The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Namadi Sambo

  • El Rufai accuses Kaduna governors of squandering funds

    El Rufai accuses Kaduna governors of squandering funds

    All Progressive Congress gubernatorial candidate in Kaduna State, Malam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai , on Monday alleged that Kaduna State successive governments have nothing to show for the over N600 billion they received from the Federation Account in the last seven years.

    El Rufai, who made this allegation as guest of Freedom Radio Hausa programme, “Barka da warhaka,” also said Kaduna State is the second most indebted state in Nigeria after Lagos State.

    He said, “Although Lagos State is more indebted than Kaduna State, but it has the capacity to pay. Governor Babatunde Fashola generates N20 billion monthly internally, but Kaduna does not get N1 billion from Internally Generated Revenue.”

    The former FCT minister also pointed out that Kaduna receives the second highest monthly statutory allocation from the Federation Account in the north after Kano State, saying, “yet it has nothing to show for it.”

    He, however, noted that his criticisms were not borne out of partisanship because other Peoples Democratic Party states like Gombe and Katsina are executing laudable projects, wondering “why should our own PDP government be different?”

    The governorship candidate also faulted the state government’s claim that it used most of the monies that accrued to it in the last seven years in paying debts.

  • FG not behind Boko Haram – Jonathan

    FG not behind Boko Haram – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday in Kano berated those insinuating that the Federal Government has a hand in the sponsorship of Boko Haram insurgency, arguing that there is no way a government in power, with all the security agencies apparatus at its disposal can take such a step.

    Jonathan, who spoke through Vice President Namadi Sambo, condoled the Kano State government, the Emir of Kano and people of the state over last Friday’s attack on the Kano central Mosque.

    He called on Nigerians to join hands and fight the war against terrorism, saying the menace will be a thing of the past.

    President Jonathan said, “I want to seize this opportunity to call on people not to listen to rumours as a lot of rumours are going around that it is the government that is doing this. The government can never and never ever kill its own people.

    “I will seize this singular opportunity to call on all Nigerians to be our their brothers’ keepers, to be security conscious and to continue to cooperate with the security agencies so that we will be able to achieve our noble objectives of bringing back peace, tranquility and development to our dear country.

    “Politics should not be part of this business and I must also seize this opportunity to call on those that have been spreading mischievous rumours all over that it is the government that is involved.

    “I want to say it categorically clear that the government is not a party to this and the government is doing everything to arrest this terrorist act. The government is doing everything to ensure that we go back to peace and with this insinuation, I want to draw our attention to the fact that the security operators of this country are headed by Muslims.

    “The National Security Adviser (NSA) of this country is a Muslim – Col. Sambo Dasuki, he is from Sokoto and he is from a Royal House. The Minister of Defence, Gen. Aliyu Gusau is from Zamfara State and he is a Muslim.”

  • Govt vows to eradicate polio

    Govt vows to eradicate polio

    Federal Government said yesterday that polio would be eradicated like the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    Vice President Namadi Sambo spoke at the State House, Abuja at a meeting of the Presidential Task Force on Polio Eradication.

    He said: “Government will give support to ensure sustained funding of the programme, procurement of the polio vaccines and introduction of new vaccines. It will work with traditional and religious leaders, development partners and other community-based organisations to ensure that no polio case is recorded in the country.”

  • Presidency summons IGP over NASS fracas

    Presidency summons IGP over NASS fracas

    The Presidency on Friday summoned the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, over the fracas witnessed at the National Assembly on Thursday.

    Policemen and women had blocked the entrance of the National Assembly complex to prevent lawmakers from accessing their offices and chambers.

    Most of the lawmakers, who scaled the fence, were tear-gassed by policemen acting on order from above.

    To address the crisis, Abba was summoned to the office of the Vice President Namadi Sambo at the State House, Abuja

    After about one hour closed-door meeting, the IGP emerged from the meeting and parried most of the questions thrown at him by journalists.

    The encounter is as follows:

    Did you authorise the invasion of the National Assembly by your men?

    IGP: “Who did what and who didn’t do what will be disclosed to you later. You know we work with investigations, investigations are going on and the press officer will address you.”

    Are you saying you are not aware of this operation?

    IGP: “I still repeat who did what, who didn’t do what you will hear later, it is subject to investigations. We just don’t talk anyhow.”

    Another interview with the Hausa service at the State House follows:

    Is it true that some of your police officers were injured?

    IGP: “Everybody has seen that somebody was even beating somebody, somebody was pushing a policeman from the car.

    “Somebody was removing road blocks mounted by police, we have never seen this kind of thing in the whole world. So we will talk to you later.”

    What action are you going to take?

    IGP: “Just wait, our findings will reveal.”

  • Sambo, House leaders meet at Aso Rock

    Sambo, House leaders meet at Aso Rock

    Vice President Namadi Sambo met yesterday behind closed doors with Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha and some House leaders at the State House, Abuja.

    Among those at the meeting with the vice president were House Leader Adeola Akande and Deputy House Leader Leo Ogor.

    They declined to speak with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting.

