The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Agony of a sinking nation

    Agony of a sinking nation

    Gone are the days when truth used to be at the top of our knightly traits, nonextant are the times when these words “I pledge to Nigeria my country to be faithful, loyal and honest, to serve Nigeria with all my strength, to defend her unity and uphold her honour and glory, so help me God” meant more than few shekels of silver, defunct are the era of patriotic spirits when we would stand against all nefarious acts. We forget so facilely what our fore fathers do tell us when we were young, they always say that “a good name and reputation is far better than a pot of gold”.

    It is feasible that our nonchalant act leaves a large hole in the hearts of our fore fathers because we’ve not only broken the chains of love that binds us together as family, we have burnt the chains and the ashes are nowhere to be found, we have neglected the svelte and easy way in clamor for the obese fields, we have failed to heed to our hunters whistle and as the Yoruba would say, “Omo ta ba bawi to n warunki, on setan ati parun” (meaning: a child that is being reprimanded and refuses to listen, Is heading to destruction).

    Our present leaders have not been of help either, they keep smiling in their shame; wallowing in immorality and drowning in misery yet they have refused to vacate the throne of leadership, their fat asses have mysteriously glued themselves to the seats of fame and their gluttonous mouths keep chasing the so called “National cake”, now tell me, are these the lamps that are meant to guide us to the right path?

    Never!.., how can we ever think of taking examples from slithering snakes when we clearly know that the only thing we will gain are lectures on how to kill. Our leaders have insulted us, they have shamed our personalities and they have brought disgrace to our land. It is now left for us to make the change that we desire.

    Our current president, Muhammadu Buhari had said it all when he told us that the change begins with us. Although, a lot of people disagreed but the truth will always remain unchanged, or what do we say about traders that hike the prices of their goods while hiding beneath the umbrella of recession, or youths that choose not to study or learn a vocation but would rather roam the streets aimlessly, causing violence and creating chaos.

    Constantly, Nigeria has been trampled upon by little countries even with its large population and cultural diversities; she has lost her self-respect and honour as a result of corruption, bribery, insecurity, and other vicious acts displayed by her leaders. Nigeria who was a great nation, the land of peace, unity and progress is now a country that has no value in the sight of people.

    It’s such a big shame that we followers keep making wrong choices  when it’s time for election but even the political system is rotten because we operate a multi-party system yet it seems as if only two parties are in existence. The All Progressives Congress (APC) are yet to provide this long awaited change and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have also failed to shelter us against the burning rain, so what do we do?

    Recession and depression is our motto nowadays, we say there’s no money but why then are the whistle blowers finding money hidden in every nook and crannies, even everyone now wants to dive into whistle blowing business “what an achievement!”. This is just too bad that even we followers can’t stand up to our leaders because we are scared of being hurt; I guess it is high time we run because “there is fire on the mountain”

    Although it is very cowardly to run at a time like this but we’ve been caught unawares many times, we are too weak to oppose our oppressors, we are the ants and they are the giants, we stand no chance against their fierceness, we are helpless in this regressing state we find ourselves but we know that “día is God o!”

    Howbeit, it is imperative that we change not just our actions but our thinking too. The Yorubas would say “ka lo fí kankan we orí wa lodo to ‘n san” (meaning: we should wash our heads in a flowing stream) so we won’t be like dogs that pick bread crumbs falling from our master’s table.

    Based on logistics, the clamant solution to our problems is prayer that supercedes prayer.

  • Katsina pledges support for traditional rulers

    Katsina pledges support for traditional rulers

    The Katsina State Government says it will continue to support traditional rulers to safeguard societal values for national growth.

    Dr Mustapha Inuwa, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), made the disclosure in Daura when he paid a visit to the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Farouk Umar on Thursday.

    He described traditional rulers as custodians of societal morals, adding that every society was a creation of tradition.

    The SSG stressed the importance of upholding the sanctity of the traditional institution, saying they play key roles in reshaping and maintenance of peace, security and national unity.

    ‘‘We were able to achieve maximum security with collaboration of traditional rulers,’’ he said.

    He commended the role being played by traditional rulers nationwide in organising prayers for the nation and quick recovery of ailing President Muhammadu Buhari.

