The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Expectations for the week

    Expectations for the week

    Many Nigerians who slept early yesterday evening must just be finding the news of the departure of President Buhari shocking this morning. The Nigerian President has gone on medical leave and has handed over power to the Vice – President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. After a few weeks of not appearing in public, many Nigerians felt concern for their President’s health, his absence at Federal Executive Council meetings further fueled suspicions that all was not well with him.

    Last Friday, he appeared in mosque for the Jumaat prayers but he still wasn’t looking too good. Now that he’s gone abroad for further treatment, people are glad that the President will get the best medical attention and the country will still be in capable hands.

    Nigerians are hopeful that the country will experience positive changes under Acting President Yemi Osinbajo just like the last time President Buhari went on medical leave in London.

    Yesterday, 82 Chibok girls abducted by Boko haram were swapped by the Federal Government for some commanders of the sect. This cheering news has brought smiles to the faces of many Nigerians who have been concerned about the whereabout of the girls.

    Just before his departure for London, President Buhari addressed the girls in Aso Rock. Of course, there has been many questions asked which includes – Why did the Nigerian government have to negotiate with a terrorist organization? Why did it take so long before these girls were released? When will the remaining girls be released?

    Anyway, we cannot but give kudos to the Federal Government for rescuing these girls. Their friends and family members must be highly delighted to have them back; hopefully, the other captured girls will be brought back safe and sound.

    The National Assembly has proclaimed that the 2017 budget will be ready this week; in fact, it will be ready by Tuesday, 9th May 2017. Members of the Senate have assured Nigerians that the budget will be ready tomorrow. Already, the budget is behind schedule and should have been in operation by now. However, it remains to be seen if the budget will be passed tomorrow as promised or not.

    Last week, many Nigerians received with delight the news by Musician cum actor, Bankole Wellignton and actress, Adesua Etomi that they were going to get married. Both celebrities took to their Instagram accounts to announce their love story to the world, they both gave a history of their story and this received pleasant goodwill messages from fellow celebrities and many Nigerians.

    Last Saturday, Bankole and Adesua had their introduction ceremony and many celebrity friends of the couple were in attendance. From this corner, we are wishing them a happy married life and we are praying they keep the status despite the many challenges that may be faced.

     

  • It is not a sin for President Buhari to seek medical attention, says Imam

    A Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Malam Muhammad Nafi’u, on Monday lambasted those celebrating the ill health of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying they are sinning against God.

    Nafi’u, who is the Cheif Imam of Nupe Road Central Mosque, Kaduna said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna that the President, like all mortals have a right to seek for medical attention.

    “If Buhari is not feeling fine it is not a sin for him to seek for medical attention, he is a human being like everyone of us.

    “It is a sin to speculate and spread false rumours, and people should stop it, as every human can fall sick.

    “Rather than wasting time on sinful propagation of falsehood, we should be praying for Buhari to have sound health,” the Imam said.

    He noted that President Buhari had demonstrated love and commitment to the people of Nigeria and deserves nothing less than prayers.

    “Our president has to be healthy, because governance is a big task; we should be grateful to Allah for given us a president that has the country at heart,” Nafi’u added.

    He urged all Nigerians of goodwill to support the present administration, pray for its success and the progress of the country.

    The Imam said Nigerians should also unite in prayers for the president to quickly recover and return home hale and hearty.

    NAN reports that President Buhari left Nigeria on Sunday night for further medical attention in London.

  • Photos: Buhari with Osinbajo, Saraki, Dogara ahead of London trip

    Photos: Buhari with Osinbajo, Saraki, Dogara ahead of London trip

    President Buhari ahead of his London trip received Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Zamfara Governor Abubakar Yari .

    Buhari and Osinbajo
    Buhari, Saraki, Osinbajo, Dogara, Yari

  • Breaking: Buhari off to London for medical consultation

    Breaking: Buhari off to London for medical consultation

    President Muhammadu Buhari will travel to London Sunday night for follow-up medical consultation with his doctors.
    Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina disclosed  this in a press statement on Sunday.
    According to Adesina, President Buhari had planned to leave Sunday afternoon, but decided to wait due to the arrival of 82 Chibok girls who arrived Abuja earlier in the day.
    “The President wishes to assure all Nigerians that there is no cause for worry. He is very grateful for the prayers and good wishes of the people, and hopes they would continue to pray for the peace and unity of the nation.
    “The length of the President’s stay in London will be determined by the doctors. Government will continue to function normally under the able leadership of the Vice President.
    “President Buhari has transmitted letters about the trip to the Senate and the House of Representatives, in compliance with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution,” Adesina stated.

