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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Buhari deserves prayers for sound health, says Communications Minister

    Buhari deserves prayers for sound health, says Communications Minister

    The Minister of Communications, Mr Adebayo Shittu, on Friday dismissed speculations on that President Muhammadu Buhari is dead.

    Shittu, who represented Buhari in Ilorin, at the formal opening of the 31st National Qur’anic Recitation Competition, said: “President Buhari is not dead.’’

    The minister advised Nigerians to continue to continue to pray for the president.

    “There is need to pray fervently for economic recovery. President Muhammadu Buhari is not dead, he deserves prayers for sound health as well as for the entire growth of the nation,” Shittu said.

    The minister commended Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, for organising the event nationwide in the last 31 years.

    He noted that the competition would further boost the spiritual inclination of the entire Muslim Ummah.

    Shittu also lauded the Kwara governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, for accepting the hosting responsibilities for the 2017 edition of the competition.

    In his address, the governor commended the organisers for granting the hosting right of the event to the state.

    According to Ahmed, “It is pleasing to note that this year’s National Qur’anic Recitation Competition has brought together Muslim Ummah from far and wide to demonstrate our reverence to the Almighty.’’

    The Vice Chancellor of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Prof. Abdullahi Zuru, enumerated some of the objectives of the competition to be “contribution to the sustenance of the tried and trusted mechanism of preservation of the glorious Qur’an.

    “To select gifted and talented youths who will represent Nigeria at international Qur’anic recitation competition in 2017 as well as also discover brilliant Muslim youths for possible scholarship awards by governments and philanthropists’’.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the opening ceremony of the competition was attended by the Emir of llorin, Alhaji lbrahim Sulu-Gambari, some first class traditional rulers in the state and people from all walks of life. (NAN)

  • Photo: Amosun visits Buhari in London

    Photo: Amosun visits Buhari in London

    Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, wife during a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in London
    Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, wife during a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari in London
  • Text of Buhari’s letter to Senate on SGF

    Text of Buhari’s letter to Senate on SGF

    President Muhammadu Buhari has faulted the Senate’s resolution that the Secretary to the Federal Government, Babachair David  Lawal should resign and be prosecuted.
    The President said that due process was not followed before the Senate arrived at its resolution.
    The President Buhari’s letter dated 17 January, 2017 absolving Lawal of wrong doing in the handling of funds approved for the care of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) read in part:
      “Re-resolution by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria concerning the humanitarian situation in the northeast region particularly in relation to the alleged role of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Engr. David Babachir Lawal in the contract implementation regime of the Presidential Initiative for the northeast (PINE). 
     “You may recall your letter with reference NASS /8X/R/01/5 dated 15th December, 2016 in respect of the Senate consideration of the report of its ad-hoc committee on the mounting humanitarian crisis in the northeast that conveyed the resolution of the committee as contained in paragraph 1 subsection 8 therein which reads as follows:
     “ Engr. Babachir Lawal having contravenes the provisions of part one of the 5th schedule of the 1999 Constitution as amended had breached his oath of office and should resign and be prosecuted by the relevant authority, S/075/02/01/16. 
     “Following the receipt of your letter, I set up a review team to consider the recommendations from the Senate committee.
     “I have also conducted further investigation based on Engr Lawal’s response to the allegations and issues raised in the Senate resolution.  
     “I have come to the following conclusion that I believe will guide the Senate in the proper review of its interim report and eventual resolution. 
     “The report forwarded to the Presidency by the Senate which informed the decision that Engr Babachir Lawal should resign and be prosecuted by the relevant authority S/075/02/016 was an interim report as against a final report which ought to have been presented to the Senate in the plenary for adoption as a binding and final report before submission to the Presidency given the weight of allegations made in the report. 
     “The Senate committee set up to investigate the mounting humanitarian crisis in the northeast comprised of nine members namely,  senator Oluremi Tinubu,  senator Mohammed Hassan, Senator Solomon Adeola, senator Ben Murray Bruce,  Senator Tayo Alasoadura,  Senator Theodore Orji,  Senator Yahaya A. Abdullahi, Senator Mallam Aliu Wakili and Senator Issac M Alfa. 
     “The review of the interim report shows that the interim report was only signed by only three out of the nine members namely Senator Solomon Adeola, senator Yahaya Abdullahi, and Senator Isaac M. Alfa
     “The signing of the interim report by three out of nine members of the committee makes it a minority report of the Senate committee and not a committee report being an interim report. Thus, presenting a challenge for the Presidency to determine the weight to attach to the report as currently presented. 
     “I have also observed that the Senate ad-hoc interim committee report and the Votes and Proceedings of the Senate have not in its own right established that Engr Babachir Lawal was ever given an opportunity to appear before the committee and defend himself. 
     “It is also on record that company linked to him Rollervision Engineering limited was also not invited at anytime before the committee to defend himself against the allegations which eventually formed the fulcrum of the Senate’s case against the company.
     “You are invited to note that non application of principles of fair hearing by the Senate ad-hoc committee is a clear contravention of section 36 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and against all principles of rule of law as initiated in the Nigerian legal system as well as the roles of the National Assembly committees on handling of public petitions. 
     “Consequently, I am of the view that baring other consideration that may arise as a result of subsequent investigation of Engr Lawal by the interim ad-hoc committee, the current report as presented to the Presidency in its own right does not meet the principles of fair hearing and compliance with the Senate rules for conduct of investigations in matters relating to abuse of office by public officers. 
     “In replying on the foregoing, I am not able to approve the recommendation to remove and prosecute Engr Lawal on the basis of the Senate ad-hoc committee report dated 15th December, 2016.”
     
