The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Ex-Nigeria Airways workers recount 14-year ordeal of non-payment of benefits

    Some pensioners and ex-workers of the defunct Nigeria Airways have given accounts of the trauma, untold hardship they went through for more than 14 years they were retrenched without payment of their pensions and benefits.

    The pensioners and ex-workers who exclusively spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos said they went through hardship before the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari came to the rescue.

    The former workers and pensioners had organised a rally on Friday in Lagos to show appreciation to the President for approving the payment of their pension arrears and other benefits after 14 years of waiting.

    The over 5000 Nigeria airways workers, who said they had been “abandoned, humiliated and frustrated by previous administrations’’, undertook a solidarity procession in Ikeja to drum support for the re-election bid of Buhari.

    More than 15 years after the liquidation of Nigeria Airways by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s government, the present administration approved N45.3 billion for the settlement of the retirement benefits of the defunct airline workers.

    The supervisory Minister of Finance, Hajia Zainab Ahmed, in September 2018 directed the release of N22.68 billion to the workers and most of them had been paid.

    “Following the long delay in payment of the retirement benefits after the liquidation of Nigeria Airways Ltd., many of the ex-workers went through hardship

    “This unfortunate situation cannot be allowed to continue under a responsible administration,’’ the minister had said.

    Alhaji Mustapha Ogunribisan, one of the retrenched workers recalled how they were forcefully ejected out of their office by the Police in 2006.

    “After the liquidation in 2006, we were intimidated. The then Inspector-General of Police, Tafa Balogun ordered his boys to come and chase us out of the office in the course of which we were tear gassed.

    “Some of us died then while many were wounded since then we had been struggling to get our entitlements paid.’’

    Ogunribisan, who said he was employed in October 1976, and deployed to the Motor Transport Division of Engineering Department of the Nigeria Airways, recalled what led to the liquidation of the company.

    “They claimed that the management mismanaged money and the company was no longer viable.

    “A panel was set up by President Obasanjo which at the end of the day found out that the allegations were false. A 12-volume report of the panel was submitted to the then President.

    “Obasanjo, however, said there was no going back on his decision to liquidate Nigeria Airways.

    He continued: “the present Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el Rufai, who was then the chairman of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) intervened in the matter.

    “The governor said the former President should allow him to run Nigeria Airways for one year without collecting any money from government but Obasanjo insisted that he had made up his mind to liquidate the company’’.

    Ogunribisan said they had been on the trenches fighting to get their entitlements paid during which no fewer than 800 of them died.

    He said they, however, got a temporary reprieve when the late former President Umaru Yar’Adua came in and they took their matter before him.

    “Within seven days, Yar’Adua ordered that we should be paid our salary arrears which was implemented then.

    “The late President later set up a panel to look into our gratuity and other benefits but unfortunately he fell sick and in the process he died,’’ he said.

    Ogunribusan said, though, Goodluck Jonathan, the then Vice President, who succeeded Yar’Adu was privy to the efforts and plans of his predecessor over their matter, he, nevertheless, abandoned them to suffer.

    “We wrote series of letters to former President Jonathan reminding him of what his predecessor did but he said it was a forgotten issue.

    “As at that time, many of us had died. We were holding series of meetings, consulting prominent Nigerian citizens including Emirs over our issue, but Jonathan never yielded,’’ he said.

    Buhari raised the hope of the ex-workers when he approved the N45bn after an audit by the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA), a department in the Ministry of Finance.

    Ogunribisan said by fulfilling his promise and paying the first tranche of their entitlements, Buhari had restored their long gone hope and brought smile to their faces.

    “The sickness I was suffering from had been taken care of and I am healthy now. I was even able to travel to the U.S. for medical check-up over my failing health,’’ he said

    Ogunribisan said in appreciation of what the President had done for them, he was mobilising members of his immediate and extended family to vote for his re-election come Feb. 16.

    For Comrade Kolawole Ayinla, 68 years old, he said the 14 years of non-payment of his entitlements was “hell on earth’’.

    “I was employed by Nigeria Airways on Oct. 12, 1976 and I worked in the Engineering Dept.

    “The then government of Obasanjo treated us mercilessly. He has no respect for Nigerian citizens, the way we were humiliated was not pleasing.

    “For many years I was admitted in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and there was no money to pay for drugs and the hospital bills.

    “I have to move with my family to a ghetto in a suburb of Lagos for us to survive.