    But discussion at the meeting might have dwelled on the crisis rocking the National Assembly.

  • CBN’s costly ranches

    CBN’s costly ranches

    •We expect to see results for the whopping N100 billion

    The recurring conflicts between cattle-rearers and farmers across the country have left in their wake several incidents of avoidable bloodshed. This should not continue and must be addressed the right way. It seems the government has seen the need for this as the National Economic Council (NEC) has put in motion a machinery to address it. What we are worried about, however, is the source of funding of the initiative.

    The council, through its committee that was set up to assess the issue of grazing reserves in the country at its recent meeting presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, approved 14 out of the 15 recommendations brought before it. Among the approved recommendations, the NEC wants the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to provide the sum of N100bn to assist states to establish ‘mini-modern ranches’ across the country. This is to stem the tide of struggles for land and water resources by herdsmen and farmers.

    The idea, though seemingly noble but suspect in its implementation was arrived at by important stakeholders including Gabriel Suswam, Governor of Benue State, Dr. Suleman Abubakar, Minister of National Planning and Moses Adeyemo, Oyo State Deputy Governor, amongst others, whose spheres of control and leadership thrusts have been turned to battle fields by the cattle-rearers and farmers. They reportedly supported the idea of CBN funding of ranches when Suswam, who spoke for the committee, declared: “Some key recommendations in the report are: CBN to provide seed funding of N100billion to assist states to establish mini-modern ranches across the federation. All grazing reserves/cattle routes already gazetted and encroached upon should be recovered and improved upon, taking into consideration the present day realities; ranching and modern technologies of livestock production.’’

    We appreciate their concerns, especially on the uncontrolled influx of nomadic farmers into Nigeria and the challenging issues of grazing reserves in most states across the country. We want the matter to be resolved as quickly as possible because of its grave implication, especially for human lives and the environment. Also, the initiative, when implemented, should go beyond official mouthing; it must essentially happen across the country since we expect nothing short of empirical result. In the past, we only heard about mere intentions with funds purportedly released without result to show for it. This experience has led to the public impression that the ranches initiative might be a decoy to siphon money for the 2015 elections.

    But, must such huge amount of money come through the CBN? Is the apex bank going to accede to this kind of responsibility? How will the bank raise the money? Whose money is it that the CBN is about to throw around? And is this the trend with apex banks from other climes? Sometime ago, the CBN laughably planned to get involved in the printing of election materials. How could this be its duty? Moreover, the executive had accused the Sanusi Lamido Sanusi era as governor of the apex bank of un-curtailed frivolous spending; now that Lamido is out of the CBN, we want to see a show of circumspection in the manner of spending of the nation’s foremost bank.

    We do not subscribe to the immunity of the apex bank from parliamentary financial oversight. Notwithstanding the fact that the CBN has its own Board of Directors that approves its decisions, it is wrong for a topmost institution with a hefty budget larger than what states in the federation control not to be subjected to treasury/legislative accountability. The most important thing to us is to state, without equivocation, that the autonomy of the CBN does not make it a parallel government.

     

  • Lagos APC condemns closure of roads

    Lagos APC condemns closure of roads

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the “needless and unnecessary imposition of hardship” on Lagosians when public official visit the state.
    The party’s statement followed the “traumatic experiences of Lagosians on Friday” when Vice President Namadi Sambo visited the state to deliver a lecture at the Island Club.
    In a statement in Lagos by its Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, the APC advised public officials visiting Lagos to be mindful of the dynamics of Lagos as the engine room of the Nigerian economy.
    The statement reads: “We note that the penchant to lock down Lagos for a visiting public official has become so obsessive with the Presidency that Lagosians now dread the visiting of another official of the Presidency.
    “It is well known that whenever the President, Vice President, their wives and other Federal Government officials visit Lagos even for personal reasons, the state is locked down for hours.
    “Hapless citizens are always subjected to tortuous experiences on the roads. We wonder how this helps whatever missions these officials came to do in Lagos.
    “We want to appeal to all to respect the dynamics of Lagos and the feelings of the people who desire very minimal interference in the conduct of their daily businesses. This is the reason Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) moves round the state often without sirens.
    “We can imagine the hundreds of billions of Naira Nigerians lost last Friday as they sweated for hours on critical roads in the Central Business District just because all roads were closed for close to six hours.
    “Lagosians cannot afford such needless interference in their lives as they struggle with the vicissitudes of a floundering economy.
    “We appeal to visiting public officials to note that the dynamics of Lagos is the reason why it remains the last hope for a flailing Nigeria where Nigerians have been provided the enabling environment to work and make a living for themselves, their families and their dependant.
    “Lagos is a private sector-driven economy and as such we urge all to respect that prerogative and strive to constitute less impediment to the conduct of their activities.
    “We say enough of these needless obstructions to the lives of Lagosians and we wish that visiting public officers and politicians will see the need for this wish.”

  • FG will pay special attention to tourism – Jonathan

    FG will pay special attention to tourism – Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday promised that his administration will continue to pay special attention to the tourism sector in his transformation agenda.

