The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Customs’ C-G wants clearing agents to reduce delay in cargo clearance

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has advised clearing agents to collaborate with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to fight corruption and reduce delay-time  in cargo clearance at the ports to facilitate trade.

    The Comptroller-General of Customs, retired Col. Hameed Ali, gave the advice when he visited the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) headquarters in Lagos.

    Ali said that if the agents had a fruitful synergy with the NCS, it would put an end to all the challenges militating against their operations at the ports.

    He assured the clearing agents that the service would organise a stakeholders’ meeting that would be attended by selected leaders of the associations to proffer solutions to problems affecting seamless cargo clearance at the ports.

    “I am appealing to the clearing agents to support President Muhammadu Buhari in his agenda to stop corruption and I hope our meeting would bring positive results to our operations.

    “I am also appealing to both  the NCS officers and the clearing agents to always search their consciences  and ensure they do the right things at all times,” Ali said.

    He said that the service would look into the complaints of multiple check points.

    Ali said that apart from delaying cargo movement, the check points had assisted the service to intercept 661 riffles and other seizures due to lack of proper examination at the ports.

    According to him, if Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) is well documented, the system will not reject it.

    He urged clearing agents to engage in honest declaration to avoid their documents being queried.

    The C-G acknowledged the need for continuous enlightenment on Customs’ cargo processing to assist both operators in removing all the teething problems militating against 48-hour cargo clearance at the ports.

    The National President of ANLCA, Mr. Olayiwola Shittu, urged the management of NCS to assist the agents in solving challenges affecting cargo clearance at the ports.

    Shittu said that the operations of clearing agents and the NCS were related, saying that trading zone operation, which is where they process documents for PAAR,  was affecting cargo clearance.

    Shittu pleaded with NCS to stop duplication of PAAR documentation, saying which led to additional payments in clearing goods at the ports.

    He advised the NCS boss to also stop multiple alerts by some officers at the examination units as well as locking of Customs pin numbers.

    Shittu said that the NCS should sanction dishonest shippers found to be engaging in false declaration and not agents who assisted in clearing cargoes.

    He suggested that the service should look forward to a new system of cargo clearance to stop extortions by both parties.

    Shittu said that “ANLCA, Nigeria is the regional headquarters of International Customs Brokers and it keeps abreast of information on cargo clearance around the world.

    “I will like the NCS management and some members of our association to visit Ghana to observe how their Customs’ operate while clearing vehicles at the ports.

    “Ghana’s revenue on vehicles received a 60 per cent boost in a year of operating seamless method of clearing vehicles from their ports,” he said.

    Shittu, however, said the association would support the NCS in fighting against corruption and facilitate trade at the nation’s ports. 

     

  • How Buhari restored Nigeria/U.S. warm ties – Ag. Ambassador

    How Buhari restored Nigeria/U.S. warm ties – Ag. Ambassador

    Amb. Hakeem Balogun, Chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Nigeria, Washington, has described the relationship between Nigeria and the U.S. as “very warm”.

    Balogun told the Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the relationship had improved greatly since Muhammadu Buhari became president.

    According to him, the Nigeria-U.S. relationship was not too good prior to the inauguration of Buhari as president.

    “The relationship is quite good. It’s been very warm and lovely ever since the coming of this administration.

    “Prior to President Buhari’s ascendancy, the relationship was sort of lukewarm following the American’s complaints over Nigeria’s handling of security issues, human rights, allegations, issues of corruption, issues of governance.

    “These are issues which the present government has come in to make the focal point of its administration. And no doubt, even since then, our relationship has been very robust.

    “Our relationship has entered on the fulcrum of the Bi-National Commission and based on that, it has formed the bedrock of our relationship.

    “The bi-national commission is the foundation, the basis of the relationship between both countries.

    “Well within the bedrock of that bi-national commission, are issues of good governance, corruption, security and what others, which formed the basis of our relationship with the United States.”

    On Corruption, Balogun, who is Nigeria’s acting Ambassador at U.S., said the U.S. was quite impressed with how far Nigeria had gone in the fight against corruption under Buhari.

    “They (U.S.) really have this belief that the person of Mr President was okay to handle the issue of corruption in Nigeria and that he’s been doing well.

    “I was in a meeting where former President Barack Obama publicly acclaimed this that they were quite satisfied with the way we were handling corruption issues.

    “And he’s open to us to see what the government was doing regarding corrupt practices, either in governance or in the society at large.

    “So I can definitely tell you that the United States is pleased with what we’ve been doing at that level; ditto the efforts to revive the economy.