    “It was a worse of experience before President Muhammadu Buhari came to the rescue. The payment of the money had changed my situation.’’

    Andrew Ahilemen who broke into tears while narrating his ordeal said he joined Nigeria Airways in 1980 and his employment was abruptly terminated with the company’s liquidation.

    “My experience after this had been so bad, I could not take care of myself and feed my family. I could not pay my children’s school fees.

    “We served this country with our sweat and we were thrown out and treated like refugees.

    “We were humiliated out of the office, but I am grateful to President Buhari for what he has done and I am very happy now.

    “I am happy because with the part of my entitlement that has been paid now, I can take care of myself, feed my family and send my children back to school,’’ he said.

    More pathetic is the case of Mr Jacob Loremikan who left the service of the Nigeria Airways in 1977 but suffered Parkinson’s disease when his pension was stopped after the liquidation.

    The Octogenarian, who could barely talk said he went through hardship until Buhari came to restore his hope and bring back his long gone smiles

    Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has restated the Buhari administration’s commitment to the well being and welfare of Nigerians.

    Mohammed who spoke at the rally by the ex-workers said that Buhari’s commitment to the well being of the masses led him to end the 14-year wait and suffering of the 5,996 former staff of the defunct national career.

    He also assured that come Feb. 16, Buhari’s commitment to the well being and welfare of Nigerians would earn him re-election

    “It is not just the former staff of Nigeria Airways who have benefitted from the people-oriented policy of this administration.

    “Former Biafran Policemen, former workers of the Delta Steel Company, Aladja, and former NITEL workers have also seen their years of suffering and neglect come to an end, thanks to Buhari.

    “For the more than 800 deceased ex-staff of Nigeria Airways, their next of kin will also receive the entitlements due to them,’’ he said.

    Mohammed congratulated the ex-workers that were still alive and thanked God for keeping them to reap the rewards of their labour.

    He also thanked them for the event which he said was a show of appreciation to the President for what he had done.

  • Stop undermining our democracy – Observers’ group, YIAGA warned

    Stop undermining our democracy – Observers’ group, YIAGA warned

    Elections observers groups, Youth Initiative for Advocacy, Growth and Advancement, YIAGA Africa and Watching The Vote Group have been warned against comments and moves that could undermine Nigeria’s democracy.

    YIAGA and WVG are part of electoral observers in the just-concluded general elections in the country.

    However, the two observing group had sank during the weekend called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the military to order in the course of their assignment during the Governorship and State Assembly Elections.

    National Democratic Front, NDF, while desribing the demand as irresponsible, said the demand was a shameful affirmation of partisanship that should not come from any self-respecting group that ascribes neutrality to itself.

    It, therefore, warned them to must immediately put a stop to undermining Nigeria’s democracy.

    Dr. Bolaji Abdulkadir, Secretary General of the group gave this warning in a statement forwarded to our reporter on Sunday.

    According to the statement, “With its kind of posturing, YIAGA is apparently playing a mind game in which it wants to create a scenario whereby President Buhari would be perceived as reversing himself, after earlier giving the order to the military to deal decisively with anyone snatching ballot boxes irrespective of political affiliation.

    “It appears the YIAGA’s intention was to create the wrong impression that Mr President was only interested in the credibility of federal elections while state votes can go to the dog. Had President Buhari falling for the ruse and prevent the military from performing their duties during the state elections it is apparent that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), YIAGA’s employer, would have had a field by declaring that it has found its mythical smoking gun.

    “The true intention of YIAGA must be further called to question as series of incidents during the elections in question confirmed that political actors, across party affiliations, are subjecting the process to untold violence. Second guessing the professionalism of the military, which was only called in to do the needful based on security report, therefore presents YIAGA as group that is disappointed that its affiliated political party was unable to cash in on violence to earn political advantage.

    “YIAGA might have based its frivolous demand to the President on a fabled “assessment” of the state elections but the reality on ground proved that the military was never the issue. Rather, the problem is the posse of unpopular politicians that are yet to accept the reality of the electorate becoming better enlightened under the current dispensation. It is not possible that a better informed people will easily succumb to the propaganda deployed by persons that have no track record of delivering on their electoral promises.

    Read Also:PDP alleges plots by Buhari, APC to truncate democracy

     

    “The desperation on the part of this group has seen it accused everyone but its client for the incidents recorded during the state election. In addition to the military, it has blamed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the ruling All Progressives’ Congress (APC), other security agencies, communities and every other stakeholders but itself. This attitude suggests that the group has a sole assignment of undermining the credibility of the elections.