  • EFCC: Buhari resubmits Magu’s name for confirmation

    EFCC: Buhari resubmits Magu’s name for confirmation

    President Muhammadu Buhari has resubmitted the name of the Acting Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, for confirmation as substantive chairman of the anti-graft body.
    A competent source at the National Assembly confided in our reporter that the letter of President Buhari for the Senate to reconsider its position on Magu, has been received.
    The source said that President Buhari also wrote another letter pleading with the Senate to reconsider its stand that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir David Lawal should resign his position and face prosecution for alleged abuse of office.
    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the source said, “will likely read the two separate letters on Magu and Lawal, today at the resumption of plenary.

     

  • Accidental bombing: Buhari dispatches high level team to Maiduguri

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday dispatched a team to Maiduguri on condolence visit‎ following accidental bombing of a civilian community in Rann, Borno State, by the Nigerian Air Force.

    This was disclosed on the Twitter handle of the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

    The incident on Tuesday has left many civilians dead and some of them seriously wounded.

    Adesina said that the ‎delegation comprised of Minister for Information, Lai Mohammed, Minister for Defence, Monsur Dan Ali, the Chief of Staff to the President Abba Kyari and service chiefs.

    The president had on Tuesday appealed for calm over the ‎accident.

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting however could not hold on Wednesday.

    While receiving the news of the bombing with sadness and regret, the President had also condoled with families of the dead, wished the wounded divine succour, leading to full recovery, and sympathized with the Borno State government.

    He had pledged federal help for the state government in attending to “this regrettable operational mistake,” and pleaded for calm, even as he prayed God to grant repose to the souls of the dead.

    International aid agency, MSF, confirmed to BBC that at least 50 person were killed and more than 100 injured in the accident.

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) had described the incident as unfortunate and highly regrettable.

    The Defence Headquarters also expressed shock at the incidence, describing it as a regrettable mistake that would be avoided in future.

  • Buhari condemns UNIMAID attack, condoles victims’ families

    Buhari condemns UNIMAID attack, condoles victims’ families

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the Monday morning terrorist attack at a mosque in the University of Maiduguri.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja, the President expressed sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the university community and families of the victims.

    The president also condoled with the government and people of Borno over the unfortunate incident.
    According to him, the appalling attack on a revered place of worship and ivory tower shows that the perpetrators have no true understanding of Islam.

    He noted that the “despicable acts of terrorism are cowardly, criminal, unjustifiable and punishable before God almighty and the laws of the land’’.

