The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • FG pledges to work directly with oil producing communities

    The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Brig.-Gen. Paul Boroh, says the Federal Government will henceforth work directly with the oil producing communities in the region.

    Boroh, who is also the Coordinator Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), said this in an interview in Abuja on Tuesday.

    He said the Federal Government would involve the youths and stakeholders in the development of their communities.

    The presidential aide said the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is committed to finding a lasting solution to the unrest, instability and underdevelopment of the region.

    According to him, the Federal Government is proposing a new vision that focuses on technological advancement and innovation in improving the value of oil produced in the region.

    The coordinator said Acting President Yemi Osinbajo’s visit to Benin and tour of the region will go a long way to win the confidence of the youths and the leaders.

    He explained that the tour is also a fact finding mission on issues affecting the region.

    He said the visit was also to fulfill the Buhari’s administration earlier promised of ensuring the genuinely development.

    “People finally can see this government face to face and discuss their problems and their perceptions are finally changing for the better.

    “The pipeline bombing and other violent threats have almost disappeared in the region.

    “Before now there were no forum to meet and no opportunity for interaction and exchange of ideas by opinion leaders,” he said.

    Boroh explained that with the interaction there was better understanding of the challenges of government in tackling the Niger Delta problems.

    He said the tour had provided an opportunity to reassess the journey so far and the way forward.

  • NANS declares 3-day prayers for Buhari

    NANS declares 3-day prayers for Buhari

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has declared three-day prayers for the quick recovery and early return to Nigeria of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    A statement signed by NANS President Chinonso Obasi and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, said that the prayers would start on Wednesday.

    Obasi said that Nigerian students would join other patriotic citizens to intercede on behalf of the President, who has been on extended medical vacation in the UK.

    “As leaders of tomorrow and champions of a better Nigeria, we should not be left out in the national call for prayers for the President, especially now that his presence is needed for the country to navigate its way out of economic recession and political despair.”

    He, therefore, enjoined all students in the tertiary institutions to join their hearts in prayer to God to heal the President.

    He said that the prayers of 40 million Nigerian students would bring quick recovery and rejuvenation to the President.

    “It is our belief also that the early return of Mr President to the country after he must have rested well, will increase the tempo of the anti-corruption battle which is the cornerstone of his mandate.

    “As NANS has elected to take up the challenge of whistle-blowing to assist in the fight against institutional and official corruption, our hearts go out to God in prayer for the captain of the anti-corruption armada, President Muhammadu Buhari.”

    Obasi added that his return would help continue the fight against graft in academic institutions, where “the cancer has eaten deep, threatening the destiny of millions of Nigerian students”.

    He called on Christian and Muslim students to round off the prayers during the Friday Jumat prayers and Sunday services nationwide. (NAN)

  • NSC seeks introduction of Admiralty laws in universities

    The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr. Hassan Bello, has suggested the introduction of Admiralty Laws in the curriculum of Nigerian Universities.

    Bello made the suggestion when members of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) visited the NSC’s headquarters in Lagos.

    He called for collaboration between the council and the maritime lawyers to promote maritime laws and address critical matters in the industry.

    According to him, the Nigerian Shippers Council and the Nigerian Maritime Law Association had over the years had robust relationship.

    He urged the association to continue with the spirit of collaboration to enable the industry attain the hub status in the West and Central Africa sub-region.

    Bello told the visiting team that the legislators had demanded for Maritime Seminar for Legislator to enable them to be familiar with maritime laws.

    He said that this would go a long way in addressing the delay being experienced during passage of maritime laws and would also speed the passage of pending maritime laws.

    Bello said that the council being the Economic regulator was concerned with the ease of doing business at the ports.

    He said that many terminal operators and government agencies had keyed into the automotive system of cargo clearance, which had reduced the time of cargo clearance.

    The President of NMLA, Mr. Chidi Ilogu, said that the association was saddled with the responsibility of making Nigerian ports friendlier by making maritime laws more understandable by the legislators.

    “Boosting our international trade is part of our economic diversification and our maritime sector should be positioned to support our agricultural products.

    “Supporting our agricultural products is another way of diversifying the economy and for us to have a robust, efficient judicial system to support our economic development.