    “You know this issue of corruption is a global thing; it is worldwide and we have to share best practices.

    “How we fight against the terrorism is something that is really being a focal point for the government of the United States,” he said.

    The Nigeria envoy pointed out that Nigeria’s strategy in the fight against Boko Haram was commended and recommended by the meeting of the Global Coalition Working to Defeat ISIS hosted by U.S. within the week.

    “That (Nigeria’s strategy) was part of the outcomes of the conference, where the coalition of countries fighting against terrorism, about 68 of them, met.

    “There were only four of us from Africa, where we also talked about how best to share information, stop international terrorism financing and international weapons exchange across borders.

    “Nigeria was singled out in our efforts to combat the Boko Haram menace and U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson actually commended our delegation.

    “Tillerson commended Nigeria for the efforts we’ve put in tackling global terrorism as it affects us,” he said.

     

  • Buhari condemns Benue killings

    Buhari condemns Benue killings

    …Directs security agencies to check violence

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned wanton killings of innocent Nigerians across the country and challenged security agencies to rise to the occasion and end this blight on the image of the country.

    The president gave the directive in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Buhari specifically condemned the recent attack on a market in Zaki Biam by unidentified gunmen which resulted in the loss of lives.

    He commiserated with the government and people of Benue over the incident.

    The President, who condemned the wicked attack, directed security agencies to begin immediate investigation with a view to bringing the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.

    While sympathising with those who lost loved ones, President Buhari also prayed that Almighty God would comfort the grieving families and grant the souls of the victims eternal rest.

    “We must condemn inhuman and unnecessary shedding of human blood all over the country.

    “We seem to have lost value for human life, which is sacred. Man is the glory of God’s creation and nobody has the right to unjustly and unlawfully take another person’s life in a reckless manner,’’ he said.

    Buhari enjoined all citizens to learn to live together in peace and brotherhood and not allow little misunderstandings to degenerate into heartless acts capable of straining the bonds of nationhood.

    Some unidentified gunmen had on Monday, March 20, carried out a raid in Zaki Biam, Ukum local government area of Benue, killing scores of innocent people.

     

  • Buhari had full first working week, days Presidency

    Buhari had full first working week, days Presidency

    The Presidency on Sunday said that President Muhammadu Buhari had a full working week last week contrary to reports that he did not do much.

    It was the first week Buhari was spending at work after about 50 days
    medical vacation in the United Kingdom.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said that the President was more concerned with working for the interest of the masses, who were praying for him while on vacation.

    He said: “In the first week of his return, President Buhari walked his talk on his intense desire to pay back to Nigerians by way keeping their trust and serving their interests.

    “His reply to the people for their support and trust is to work much harder for them.

    “The President didn’t have a day off or even a light week at all throughout his week of resumption.

    “I read those analyses and I believe they were mostly wrong. What they don’t understand is that the President doesn’t follow official working hours because he is on duty all the time.

    “He has another office by his living room so he works from home when most civil servants have closed,” he said

    He said that contrary to some of the assumptions, President Buhari had an engaging week devoted mostly to policy issues and not ceremonial events.

    “He started on Monday with the letters he sent to the two two arms of the parliament signifying his return to to work. He then went in for a handover briefing by the Vice President. They had a lot to discuss between themselves.
    “Although he gave specific mandates to the Acting President, he
    needed to be brought up to speed on the developments in the Supreme Court, the Niger Delta, the economy with particular reference to the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, ERPG which was launched in his absence and programs like the Small and medium Enterprises Clinic which have strong connections to the agricultural strategy of the administration,” he added.

    Malam Garba further said that on Tuesday the President followed up his meeting with the Vice President, getting details from the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele on the liquidity situation of the country, the issue of reserves and the outlook for the rest of the year.

    “He then met with the Presiding Officials of the parliament, Senate
    President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara. Those two arms have dealt with the issue of his vacation with great sensitivity.

    “On Wednesday, the President presided at the Federal Executive Council,”he stated.

    According to Shehu, the President came well prepared for the meeting,
    appearing as if he had not been away for over a month.

    “The noticeable thing about the last meeting was that it dwelled on policy. The meeting didn’t discuss contracts.

    “On Thursday, the President had a joint sitting with the Chief of Staff,
    Abba Kyari, the Ministers of Finance, Kemi Adeosun and that of Budget and
    Planning, Udoma Udo-Udoma. They discussed the country’s economic situation,
    the progress on the 2017 budget and liquidity issues.

