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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Buhari offers employment, scholarships to 168 ex-corps members

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday presented awards to 168 ex-corps members at the combined 2015/2016/2017 President’s NYSC Honours Award held at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.

    Buhari, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, also announced automatic employment to the awardees in the Federal Civil Service and scholarships up to Doctorate level in any Nigerian universities.

    Former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, who created the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 1973, was also in attendance.

    15 ex-corps members who suffered disability during their service year were also recognised under the NYSC Hope Alive programme.

    There was also the National Council for Women Affairs Award to three best female awardees.

    The President’s NYSC Honours Award was instituted in 1974 to encourage corps members to contribute to the overall national development by embarking on community development projects.

    Buhari said that it was the exceptional individuals in society who were the true builders of institutions and nations.

    According to him, the vision, innovation and hard work of one person is sufficient to make a difference in the life of a community or a nation.

    The president said that enduring individual success was a function of courage and resilience, adding that he was challenged by the remarkable courage of the Corp members who suffered various accidents while in service.

    “The fact that they have gone through these harrowing personal injuries and are still determined to engage the future with hope and confidence is proof that they will still experience the joys of great success and fulfillment.

    “To all of today’s honorees, let me make it clear that you are not just the future of this country, but also its present.

    Read also: Army redeploys NYSC DG, announces new postings

    “You must all see yourselves as the leaders that you are; but leadership comes with responsibilities and continuous sacrifice.

    “The successes you have achieved and are being rewarded for today, should inspire you to even greater feats, in your various spheres of influence.

    “I therefore charge you all to continue to be the light for others to follow, whilst also seeing yourselves as lifelong ambassadors of the NYSC.

    “In line with our policy of encouraging and rewarding excellence among our youth, I hereby announce the immediate employment into the Federal Civil Service of all the Award winners and beneficiaries of the NYSC Hope Alive Programme.

    “In addition, the Federal Government hereby offers each of you automatic scholarships up to Doctorate level in any Nigerian University of your choice,” he said.

    In his address, Solomon Dalung, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, said that nothing motivated young people than rewards for their contributions no matter how small.

    He said that the Federal Government would continue to reward hard work and devotion to duty among Nigerian youths.

    On his part, the outgoing Director-General of NYSC  Maj.-Gen Suleman Kazaure, said the award aimed at encouraging high ideals and patriotism through selfless and dedicated service to fatherland.

    Kazaure said the award was recognition of teamwork, honesty, loyalty, devotion to duty and creativity.

    “Though the young men and women being honoured today were the most outstanding in performance, I am proud to report that corps members deployed in 2015, 2016 and 2017 service years generally contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of our dear country.

    “Their performances in key sectors such as education, health, agriculture and infrastructure were applauded by all Nigerians.

    “In the areas of Community Development Service, successive batches of corps members have been adding value to communities throughout the federation with various projects.

    “These include construction and renovation of schools and hospitals as well as provision of potable water,” he said.

    One of the awardees, Nelson Nnamdi, in an interview, said he felt great and was giving God the glory.

    He said he learnt the act of service to humanity and to the nation during his service year.

    “When I was serving, I did the Virtually Impaired Electronic Working Guide; it is for the blind.

    “When I executed the project in the school of the blind in Izzi, Ebonyi State, the project went far; in fact the joy in the heart of those young blind students gives me joy.

    “My advice to servicing corps members; if you identify a special need in the place you are serving, you should try to make an impact and leave the rest to God; in the right time, God will reward you as he has rewarded me today,” he said. (NAN)

  • Buhari never disobeyed court orders as military ruler, says Falana

    ACTIVIST-LAWYER Femi Falana (SAN) said yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari always obeyed court orders during his tenure as Head of State from December 31, 1983 to August 27, 1985.

    Falana wondered why in a democracy, the Buhari-led Federal Government has not shown enough respect for judicial decisions.

    The human rights lawyer said he would write to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), to find out why.

    Falana spoke in Lagos during a public lecture on the 30th anniversary of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR).