    “Judges and lawyers should be abreast of contemporary developments in the maritime sector,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Ilogu as saying.

    He said that President Muhammadu Buhari during the Maritime Seminar for Judges held in June 2016 described the maritime sector as the best alternative revenue source in the face of falling oil and gas foreign currency inflows.

    The NMLA president said that the maritime industry had potential for employment and investments.

    He said that to remove corruption out of the maritime industry, there was need to have lucid, clear, simple and predictable rules governing economic activities.

    Ilogu said that the council had been directed to champion the introduction of at least the basics of maritime laws in the curricula of all schools, especially Faculties of Law of Nigerian Universities.

    He said that the NSC would collaborate with the NUC to introduce Maritime Law in Faculties of Law in Nigerian Universities.

    Also speaking the Vice President of the association, Mr. Mike Igbokwe, said that availability of manpower to handle maritime law in various universities should be put into consideration.

    Igbokwe said that government should look into some of the policies affecting the maritime industry.

    He suggested that government should also empower its agencies for adequate provisions of their enabling Act.

    “There is need for government to critically look into cargo diversion and come up with maritime policies which would enable full implementation of importation and exportation of goods.

    “There is need to look at relevant laws and for us to act on to enable the maritime industry to achieve more success, ‘’ NAN quotes Igbokwe as saying.

    The Secretary of the Association, Mr Adedoyin Afun, said that over-lapping maritime laws was affecting the growth of the maritime industry.

    Afun said that laws such as the Merchant Shipping Act and others could be critically looked at before putting it before the National Assembly.

    He suggested looking into all the enabling laws, identify the outdated ones and provide solutions, before presenting them to the appropriate authorities for action.

    An Executive member of the association, Mrs. Jean Chiazor-Anishere, commended the efforts of the council for putting many things into consideration to ensure that Nigerian ports operate a fully automotive system to reduce the time of doing business at the ports.

    Chiazor-Anishere urged the Council with the Committee constituted by the Minister of Transportation, which was domiciled in the council, to look into the introduction of Admiralty law in Nigerian universities.

    She also urged the committee to look into training the legislators on maritime laws.

    “Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the Committee have successfully established maritime law courses in the University of Lagos and one other university in the country.

    “Introduction of Maritime Law in the curriculum of Nigerian universities will help provide a clear understanding of maritime issues.

    “It is expected that the teaching of the subject, will help speed up complex maritime cases like impounding of vessels and prosecution,’’ NAN quotes Chiazor-Anishere as saying.

    In her closing remarks, the 2nd Vice President of NMLA, Mrs. Funke Agbor, said that NMLA was the only recognised branch of the Comite Maritime International (CMI) in Nigeria, to ensure that “Admiralty law is taught in universities at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels’’.

     

  • I’ll return soon, Buhari tells Kogi Governor

    I’ll return soon, Buhari tells Kogi Governor

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday made a telephone call from London to Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi.

    A governmen house statement issued in Lokoja said that Buhari, who made the call in the evening, interacted with the governor for a couple of minutes.

    The  Director  General on media and strategy to the governor , Mr Kingsley Fanwo, who signed the statement, said Bello received the call in Lagos on his way back from Abeokuta, where he attended the inauguration of Obasanjo Library.

    “ The President thanked the governor for his support and his leadership qualities.

    “He told the governor that he was observing rest and will return very soon to continue his assignment of providing purposeful leadership to  the nation,” Fanwo said.

    He said  Bello received the call in the presence of the Speaker of the state house of assembly, Ahmed Imam, some members of the house, commissioners and top government functionaries.(NAN)

  • Muslims, Christians, pray for Buhari in Taraba

    Muslims, Christians, pray for Buhari in Taraba

    Muslim and Christian faithful in Taraba on Saturday held a special prayer for the speedy recovery of President Mohammadu Buhari, who is on medical vacation in the United Kingdom.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that followers of the two religions held the prayers at the Jalingo Eid prayer ground.

    Speaking at the occasion, representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev. Baba Yerima , said praying for the well-being of Buhari was the duty of every “true believer”.

