The Nation Newspaper

Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • ‘Nigeria safe in Buhari’s hands’

    ‘Nigeria safe in Buhari’s hands’

    A don, Malam Bashir Yankuzu, says Nigeria is safe in the hands of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Yankuzu, who is of the Department of Science Education, Federal University of Technology, Minna stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Monday.

    He was reacting to the President’s address to the country on Sunday to mark Nigeria’s 57th independence anniversary.

    “Our prayer is that Allah grants him divine guidance, good health and a good team to properly steer the affairs of the country.”

    According to him, although the country is passing through challenges due to accumulated failure in governance, the President’s s ability to clearly identify three key problem – security, economy and corruption – signifies a good omen for the country.

    He stated that the economy diversification policy of the government is already clearly yielding fruitful results, as seen in the agriculture sector.

    “Objective reflection on the level of insecurity and looting that nearly brought this country to a standstill before the coming of Buhari and the effort his government is putting in place is commendable.

    “No wonder despite the current hardship and distracting activities of some corrupt elements, the masses are still with President Buhari.

    “Now, with the commendable appointment of Justice Ayo Salami, chairman of the anti-graft committee, it is my hope that the fight against corruption at all levels will reach all the nooks and corners of the society with clear results to the benefit of the country.

    “Nigerians of good minds must redouble their commitments and support the President in his effort at fixing the challenges facing the country especially in exposing corrupt public officers.

    “We hope that come 2020 we will celebrate with President Buhari not only the target 10,000 mw of power but also a secured and self-reliant country especially in areas of food security and job creation.’’

    He advised the Federal Government to do more to improve the education sector at all levels.

    He also called on the media to come up with programmes that would help educate the public and sensitise it to the effective ways of holding leaders at all levels accountable.

    He added that such programmes should also suggest ways by which to expose corrupt public officers through the using the Federal Government’s whistleblowing policy.

  • No country will build Nigeria without personal gains – Lawal

    No country will build Nigeria without personal gains – Lawal

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) Diaspora Chieftain and Global Affairs Analyst, Ayoola Lawal, in his message as Nigeria celebrate her 57th independence anniversary, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for departing from ‘the status quo of the financial recklessness and wasteful spending of past governments in the name of independence celebration’.

    Speaking to The Nation on the celebration of Nigeria ‘s 57th Independence Anniversary, Lawal, Chairman APC Scandinavia, noted that choosing to visit the gallant troops who are currently battling to wholly reclaim parts of the country from Boko Haram Insurgents, “depicts the dawn of a new era of mindfulness and care in the history of our nation.

    Ayoola Lawal, Chairman, APC Scandinavia

    The President’s action is a way to show appreciation for their bravery in defending the nation rather than celebrating with the elites and the power brokers and lobbyist in Abuja.

    “No doubt that Nigeria has recorded certain unique feats as a nation after 57 years of independence, however, much more is required in terms of equity in the distribution of resources, good governance, regional sense of belonging, the rule of law, the promotion of excellence over mediocrity due to nepotism and tribalism, and real patriotism,” he said.

    According to him, citizens of Nigeria both home and in the diaspora, all need a paradigm shift and be true to conscience rather than greed and utopia. He stated clearly that “no external government will build our nation for us except on special interest at our long-term disadvantage.

    “With the growing level of political awareness, freedom of speech and social connectivity in contemporary time, I have no iota of doubt that Nigeria will be great again because we are on the right path of steady sustainable development,” he noted.

    The APC Diaspora Chieftain further urged Nigerians to put the greater good of all first as against the “Me, Myself and I” attitude that has left the country wallowing in pains of stagnancy.

  • Corruption: NASS challenged on swift passage of anti-corruption Bills

    Corruption: NASS challenged on swift passage of anti-corruption Bills

    President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged the National Assembly on the need for swift passage of laws fighting Corruption

    Buhari gave the charge in a nationwide broadcast to Nigerians to commemorate the country’s 57th Independence anniversary on Sunday in Abuja.

    He acknowledged that fighting corruption was never going to be a straightforward task, but said the government had empowered teams of prosecutors and assembled detailed databases for effective and efficient prosecution of corrupt officials.

    “We are fully aware that fighting corruption was never going to be a straightforward task.

    “We expected corrupt elements to use any weapon to fight back, mainly through judicial obstruction and political diversion.

    “But, we are determined to eradicate corruption from our body politic,’’ he said.