  • Buhari meets freed Chibok girls, journalists barred from meeting

    Buhari meets freed Chibok girls, journalists barred from meeting

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday evening received the newly released 82 Chibok girls at his official residence in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The two white Nigerian Army buses conveying the girls arrived the President’s residence gate around 7:06 p.m.

    The buses had window blinds that made it impossible to see the faces of the girls.

    The Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan arrived with the girls. While the girls were shielded from the journalists gathered at the entrance, State House correspondents were also not allowed to have access to the venue.

    The girls were received behind closed doors by the President as only Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Cameraman and the President’s Personal Photographer, Bayo Omoboriowo were allowed in .

    It was also gathered that some foreign media houses were allowed to cover the Presidential reception for the Chibok girls. Service Chiefs and many top government officials were also at the meeting.

  • Methodist Church urges prayers for Buhari’s health

    Methodist Church urges prayers for Buhari’s health

    The Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Nyanya, has expressed concern over President Muhammadu Buhari’s health, and called on the Church to pray for his quick recovery.

    The Church made the call in a communiqué issued on Sunday in Abuja at the end of the Annual Synod of the diocese, under the chairmanship of the Bishop of Nyanya, Rt. Rev Samuel Nortey.

    The communiqué was signed by Very. Rev Noble Kalu, the Synod Secretary.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sunday’s synod is entitled: “God’s Word, My Guide’’.

    Kalu, in the communiqué, commended Buhari for the fight against corruption, noting that the fight should be based on the rule of law and no sacred cows should be spared.

    He also praised Buhari for the relative peace in the Niger Delta region through the dialogue option adopted by the Federal Government.

    He called on Nigerians, irrespective of political, religious and ethnic background to join hands with the present administration to build a country where peace, rule of law and freedom of speech reign.

    “We call on the government to sustain the peace to revolve the Niger Delta issues.

    “We call on the government to take action against the menace of killers in the guise of herdsmen who have been wreaking havoc on lives and property of helpless Nigerians across the country.

    “We condemn the continued killings of innocent persons in Southern Kaduna and call for an immediate stop to the attacks,’’ he noted.

    The synod secretary, in the communiqué, also urged government officials to stop blaming past administrators for the current economic downturn, adding that they should focus on ways to move the nation forward.

    On the path of education, Kalu urged the government to restructure the educational curricula to focus strongly on entrepreneurial skill acquisition, which would help the youths of the country.

  • Chibok community celebrates return of the 82 girls

    Members of the Chibok community in Borno on Sunday lauded the Federal Government for securing the release of 82 girls out of those abducted on April 14, 2014 by suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

    Across section of those interviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Chibok, specifically commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the gesture.

    “Sincerely speaking I am overwhelmed, this is the kind of information that we have long waited for.

    “We appreciate God first and appreciate the government especially the presidency which championed the negotiations,” Mr Ayuba Alamson a community leader said.

    He expressed the hope that every other person in captivity of the insurgents will also be set free.

    “We pray that this will lead to the release of the remaining girls and all the people that have been captured by the insurgents.

    “Our prayer is all of them will be released,” Alamson said.

    Alhaji Zanna Modu the District Head of Chibok corroborated the feeling,

    “We want to commend all those individuals, organizations the Federal and the Borno State Governments for their role in ensuring the release of the girls.

    “Our prayer is for God to give them more wisdom to intervene, so that this thing will come to an end completely.

    “I also pray for the president for God to grant him good health, so he can  fulfill all the promises he made to Nigeria like the release of all the Chibok girls and ending Boko Haram insurgency”.

    Also speaking Elder Solomon Samuel, also a community leader, described the latest released of the girls as a big surprise.

    “Most people did not sleep yesterday in Chibok, they were praying, praising God and some were even shedding tears of joy because of the news.

    “I did not sleep until 1 a.m. because of the report on the release of the girls,” Samuel said.