    “The National Democratic Front has nothing against YIAGA delivering its paid services to its clients in the opposition but it is pertinent that the group gives some thoughts to the number of lives that would have been lost to electoral violence had the military not deployed to offer deterrence against those that had premised their political success on the deployment of industrial scale violence. As things stand, the blood of those killed in the recorded instances of violence already cry out against organizations like YIAGA, whose crying wolf had limited the military’s ability to robustly respond to fully curtail violence.

    “Our demand to YIAGA is unequivocal. It must cease its ongoing belligerence against the Nigerian state as represented by its constant attacks on the military. The group should leave Nigeria alone so that citizens can continue with the moral restructuring of their political system, which has for instance moved away from excessive money politics with prospect of the practice further diminishing in future elections. With the knowledge that the state does not approve of violence for winning elections, future elections are likewise set to be more peaceful.”

  • ‘Buhari needs another four years to restore peace’

    Some eminent elders from the north at the weekend said another four years of Muhammadu Buhari’s Presidency would restore peace and enable millions of internally displaced persons to return to their homes.

    The elders said that President Buhari – led administration has succeeded in restoring peace to many parts of the troubled north eastern states.

    The northern elders, under the aegis of Kungiyar Dattawan Arewa Initiative (KDAI) stated these during a press conference in Abuja to endorse the second term bid of President Buhari.

    Convener of the group, Gen. Paul Tarfa (rtd), said that the elders took the decision to endorse the president after a long and fruitful consultation with its members from all parts of the region.

    The group dissociated itself from the purported endorsement of the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, by the Ango Abdullahi-led Northern Elders Forum, saying NEF does not speak for the region.

    He said the elders decided to back President Buhari after a deep reflection into what he stands for in the history, politics, social and moral life of Nigeria at this time.

    Tarfa said: “The 2019 presidential election is only one week away. Our group, which is made up of eminent elders from all over the north, felt that we must do our duty to the country and the younger generations to come by applying our experience and wisdom to guide them in the choice that we have made.

    “The choice is necessary for the future of our country and our advice and input as elders is therefore very important.

    “After a long and fruitful consultation with our members from all parts of the north, we have unanimously decided to endorse President Muhammadu Buhari, candidate of the All Progressives Congress as our choice in the forthcoming election.

    “We have made this choice after a deep reflection into what President Buhari stands for in the history, politics, social and moral life of Nigeria at this time. To have a man with a long and distinguished record of public service in Nigeria for decades is a rare feat. We offer thanks to The Almighty God for providing us with such a man at this time.”

    He said Buhari personifies the fight against corruption, rebuilding the economy and provision of the much needed security as a bedrock for social harmony and development.

    According to him, the president’s administration, in the last three and a half year, waged relentless fight against corruption in all aspects of our national life.

    This, he explained, is enough for Nigerians to give Buhari another four years in office in order to push forward with the anti-graft fight.

    Also, the Senator representing Nasarawa West, Abdullahi Adamu appealed to Nigerians to support the president for a second term in office because Buhari has achieved successes in the areas of fighting corruption, security, economy and addressing unemployment.

    According to him, the Buhari administration has covered some ground in all these areas.

    “I appreciate in no small way, the enough that he has been making in the last three and a half years since he became president to address those three key areas in our manifesto.

    “Any person who cares to look at the positives and the negatives and try to balance, will appreciate some facts that we have covered some ground, meaningful ground for that matter and in that case we have to appreciate the effort,” he said.

    In the same vein, a former Deputy Governor of Plateau state, Paulen Tallen, appealed to women and youths in the country to support the second term bid of Buhari.

    She said the president would accord more opportunities to women and youths if reelected.

    Those present at the endorsement include; former Sokoto state governor, Aliyu Wamakko, Sen. Gada, Yusuf Suleiman, Alhj Abu Gidado, Ahmed Bello, Umaru Dambo, Yahaya Abdulkadiri, Sen Paul Okpana, Alhj Shehu Mallam, Yahaya Bello Ahmed, Dame Tallen among others.

     

  • Buhari to traditional rulers: do more to end banditry

    President Muhammadu Buhari has charged traditional rulers do more in curbing banditry and kidnapping in their communities.

    According to him, he felt disappointed that people close to some of them were found to have a hand in such criminality.

