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Tag: PRESIDENCY

  • Buhari has no certificate scandal, says Presidency

    Buhari has no certificate scandal, says Presidency

    The Presidency on Sunday declared that President Muhammadu Buhari has no
    certificate scandal.

    The Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, was
    reacting to a report in a national newspaper on leaders with past certificate controversy.

    In the letter to the organization, Shehu wrote: “In reaction to your cover
    story this morning Sunday, March 26,2017, we wish to emphatically state
    that President Muhammadu Buhari does not fit into your categorization of
    leaders with certificate scandals because he bears none that is on
    available records.”

    “In the course of the contest for the office of the President in 2015, a
    number of wild, untrue and malicious allegations were made against him in
    order to stop him from contesting for the office in the election.

    “The issue of certificates was raised against him but the campaign
    successfully dealt with the allegations by providing evidence that not only
    was he qualified to run, he had a far higher academic qualification than is
    required by the constitution. As a result, he went on to run for the office
    and eventually win.

    “Since the purpose of the challenge was primarily to stop him from being a
    candidate in that election, the challengers either voluntarily withdrew or
    abandoned the cases soon after he won and all of them were subsequently
    struck off by the courts.

    “The President has no certificate case hanging on his neck. The Punch
    editors should kindly update their records to avoid making this repeated
    mistake,” he stated.

  • Presidency, Reps parley to end recession

    Presidency, Reps parley to end recession

    The Presidency on Thursday met with members of the House of Representatives on how to get Nigeria out of recession.

    The closed- door meeting was held in the office of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in the State House, Abuja.

    The lawmakers, who are members of the Tactical Committee on Recession, were led by Committee Chairman, Dr. Bode Ayorinde.

    The meeting aimed at promoting cordiality and progressive synergy between the National Assembly and the Presidency, had in attendance the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma.

    The vice president, during the meeting called on political leaders in the country to commit themselves to doing something collectively and individually that can alter the ways things are done in Nigeria for good.

    A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Laolu Akande, said Osinbajo also urged the leaders to use their positions to effect changes that would benefit the citizenry.

    He stressed that leadership was a call to service.

    He said: “How many people will get this kind of opportunity we have to lead? The opportunity to serve is one that must be taken seriously and used for the common good.’’

    On corruption, and its attendant abnormality in matters of development, the vice president said “it is in our interest to deal with corruption, this is not moralising, it is an existential threat, it a survival issue.”

    “`We need to address the fundamentals of that abnormality. If we do not address it, no matter what we say, things won’t work.

    “I think it is very important, especially for us who are in government today either as legislature or executive. We have to address this issue, it is a fundamental issue; everywhere in the world, even where they do not have the problems we have, they are addressing the issue.”

     

  • Why elite criticise Buhari, by Presidency

    The Presidency has said efforts to get the nation out of state of misery brought about by recession are yielding many results in the area of agriculture.

    According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, as part of the plan, the price of fertiliser has gone down to about N5,500 per bag.

    He said: “Because the elite don’t care for ordinary people, they are saying that government is doing nothing but we are doing a lot for the ordinary people.

    “They don’t want us to talk about the 14 solar power projects that have been licensed to boost electricity supply in the country; the Mambila power project which will soon leave the drawing boards and the many Chinese projects, including the standard gauge railway.

    “This country has more important things to talk about instead of dwelling on trivia.”

    He said the price of a bag of fertiliser is down from about  N9,000 to N10,000 per bag to N5,500.

    “This country has about 32 fertiliser blending plants that have remained idle for many years. But about half that number are now in production with many of them running three shifts a day,” he said.

    Some of them, he said, employ as many as 100 workers.

    On the flagship agricultural programme of rice production in the country, the Presidential spokesman said: “While in 2014, we bought 1.2 million tonnes of rice from Thailand, only 58,000 tonnes were imported last year.”

    He said as a result of the country’s growing rice production, assisted by the decision by the government to deny foreign exchange through the Central Bank for the importation of rice “parboiled rice mills in some Asian countries are shutting down because Nigeria, one of the world’s largest importers, is not buying.

    “Five of such mills in Thailand servicing Nigeria have stopped production due to the withdrawal of our patronage.