    “On the same day, he held a state-of-nation meeting with Governors who had
    assembled for the routine meeting of the National Economic Council under
    the Vice President.

    “Friday was used mostly for security briefing before the Juma’at prayers.
    The President has big ambitions for the country, driven by an intense
    desire to leave his mark on national affairs. This is as he said on his
    return last,” he said

  • Emir calls for continued prayer for Buhari

    Emir calls for continued prayer for Buhari

    The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has called on Nigerians to continue to pray for the President, Muhammadu Buhari, for God to give him good health to steer the ship of the country to great heights.

    The Emir made the call on Friday at a special prayer for Buhari at the Central Mosque in Ilorin.

    The Magaji Nda of Ilorin, Alhaji Saliu Woru, represented the traditional ruler at the occasion.

    Gambari said every Nigerian leader, either as the President, Governor, Senator or legislator deserved regular prayers from the people for God to guide him or aright in the herculean task of governance.

    “President Buhari is doing great work to sanitise the country and return it to the path of greatness.

    “Nigeria problems are not caused by this present Federal Government, they have always been there, Buhari just happen to come at the rough time.

    “We need to pray for pray for his health, God’s guidance, protection, wisdom and knowledge to lead the country,” he said.

    Earlier, the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir, prayed to Allah to continue to give the President good health to be able to lead the country well.

    The Governor of the state, Dr Abdulfatah Ahmed, was represented at the occasion by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Abdulwahab Babatunde, while the Senate President, Dr Bukoal Saraki was represented by Abdullahi Issa, the Director-General, Mandate, a political group in Ilorin. (NAN)

  • Alhassan showcases govt empowerment programmes at UN

    The Federal Government on Thursday in New York, showcased the social intervention programmes put in place by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari specifically, to empower women in the country.

    The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Sen. Aisha Alhassan, at a side event hosted by Nigeria at the ongoing UN Commission on Status of Women, said women’s financial exclusion was becoming a thing of the past.

    The UN Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the event was “Financial Inclusion: Boosting Women’s Empowerment in Changing Economy through Government Enterprises and Empowerment Programme”.

    “The Government of President Muhammadu Buhari is conscious of the need to fully integrate women as active participants in the Nigerian economy by expanding their access to credit.

    “In this regard, the Government has rolled out several gender-based social palliatives that would both empower women, and liberate them from the clutches of poverty.

    “The overall aim of President’s Social Investment Programme is to ensure that the human rights of women and girls are facilitated through a range of transformative, comprehensive and inclusive platforms,” she said.

    She said her ministry recognized the enormous contribution of the informal economy sector, which is largely populated by women.

    In view of this the ministry,  in collaboration with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies, had carried out various forms of intervention programmes geared towards supporting women’s entrepreneurship development.

    “I am happy to announce to this gathering that to further consolidate on these initiatives and reaffirm his commitment towards improving the productivity and livelihood of Nigerian women, the present administration, under the leadership of President Mohammadu Buhari recently launched a N1.6 billion special intervention fund – National Women Empowerment Fund.

    “The Fund is aimed at supporting grassroots women operating informal businesses by providing start-up and scale-up credit for them.

    “The programme has been rolled out and expected to target about 10,000 women per state.

    “Through this project, an estimated 450,000 dollars is to be disbursed per state through active and functional cooperative, local trade associations and other community based groups.”

    She said there was “a recommitment to utilize 60 per cent of the N697 billion Micro and Small Medium Enterprise Fund for women.

    “In addition, the Victims Support Fund, which raised about 625 million dollars for the rehabilitation of victims of Boko Haram will benefit children and women who constitute majority of the victims”.

    The Minister said the Federal Government was also scaling up the training and empowerment of Internally Displaced Persons, especially women and girls in the affected states.

    “Other laudable interventions wothy of mention include the gender responsive budgeting model, which was piloted in five Ministries, Departments and Agencies namely Agriculture, Health, Water Resources, Works and Communication Technology with a record of 3.6 million beneficiaries till date.

    “There is also the major initiative, which is the Growing Girls and Women Initiative in Nigeria (G-Win) E-Wallet Agro initiative, which provided subsidized agro-inputs to women in agribusiness.

    “So far, two million registered women have benefitted from this scheme,” Alhassan said.

    To enhance rural development, the Rural Finance Institution Building Programme has been put in place to boost income and general living conditions for rural households, particularly female headed households, she said.

    The minister added that the programme was in addition to the establishment of the Entrepreneurship Development Centres, which are building the capacity of women.