    The President reassured communities in Borno and others in the North eastern part of the country that his administration would continue to ensure that terrorism never triumphs over peace-loving Nigerians.

    He reaffirmed the need for Nigerians to remain more vigilant even as the security agencies continue to use all means at their disposal to combat the remnants of insurgents and their sponsors.

    President Buhari wished those injured in the attack a speedy and full recovery and comfort for families of the dead.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a professor and four other people were reported killed when a male suicide bomber detonated a bomb at the Senior Staff Quarters of the University of Maiduguri, (UNIMAID), Borno State.

    Alhaji Satomi Ahmed, Chairman, Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) identified the late don as Prof. Aliyu Usman Mani, the Director of Veterinary Medicine of the University.

    The Commissioner of Police (CP), Damian Chukwu, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Maiduguri.
    Chukwu said that 15 persons, who sustained various degrees of injuries were taken to the hospital.

  • 1,000 days of abduction: Buhari vows to rescue remaining Chibok girls

    1,000 days of abduction: Buhari vows to rescue remaining Chibok girls

    In commemoration of the 1,000th day of the abduction of schoolgirls from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, President Muhammadu Buhari has restated the commitment of the Federal Government to securing the release of the student kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents.

    TheSpecial Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, stated this in a press statement on Sunday.

    He said: “We are grateful to God that on this landmark day, we are not completely in the depths of despair, but buoyed with hope that our daughters will yet rejoin their families and loved ones.

    “Three of them have been recovered by our diligent military, while the freedom of 21 others was secured through engagement with their captors. We are hopeful that many more will still return as soon as practicable,” he added.

    He also reiterated that the government would not spare any effort to reunite the girls with their families.

    “I salute the fortitude of the distraught parents. As a parent also, I identify with their plight. Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months, months turned to years, and today, it is 1,000 days. The tears never dry, the ache is in our hearts. But hope remains constant, eternal, and we believe our pains will be assuaged. Our hopes will not be shattered, and our hearts will leap for joy, as more and more of our daughters return. It is a goal we remain steadfastly committed to,” the President stated.

    He commended all who have been in the vanguard for the recovery of the girls, both nationally and internationally, adding: “Someday soon, we will all rejoice together. Our intelligence and security forces are unrelenting, and whatever it takes, we remain resolute.

    “Chibok community, Nigeria, and, indeed, the world, will yet rise in brotherhood, to welcome our remaining girls back home. We trust God for that eventuality.” He said

  • FG redeploys three Perm Secs

    FG redeploys three Perm Secs

     President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday approved the redeployment of three  Federal Permanent Secretaries.

    A statement by Haruna  Imrana, Director of  Communications, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF), said that the circular conveying the deployment was signed by the HCSF, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita,

    Imrana said that the affected permanent secretaries, include  Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, Federal Ministry of Education to the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

    Dr Jamila Shu’ara, Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, was moved to Federal Ministry of Education.

    Mr Christian Chineyekka Ohaa of  the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports was deployed to Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

    According to the statement, the handing over of the affected permanent secretaries should be completed on or before Tuesday Jan.10.

  • 2017: APC UK Chairman greets members, supporters

    2017: APC UK Chairman greets members, supporters

    As the cotton is finally drawn for 2016, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the United Kingdom, Dr Philip Idaewor, has extended Season’s greetings to members and supporters of the Party.

    In the message signed by the Chapter’s Chairman, the gratitude went to the party’s leadership both in the UK and in Nigeria, “and the APC-led state and federal government.” Idaewor further commended the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration on his victory over terrorism in the far North-eastern state of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

    His words: “I send you this message to firstly thank you for your steadfast support for the leadership of the Party both in the UK and in Nigeria, and the APC governments both at the federal and state levels, through your numerous acts of standing up to social media opposition campaigners as well as continuously pointing out to the governments areas requiring their attention.

    14f15c12-a370-4e88-9e78-32b98a8c0bcf“The government of President Muhammadu Buhari ended 2016 with a high performance with the successful dislodgment of the murderous, and terrorist, Boko Haram from their stronghold of Sambisa forest. This is surely a notable achievement by President Buhari; it is a clear fulfilment of one of his key campaign promises, whilst highlighting the huge possibilities that are now available to the North East of Nigeria in terms of its people having space to renew/recover their economic activities and capabilities, and lead lives of peace not fear.