    The President spoke at a meeting with the royal fathers in the Government House on Sunday, as part of the ongoing campaigns.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President expressed the determination of his administration to defend the country from criminals and insurgents.

    “We are determined to defend the nation and its people. We are disappointed with some of the things going on. You are responsible for the security of your neighbourhood. Being close to your people, you know them. You are still relevant. I am sorry this has extended to some of your families,” he said.

    Read Also: “Why Nigerian women’ll vote Buhari”

    Referring to the deployment of a large number of security personnel to the state, President Buhari said that security is also the business of the traditional rulers, not that of the police and other security agencies alone.

    “More security is not good news, but we must do something to secure our environment,” he noted.

    The President commended the gallantry of the security agencies in battling kidnapping and banditry, saying “you know what we have achieved. You had one who styled himself as Buharin Daji, the Buhari of the forests, claiming to be in charge and not I at the centre. He is no more, and by my surviving him, you now know who is stronger.”

    He said he was contesting this election as his fifth and the last, because as he noted, “a second term is what the constitution allows, and I will not abuse the constitution.”

    He thanked the royal fathers for the support he enjoyed so far and appealed to them to back his re-election.

    The Chairman of the council of traditional rulers and Emir of Anka, Alhaji Attahiru Ahmed and the Governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, praised the efforts of the President in changing the unwanted security situation in the state.

    According to the governor, “From the presence of an ammunition depot manned by just 30 men when you took office in 2015, Zamfara State today boasts of the presence of 4,700 combined security personnel who are assisted by 8,500 State Joint Task Force, SJTF members. We also have the 223 Battalion, the 607 Quick Response Battalion and the 1 Brigade in Gusau.”

    The council of traditional rulers also endorsed President Buhari’s bid for a second term

  • Aggrieved Atiku support group declares for Buhari

    A Coalition of Aggrieved supporters of presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has formally declared support for President Muhammadu Buhari, accusing the PDP candidate of using and dumping them.

    Leader of the group, Com. Bello Osaretin Godspower, said the former Vice President never appreciated their efforts and treated them with disdain.

    He added that aside the ill treatment, the Atiku Campaign has been infiltrated by people with questionable character and who were once responsible for the rape of nation’s democracy.

    He denied reports making the round that they have decided to return to the Atiku Campaign, describing the information as cheap promotional gimmick to score undeserving political goal.

    He said: “It will be recalled that on the 27th of November, 2018 at a location in the heart of Abuja, we the disgruntled members of Atiku Campaign Office took a mile stone decision to dump Atiku Abubakar Presidential Project on the platform of PDP after a robust and convincing consultation with relevant stakeholders vis-a-viz other considerable factors.

    “Our despondency was born out of Atiku Abubakar disdainful treatment of support groups, which snow-ball into neglect, nepotic deployment, use and dump style coupled with lack of direction and reward management system made worse by the infusion and infiltration of people with questionable characters into his campaign train, who were once responsible for the rape on the Nigeria state and were also found culpable for the culture of gross impunity and social recklessness in the society.

    “Today, the 10th of February, 2019, we as members of Aggrieved Atiku Support Group Coalition warehousing over one hundred and forty-five formidable organizations united together and stronger in one voice to officially denounce Atiku Abubakar Presidential ambition and make formal declaration to support President Mohammadu Buhari Re-election bid come February 16, 2019.

    “Permit me to use this opportunity to refute and debunk the claims in some quarters that the Aggrieved Atiku Support Groups led by Comrade Bello Osaretin Godspower (El Mikado) has returned to Atiku Abubakar, a decoy to confuse the unsuspecting electorates whose opinions are already to vote for President Mohammadu Buhari re-election bid.

    Read Also: My husband is destined to be president —Titi Atiku Abubakar

    “We frown at the cheap promotional gimmicks to score undeserving political goal. It is incomprehensible to believe and one of the numerous PDP propaganda tactics to fool and hoodwink the general public. However, we cannot kowtow to return to Egypt and it is a sin for one to contemplate PDP that has been corruptibly battered, tattered and tattooed. PDP is like a bogeyman with the garment of errors, horrors and terrors.

    “Our decision to formally declare support for President Muhammadu Buhari Re-election is in the national interest and his ability to rejig the governance system that hitherto occasioned with corruption activities under the sixteen years misrule of PDP government, where corruption became the norms and symbols of state (stealing was never corruption).

    “It is instructive to assert or pontificate that the fight against corruption that has been identified as major problem of previous government are being well fought under President Muhammadu Buhari with global acknowledgement.