    “Currently, government is watching with keen interest, the growing investment in rice milling by the private sector and will continue to give encouragement through the Ministry of Agriculture to such efforts by BUA Industries  in Jigawa, Dangote in Kano, OLAM and WACOTT in Nassarawa and Kebbi and what a consortium of businessmen lead by a former Governor in Anambra State are doing.

    “The increase in the volume of rice production and processing is already saving this country a lot of money.”

    Garba also indicated that the administration’s agricultural revolution was bringing about other socio-economic changes in the country.

    He said: “A recent survey in two urban areas in Jigawa State, the capital Dutse and Kiyawa, showed that jobless young men are migrating from motor cycle taxi, achaba, to farming. In Kiyawa, it takes a long wait to catch a motor cycle taxi because they are rapidly disappearing. The young men are moving to the farms.

    “These are development issues in the country that our media should pay attention to.”

  • Blame Presidency for Magu’s rejection, says Balarabe Musa

    Blame Presidency for Magu’s rejection, says Balarabe Musa

    Former Kaduna State second republic governor, Balarabe Musa has described the disqualification of the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu by the Senate as a discredit to the entire system.

    Musa faulted the presidency for not working effectively with the legislators, before the confirmation date.

    The elder statesman in an interview with our correspondent on the development said it is now left to President Muhammadu Buhari to salvage the situation by calling appropriate authorities to order.

    He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), for releasing the 2019 presidential election date adding that it will give room for adequate preparation by all stakeholders and prompt release of fund by government.

  • Presidency orders investigation on sack of whistle-blower

    Presidency orders investigation on sack of whistle-blower

    Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama said on Friday that Mr Ntia Thompson, sacked by the Ministry over whistle blowing, would be reinstated, if actually his appointment was wrongfully terminated.

    Onyeama, who stated this in Abuja while fielding questions from newsmen on the issue, said that Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo had directed him to look into the matter.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that Thompson, an assistant director with the Directorate for Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA), was sacked for allegedly exposing a fraud in his office.

    Thompson was said to have been sacked for allegedly raising an alarm that $229,000 and N800, 000 had been diverted by key officials in DTCA, an agency under Foreign Affairs Ministry.

    Onyeama said he had a comprehensive report on that matter and steps would be taken to ensure that justice is done on all the issues that were raised.

    “I want to tell Nigerians that whistle blower protection is what we subscribed to wholeheartedly and completely in the ministry and it is government’s position and directive.

    “I personally assure you that throughout my tenure, I will do everything possible to protect whistle blower in the ministry.

    “Because the agenda of the government is a clear one that will embrace whistle blower,” he said

    He said that he was going to look at the report and keep the public informed about the outcome of his findings.

    According to him, if there is a slightest possibility that there could have been any action that was taken as a result of the person being a whistle blower, damages would be paid

    “I can give you a guarantee that damages would be paid and the person would be reinstated.

    “And, measure would be taken on this; as far as this ministry is concern justice would be done,” he pledged. (NAN)

  • Presidency awaits letter from Senate on Magu’s rejection

    Presidency awaits letter from Senate on Magu’s rejection

    •Ndume kicks   •Consultations begin with stakeholders

    The Presidency will not react to the rejection of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu until it receives an official communication from the Senate.

    There were, however, ongoing consultations with some stakeholders on the fate of Magu.

    But a former Senate Leader, Sen. Ali Ndume yesterday faulted the rejection of Magu by the Senate.

    He said if the Senate could disqualify Magu on the basis of mere allegations, the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and other Senators on trial have no business in the chamber.

    He regretted that Magu was not given the benefit of the doubt.

    The position of the presidency was made known in a tweet by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina.

    Adesina said: “The Presidency will respond to the non-clearance of Magu as EFCC boss after it receives official communication in writing from the Senate.”

    A government source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The President was already aware of the decision of the Senate but he wanted details on how the chamber arrived at its decision.

    “While still awaiting the letter, consultations have started in government on the implications of the Senate’s decision for the anti-graft war.

    “Definitely, the President will still seek the input of others on whether to retain Magu.”

    Ndume, who spoke on Channels Television, described Magu’s rejection as “unfortunate”.

    He said: “We have all been accused of some allegations at different times.  I have been accused of sponsoring Boko Haram, and the Senate President is still going to court on some allegations. It is the same as other members who have cases in court. Yet they occupy seats in the Senate.