    “On behalf of our members and supporters in the UK, I rejoice with Mr President, the leadership and members of the Nigerian armed forces as well as the National leaders of our Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the support given the President in the discharge of our campaign promises.

    “It is gratifying that Mr President recognises the continuing security challenges in other states of Nigeria with the associated unnecessary loss of lives in his New Year message to Nigerians thus; “The lingering security issues in several states will be frontally addressed. These ugly crises cannot be allowed to fester as they strain the unifying bonds of brotherhood and neighbourliness”.

    “I plead with Mr President on behalf of our members from Kaduna state in the UK, who continue to agonise over the fate of relatives and friends, to urgently deploy the full force of the Nigerian state to curtail the incessant communal killings taking place especially in Southern Kaduna. These have also become a huge distraction to the state government who, up to now, were making great progress in delivery on the Party’s manifesto to the people.

    “To all our members I urge a renewal of our support for the Party and Mr President. Yes, many of us have continued to express disaffection with the way we feel the government has related to us in view of our efforts and contributions to the outcome of 2015 campaigns.

    “My response is that when we look at the progress this APC federal government has made in the areas of diversifying the economy away from a mono oil and gas based one to agriculture, as well as the improvements in the infrastructural remapping of Nigeria and the stemming of the previous haemorrhaging of national earnings through financial corruption.

    “As Party members and supporters, we should have every reason to be proud of the impact our contributions to the electoral victory of APC and President Buhari is making to national development. We should be proud that against all odds, as believers in the “Change” mantra of the APC, we have already made impact in placing Nigeria on the path to attaining peace, social justice and prosperity for the greater majority of the Nigerian people.

    “We should look forward positively and begin the process of helping our Party, the APC, grow into a truly social democratic political Party that is ideologically branded and entrenched, and is sensitive to the needs of Nigeria and her peoples.

    “This New Year is an especially important one for us as members of the party in the UK as we build upon the solid foundation of a disciplined political Party with country-wide structure that we have successfully put in place in the UK to ensure that our Chapter reflects both our Diaspora location which is also Nigerian-focused. This is the year to prepare for our political future as people of Nigerian ancestry within the All Progressives Congress (APC) Party platform for our continued active and productive participation in the politics of Nigeria.

    “I am inviting all our members and supporters to join hands with us in ensuring that the APC becomes the Nigerian Political Party of choice for all patriots and social democrats. That this Party becomes a unifying Political Party for all Nigerians, free of the cult of personality worship that breeds parochial nepotism, ethnic and religious bigotry, financial and political corruption and the worship of ageism.

    “The campaign of change in Nigeria’s politics did not end and should not be seen to have ended in 2015.  The “Change” campaign should now also be inward-focused within the Party in order to attain the needed outward growth, credibility and stability.

    “We should intensify our efforts to push for the emergence of a Party whose elected political officers respect the Party and her officers, and a Party that respects its social contract with the people via its manifesto.

    “Happy New Year 2017.

    God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
    God bless President Muhammadu Buhari
    And God bless the All Progressives Congress.”

  • 2017: Mbaka advises Buhari

    2017: Mbaka advises Buhari

    Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Ministry in Enugu State has advised President Muhammadu Buhari on leadership in the New Year.

    He gave the advice in Enugu on Saturday in his New Year message at the cross over service to 2017.

    He advised the President to tackle the challenges facing the country, saying “many Nigerians are suffering.

    “Though the President is trying on corruption and security, Nigerians are hungry; they want to see more changes.

    “There is the need to assist businessmen and women in their businesses.”

    He also advised the President to appoint experts who would help him to revive the economy.

    The cleric asked the President to consult Church leaders and eminent men of God
    to advise him and tell him the truth about the economy.

    “We cannot reach him for advice because of the kind of people around him,” he added.

    He then urged Nigerians to be patient and be prayerful “as your sufferings and hardships would be over in 2017.

    “Nigeria is set to be great again,” he stressed.