    The lecture, with the theme: “Chronicling the struggle, identifying the way forward,” was delivered by professor of International Law and Jurisprudence, Akin Oyebode, while Prof. Julius Ihonvbere  was the keynote speaker.

    Falana, the Chairman of the CDHR Board of Trustees, noted that respect for human rights in the country had appreciated in the last 30 years.

    CDHR, he explained, started in 1989 in the living room of the late Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, where activists gathered to strategise for the release of Femi Aborisade, who was then detained by the military junta.

    “Thirty years ago, it would have been impossible to assemble to discuss human rights in our country. Notwithstanding that we are currently having what you might call rickety democracy, there are gains, all the struggles of over 30 years, that we must celebrate today,” Falana said.

    The lawyer, however, said he was worried about how court orders were being disobeyed by the Federal Government.

    He said: “I just remember this morning trying to write a letter to the Attorney-General of the Federation and I find, very painfully, that whereas the Buhari/Idiagbon regime complied with all court orders for the release of those who were held illegally under the state security detention of persons Decree No 2 of 1984, we cannot say the same today under a democratic government.

    Read also: Oyebode, Falana, others advocate SARS reform

    “If you get a copy of Gani Fawehinmi’s book on Nigerian law on habeas corpus, all the judgments of our courts during the military dictatorship of Gowon up to the Buhari/Idiagbon regime, all the cases are documented in that book; not on a single occasion did the military regimes detain anybody who had been ordered to be released by the court. They could manipulate; they could filibuster, but ultimately they got everybody released.”

    In his lecture, Oyebode criticised the 1999 Constitution, which he said lacked legitimacy because the Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar regime did not call for the input of the citizens.

    Oyebode said: “The general contempt held by the dictators everywhere for the people informed the attitude of the junta towards the right of the Nigerian people to partake in the making of the most important law governing their lives.”

    The don said that for Nigeria to become a liberal democratic society, the people must be ready to put the government on its toes “so that an end is speedily brought to impunity.”

    CDHR National President Malachy Ugwummadu described the organisation’s journey in the last 30 years as “eventful; a mix bag but clearly with huge prospects and possibilities of fulfillment.”

  • Buhari never disobeyed court orders as military ruler, says Falana

    Activist-lawyer Mr Femi Falana (SAN) said Thursday that President Muhammadu Buhari always obeyed court orders during his tenure as Head of State from 31 December 1983 to 27 August 1985.

    He explained that although military regimes were often arbitrary, neither Buhari nor his predecessors in military juntas toyed with court orders.

    Falana wondered why in a democracy, the Buhari-led Federal Government is now allegedly disobeying judicial decisions.

    The human rights lawyer said he would write to the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), to find out why.

    Falana spoke in Lagos during a public lecture on the 30th anniversary of rights group, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR).

    The lecture, with the theme, “Chronicling the struggle, identifying the way forward,” was delivered by professor of International Law and Jurisprudence, Akin Oyebode, while Prof. Julius Honvhere, of the Ford Foundation, was the keynote speaker.

    Falana, the Chairman of the CDHR Board of Trustees, noted that respect for human rights in the country had appreciated in the last 30 years.

    CDHR, he explained, started in 1989 in the living room of the late Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, where activists gathered to strategise for the release of Mr Femi Aborishade, who was then detained by the military junta.

    “Thirty years ago, it would have been impossible to assemble to discuss human rights in our country. Notwithstanding that we are currently having what you might call rickety democracy, there are gains, all the struggles of over 30 years, that we must celebrate today,” Falana said.

    The lawyer, however, said he was worried about how court orders were being disobeyed by the Federal Government.

    He said, “I just remember this morning trying to write a letter to the Attorney-General of the Federation and I find, very painfully, that whereas the Buhari/Idiagbon regime complied with all court orders for the release of those who were held illegally under the state security detention of persons Decree No 2 of 1984, we cannot say the same today under a democratic government.