    “We are glad to appreciate the good work of Mr. President and today, the roads are working, the rails are back on track, the agricultural sector which is the instrument of diversification is on course and the farmers can now smile to the banks, the social intervention policy i.e the N-Power Programme, the School Feeding Programme and the Trader Money Programme are well implemented with due diligence coupled with uncountable infrastructural development that are scattered across the country, especially in the power sector.

    “We cannot afford to stand akimbo and aloof in the political space to allow rascals, hooligans and economic thieves who are professionally hollow, delinquent in leadership panache, nomadic in character and content to hold sway in the governance of Nigeria once again.

    “We are proud to say without further ado that Nigeria is work in progress and in save hands under President Mohammadu Buhari. We are quite convinced that the Next Level Policy Document is a compendium of activities to reposition and rescue Nigeria for economic prosperity, political stability and socio-cultural actualities and more so, to help take back Nigeria from the horrendous shackles of political looters and economic saboteurs who are now gathered in one accord with the intention to sell the sole economic life wire of Nigeria.

    “To this end, we hereby direct all our members across Nigeria to vote enmasse for President Mohammadu Buhari come February 16, 2019 to enable him continue and consolidate on the good work. President Mohammadu Buhari ambition is a divine project.”

    Receiving the group, former Lagos state governor and Chairman of the Central

    Working Committee of the APC Women and Youth Campaign Council, Brig. Genera, Mohammed Buba Marwa said they have agreed to support a man of impeccable character, honesty and with the passion to lead the country.

    Marwa said “We welcome you as part of the supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari with open hands. This is like a train leaving it station and you are able to catch that train before it goes. You people have taken the right decision and not a moment sooner. You have come on board at the right time as your votes of your various organisations will count.

    “You have agreed to support a person who is in impeccable in character, impeccable in leadership, impeccable in honesty, impeccable in patriotism and impeccable in compassion to Nigerians. This is one leader that is fighting corruption and he has said do as I do and not do as I say.

    He urged the support groups to sell the candidates from door to do and also ensure that all the members get their PDP to votes.

    “So, speaking on behalf of the chairperson of the Women and Youth Presidential campaign team, Her Excellency Wife of the President Aisha Buhari, we are grateful to you all, we acknowledged this show of support.

    “She specifically said I should pass the message that from here, we will integrate you into organisations that are relevant to your various state, Local governments, Wards and Units and you will go out there to campaign from door to door taken full advantage of what you know of the government and performance of President Buhari.”

     

     

  • SDP guber candidate, 15 others back Masari, Buhari

    The Governorship Candidate of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Katsina State, Alhaji Muazu Dahiru Rafindadi, and 15 other gubernatorial candidates of have thrown their weight behind Kastina StateState Aminu Masari and President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Addressing newsmen in Katsina on Sunday, the candidates said their decision was based on belief the two candidates of the APC can lead both the state and the country to the Promised Land.

    The SDP candidate further added his decision was also a follow up to the resolution of the party leadership at the National level to queue behind President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the country to the next level.

    Read Also: Why Falae resigned as our chairman, by SDP

    He said: ’’Since the ideologies of both parties are nearly the same and seeing that we also share the same passion and vision with the Governor on the best way to develop the state, we were left with no choice than to step aside and allow the Governor to lead the state to the next level’’

    In a related development, the Shi’ite Youth Political Forum, Katsina State Chapter, hashas decla l support for Buhari and Masari in their second term bid.

    The leader of the Group, Alhaji Mallam Aminu Bara’a made the declaration when he leads the Forum to a courtesy visit to Secretary to Katsina State Government, Mustapha Muhammad Inuwan.

    He noted every patriotic Nigerian must agree that the Buhari’s Administration has laid solid foundation for the progress of this country which needs continuity.

    The Shi’ite youths leader also maintained that they have decided to rally round PMB and ABM because of the various achievements so far recorded by their Administration.

  • We’re fulfilling our promises, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday said that his administration is fulfilling its promises.

    He made the remark while inaugurating the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) advanced Cancer treatment centre in Lagos.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President pledged to ensure facilities for the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of cancer were available to many more Nigerians.

    At the inauguration ceremony of the state-of-the-art Centre in LUTH, Idi Araba,  Buhari announced the model will be replicated across the country to bring quality, first-class healthcare services to cancer patients in Nigeria.