    He noted that the President had brought peace and unity to the country, and therefore urged the gathering to pray for leaders at all times.
    Ustaz Ali Babando , a Muslim cleric, said the President had been doing his best in tackling the country’s socio-economic challenges.
    He noted that it was in the interest of Nigerians to keep praying for  Buhari, to enable him return home to consolidate on the fight against terror and corruption.
    Alhaji Sani Tullu, Secretary, Taraba Chapter, Buhari Support Organisation(BSO), said the BSO had organised  prayer and rally in honour of the President whom he described as a visionary leader.
    “We salute the giant strides and landmark achievement of  Buhari’s administration in his efforts to reposition the country.
    “We are particularly impressed with the performance of the administration in anti-corruption fight, decimating insurgents, revitalising Agriculture, Education and Health sectors,” he said. (NAN)

  • Knocks, kudos for Buhari’s anti-graft battle

    The President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-graft battle on Thursday received knocks and kudos at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The occasion was the National Dialogue on Corruption organized by the office of the Vice President in collaboration with the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC).

    The good and bad of the present fight against corruption in the country took the centre stage at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja

    The newly confirmed Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, and Senator Chukwuka Utazi, who represented the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, faulted the ‘sting operation’ process against judges by the executives arm of government.

    Saraki specifically noted that the sting operation was carried out without the necessary court warrants.

    But Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, were on hand to defend the actions of the government.

    The occasion also saw the Chairman of PACAC, Professor Itse Sagay differing with the Country Officer and Head of Office,  Open Society Initiative for West Africa,  Jude Iloh over the February 6th protests against Buhari’s government.

    While seeking international cooperation to defeat corruption in Nigeria, the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo said that corruption is an existential threat to Nigeria both as a nation and as an viable economic entity.

    He said: “But the truth of the matter is that we all know that corruption in Nigeria is systemic. It doesn’t matter whether it is the Executive arm of government, the judiciary or the legislature, every arm of government is involved in this systemic and life threatening social anomaly called corruption.

    “There’s no question at all. And it affects all segments of the society. It affects the religious, it affects agencies and civil society groups. There’s no one in our nation that can say they are not in one way or the other, not necessarily being complicit but at least under some influence or the other of some of the implications of corruption. “

     

  • Zazzau Emirate Council prays for Buhari

    Zazzau Emirate Council prays for Buhari

    The Zazzau Emirate Council in Kaduna State on Thursday offered special prayers for the quick recovery of President Muhamadu Buhari.

    The prayer session was conducted at the palace of the Emir of Zazzau, Dr Shehu Idris.

    The Chief Imam of Zaria, Sheik Dalhatu Kasimu, prayed God to grant the president quick recovery.

    “Almighty God, we have neither power nor might except what you have bestowed on us. We pray for quick recovery of our president and peaceful co-existence in Nigeria,’’ he prayed.

    In his remarks, Gov. Nasir El-Rufa’i of Kaduna State thanked the emirate for what he described as a good foresight.

    El-Rufa’i, who was represented by Alhaji Shehu Bala, the state’s Commissioner for Stakeholders Relations, urged other traditional institutions to emulate the gesture.

    Responding, the Emir directed all Juma’at Mosques in the emirate to pray for the president and for peace to prevail in Nigeria.

    He appealed to Nigerians to live in peace with one another to foster growth and development across the country.

    [blog_posts style=”m1″ share=”on” display=”category” category=”77″ count=”6″ pagination=”on” pagination_type=”ajax” load_more_count=”3″ ad_id=”403638″ ad_count=”3″]

  • Presidency: Osinbajo is executing Buhari’s policies

    Presidency: Osinbajo is executing Buhari’s policies

    ‘Opposition trying to cause division between President and his vice’