    So, if you say because of the allegations he (Magu) should not be confirmed, then I should not be a sitting senator and Saraki should not be there as Senate President.

    “The issue at stake is an accusation. In the normal circumstance and by our constitution, accusation is not conviction. The Constitution of Nigeria is clear that every Nigerian is innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt by a competent court of law.”

    On the N39million apartment allegedly rented for Magu, the ex-Senate Leader said: “The house is not in his name.

    “It’s a house called the safe house which was rented because of the rigorous work he is doing. You can’t afford to have somebody like that living in Karu or a densely populated area.”

    Ndume, who said it was proper to lobby for Magu because it is part of legislative business, expressed regrets that APC could not take advantage of its strength of 65 senators to secure clearance for Magu.

    He added: “There is no crime against lobbying, in fact we are supposed to lobby. I lobbied most of the senators but sometimes you keep on learning because this is kind of new.

    “It is unfortunate that Magu could be rejected in a government where APC is in the majority and the president nominated a candidate for the second time after clarification on the allegations.

    He dismissed insinuations that President Muhammadu Buhari would have been aware of Magu’s rejection when he met with Saraki and House of Representatives, Speaker Yakubu Dogara at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday.

    “The President I know is not the kind of person that would interfere in such matters. I would have been surprised if the President discussed the issue of confirmation when he met the leaders of the National Assembly.”

    Meanwhile, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (Transparency International’s contact in Nigeria) and Zero-corruption Coalition (ZCC), yesterday faulted the Senate’s decision to reject Magu

    CISLAC made its position known in a statement by its coordinator, Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani)

    The statement said: “We express deep concern at the turn of events as we are aware of President Buhari’s determination to fight corruption, which can be seen in the uncovering of judicial corruption and repatriation of looted funds headed by the EFCC under the leadership of Magu.

    “This is the reason the President recommended him and still re-nominated him after he was first rejected.

    “There is no doubt that Magu’s performance as Acting Chairman of EFCC has been commendable and it is quite worrisome that the person who is at the forefront of recovering stolen funds within and outside the country, was rejected for a second time, despite being nominated by the president.

    “Nigeria is a very important country in West Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, but corruption has been the major malaise that has hindered development in almost all sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

    “If the fight against corruption is allowed to lose the momentum it has gathered, because of the leadership hassle over the confirmation of the leadership of the EFCC, one of the major anti-corruption agencies in Nigeria, we may likely be back to square one in the fight against corruption.

    “We call on the President not to allow the fight against corruption to lose steam on account of the non-confirmation of Magu. The Whistle Blowers’ Policy of the Federal Government must be exploited in the tackling of corruption and the government must quickly come up with an Executive Bill on Whistle Blowers Protection to ensure that the policy is better institutionalized.

    “CISLAC and ZCC appreciate the efforts some of the senators are making to ensure that corruption is tackled in Nigeria and urge other senators to queue behind the agenda, as nothing less is expected of them knowing the level in which corruption has eaten deep into our social fabrics to avoid negative perception of their roles in this venture.

    “It is crucial that the EFCC has a confirmed leader with integrity to sustain the fight against corruption and also prevent the recovered funds from being ‘re-looted’ in this leadership tussle. “We advise all well-meaning Nigerians and the media to speak out against all manners of unjust decision or resolution by the legislature or any other organ of government to subvert the on-going anti-corruption fight in the country.”

  • Breaking: Buhari returns tomorrow – Presidency

    Breaking: Buhari returns tomorrow – Presidency

    President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to return on Friday to Nigeria from the United Kingdom.

    A statement by the Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, reads: “The President left the country on January 19, 2017 for a vacation, during which he had routine medical check-ups. The holiday was extended based on doctors’ recommendation for further tests and rest.

    “President Buhari expresses appreciation to teeming Nigerians from across the country, and beyond, who had prayed fervently for him, and also sent their good wishes,” he added

    By returning on Friday, the President would have spent 50 days in the UK.

    Before leaving Nigeria, he had sent a letter to the National Assembly for 10 days vacation and naming Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as Acting President in his absence.

    Buhari could not resume duties on the 6th of February as contained in his first letter to the National Assembly when departing Nigeria.