    In his remark, the Emir of Daura, thanked the state government for its regular support for traditional rulers in the state.

    He pledged that as custodians of tradition, they would continue to support government policies and programmes, and push for peaceful coexistence and national development.

    Farouk lauded the efforts of Gov. Aminu Masari in spreading development projects to every corner of the state.

     

  • Nigeria, Italy to finalise agreement on military, defence cooperation

    Nigeria, Italy to finalise agreement on military, defence cooperation

    Nigeria and Italy will soon finalise a draft technical agreement on military and defence cooperation and operations, the Defence Minister, Mansur Dan-Ali has said.

    The minister said this when he met with that country’s Minister of Defence, Madam Roberta Pinnoti in Rome on Monday.

    A copy of the minister speech was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja by his spokesman, Col. Tukur Gusau.

    Dan-Ali said that the agreement was expected to facilitate exchange of data and experiences on technical matters affecting preparation and conduct of combined naval operations on counter-piracy awareness and oil platforms protection.

    The other things the agreement will facilitate, according to the minister, are the holding of combined counter-piracy exercises and other maritime security activities in international waters and territorial waters of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “Train Nigerian Navy personnel ashore and on-board of the Italian vessels.

    “Arrange working meetings and briefings ashore and on shore between experts to discuss the implementation of this agreement and results of training and cooperation activities.

    “Take measures to improve the readiness of the parties to conduct combined naval operations; engage some Italian companies in the area of repairs and remodeling of some Nigerian Army self-propelled artillery equipment,’’ he said.

    The minister also said the draft would consider cooperation in any other field of naval activities at practical level.

    “I can assure you very soon that the two countries will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen out the cooperation,’’ he added.

    Dan-Ali said that Nigeria and other countries along the gulf of Guinea suffer a lot of criminal activities, from drug and human trafficking, piracy, robbery and other criminal maritime activities.

    He said: “this practice no doubt is a threat to the existence of humanity and economic development of our nations.

    “I therefore solicit for your cooperation so that together we can stamp out crimes in our maritime environment.’’

    The minister also appealed to the Italian Government to help Nigeria by giving humanitarian assistance to the displaced persons in the North-East part of the country affected by the “inhumanity of the Boko Haram terrorists.’’

    He said that since President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office two years ago, a lot has been achieved in the fight against insurgency and other violent crimes across the sub region.

    He noted that Nigeria and Italy had a long partnership economically and security wise, recalling that when the Italian Prime Minister visited Nigeria in 2016, both countries agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

  • Presidency to continue consultations on Nigeria’s unity – Akande

    Presidency to continue consultations on Nigeria’s unity – Akande

    The consultations by the Presidency with various segments of the Nigerian society will continue, the Spokesman of the Acting President, Mr. Laolu Akande, said on Tuesday.

    He stated this in a release while emphasizing the import of the dialogue the Acting President had with leaders from the North, Southeast and the media over the last two weeks.

    “While this set of consultations was concluded last week, the presidency will continue to actively engage with different segments of the Nigerian population at different stages and formats in the near future.

    “The meetings were convened to provide a platform for frank and open discussions between the concerned stakeholders and by extension the Nigerian public on issues relating to the unity, peace and security of the country,” the release said.

    In the course of the interaction from June 13, to June 22, the Acting President gave the assurance that the Muhammadu Buhari administration was not deaf to grievances in parts of the country and would address them.

    He, however, urged that such grievances should be expressed with grace.

    According to Akande interactions began following the recent spate of agitations pitting some groups in the North against others in the Southeast while Osinbajo used it to douse inter-ethnic tension using political, religious, traditional and media leaders.

    He said the meetings established some common ground on a number of issues such as the condemnation of all the hate and divisive rhetoric by the concerned groups of Northern and Southeastern youths.

    “They affirmed the need for all leaders and elders, regardless of political or ideological persuasion, to speak out more forcefully to counter divisive and hate speeches and any form of warmongering.

    “They also affirmed the primacy of the country’s constitution, the ultimate basis for the unity of Nigeria.”