    ‘‘We are aware that up to 40% of funds spent by Nigerians on medical tourism is attributable to patients seeking treatment for cancer.

    “Despite having an increasing number of citizens suffering from cancer, we until now had only two working radiotherapy machines in the country.

    ‘‘Working through the NSIA and LUTH we utilized a PPP model that unlocked investment capital to directly address this issue. We will replicate this model across the country to bring quality, first-class healthcare services to as many Nigerians as we can.

    ‘‘Indeed, over the coming months, under our leadership, the NSIA will commission two Modern Medical Diagnostic Centres to be co-located in the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State and the Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, Abia State, respectively, bringing additional investment to Nigeria’s healthcare sector,’’ he said.

    The President, while wishing the management of the hospital good luck in operating the centre, emphasised the needs for maintenance of the equipment.

    Read Also: Teslim Balogun Stadium agog for Buhari

    ‘‘Our goal today is not simply to celebrate and applaud the culmination of months of hard work to achieve this objective.

    “Neither is it solely to revel in the successful completion of the most modern and best-equipped Cancer treatment centre in West Africa.

    ‘‘Indeed we are proud, but we recognize that this modest effort to address the gaps in our tertiary healthcare system alone is insufficient to address all the challenges faced by the sector.

    ‘‘Today, we showcase what feats we can accomplish when we are together, unrelenting in our effort to deliver a common objective.

    ‘‘No one ever prays to be diagnosed with cancer, but if they are, what we have made possible here today is the hope that a true chance of survival and good quality of life becomes part of the story of many Nigerian patients with cancer,’’ he said.

    The President promised his administration, which has introduced programmes to alleviate common diseases, including the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund targeted at ensuring access to primary healthcare for all Nigerians, will continue to push hard to raise awareness about cancer, educate the people and facilitate early diagnosis.

    He noted that this objective was part of his solemn commitment to Nigerians four years ago to improve the quality of health care in the country.

    The President, who performed the ceremony after attending the APC presidential campaign rally at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Surulere, Lagos, said his administration had focused on greater investment in the sector and worked hard to ensure increased access to safe, high-quality healthcare.

    ‘‘We promised to effect policies that would remove debilitating constraints on the sector and create sustainable structures to strengthen our healthcare institutions.

    ‘‘Today, we are gathered here to acknowledge the modest but laudable strides we are making in fulfilling that promise.

    “We recognise that progress in the health sector is handicapped by several bottlenecks.

    ‘‘Accordingly, we have worked and we will continue to work to ensure that systems are introduced to bridge these gaps,’’ he said.

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NSIA, Mr. Uche Orji said the Centre is expected to raise the bar in the quality and standard of cancer treatment in Nigeria with outcomes that would be consistent with the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

    ‘‘In addition, this Centre will demonstrate the economic potential of healthcare investments in Nigeria and catalyse increased private sector participation,” he said.

     

  • North West APC to increase Buhari’s vote haul

    A The North West Chapter of the All progressive Congress (APC) has promised to increase President Muhammadu Buhari’s vote haul to 12m from the previous 7.5m vote the area gave him during the 2015 general elections.

    The chapter spoke ahead of the APC Presidential Campaign Mega rally on Thursday February 14th in Katsina.

    Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari who was represented by the State Chairman of the party, Alhaji Shittu Shittu made the above disclosure during the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), empowerment program held at the old Government House, where no fewer than 1,000 indegenes were empowered with equipment and capitals to establish small businesses.

    He said that the region would not be lagging in expectations to deliver, and has since embarked on aggressive campaigns at all levels to ensure victory for the party. He observed that with current crisis rocking the party in Zamfara and parts of Sokoto and Kano the party, has no choice than work hard to ensure a sweeping victory in the zone

    Meanwhile, additional one thousand people who are spread across the state were also given various equipment and items to begin small scale enterprises.

    The empowerment which began with people in the Katsina senatorial zone of the state is expected to be extended to people in Funtua and Daura zones during the week.

    The Katsina empowerment exercise saw some beneficiaries going home with ten thousand naira each (N10, 000) while some were given various equipment including sewing machines, pumping machines and grinding machines.

    The beneficiaries, who were both men and women, were expected to use the equipment to start their business entrepreneurs and become fully engaged instead of depending on others for survival.

    An elder in the state and a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abba Ali, who spoke at the occasion, urged the beneficiaries to make good use of whatever they were given.