    Read Also: Osinbajo, Falana, charge journalists on professional ethics

    “If you get a copy of Gani Fawehinmi’s book on Nigerian law on habeas corpus, all the judgments of our courts during the military dictatorship of Gowon up to the Buhari/Idiagbon regime, all the cases are documented in that book; not on a single occasion did the military regimes detain anybody who had been ordered to be released by the court. They could manipulate; they could filibuster, but ultimately they got everybody released.”

    In his lecture, Oyebode criticised the 1999 Constitution, which he said lacked legitimacy because the Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar regime did not call for the input of the citizens.

    “The general contempt held by the dictators everywhere for the people informed the attitude of the junta towards the right of the Nigerian people to partake in the making of the most important law governing their lives,” the don said.

    Oyebode said for Nigeria to become a liberal democratic society, the people must be ready to put the government on its toes “so that an end is speedily brought to impunity.”

    In his remarks, the National President of CDHR, Mr Malachy Ugwummadu, described the organisation’s journey in the last 30 years as “eventful; a mix bag but clearly with huge prospects and possibilities of fulfillment.”

  • I’m satisfied with projects executed by Gov. Shettima, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed satisfaction with the projects executed by Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno State in the last eight years.

    The President who was on a one day working visit to Maiduguri said he is highly impressed by Gov. Shettima’s choice of projects in  educational, industrial, health, agricultural and road projects for his people which he commissioned today.

    Buhari stated this Thursday at the Shehu of Borno’s Palace while responding to remarks made by the Borno monarch, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Ibn El Kanemi and Governor Shettima.

    The president was particularly delighted by the Mega Primary schools constructed for children orphaned by Boko Haram in the state and expressed hope that the orphaned children will surely get quality education and brighter future with the educational facilities.

    He however regretted that other girls are still being held captive by Boko Haram.

    He assured that the Federal Government under his watch is doing everything possible to free the remaining girls in the hands of Boko Haram.

    The president said: “I am pleased to be in Borno state on a state visit. I sincerely appreciate the good people of Borno state and as well commend your loyalty and support at all times.

    “Since my arrival in Borno state, I have commissioned different projects. I am highly impressed by governor Kashim Shettima’s unique approach towards establishment of educational centers particularly at the primary level.

    “As demonstrated by Governor Shettima, it is essential to give priority attention to primary school education in order to ensure formidable education at the tertiary level in line with international best practices.

    “Borno state focusing on education is very imperative due to the peculiar security challenges posed by Boko Haram terrorists whose ideology is against girl child education. The terrorists in their crusades of malice against girl child education abducted Chibok Schoolgirls in Borno and Dapchi Schoolgirls in Yobe state.  And unfortunately, some of the girls are still in captive.

    Read Also: Buhari arrives Maiduguri on state visit

    “We won’t give up on them. As I have always said,  as a Nigerian, as president,  I assure all that we will do the needful to ensure that all Nigerians whose loved ones are in the hands of the Boko Haram terrorists regain their freedom,” Buhari added

    The President also noted that the Federal Government is aware the state government had sponsored some Chibok abducted schoolgirls into various secondary and tertiary institutions both within and outside Nigeria to acquire standard and quality education.

    He also appreciated the people of Borno for their concern for him and commended them further for their loyalty to his government.

    Buhari further commended Gov. Shettima and Borno State government for committing itself seriously to the provision of quality education, health facilities, factories, agricultural implements and roads among others to boost socio economic activities of the state.

    He assured the people of his continued commitment and support to the state and restoration of peace in the state and Nigeria at large.

    Governor Shettima in his remarks said without the support and concern of President Buhari in the past four years of his administration, Borno state could have been a history by now.

    He also noted that all that have been achieved in the state including relative peace and growth could not have been achieved without the support of President Buhari.

    Shettima also appreciated   the support and fatherly role played by the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Ibn El Kanemi in the restoration of peace in the state and region.

    Shettima noted that Borno people are indeed highly indebted to Mr. President for his support and concern while appreciating the royal father for his royal blessing.