    The Presidency  yesterday described those hailing Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and criticising President Muhammadu Buhari as enemies of the government who are trying to create division between the two topmost state officials.
    President Buhari has been on vacation in the United Kingdom since January 19. He is also undergoing medical tests. Vice President Osinbajo has been acting for him.
    Some Nigerians have been commenting on the situation in the country since Osinbajo started acting for his boss, claiming that things are better.
    But Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters Babafemi Ojudu said Nigerians were seeing results of the policies introduced by the government, under the same Presidency.
    He said Prof. Osinbajo consults with President Buhari and that since it is a joint ticket, all achievements should go to the government.
    According to him, without Buhari, Osinbajo would not have been acting president.
    He said: “I think it is thoughtless. I also see it as a ploy by the opposition to cause an unnecessary  division. It is a joint ticket; the president and the vice president were elected based on the manifesto of the party and since they were sworn in they have been committed to implementing that manifesto.
    “The same people who said we never had economic team, no policy, nothing, are the ones saying this. It is now that the policies we are implementing are maturing and they are seeing the result. It is not a question of one person being better than the other person.
    “I will give you an example. There is nothing that has been done since the vice president started acting that is not something that started far back in the past. A good example is the Niger Delta initiative. The President called the vice president and said I am giving you the mandate, go into the Niger Delta, meet with everyone who is a stakeholder, all the communities, talk to the militants and make sure you solve this problem for the benefit of Nigerians.
    “We are losing 1.2 million barrels of oil per day; all the gas pipelines powering the turbines are being blown up. And the President has said unless and until we resolve this problem, we will not get out of recession. The vice president took up the mandate and went to the Niger Delta. It is the initiative of Mr. President not that of the Vice President.
    “These are mischief makers, those who do not wish this country well, who are always promoting crisis, who will not allow the people to benefit from this democracy, are the ones promoting this kind of divisive tendencies.”
    Ojudu added: “Almost on a daily basis, there are things he still needs to consult the President I mean it’s not a regular thing but major decisions he still has to consult Mr. President. The president is still the president.”
    He insisted that Buhari is still in charge even on medical vacation.
    “He is in charge but like I said earlier on, this is a joint ticket. The president of Nigeria remains the president of Nigeria. He is acting because it is one government and the same. He is more experienced, he has been in the game longer than the vice president and if there are major issues that he needs to take decision on, he could call on him and say, ‘sir, what do you think about this; we are about to take decision on it, do you have opinion?’ That does not mean he is not in charge,” Ojudu said
    He added: “Again, one other thing you have to see is that if you give someone a responsibility, he must be able to show to Mr. President that despite that he is not around, it is not going to create any vacuum. He can then decide not to sleep at all, all through the time the president is away just to show him that he is capable of ensuring that Nigeria goes on well while he is away.
    “And the President could also have given the mandate, let nothing go wrong, I believe in you, I appointed you as my vice president; you must make sure that you do this. If you have a boss who gives you an assignment you will want to impress him and Nigerians as well and that for me is what has happened. ýIt is not that one person is better than the other; certainly not.”
    According to him, those reports were aimed at causing division in the Presidency.
    He stressed that the Presidency would not allow those behind the reports to succeed.
    “I’m telling you that I have seen some things sent out intentionally to cause some kind of division within the Presidency. Some people who have been condemning everybody in the past, I see them on twitter and on facebook and generally on social media. Some people are trying to promote division and we are not going to allow that.
    “This president and vice president work together in tandem and I know they both have confidence in this nation,” he said.
    Opposition politicians and some former officials of the previous administration, have been extolling Osinbajo, suggesting that the president could continue to stay away.
    Among those in this group is Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, who said the acting President should “do away with the cabal around the president.”
    Another person in this category is Reno Omokri, who said: “We have an action Acting President and a blaming real President!”
    Reacting to some clerics in Katsina State claiming that the president was poisoned, Ojudu said: “The way I will react to that is that those of you in the media should be careful what you pick from the social media now, it is becoming a factory for fake news in the Nigeria.
    “A lot of things you see on social media can never be true. I saw that, I read it and I assessed it using the prism of these factors, those indices we use to analyse stories in the media and found out that, it cannot be true.
    “For example, they said somebody kept N77 trillion somewhere; imagine that. What is the total value of Nigeria’s economy that because of somebody keeping N77 trillion, therefore, some people want to poison him so that they can inherit the money.
    “I mean we have a president that nobody in this country can question his integrity. As a young officer, a middle officer, a senior officer and as a head of state till now, nobody has been able to tarnish his image or come up with anything.
    “For me, it is not even worth responding to. As soon as I read it, I dismissed it. It is so ridiculous. Again it is the handiwork of our enemies, the problem is fakeness has almost become global and universal, other countries are experiencing it. Those who want to destabilise the country they come up with all kinds of stupid stories, some kind of unimaginable stories so we should just discountenance those things.”