    The NPA Managing Director, Hajiya Hadiza Usman who was represented at the occasion by Mallam Musa Abubakar, said the empowerment was part of efforts to augment President Muhammadu Buhari’s government steps at creating jobs for Nigerians, also to develop Katsina state,

    Earlier the NPA has installed 282 Solar lights  for  282 Almajiri schools spread across the thirty four local government areas of the state and distributed 500  chairs to primary schools   and given point of lay chicken to women in the state, among others.

  • Corrupt politicians will continue to go to jail-Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday reiterated his commitment to the anti-graft battle, saying that corrupt politicians will go to jail.

    He also promised to fulfill his campaign promises, if re-elected in next Saturday’s election, urging Lagosians to vote for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates “from top to bottom.”

    President Buhari and other party leaders, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode; National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Presidential Campaign Council Co-chairman Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Campaign Director Rotimi Amaechi and Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola spoke on the achievements of the APC-led government in the last three and half years at a rally held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

    The president, who stormed the venue around 2.45noon, was excited at the crowd that had waited for him from sunrise.

    For him, the visit to the stadium was historic. He and other party leaders were seized by nostalgic feelings.

    Four years ago, President Buhari had defeated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar at the APC presidential primary held at the venue.

    It was a carnival-like rally. Security was tight. Party supporters outside the stadium were more that those inside the main bowl.

    Thrilling the crowd were ace musicians-Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde, Lady Queen and ‘Small Doctor.’

    Party faithful, who came from the 57 councils, mixed with other party supporters and followers-representatives of the entertainment industry, Community Development Associations (CDAs), women groups, youth associations and students.

    President Buhari was accompanied by Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje; Kebbi State Governor Bangudu; Nasarawa State Deputy Governor; Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige and members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC).

    At the venue were Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Idiat Adebule; Nigeria’s Ambassador to United States Justice Oguntade; APC Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande; Afenifere chieftains led by Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Southwest Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo); Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Gboyega Oyetola (Osun) and Godwin Obaseki (Edo).

    There were also APC National Deputy Chairman (South) and former Ekiti State Governor Adeniyi Adebayo; National Auditor Chief George Moghalu; National Treasurer Adamu Fanda; National Welfare Secretary Ibrahim Masari; Legal Adviser Babatunde Ogala; Vice Chairman (Southwest) Pastor Bankola Oluwajana; Vice Chairman (Northeast) Emma Enukwu; Vice Chairman (Southsouth Ntifam Ita and National Youth Leader Sadiq Abubakar.

    Other chieftains include former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Lagos State APC Chairman Tunde Balogun and former Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda.

    The highlights of the campaign was the handing of party flags by Oshiomhole to the Lagos State governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Lagos Central senatorial candidate Senator Oluremi Tinubu; her Lagos West and East counterparts-Senator Solomon Adeola and Sikiru Osinnowo and House of Representatives flag bearers who were represented by the Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila (Surulere Constituency).

    Thanking Lagosians for their patience and commitment, the President said: “I thank you very much for defying the weather to be with us. I don’t think there is much to add to what the Minister of Works and Housing, the Minister of Transport and the vice-president has said.

    “I thank you very much and I can assure you that the promise we have made in 2015 to those who elected us, we have fulfilled.

    “We have made enormous progress in reviving the economy, on security and fighting corruption. I assure you that we will collect what they have stolen and send them to prison. This is our duty. This is our responsibility and I assure you that we are going to do it.”

    Osinbajo, who spoke in Yoruba, said President will provide three things, if re-elected.

    These, he said, are jobs, electricity and infrastructure, including roads and railway.

    He thanked the President for making ‘June 12’ Democracy day and a holiday in commemoration of the historic June 12, 1993 presidential polls and the injustice of annulment.

    He added: “All these are easy, if we vote for Buhari. They don’t want Buhari to remain in office because he is opposed to corruption.

    “Buhari made June 12 Democracy Day. When he was minister, three of the four refineries were built. The longest pipeline routes were constructed. He has built roads and he is doing railway. On February 16, use your index fingers to vote for Buhari.”

    Tinubu, who described the rally as a celebration of democracy, told the President and party elders that Lagosians will vote for APC because they suffered for 16 years under the PDP administration.

    He said: “Lagos is sure, very sure about voting for APC under the broom revolution.

    “The party chairman, Balogun, has catalogued Buhari’s achievements. Buhari did not make empty promises. You could see action.”