    According to him, “lack of access to education and high rate of unemployment are the root causes of Boko haram Insurgency which informed our government commitment and investments to center on education and job creation (industrial hub) before others”.

    The governor added that he was very passionate about education and welfare of the citizenry expressing hope that, “in the coming few years, the benefits of the educational, health, industrial and agricultural facilities provided will be yielded”, stressing that, “the incoming governor is a seasoned educationist, versed and competent to continue from where we stopped”.

    The Shehu of Borno, Alahji Abubakar Garbai Ibn El Kanemi earlier in his remarks  thanked President Buhari for his visit to the state and commissioning of capital projects.

    He thanked the president  for his support for the state  against Boko Haram insurgency and pledged to continue to pray for the restoration of peace in the state and country at large.

    The Monarch eulogized the strides of Governor Shettima in the areas of education, health, housing and agriculture while expressing hope that such facilities will definitely address unemployment among youths which is one of the root causes of the insurgency.

    The President while in Maiduguri commissioned 8 landmark primary schools, an industrial park that has 16 plants, a diagnostic centre, the Borno State University and roads in Bolori, amongst others.

  • Buhari to dissolve cabinet May 22 – Lai Mohammed

    President Muhammadu Buhari will dissolve his cabinet few days to the end of the administration, Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed has said.

    He said that a valedictory session with members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has been scheduled for May 22nd after which the cabinet will be dissolved ahead of his inauguration.

    Buhari will be sworn-in on 29th May to begin another four year term in office.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo presided over the meeting in the absence of President Buhari, who was in Maiduguri today to commission some developmental project eats.

    Read Also: Lai Mohammed, emir, others attend fidau of Kwara monarch

    The President was also expected to jet out of the country this evening on a 10- day private visit to the United Kingdom (UK).

    The minister, who disclosed at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, said until then the cabinet remains intact.

    He also pointed out the President had already urged them to prepare their handover notes to be submitted to Permanent Secretaries in their respective ministries before the administration winds down completely.

    He said: ”We will be having a valedictory session on 22nd May. The cabinet remains intact.”

    President Buhari had on April 17 directed ministers to immediately submit a comprehensive status report of their policies and projects on or before April 24th to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

    Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President Garba Shehu, had in a statement, said: “As the first term of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration winds down, the President has asked for a comprehensive “status reports on policies, programs and projects” from cabinet members on their respective ministries, departments and agencies.

    “These reports have Wednesday, April 24, 2019 as the deadline for submission to the Presidential Audit Committee in the office of the Vice President.”

     

  • Kidnapping: Senate summons IGP

    The Senate on Thursday heard that over 3,000 Nigerians are currently held captivity by dare-devil kidnappers in parts of the northern states.

    The startling revelation forced the upper chamber to summon the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, to appear before it next week.

    Adamu is required to brief the Senate on the increasing spate of kidnapping and banditry in parts of the country and measures by the police to stem the tide.

    The invitation of the IGP followed the adoption a prayer by Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on the need for Adamu to brief the Senate on the increasing spate of kidnapping in the country.

    The lawmakers believed that the IGP was in a position to throw light on general insecurity in Nigeria.

    Ekweremadu was contributing to a motion on “Senseless killing of a Briton and the abduction of three others in a Holiday Resort in Kaduna State by armed bandits” sponsored by Senator Shehu Sani and 108 others.

    He added that kidnapping of foreigners is increasing the cost of construction in the country.

    Foreign construction firms, he said, build in funds for payment of ransoms into the cost when bidding for contracts.

    Senator Kabiru Marafa in his contribution to the motion noted that businesses and other sources of livelihood, including farming have completely collapsed in most northern states.

    The Zamfara Central senator feared that unless immediate measures were taken to battle suffocating banditry there might be no Zamfara State in the next few years.

    Marafa insisted that government should, as a matter of urgency, engage the youths who were chiefly involved in banditry and other acts of criminality.

    He said: “There might be no Zamfara State in the next two years if something is not done about the insecurity in the state. I saw a video from my state where children of about 11 years are wielding AK47. This is the reality on ground in my state.