    “The initiative has so far created 2,078 women enterpreneurs, representing 51 per cent of the beneficiaries.

    “The FADAMA Irrigation project has also been extended to a third phase to increase the income of users of rural land and water resources, especially women,” she said.

    NAN reports that some of the institutions that are responsible for the implementation of the social intervention programmes, namely Central Bank of Nigeria and Bank of Industry, provided further information on requirements to accessing the funds.

    NAN also reports that the side event was attended by Wives of Governors, Commissioners, legislators, women civil society groups and representatives from other African countries.

    The representative of Burundi, specifically, appealed to Nigeria to use its strategic position on the continent to push for the establishment of a continental bank for women to further empower them.

  • King of Morocco congratulates President Buhari on safe return home

    King of Morocco congratulates President Buhari on safe return home

    King Mohammed VI of Morocco has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his successful return from a medical vacation in London.

    Mr Femi Adesina, the president’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, said the King congratulated Buhari via telephone conversation on Thursday.

    Adesina said the Moroccan monarch expressed delight and happiness at the kind of reception Nigerians gave Buhari when he returned home.

    Mohammed VI said the reception was evidence of a leader widely loved by his people.

    The Monarch, who had been in Nigeria on a state visit last December, invited Buhari to also visit Morocco.

    Responding, Buhari thanked the Moroccan monarch for his call and the growing partnership between the two countries.

    Earlier today, a Moroccan delegation made up of top government officials had met with senior Nigerian government officials.

    The two leaders expressed happiness at the success of the meeting.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that King Mohammed VI on March 1, 2017 called to ask about Buhari’s health during his vacation in London.

    The two leaders also discussed the current stage of the Morocco-Nigeria Atlantic crude oil pipeline project.

    The king also thanked Buhari for Nigeria’s support in returning Morocco to the African Union and notified him of Morocco’s request to join the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS).

     

  • Saraki, Dogara update Buhari on NASS activities

    Saraki, Dogara update Buhari on NASS activities

    The leadership of the National Assembly, led by Senate President Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the activities of the National Assembly while he was away in London.

    Speaking after the closed door meeting with the president, Saraki, who was accompanied by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, said they were delighted that the president was back in his office.

    According to Saraki, “The president met with us. We were there for over 40 minutes. I was not talking to myself. So, you know he was responding.

    “We were engaging. He engaged us very well. We discussed issues of national interest, we are well happy to see him back, he is back at the office, and he is doing his work.

    “Budget is ongoing. The economy, things that we passed in his absence including the (Chief Justice of the Nigeria) CJN issue; issue to do with the Eurobond.

    “Just general issues that are pending and some other issues like the ambassadorial nominees, stability in the Niger Delta – a lot range of issues we covered in the short period of time,’’ he said.

    On the 2017 budget proposal, Saraki said that it would be passed before the end of March.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Dec. 14, 2016, Buhari presented a budget of N7.30 trillion for 2017 before a joint session of the National Assembly.

    Also, Dogara pledged that the National Assembly would continue to collaborate with the presidency to achieve the desired goal of uplifting the quality of life of all Nigerians.

    Dogara added, “We expect to cooperate more than we fight in the interest of our people to ensure that there is progress. It is one government, there is no division.

    “If he (President Buhari) fails we all failed.

    “So, it is in realisation of this that we always extend the needed support to ensure that he succeeds so that our government will be rated as a successful one,” he said.

     

  • Photo: Emefiele briefs Buhari

    Photo: Emefiele briefs Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari receives briefing from Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele at the Presidential Villa yesterday. PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN.
    President Muhammadu Buhari receives briefing from Central Bank
    Governor Godwin Emefiele at the Presidential Villa yesterday. PHOTO
    AKIN OLADOKUN.
  • Saraki reads Buhari’s letter on resumption of duty

    Saraki reads Buhari’s letter on resumption of duty

    The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, read President Muhammadu Buhari’s letter of resumption of duty.

    The president wrote: “in compliance with Section 145 of the Constitution, I write to intimate the senate that I have resumed my functions as President of Nigeria with effect from Monday, March 13, after my vacation.

    “Please accept Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest considerations.”

    Buhari had proceeded on medical vacation to the UK on Jan. 19 and wrote to the Senate that he would take 10 days as part of his annual leave.

    He said that the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, would act on his behalf as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    The president later wrote asking for an extension of the vacation to enable him to undergo more medical tests.

    The president returned on Friday, March 10 and has since received briefing from the vice-president.