    He stated this at the opening ceremony of the 28th National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) 2014 at the Abakaliki Township Stadium, Ebonyi.

    Represented by the Vice President, Arc Namadi Sambo, the President said because culture and tourism constitute a vector for job creation and economic empowerment for the youths and women government will continue giving the sector the necessary attention it deserves.

    The President said, “The federal government believes that a proper grasp of the people’s culture enhances understanding and smooth administration at all levels. We also believe that for tourism to make significant contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, it must be driven by the people’s culture and heritage.

    “We are happy to note that the success of Nollywood that is giving Nigeria a good image in the international arena has become a potent tool of national re-branding. This is attracting the desired global attention to our nation and its culture.”

    Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi, described the theme of this year’s festival, “Celebrating Nigeria at 100-The role of culture and tourism as a vehicle for national unity” as appropriate and timely.

    He said, “Even though culture in itself always portrays the tendency to discriminate against people of different background, the sudden awareness of its relevance as a pillar of civilization and an emblem of identity has proved that it is also a unifying factor in our quest for national integration.

    “Together we are a formidable force, together we represent the rich heritage of identity, together we have woven ourselves as one people unified and striving to be together.”

     

  • FG to commence dualisation of Otor road project

    FG to commence dualisation of Otor road project

    The Federal Government will commence dualisation of the Otor Road linking Edo and Delta States following the completion of the Otor Bridge project, Vice President Namadi Sambo has said.

    The Otor Bridge was built at N4.4 billion by an indigenous company, Inter Bau Construction.

    Sambo said that the successful completion of the bridge was a testimony of the benefits of the Transformational Agenda of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    He assured that the federal government was determined to upgrade the infrastructural base of the country, adding that the government decided to change the policy of arterial roads in 2012, which he claimed resulted in the completion of the bridge at a record time.

    He said: “It is gratifying to note that the completed bridge is already impacting on the lives of the people in terms of enhancing for farmers and better social integration between the communities on both sides of the bridge.

    “I am pleased to inform you that we have directed the Minister of Works to commence the design and dualisation of the road.”

    He said that the federal government will continue to partner with the private sector in the road sector as it occupies a strategic place.

    The Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, said that the completed bridge was part of the road which runs all the way from the Delta State capital of Asaba to Illah, Ebu all the Illushi, Ubiaja, Uromi and Irrua in Edo State.

  • Boko Haram members are no Muslims, says Jonathan

    Boko Haram members are no Muslims, says Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday dismissed Boko Haram members and other terrorists as no Muslims.

    He said that their violent activities such as murder, arson and bombing have no basis in Islam.

    “Boko Haram killing innocent children and women in market places, in mosques, schools  definitely has nothing to do with religion…What is happening globally now has no religious basis,” he said  while receiving  a delegation of the Muslim community during a courtesy call on him on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir, in Abuja.

    “A number of things that has to do with our belief system suppose to encourage us to see our neighbours as ourselves. Only yesterday (Friday), a British Aid worker was slaughtered by ISIS and that is not Islamic,” he told the delegation led by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

    He added:” For us as a nation, this period we should use it to charge ourselves, call on ourselves, encourage ourselves to continue to pray for the forgiveness of those who are doing things that are not religious and for Allah to see us through.

    “I believe in this country, I believe that Nigeria has a lot to offer not only to Nigerians but to the world and that surely we will get to where we want to go.”

    He said that whatever problems confronting Nigeria now  are  “very ephemeral and part of history of nation building” that will disappear in due course.

    “If you read the history of all nations, there is no nation that does not pass through some challenges but they got over them and move ahead. I think we are getting over our problems.”

    Speaking on the significance of the festival, President Jonathan said:”The hajj is quite unique, we just watched the people who are performing on television. You see that everybody wears the same thing. It shows that the kind of ranks we give to ourselves here are for the earthly journey.

    “There, no president, no messenger. That should teach us that we should be humble and be kind to ourselves in the spirit of the moment, giving gifts and that reminds us about the significance of the moment when Abraham was to sacrifice his son, the only one he had, of course, the angel replaced it with a ram. That is the essence of this period.

    “This year is quite significant in terms of celebrating Sallah, the Arafat day came on a Friday and from what I was told it takes a long time to have that coincidence and remembering the fact that 2014 is our centenary year, that shows that something good is happening to this country.

    “We may have our challenges as other nations but when things begin to happen in a particular way, I begin to see light at the end of the tunnel.”

    Vice President Namadi Sambo thanked Jonathan for his continued support to Muslims in Nigeria to enable them perform one of the cardinal pillars of Islam.

    He prayed for continued peace in Nigeria and for God to continue to give President Jonathan the wisdom and the strength to lead the nation and to achieve the transformation agenda.

    “We will continue to pray so that in the shortest time we will be able to overcome insurgency and other challenges,” he said.

    In the Vice President’s  entourage were Police  Inspector General Suleiman Abba;  Primate of the Anglican Communion, the Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh; National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki; Senator Phillip Aduda, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Umar Ghali Na’Abba, ministers and other top government officials.