  • Buhari honest, incorruptible leader, says Shagari

    Buhari honest, incorruptible leader, says Shagari

    Former President Shehu Shagari has urged Nigerians and the international community to support President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration, saying he was an honest, incorruptible and detribalised leader.

    Shagari, who clocked 92 on Saturday, said that the president was doggedly fighting corruption to sanitise governance in the country and therefore, needed the prayers and support of all Nigerians.

    He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto that Buhari was a true nationalist whose penchant for Nigeria’s socio-economic development was unparalleled.

    He said that the president was striving to salvage the country from the hands of anti-Nigeria forces, and appealed to Nigerians to continue to pray for leaders at all levels ”rather than cursing them’’.

    ”Buhari is also intensifying efforts to truly diversify the economy by taking attention away from heavy dependence on oil revenue,”
    the former president said.

    He expressed satisfaction with the efforts so far made by the present administration to improve the security situation in Nigeria and urged the government not to relent.

    Meanwhile, Captain Bala Shagari (retd), eldest son of the former president, has described his father as “humble and disciplined,” saying they were proud of him.

    He said that the family was grateful to God for the life of their father, adding that it was a blessing that he had lived to 92 years and was still strong.

    ”We must show gratitude to Almighty Allah for his longevity. Our father is an invaluable blessing from God; he is free with us
    and always provides wisdom and guidance to us.

    ” He is never greedy and he is a person who never solicits for anything or position, only gets it purely on merit,” Shagari added. (NAN)

  • Garba Shehu misses Buhari’s phone call, receives sms

    Garba Shehu misses Buhari’s phone call, receives sms

    Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, has narrated how he missed the President’s phone call on Saturday.

    The presidential aide, who made this known on his Facebook page on Saturday, said the Buhari originated a call to him from his London abode after he (Buhari) had spoken with some members of the presidential media team.

    He, however, revealed that he received a text message from the President after missing the call.

    According to him, the President had earlier spoken with the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

    He said: “A day for the Presidential Media Team.

    “We are thankful to the President, Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) for sparing the time to make calls to the Media team.

    “The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed and the Special Adviser, Femi Adesina responded to the calls, exchanged greetings and thanked him for calling.

    “I had an SMS from him thereafter because I missed my call! I humbly join them to say thank you, Baba Buhari!!

    “We are together with other Nigerians of all faiths, in praying for his safe return.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Femi Adesina had earlier published his phone conversation with the president, on his Facebook page, on Saturday.

    Adesina said: “And President Buhari called at 2:43p.m

    “At exactly 2.43 p.m today, Saturday, February 25, 2017, my phone rang. Who was at the other end? Tunde Sabiu, personal assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Hold on for Mr President,” Tunde said.
    And in a matter of seconds, the very familiar voice came:

    “Femi, how are you?” (He calls me Adesina most times, but today, he opted for Femi)

    I screamed :”Mr President, I have missed you. How are you sir?”

    He first laughed. That familiar laugh. Then he said: “I am still resting. Thank you for holding out
    against mischief makers.”

    I said it was my duty, the very least I could do, adding how happy I was to speak with him.

    “How is your family?”

    I said we were fine, and he asked me to extend his greetings to them.

    “I hope to call you again, ” Mr President said, and I bade him farewell, adding: “Best wishes, sir.”

    “It was a defining moment for me. For more than a month, I had always spoken with aides who are with the President in London.

    “Not once did I ask them to take the phone to him, deliberately so, because I didn’t need to speak with him to validate the fact that he was alive. And since he was on vacation, he had a right to his privacy.

    “Of his own volition, President Buhari spoke with me. It made my day. Even if he hadn’t done so, he would have remained my
    President, my leader, and my man. Any day.’’
    President Buhari had proceeded on a 10-day vacation and a routine medical check in UK on Jan. 19.

    In a letter he sent to both arms of the National Assembly the president said Vice President Yemi Osinbajo would act as president pending his return.

    The president, who could not make it back to the country on Feb. 6, transmitted another letter to the Senate requesting extension of time to complete his medical check-up in London.(NAN)