    “In Zamfara State, there are over 3,000 kidnapped victims in the dens of bandits. Banditry is not reducing. It has become a business. There is technically no business in the north, except kidnapping.

    “People have abandoned their farms in the north. There are no more peasant farmers in the north. They are being kidnapped by these bandits.

    “I disagree with my colleague from Katsina. All businesses in the north are dead. The government must employ people or they will join these bandits. The reason behind this problem is corruption.

    “We cannot employ enough security personnel to man every community in this country. Where are we going to? With due respect to my colleagues, with the kind of irresponsible leadership we have seen in states, we cannot solve this problem.”

    Read Also: Govts, Army, Senate tackle insecurity

    Senator Sani (Kaduna central) in his lead debate lamented that the north has become Nigeria’s killing fields, where bandits and other criminal elements carry on with reckless abandon.

    For him, it is regrettable that despite repeated attacks by bandits, no one has been brought to book by the government.

    The situation, he said, has emboldened bandits and criminal elements to conduct their heinous crimes audaciously.

    Sani said: “In recent times, the attacks on individuals, houses and villages have become one too many and there is no single person that has been brought to book as a result of  the wanton killings.  So much talked about efforts at combating the banditry and crime is not yielding results.

    “We are worried about the fact that perpetrators of these heinous activities tend to be gaining more courage to carry out their dastardly acts without fear of confrontation due to their acclaimed superior fire power.

    “The unfortunate event of 19th April, 2019 where armed gun men raided a resort called Kajuru Resort in Kajuru local government area of Kaduna State, a Briton, Ms. Faye Mooney and a Nigerian, Mr. Mathew Oguche were killed and three others abducted has put more fears into Nigerians.

    “Ms. Faye Mooney was a humanitarian worker with an NGO, Mercy Corp, who had worked in war torn countries like Iraq and Kosovo helping the needy, the vulnerable and internally displaced persons.

    “Recall that earlier in the year, President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered senior security chiefs to curb kidnapping in the region when four western tourists, two Americans and two Canadians were abducted in Kaduna in an ambush in January that left two of their police escorts dead.”

    Sani continued: “Banditry has reached a tragic level in Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger States. It is not overstatement to say that the country is at war. Kidnapping has reach such a tragic level that people are losing hope about the ability of government to protect them.

    “It is unfortunate that this has continued despite all sorts of operations launched by security operatives. It has reached such a level that highly placed persons have abandoned the roads for the train. We have all seen how the seed of destruction has moved beyond Zamfara State to other parts of the north.

    “We can no longer afford to fight 21st century crime with 20th century system. The idea of keeping police men to open booths at check points can no longer suffice in the north.

    “The problem used to be for only poor people. Now it has moved to the upper class of people. If this trend continues a time will come when all people in the north will move to Abuja because Abuja is where the paradise is. As time goes on there will be no heaven in Abuja.

    “We must begin to tell truth to power. Zamfara has become a cancer spreading to other parts of Nigeria. The blame should be on every person who has the opportunity to speak truth to power and refuses to do so.”

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, noted that the country must find permanent solution to insecurity in the country.

    Saraki said: “When we talk about the way forward, we must be true to ourselves. In discussing this issue, we must be frontal. We need to tell ourselves where this started from. We must not see it from the eyes of political parties or anything sentimental.

    “There was a time when we couldn’t even talk to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for over a year. He refused to honour our invitation. We need to be serious whether we want to find a solution or just play to the gallery.

    “I am aware that people have now deserted Kaduna expressway because of insecurity. In the past, kidnapping was done in the city. Today, it is different. Nowhere is safe anymore. We need to tell ourselves the truth and find a way out of this mess. We must find a solution.”

    The curious aspect of the motion was the listing of imprisoned Senator Joshua Dariye as one of the 108 senators that sponsored the motion.

    Dariye who “represented Plateau Central Senatorial District” is currently serving a 14 year jail term following his conviction by a Federal High Court.

