osinbajo to update Nigerians on outcome of meeting with Buhari

    Osinbajo to update Nigerians on outcome of meeting with Buhari

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo will soon brief the nation on the outcome of his meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in London.

    Mr Laolu Akande, the Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media and Publicity, made this known on his twitter handle on late Tuesday night.

    He described the meeting as ““a very good meeting.”

    Read also: Buhari, Osinbajo meet in London on state of nation

    He said: “We will soon share more information about Acting President’s London meeting with President Buhari. It was a very good meeting.

    “God bless Nigeria.’’

    It would be recalled President Buhari on Tuesday summoned Acting President Osinbajo to a meeting with him in the United Kingdom where he is presently on medical vacation.

    Read also: Osinbajo back from visit to Buhari

    Osinbajo jetted out of Abuja soon after presiding over the Quarterly Presidential Business Forum on Tuesday morning at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Akande had earlier confirmed in a tweet on his twitter handle, “@akandeoj that Osinbajo had left for London to meet the President but did not give  details.

    He added that the Acting President would return to Abuja immediately after the meeting .