    Also during the meetings it was agreed that the constitution guarantees freedom of residence and of movement for all Nigerians anywhere in the country, without fear of discrimination or prejudice.

    They also affirmed the need to draw a line between the freedom of expression guaranteed by the constitution and the degeneration of such expression into hate rhetoric and prejudice.

    The interactions similarly affirmed the necessity of confronting all grievances and frustrations head-on, however uncomfortable they might seem instead of ignoring issues and allowing them to fester.

    The Acting President expressed appreciation to all the leaders for their time and commitment to the unity, peace and progress of the nation.

    He also assured Nigerians of the determination and resolve of the Buhari administration to ensure their well-being and security at all times.

  • Three N-power volunteers establish mini-laboratory at Otokutu PHC

    Three N-power volunteers establish mini-laboratory at Otokutu PHC

    Three female volunteers in the N-Health programme have established a mini laboratory at the Primary Health Centre, Otokutu, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta.

    The volunteers are Jennifer Angese (2013 Pharmacology graduate of Delta State University); Mary James (2011 Microbiology graduate of Unijos); and Harriet Azurundu (2001, BSc Microbiology – Imo State University – and 2008 MLSc –UPTH).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the trio contributed money to purchase the equipment and establish the laboratory in April, barely four months of their deployment to the PHC to provide medical outreach to the rural community.

    Narrating their experiences when the Monitoring and Evaluation team of N-Power visited the centre, James said they felt pity for the community which had the centre for long but travelled far to access medical facilities.

    She said that rather than seek deployment they made contributions from their token to purchase the equipment in bits in order to make meaningful impact in the community.

    According to her, the equipment comprising both electrical and manual types, are worth about N100,000 but that some tests are delayed in the centre due to epileptic power and lack of alternative power source.

    She said that her colleagues were teaching in private schools and receiving pittance prior to the N-power job, but noted that the scheme had offered them the opportunity to practice their profession and gain experience.

    James said the community was excited about the development but had not made additional input due to poverty, “but we hope someone, someday will do that for the sake of the rural people’’.

    She said that due to epileptic power the lab always concluded the samples tests, and issued the results the same day of collection.

    She said some patients were referred to bigger facilities if they had to wait for the results for more than a day, “but we work for as long as possible to make patients’ results ready’’.

    Azurundu, another volunteer, added that since the provision of the laboratory no fewer than 70 patients including pregnant women, the aged and children had their blood, urine and other samples tested for proper diagnosis and treatment.

    “We assumed duty in February and since we discovered that there was no laboratory section here we decided to set up one to assist in proper diagnosis and treatment of patients.

    “The lab has been of great help; it has improved the services of the health workers in the health centre.

    “Since we started lab tests we have had almost 70 patients benefitting but we have attended to others without actually putting them in our records,’’ Azurundu said.

    She said that apart from the help that the people needed it had been her dream to be able to touch lives in one way or the other and “N-Power has given me that room and opportunity to touch lives’’.

    On her part, Angese noted that the patients were often tested free or charged only 50 per cent of the cost of the examination to encourage others to access adequate medicare due to poverty.

    The volunteers thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and Acting President Yemi Osinbajo for initiating the N-Power programme because it had touched so many lives.

    They acknowledged that from the stipends they were able also to help in family upkeep and support their siblings in their education.

    The volunteers said they were not expecting the federal government to terminate the programme after two years, but rather to strengthen it because “we will not like to go back after two years doing nothing.

    “We hope it will continue in a better way.’’

    NAN also reports that the laboratory is equipped with syringes, piercing needles, various reagents, glucometer, cotton swaps, feed stains, oil immersion, microscope, mirror, plastercine, capillary tubes.

    Others are blood-count equipment, methylated spirit, HIV reagents, puppets, EDTA collection bottles, hand gloves, wither kits, counting chamber, improvised slide racks, an electric-powered centrifuge as well as a hand-powered centrifuge.

    Mr John James, the husband of Mary James, who visited the centre at the time of the monitoring, thanked the federal government for its transparency in the recruitment of the volunteers.

    John, a Veterinary graduate-turned logistics specialist, who lost his job in December due to the death of his employer, said that the wife had been sustaining the family from her stipend.