    He was convicted for alleged money laundering.

    The listing of Dariye as one of the sponsored of the motion on senseless killings in Kaduna State, may have given credence that he is still enjoying his salary and allowances as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Sani jokingly told reporters that the name of Dariye was not on the Order Paper he used on the floor of Senate for the motion.

    The Senators who observed a minute silence in honour of the departed souls urged security authorities to intensify the search for the perpetrators so as to bring them to book.

    It urged the government to set up inter-agency task force to tackle cases of banditry and kidnapping in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Niger States.

    The Senate also urged security agencies to give special security cover to foreign workers and tourists as well as to immediately deploy the use of drones and interceptors in tracking kidnappers.

    It urged community leaders, traditional leaders and all stakeholders to co-operate with security agencies.

    It urged telecommunication firms to provide agencies with information in areas where there are kidnappings.

    It agreed to send a delegation to the British embassy and condole the British Government.

  • Current security architecture has failed, NLC tells Buhari

    Worried by the increasing state of insecurity in the country, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to rejig the current security architecture in the country with the conclusion that the current system has failed the country.

    The Congress also concluded that the widening gap in poverty between the rich and the poor in the country and the increasing spate of misgovernance as well as none payment of salaries by state government has been largely responsible for the increase in violent crime of armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom and other vices.

    In his message to state Delegates Conference of the Congress, President of Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba also warned the government against the planned increased in Value Added Tax (VAT) and adhering to the recommendation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to remove subsidy on petroleum products saying such an exercise would erode the gains of new minimum wage recently signed into law.

    Wabba also informed workers that now that the agitation for a new national minimum wage was over, workers should be conscious of the fact the minimum wage is not a gift to them from the government, insisting however that employers of labour should immediately commence the implementation.

    He task the leadership of the variously state councils to emerge from the conferences to push for the implementation of the new wage by state government, pointing out that the argument of whether or not states can implement the new wages has been laid to rest.

    He said there was the need for state governments across the country to cut down on the cost of governance in their various states to conserve resources for the implementation of the new wage.

    He said: “We are all witnesses to the waves of bloodbath and brigandage surfing across our country. There is hardly any day that passes without one incident of armed robbery, kidnap for ransom, militancy or terrorism attack making headlines. We call on government at both federal and state levels to urgently rejig our security architecture, structure, and management.

    “Clearly, the current approach has failed. We also call for a robust and sustainable response to renewed security challenges in our country even if that means an increase in the budget for internal security so long it is judiciously and transparently used.

    ‘The political arena offers one of the most effective spaces for tackling almost all the challenges that we have already highlighted to bring about socio-economic transformation. Unfortunately, the conduct of the last general election left a lot of sour taste in the mouth. Incidences of hate speech, vote buying, ballot box snatching, abuse of provisions for manual accreditation, logistics tardiness, isolated cases of violence, and a spate of inconclusive elections trailed the 2019 general polls.

    “These electoral infractions did not only erode some of the grounds won as a result of the push by the NLC and its allies during the 2007-2011 campaign for electoral reform in Nigeria but also presented new threats to efforts to consolidate and deepen our democracy.

    “The chaos in our electoral space is only symptomatic of the crises of governance bedeviling our country. We cannot lament forever. The onus is on us as the working class to recover the political initiative through the reactivation and repositioning of the Labour Party.

    Read More

  • Osinbajo presides over FEC

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has presided over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, as the deadline given to cabinet members for submission of handover notes expires.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had on April 17 asked for a comprehensive “status reports on policies, programmes and projects” from cabinet members on their respective ministries, departments and agencies.

    Buhari, who is on a visit to Borno, will depart for the UK later in the day.

    Read Also: Osinbajo urges journalists to expose corruption

    The deadline for submission of the reports to the Presidential Audit Committee in the office of the Vice President was April 24.

    The 9th and 10th FEC meetings were rescheduled for April 25 and May 2 respectively in view of the Easter break and May Day celebrations.