     

  • Keeping Presidency indivisible

    No doubt Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has clearly been calling the shots since President Muhammadu Buhari embarked on vacation in the United Kingdom.

    Buhari, unlike some past leaders, has made that possible when he transmitted letters to the National Assembly in line with the 1999 Constitution.

    That move paved the way for Osinbajo to act in Buhari’s absence since January 19.

    But what has become worrisome now is the alarm raised by the Presidency last week of deliberate and calculated attempts by some individuals to divide the house.

    The Presidency believed that the individuals are bent on causing division between Buhari and Osinbajo.

    They have been praising Osinbajo since the naira appreciated against the dollar under his watch.

    They have also thumbed up for Osinbajo for the relative peace in the Niger Delta region, which has led to stoppage of sabotage and bombing of oil and power installations.

    The new peace in the area has increased oil production to over two million barrels per day, which had hovered around one million barrels during the period of hostilities.

    Generation of power has also increased to over 4,000 megawatts with the availability of more gas.

    Apart from signing seven bills into law, Walter Onnoghen was also confirmed by the Senate as substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) after Osinbajo forwarded his name to the National Assembly  just before the expiration of his 90-day acting status.

    So this set of Nigerians general believed that things are better under Osinbajo as Acting President in comparison to Buhari in the saddle.

    But the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojudu, faulted them, warning that they have bad plots against the unity of the Presidency.

    He said: “I think it is thoughtless. I also see it as a ploy by the opposition to cause an unnecessary ýdivision. It is joint ticket, the president and the vice president were elected based on the manifesto of the party and since they were sworn-in they have been committed to implementing that manifesto.

    “The same people who said we never had economic team, no policy, nothing are the ones saying this. It is now that the policies we are implementing are maturing and they are seeing the result. It is not a question of one person being better than the other person.

    “I will give you an example, there is nothing that has been done since the vice president started acting that is not something that started far back in the past.

    “A good example is the Niger Delta initiative. The President called the Vice President and said I am giving you the mandate, go into the Niger Delta meet with everyone who is a stakeholder, all the communities, talk to the militants and make sure you solve this problem for the benefits of Nigerians.

    “We are losing 1.2 million barrels of oil per day, all the gas pipelines powering the turbines are being blown up.

    “And the President has said unless and until we resolve this problem we will not get out of recession.

    “The Vice President took up the mandate and went to the Niger Delta, it is the initiative of Mr. President not that of Vice President.

    “This is mischief makers, those who do not wish this country well, who are always promoting crisis, who will not allow the people to benefit from this democracy, are the ones promoting this kindý of divisive tendencies.” he added

    Noting that the Acting President has been consulting with the President in London, he said: “Almost on a daily basis, yes.ý Well, there are things he still needs to consult the President, I mean it’s not a regular thing but major decisions he still has to consult Mr. President. The president is still the president.

    “ýHe is in charge but like I said earlier on, this is a joint ticket the president of Nigeria remains the president of Nigeria. He is acting because it is one government and the same.

    “He is more experienced, he has been in the game longer than the vice president and if there are major issues that he needs to take decision on, he could call on him and say Sir, what do you think about this we are about to take decision on it, do you have opinion? That does not mean he is not in charge.” he said

    He added: “Again, one other thing you have to see is that if you give someone a responsibility, he must be able to show to Mr. President that despite that he is not around, it is not going to create any vacuum.

    “He can then decide not to sleep at all, all through the time the president is away just to show him that he is capable of ensuring that Nigeria goes on well while he is away.

    “And the President could also have given the mandate let nothing go wrong, I believe in you, I appointed you as my Vice President you must make sure that you do this. If you have a boss who gives you an assignment you will want to impress him and Nigerians as well and that for me is what has happened. ýIt is not that one person is better than the other, certainly not.

    “I’m telling you that I have seen some things sent out intentionally to cause some kind of division within the presidency. Some people who have been condemning everybody in the past, I see them on twitter and on facebook and generally on social media. Some people are trying to promote division and we are not going to allow that.

    “This president and vice president worked together in tandem and I know they both have confidence in this nation.” he said

    While Nigerians have the right to appreciate the improvements they are seeing in the government, it definitely will not augur well for the relationship between the President and the Vice President to be strained.