    Tracing the history of Lagos from 1999, the former governor said the people had struck a deal with the progressives, adding that they cannot endorse the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that has not catered for their interest.

    He flayed former President Olusegunn Obasanjo and his deputy, Atiku, for serving as clogs in the wheels of Lagos progress, stressing the former vice president is unworthy of Lagos votes.

    Tinubu said: “We have had progressive governments in Lagos since 1999. We have provided education and quality health.

    “We were the first to pay WAEC fees of students. We catered for poor women and widows. I handed over to Babatunde Fashola.

    “I asked him a question: what will happen, if you are elected governor? He said: ‘Lagos will not spoil.’

    “Obasanjo then came. We thought there was no way for a revolutionary economy without the Independent Power Project (IPP). I introduced IPP.

    “He and Atiku opposed it. I went to court. My lawyer was Osinbajo. I won and we started generating 300 megawatts.

    “If they had allowed IPP, Dunlop, Michelin would not have moved out of Nigeria.

    “Look at our roads and the traffic density. Obi (Peter) said he will create jobs. But, he has not been able to make brake pads and wheel spanners for the vehicles.

    “He said we should go and extend our port in Benin Republic. I call that container economy; Obi China.”

     

     

  • PDP fumes over denial of access to campaign venue

    The decision by the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to deny the Presidential Campaign Council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the use of its facilities for political rally, has heightened the animosity between the main opposition party and President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The PDP had booked and paid for the use of the Old Parade Ground, located in the Garki District in the capital city a few days ago, for the purpose of holding the party’s presidential campaign rally, originally billed to hold on Saturday.

    However, 24 hours before the scheduled event, the authorities of the FCT, managers of the facility, informed the leadership of the PDP that the Old Parade Group would no longer be available for the use of the party.

    This has forced the PDP to shift the proposed rally and await approval from the authorities of the FCT for another date, which was yet to be determined as of Saturday.

    At a media briefing in Abuja Saturday, the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, accused President Muhammadu Buhari of being behind the party’s travails.

    Ologbondiyan said the action signified a morbid fear of the rising profile of the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar by President Muhammadu Buhari and the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

    According to him, the shutout was part of the last kicks of a dying horse, which he said the Buhari Presidency now represents.

    The PDP spokesman said, “It is part of the plot by the frustrated President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC to drag the PDP and the people’s candidate to their low level of frustration in order to enmesh the coming election into crisis so as to achieve their self-succession bid.

    “We invite the world to note that this latest assault against the people’s candidate is also borne out of direct ill-will and hatred against him by President Muhammadu Buhari as well as his handlers, who have sought all ways to drag him down, since they realized that Nigerians have reached a consensus on Atiku Abubakar, as the next President of our country.

    Read Also: Mass defection hits Akwa Ibom PDP

    “Atiku Abubakar, being a true democrat and statesman has decided to go with the people in their collective quest to rescue our nation from the vengeful, divisive, violent prone, insensitive, completely incompetent and inherently corrupt Buhari administration”.

    The main opposition party cautioned President Buhari and the APC, saying that with the level of consensus Atiku enjoys throughout the country and even across the world, any assault on him is a direct assault on the overall aspiration and sensibilities of Nigerians as a whole.

    The PDP spokesman declared that the more the Buhari Presidency attacks the ‘people’s candidate’, the more his support base among Nigerians expands.

    Ologbondiyan warned that any further attack on PDP campaign will attract very dire response from Nigerians, who he said, look up to Atiku to salvage nation from the social, economic and political despondency, which he said President Buhari has plunged the country into.

    “From reports reaching us, it is not also out of place for the Buhari Presidency and the APC to use this measure to test the will of Nigerians as precursor to their rigging plots.

    “We want to place on record, once again that any attempt to rig the February 16 election will be vehemently resisted by Nigerians, across board, who have reached a consensus to rescue their nation from the stranglehold of the Buhari Presidency.

    “In any case, let it be known to President Buhari and the APC that the PDP and the people’s candidate will definitely hold our Presidential mega rally in Abuja irrespective of any further encumbrance they may attempt to foist.

    “Nigeria belongs to all of us and nobody can stop us from exercising our constitutionally guaranteed right of holding our rally in the FCT or any other part of our country for that matter”, Ologbondiyan declared.

    Asked why the PDP did not apply to use the much bigger and spacious Eagle Square, located close to the federal secretariat, Ologbondiyan said the party had applied for the facility but that the FCT authorities said the venue was not available for use.