    More so, ministers were directed to “ensure that all outstanding memoranda they intend to present to FEC are submitted to the Cabinet Affairs Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, not later than April 30.’’

    No fewer than 21 ministers alongside the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, are in attendance

    NAN

     

  • Buhari arrives Maiduguri on state visit

    President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in Maiduguri as part of a one-day official visit to Borno.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the presidential jet on Thursday landed at the Nigerian Air Force wing of the Maiduguri International Airport at about 10.45 a.m.

    The president was received by Gov. Kashim Shettima, his Deputy, Usman Durkwa, members of national and state houses of assemblies, and some top government officials.

    Other dignitaries that received the president were the Minister of State for Works, Alhaji Baba Shehuri, Maj.-Gen. Johnson Akinrouluyo, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, heads of security agencies, community and religious leaders.

    Buhari was in Maiduguri to inaugurate various projects executed by the Borno Government in Maiduguri metropolis such as Borno State University; Maiduguri Industrial hub, schools, roads and re-modeled Maiduguri Specialist Hospital.

    The president would also pay a courtesy visit to the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi.

    Read Also: Buhari unveils 400-seater Lagos Theatre

    Meanwhile, hundreds of Maiduguri residents were on the the streets to welcome the president, as Borno Government declared Thursday public holiday to enable residents welcome the president.

    The state government had constructed over 40 Mega schools to cater for the over 50, 000 children orphaned by the Boko Haram insurgency.

    The schools, designed with e-learning facilities and modern gadgets were constructed in the 27 local government areas of the state.

    One of the schools has been named Muhammadu Buhari Academy.

    NAN

  • Buhari: we’ll improve lives with high impact facilities

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday spoke of his administration’s future plan, saying he will continue to emphasise on high impact infrastructure to “vastly improve the people’s lives.”

    The President whose second term in office begins on May 29, spoke in Lagos where he inaugurated five “Next Level” projects undertaken by outgoing Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    The projects are the Ayinke House at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, which has been renamed Institute of Maternal & Child Health; the 500-seater Lagos Theatre, the Oshodi Transport Interchange, 820 mass transit buses, and the rehabilitated International Airport Road, Ikeja.

    “Our government will continue to prioritise high impact infrastructure which will vastly improve the lives of our people,” he said, and thanked Lagosians for returning him and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to power in the last elections.

    The President praised Ambode for his “satisfactory performance”, saying: “We should all commend him for his contribution to the growth and development of the state”.

    At the Oshodi Interchange, the President said the three key projects reflected his administration’s drive in pursuing policies and programmes that will positively impact on Nigerians.

    He said: “The New Oshodi Transport Interchange, the mass transit medium and high capacity public buses and the reconstructed Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road by  Lagos State Government clearly demonstrate the need to continue to provide high impact projects for the development of infrastructure and opportunities for job creation at all levels.”

    He added: “The mass transit buses totalling 820 buses will also move the people of Lagos State in a more comfortable and more efficient manner.

    “These projects by Lagos State perfectly align with the efforts of the Federal Government to improve the country’s infrastructure, especially in the transport sector.

    “To complement Oshodi Transport Interchange, the Federal Government has recently approved the reconstruction of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway up to Oworonshoki and Old Toll Gate which was last attended to 40 years ago.

    “We have recently commissioned the new international airport terminals in Port Harcourt and Abuja, as well as the rail lines from Abuja to Kaduna. The Lagos to Ibadan Rail Line is under construction. Our government will continue to prioritise high impact infrastructure which will vastly improve the lives of our people.”

    Thanking Lagosians for supporting him and the ruling APC  during the last elections, Buhari said: “Earlier this morning, I commissioned the Ayinke House of the Institute of Maternal and Child Health and also the Lagos Theatre in Oregun. Your Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has performed satisfactorily and we should all commend him for his contribution to the growth and development of Lagos State.

    “I once again thank all the people of Lagos State for their support for our government and our party.”

    Ambode said the projects would not have been possible without Buhari’s direct influence and support.