    “N-Power is another door that has opened for our family and I encourage the volunteers not to focus attention on the stipend but ensure that they become true professionals during the two-year programme.

    “I thank God Almighty and his instrument, President Muhammadu Buhari, and pray that God grants him sound health and also his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for this programme,’’ he said.

    The Presidential aide on Job Creation, Mr Afolabi Imoukhuede, expressed gratitude to the volunteers for their painstaking effort to live out the dream of the programme by impacting on the society.

    He urged them to continue in their stride as by their conduct they had opened new vistas in their lives.

    Imoukhuede also expressed gladness with the performance of the volunteers in Nana Model Secondary and Primary Schools, Warri, and those at the Central Hospital Warri.

    However, he told the Medical Director of the Warri Hospital to cancel the one-day off granted to the volunteers weekly since the programme was a full time volunteer scheme without shifts, night or weekend duty.

    At a private investor integrated fish farm in Warri, Imoukhuede thanked the proprietor for making the massive facility available for the N-Agro participants to acquire more practical knowledge on fisheries.

    An N-Agro volunteer, Mrs Ese Adiomamore, told NAN that the scheme was a sure way of achieving the self-sufficiency in food production and economic diversification programme of the present administration.

  • Ondo APC crisis: Elders call for reconciliation

    Ondo APC crisis: Elders call for reconciliation

    The Ondo State Elders Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called for reconciliation among all warring groups in the party.

    A statement by the elders said it was important to wrestle the APC from its current state of disunity, mutual distrust and rudderless position.

    The statement signed by Sen. Farukanmi Olorunnimbe, Chairman of the council, and made available to newsmen in Akure on Tuesday, said that the APC needs a strong executive council to lead it to victory in 2019 general elections.

    Olorunnimbe said that the council would intervene to end the ongoing drift, and urged members to unite and provide very strong support to Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to deliver on his promises to the electorate.

    “It is, therefore, most embarrassing that the APC state executive is in disarray since the completion of the Nov. 26, 2016 gubernatorial election.

    “The role which the executive of the APC in Ondo State should play in strengthening of the administration of Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu has been neglected, and this is most unfortunate.

    “Let us strive to ensure and facilitate a process of re-organisation, re-branding and re-positioning of our great party to face emerging challenges.

    “All members of APC in Ondo state must rally round and reconcile, so that we can face future elections as a united team,” he said.

    The chairman of the elders council advised the governor to look into the grievances of some members of the party executive, to bring about necessary solution.

    He urged APC leaders in the South West to consult regularly, so as to know what was going on in the party.

    Olorunnimbe complained that the state had been neglected in terms of appointment by the Federal Government and called for change.

    “In a view of the massive support given by us in the election of President Muhammadu Buhari, our state has been totally neglected in the appointment into national positions,” he said.

  • APC commends Masari for drilling 250 boreholes in Mai’adua

    APC commends Masari for drilling 250 boreholes in Mai’adua

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) has commended Gov. Aminu Masari for drilling 250 boreholes to improve potable water supply in Mai’adua Local Government, Katsina State.

    Alhaji Nura Koza, the APC chairman of the local government made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Mai’adua on Monday.

    Koza said that the intervention had bailed out communities in the area who had suffered “endless water scarcity for years.”

    According to him, Katsina State Government is also repairing many motorized solar water pumps in the area to boost water supply.

    Koza noted that the supply of potable water to communities would boost public health and insulate rural dwellers from water borne diseases.

    The chairman also lauded the governor for the construction of six rural health centers in Jirdede, Galadimawa, Kwadage, Maidaniya, Danyashe  and Mai’adua.

    He said that it was a major project which would enhance access to health services especially for pregnant women and children.

    Koza expressed the hope that the health centres would be fully stocked and provided with qualified personnel for effective services.

    The local APC chairman disclosed that the administration had also constructed two additional primary schools in Kongolam, and at Dumurkol village, the ancestral home of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He added that 37 other primary schools in the area had been renovated by the governor in the last two years.

    The chairman called on the State Independent Electoral Commission to conduct local council polls, so as give local people the opportunity to elect their leaders across the 34 local government areas of the state.