    He added:”Sincerely speaking we cannot quantify the level of joy in the community.

    “We pray that the next information we will get is that the remaining girls have been released.

    “I want to call  on all Boko Haram members that violent campaign will not help them.

    “It is high time for them to embrace dialogue let them surrender and embrace dialogue so that peace will return”.

  • Corruption: Church to excommunicate erring members in Enugu

    The Enugu Diocese of the Methodist Church, will henceforth excommunicate its members, who are prosecuted for corrupt practices, the archbishop of the diocese, Most Rev. Christopher Edeh, has said.

    Edeh, who gave this caution in Enugu in his state of the nation’s address to the congregation at the end of the 42nd Annual Synod of the church on Sunday, said that such people were a disgrace to the body of Christ.

    The cleric urged the Federal Government, as a matter of duty, to prosecute all suspected corrupt government officials in the country, irrespective of political, ethnic or religious inclinations.

    Edeh noted with dismay that some corrupt officials in government were avoiding investigations, pointing out that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should give more attention to this development.

    “The suspension of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal and the Director of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ayo Oke, was the height of  fighting corruption by President Muhammadu Buhari,’’ he said.

    The cleric, however, opined that the investigations should be handled by an independent panel rather than by government functionaries.

    The archbishop also called for transparency and accountability in the disbursement of all the looted funds.

    Edeh also urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts on the diversification of the economy to agriculture, solid minerals and industrial development to tackle the present recession.

    The clergyman, who advised the congregation to embrace farming, called on the government to check the invasion of farmlands by herdsmen, who had been rendering the efforts of farmers useless.

    On the ongoing continuous voters’ registration, the archbishop urged churches to ensure adequate participation in the exercise.

    “The time has gone when in the name of Christian faith, believers stand aloof when national issues like the census or the National Identity Card registration pass by.

    “Performing our civic responsibility is also a Christian responsibility, we cannot be heavenly conscious and earthly useless,’’ Edeh said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the synod is, “God’s Word, My Guide”.

  • President Buhari congratulates ace broadcaster, Kunle Olasope, at 80

    President Buhari congratulates ace broadcaster, Kunle Olasope, at 80

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated ace broadcaster and renowned voice talent, Otunba Kunle Olasope, who turns 80 years on May 8.

    President Buhari, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Mr Femi Adesina in Abuja on Sunday, felicitated with all the professional colleagues, friends and family of Olasope.

    The President noted the historical role of Olasope on Oct. 31, 1959, as the first African broadcaster to appear on the Western Nigeria Television Authority, which he said  completely changed the tone of journalism in Nigeria, and Africa.

    He commended Olasope’s courage and patriotism “as he continues to inspire younger broadcasters across the country in both the public and private sectors, encouraging a generation of highly skilled and specialized broadcasters that currently chair TV stations and ply their trade globally’’.

    According to the President, the veteran broadcaster’s legacies will always be remembered, and hopes that his antecedents of discipline, focus and commitment to fairness and excellence will be sustained in the industry.

    He prayed that God would grant Otunba Olasope longer life, good health and more wisdom to serve his country.

     

  • Dogara hails Buhari over release of 82 Chibok girls

    Dogara hails Buhari over release of 82 Chibok girls

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, has described the release of 82 Chibok school girls as delightful and heartening, and commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the feat.

    Dogara, in a statement issued in Bauchi on Sunday by his media aide, Mr Turaki Hassan, also commended the efforts of security agencies and others involved in the negotiation process.

    “Last month, the House of Representatives adopted a motion, urging the Executive to expedite negotiation for the release of the schoolgirls who remained in captivity, and the news of the release of 82 Chibok girls is delightful, to say the least.

    “President Buhari has further proven that he is a man of his words, as he could have used the initial inaction by the previous administration as an excuse to not take action, but he didn’t.

    “It has been said in many quarters that true leadership is defined not by apportioning blame, but by solving challenges irrespective of their genesis, and the President deserves all commendation for this feat.

    “It is extremely gladdening that these 82 girls will finally be reunited with their families.

    “It is my ardent hope that they get the required medical attention, and that the other girls and all others who remained in captivity are released soon,” Dogara said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the girls had been in captivity since 2014 when they were abducted from their school in Chibok, Borno.