    He said: “These projects and facilities are: Oshodi Transport Interchange, Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road and 820 medium/high capacity transport buses”, adding that the high-impact projects have the utmost interest of Lagosians at heart.

    “In our promise to deliver people-oriented projects and programmes, a closer look at all the projects indicate that nearly all the different pillars of our development plan as a State have been affected positively through these projects. The Institute of Maternal and Child Health at LASUTH contributes to our health and education sectors simultaneously.

    “The Lagos Theatre, Ikeja is about our social development sector while the Oshodi Transport Interchange and buses come under our transport, infrastructure and commerce sectors. The Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road is an infrastructural development project.

    “All these projects together form the thrust of our vision as a government and the end result is to make life better for all our people, irrespective of gender, tribe or political leanings.”

    The governor said the state’s future prosperity was secured, noting:

    Read also: Buhari to Ambode: Your performance is satisfactory

    “It is on record that our state has never had this measure of support from the Federal Government as we have enjoyed under your leadership.

    “Mr. President, we believe strongly that the projects being commissioned today are our own modest contributions to national development.

    “As I said earlier, these projects would not have been possible without Mr. President’s quiet but impactful decision to approve and release the payments of the Paris Club refund and the refund on federal road projects incurred by the states.

    “Mr. President, the first tranche of the Paris Club refund to states approved by Your Excellency was what we used to pay the 40 per cent down-payment for the 820 buses you see here today. We are grateful, Mr. President.

    “It may also interest you to know sir that, our second tranche of the Paris Club refund, in addition to the refund by the Federal Government on federal road projects executed by states, are the resources we applied to the construction of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road and this first in Africa transport interchange.

    “This is our report card, Mr. President. We have used your approval and releases judiciously because we believe strongly in you, in your leadership and in your vision for our country. This is our modest contribution to the growth and development of our state and to the country in general.”

    Ambode said the projects would serve the needs of Nigerians, pointing out that the Murtala Mohammed Airport Road and the U-Turn Flyover will be open for public use immediately.

    He said: “The two flyovers will be open for use from May 10 after the quality assurance work is completed. Of the three terminals at the Oshodi Transport Interchange, Terminal 3 will become fully operational on May 1 while Terminals 1 and 2 will become operational by the end of May.

    “We have, in the last four years, invested so much in strengthening the social and physical infrastructure base of the state economy. The dividends of these efforts are becoming manifest in all sectors of the economy.

    “With the completion of these projects and given the level of commitment of the next administration as well as the continuous support of the Federal Government, I am assured that the immediate and future prospects of our state is very bright.

    “Mr. President, Lagos State will continue to support your aspirations to move Nigeria to the next level. The business community in the state is desirous of partnering with your government in moving our economy forward.”

    Earlier, Ambode described the Ayinke House upgrade as historic, expressing optimism that the facility would provide world class childbirth and maternal care services to Nigerians residing in Lagos.

    He said: “Today, seven years after the closure of the facility, the new edifice is now a 170-bed facility with five surgical theatres. It has a 16-bed emergency care unit with three-organ support facilities, 30-bed special baby care unit, five neo-natal intensive care units, a fully equipped laboratory with support services, laboratories and a blood bank.

    “Beyond the significance for the health sector, this institute is a major contribution to our education sector also; as it becomes a veritable platform for our medical students in the state university to enhance their exposure and experience with the top-class medical equipment provided”.

    Ayinke House, the governor said, had been digitalised with state-of-the-art medical facilities as well as information technology services supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology.

    Present were some governors, ministers and special advisers.

    They included: Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun);  Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (Ondo); Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Jubrila Bindow (Adamawa); Acting Edo Governor Philip Shaibu; Lagos State governor-elect Babajide Sanwo-Olu, deputy governor-elect Dr Obafemi Hamzat, Oba  of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, Communications Minister Adebayo Shittu and Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity Femi Adesina. Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola was unavoidably absent as he was at the Appeal Tribunal where he is challenging the voiding of his election by the election tribunal.