    When two elephants fight…

     

  • Economy way out of recession, says Presidency

    Economy way out of recession, says Presidency

    • 2016 GDP figures show growth in agriculture

    There are indications that the economy is on its way out of recession, the   Presidency said yesterday.

    It hinged its optimism on the year 2016 economic overall performance and last quarter Gross Domestic Product reports.

    A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Adeyemi Dipeolu, said a review of the recent GDP figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), showed a contraction of -1.30 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2016, translating into an estimated economic growth rate of -1.51 per cent for the full year.

    He pointed out that the economy actually performed better overall last year as the growth rate was higher with a contraction at -1.5 per cent, than the -1.8 per cent predicted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The recession may have buttomed out with the improving trends in several key sectors of the economy, including agriculture and mining, Dipeolu said.

    He said with the ongoing engagement of the oil-producing communities of the Niger Delta, the Buhari administration is hopeful that increased oil production output would be sustained.

    He said the ongoing implementation of the Social Investment Programmes, and a possible early legislative passage of the 2017 budget, are expected to spur a positive multiplier effect on the Nigerian economy.

    The Buhari administration, he said, will not relent in its determined effort and it’s comprehensive approach to bring about the full recovery of the Nigerian economy and set it on a solid path of sustainable growth.

    He said: “The recently released data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contracted by -1.30% in the fourth quarter of 2016. This translated into an estimated growth rate of -1.51% for the full year 2016. These figures reflect the slow-down in the economy for most of 2016 but also show that the recession may have bottomed out because of an improving trend in several key sectors.

    “Although the oil sector declined by -12.38% on a year on year basis, this was a relative improvement compared to the third quarter when the decline amounted to -22.01%.  This outcome was due mainly to increases in production such that the quarter on quarter growth for the oil sector between the third and fourth quarters was 8.07%.

    “The non-oil sector however declined by 0.33% after showing some resilience in the third quarter when it grew by 0.03% at the height of the recession.

    “Agriculture grew at 4.03% in the fourth quarter of 2016 which was a marginal decrease from the 4.54% growth in the third quarter.  This is mainly because agriculture (especially crop production, which accounts for the bulk of agricultural production) is highly seasonal, with growth in the third quarter of the year usually higher than the others.  Nevertheless, the overall outcome for the year was that the agricultural sector grew by 4.11% for the whole of 2016 which was higher than the figure of 3.72% for 2015.” he added

    He also said that the manufacturing sector actually grew on a quarter on quarter basis by 1.89% but declined over the year by 4.32% reflecting the problems that the sector faced in the course of the year due to a combination of factors including the depreciation in the exchange rate and higher energy costs.

    The metal ores sub-sector, he said, grew by 7.03% in Q4 of 2016 as compared to 6.93% in the last quarter of 2015, justifying the priority that the Federal Government continues to give to solid minerals.

  • Economy coming out of recession – Presidency

    The Presidency on Tuesday reacted to the review of the economy by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), saying the report indicated that the economy was coming out of recession.

    “There are now indications that the Nigerian economy is well on its way out of recession considering the 2016 overall and last quarter Gross Domestic Product reports,’’ the Presidential Adviser on Economic Matters, Dr Adeyemi Dipeolu, said in a statement.

    A review of the recent GDP figures released by the NBS shows a contraction of -1.30 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2016, translating into an estimated economic growth rate of -1.51 per cent for the full year.

    Dipeolu said the Nigerian economy actually performed better overall last year as the growth rate was higher with a contraction at -1.5 per cent than the -1.8 per cent predicted by the IMF.

    He said the report had raised the hope that Nigeria was gradually coming out of recession with the improving trends in several key sectors of the economy including agriculture and mining.

    The presidential aide said the Buhari administration was also hopeful that with the series of ongoing engagement with the oil-producing communities of the Niger Delta, the increased oil production output would be sustained.

    He added that the ongoing implementation of the Social Investment Programmes and significant infrastructural spending of the Federal Government would spur a positive multiplier effect on the Nigerian economy.

    He said same effect was expected from the possible early legislative passage of the 2017 budget.

    “The Buhari administration will not relent in its determined effort and its comprehensive approach to bring about the full recovery of the Nigerian economy and set it on a solid path of sustainable growth.

    “Our work continues and we renew the pledge to do it with diligence, and the firm commitment it deserves,’’ he said.(NAN)