    Koza described local councils election as the bedrock of democracy which help to solidify and consolidate democracy at the grassroots as well as bring people nearer to government.

  • Stop Beating Drums of War – Lai Mohammed

    Stop Beating Drums of War – Lai Mohammed

    Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has admonished those beating drums of war through hate speeches and divisive statements to desist in the interest of the nation’s unity and safety.

    The minister gave the advise on Saturday at the “Lai Mohammed 10th Annual Ramadan Lecture” held in his country home, Oro, Kwara.

    Lai Mohammed expressed concerns over the rate of inflammatory statements capable of causing division and war in the country in recent times.

    He urged Nigerians to disregard those who were engaged in hate speeches as well as their purveyors.

    “In the last couple of months, we have witnessed the increase inflammatory and hate speeches.

    “Hate speeches have been responsible for wars. Rwandan genocide where more than 800,000 people were killed was started by hate speeches.

    “Like people say, wars are not really started by bullets, they are started by words of mouth.

    “Nigeria is too big and God has a purpose for making us one and we shall remain united.

    “There will be differences, but like the Yoruba says, “Ori bibe ko ni ogun ori fifo” (beheading is not antidote to headache).

    “We have been living together peacefully and we will continue to live together, because we have a lot to gain by being united.

    “If there is war today, none of us will escape whether you are young or old whether you are Yoruba, Igbo of Hausa ,” he said.

    The Minister recounted a story he said Acting President Yemi Osinbajo narrated on the dire consequences of the Rwanda war on two judges from that country.

    “The Acting President told us a story that in 1982, he was a young lecturer in the University of Lagos and two Supreme Court Judges came visiting from Rwanda.

    “He said ten years later, in 1992, he went to work in Rwanda and on the street with a bowl in hand looking for food were the Supreme Court Judges that he saw in Lagos.

    “This shows that when there is war, the young, the old, the rich and the poor, we are all victims,” he said.

    The Minister stressed that Nigerians must work together, understand their differences and must never pray for war.

    Mohammed thanked those who attended the lecture noting that their presence was key to its success.

    He said the Ramadan lecture, the tenth in the series, was unique because it’s attendance cuts across religions and denomination.

    The Minister explained that the presence of Christian faithfuls at the event was an indication that Nigerians, irrespective of their religious leaning, could work and live together.

    The Special Guest of honour at the event, Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun said he was impressed with the turn out of people in their diversity at the event.

    The governor urged Muslim faithfuls to remain pious in the remaining days of Ramadan and pray for the unity of the country.

    Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara commended the Minister for organising the annual lecture.

    The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Mahmud Ajeigbe said it was a great feat for the minister to have sustained the Ramadan lecture for 10 years.

    Earlier, the Guest Speaker, Sheikh Ibrahim Gidado from Lagos preached on piety especially during the Ramadan period.

    He charged the gathering on the need for people to have the fear of God in all their dealings and to be compassionate and show love to the less privileged.

    He also called for the support of Nigerians for the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as well as their prayers for the President’s quick recovery.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chief Imam of Oro, Mohammed Sanusi led other clerics at the event on prayers for the country, the President and his cabinet as well as the
minister and his members of families.

    The lecture was attended by traditional rulers from Kwara, including Oloro of Oro, Oba Abdulrauf Oyelaran, Clerics, Muslim and Christian faithfuls, politicians, students and people from other walks of life

  • FG tags 2017 budget on economic recovery, growth

    FG tags 2017 budget on economic recovery, growth

    The Federal Government has christened the 2017 Budget which was signed into law on Monday by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo as “Budget of Economic Recovery and Growth”.

    Osinbajo said the name reflected the commitment of the administration to ensure strong linkage between the medium-term Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) recently launched by President Muhammadu Buhari and the annual budgets.

    According to him, it is designed to bring the Nigerian economy out of recession unto a path of sustainable and inclusive growth.

    “The budget has a revenue projection of N5.08 trillion and an aggregate expenditure of N7.44 trillion.

    “The projected fiscal deficit of N2.36 trillion is to be financed largely by borrowing,’’ Osinbajo said.

    He assured those who had expressed concern about the growing public debt that “we are taking several actions to grow government revenues as well as plug revenue leakages.

    “This is because, notwithstanding the fact that our borrowings are still within sustainability limits, we are determined, in the medium term, to reduce our reliance on borrowings to finance our expenditures’’.

    The acting president noted that the economy was already signaling a gradual recovery as growth was headed towards positive territory.

    He said that the first quarter GDP estimated at -0.52 per cent compared favourably with -2.06 per cent in the first quarter of 2016.

    He also said that inflation was declining to 17.24 per cent from 18.74 per cent as at May 2016.

    Osinbajo also observed that the country’s external reserves rose to US$30.28 billion as at June 8, 2017 from US$26.59 billion as at May 31, 2016.

    “We are also gradually instilling confidence in our exchange rate regime.

    “This improvement in GDP growth and other macro-economic indicators is largely attributable to our strategic implementation of the 2016 Budget as well as stronger macroeconomic management and policy coordination.’’

    The acting president also expressed confidence that the 2017 Budget would deliver positive economic growth and prosperity “that is self-sustaining and inclusive’’.

    Accordingly, he said that the 2017 budget will be implemented in line with the administration’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

    He said that over the 2017-2020 plan period “we are focusing on five key execution priorities”, namely: stabilising the macroeconomic environment; agriculture and food security; energy sufficiency in power and petroleum products.

    He also mentioned improved transportation infrastructure and industrialisation through support for micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs).

    “The 2017 budget includes provisions that reflect these priorities.

    “To demonstrate our commitment to following through our Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, the 2017 budget allocates over N2 trillion to capital expenditure, principally infrastructure.

    “We are committing over N200 billion to improve transport infrastructure such as roads and rail; over N500 billion for investments in works, power, and housing.

    “And N46 billion is for Special Economic Zone Projects to be set up in each geopolitical zone,’’ he added.

  • Presidency urges Nigerians to buy into $300m Diaspora Bond

    Presidency urges Nigerians to buy into $300m Diaspora Bond

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Abike Dabiri-Erewa has urged Nigerians to take advantage of the first ever 300 million dollars Diaspora bond.

    Dabiri-Erewa, who made the call on Monday in Abuja in a statement by her Media Assistant, Mr Abdurrahman Balogun, asked Nigerians to buy into the offer.

    She noted that the Debt Management Office (DMO) had announced the commencement of a global offering of Nigeria’s first Diaspora Bond.

    She said the DMO also filed a registration statement for the bonds with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    The presidential aide said that that the Diaspora bond would be used to raise funds from Nigerians in the Diaspora to finance capital projects.

    According to her, the bond will provide an opportunity for them to participate in the development of the country.

    She said her office as well as the Nigerians in the  Diaspora was excited as the first ever diaspora bond was being rolled out to the benefits of Nigerians.

    The SSA said it was a unique way of lubricating the interest of Nigerians in the Diaspora to participate in the developmental projects being carried out by the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    She recalled that the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, in February promised that the Diaspora bond will soon be rolled out by the DMO.

    She said that the DMO had also said that application would be made for the bonds to be admitted to the official list of the UK Listing Authority and the London Stock Exchange Plc.

    The office, according to her, said this is to ensure that the bonds were admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange’s regulated market.

    “The bonds will be direct general obligations of Nigeria and will be denominated in U.S. dollars.

    “The international Joint Lead Managers are Bank of America Merrill Lynch and The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited.

    “The Nigerian Joint Lead Managers are First Bank of Nigeria Limited and United Bank for Africa Plc,’’ she quoted DMO as saying.

    She said that the DMO added that there would be a series of investor meetings in the UK, the U.S. and Switzerland from June 13.

    She said that the office explained that pricing was expected to occur following the investor meetings and subject to market conditions.

    Dabiri-Erewa said that as part of measures to fund capital expenditures, the Federal Government had in February announced its offering of one billion dollars euro bond.

    The bond, she said, was under its newly-established one billion dollars Global Medium Term Note programme.

    “We are very excited that the National Assembly has approved the Diaspora Bond.

    “We believe Nigerians abroad want to support development in Nigeria and such would be glad to invest in it,” she said.