    Commending the National Assembly, however, for refocusing on its oversight committees, Buhari called on all Nigerians to combat corruption at every turn.

    He reassured that his administration on its part, would work for accountability at all levels of government.

    He stated that already, the Federal Government had accelerated the recovery of stolen funds, adding that Nigeria had signed multi-lateral cooperation agreements on criminal matters with friendly countries.

    The president, on Aug. 24, signed nine different agreements, including the Extradition Treaty between Nigeria and United Arab Emirates (UAE), toward strengthening Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign.

    The pact includes Judicial Agreements on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters, and Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal and Commercial Matters (the recovery and repatriation of stolen wealth).

    “I commend the National Assembly for refocusing on its oversight committees.

    “They should, in addition, ensure swift passage of enabling corruption bills. But, fighting corruption is a bottom to top operation.

    “I call on all Nigerians to combat corruption at every turn, By not asking for and refusing to accept a bribe, by reporting unethical practices or by blowing a whistle, together we can beat corruption.

    “The government for its part will work for accountability at all levels – Federal, State and Local Governments. CHANGE will then be real,’’ he said.

    Buhari also identified some of his administration’s new institutional reforms to include enforcing Treasury Single Account, Whistle-Blowers Policy and Integrated Payroll Personnel and Information System.

    He noted that there were also signs of increasing cooperation from the nation’s judiciary.

    He said: “Recently, the Chief Justice of the Federation directed Heads of all our Courts of first instance and Appeal to accelerate hearings of corruption cases and dismiss any judicial officer found to have been compromised.

    “Justice Salami has just been appointed to chair the Judiciary’s anti-graft committee. Government expects a lot from this Committee.’’

    The president also stated that his administration had resolved to intensify efforts toward addressing the country’s challenges and problems to accelerate progress and prosperity across the nation.

  • Nigeria@57: Power remains a huge problem – Buhari

    Nigeria@57: Power remains a huge problem – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari says power remains a huge problem to the country despite the fact that energy production has reached an all time high of 7,001 Megawatts as of Sept 12.

    President Buhari stated this in his broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 57thindependence anniversary on Sunday in Abuja.

    He, however, saidd that government was increasing its investment, clearing up the operational and financial log jam bedevilling the sector.

     

    President Buhari also announced that a new presidential initiative that would create a minimum of 10,000 jobs for unemployed youths across 36 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would be soon inaugurated with the aid of CBN’s development finance initiatives.

    He noted with delight that the country had recorded seven consecutive months of lower inflation.

    “Naira rate is beginning to stabilize, appreciating from N525 to one dollar in February this year to N360 today.

    “Broad-based economic growth is leading us out of recession.

    “Elsewhere in the economy the special window created for manufacturers, investors and exporters, foreign exchange requirements have proved very effective. Since April, about seven billion dollars has come through this window alone.

    “The main effect of these policies is improved confidence in the economy and better investment sentiments.’’

  • President Muhammadu Buhari’s Independence Broadcast 2017(Full Text)

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s Independence Broadcast 2017(Full Text)

    October 1st remains a special date for all Nigerians as this marks the day when we attained one of the most precious of human desires — freedom.

    Over the years the country has gone through trials and tribulations, but October 1st is always a day for celebrations.

    It is a day for thanks giving, reflection and re-dedication.

    It is also a day for remembrance. We should remind ourselves of the recent journey from 1999 – 2015, when our country happily returned to democratic rule.

     However, in spite of oil prices being an average of $100 per barrel and about 2.1m barrels a day, that great piece of luck was squandered and the country’s social and physical infrastructure neglected.

    We were left with no savings and huge infrastructure deficit.

    The APC Government’s Campaign rallying cry to restore security, re-balance the economy and fight corruption was not all rhetoric.

    The country must first be secured. The economy must be re-balanced so that we do not depend on oil alone. We must fight corruption which is Nigeria’s Number One Enemy. Our Administration is tackling these tasks in earnest.

    In the past two years, Nigeria has recorded appreciable gains in political freedom. A political Party at the Centre losing elections of State Governor, National Assembly seat and even State Assemblies to the opposition parties is new to Nigeria. Added to these are complete freedom to associate, to hold and disseminate opinions. Such developments clearly attest to the country’s growing political development. But like all freedoms, this is open to abuse.

    Recent calls on re-structuring, quite proper in a legitimate debate, has let in highly irresponsible groups to call for dismemberment of the country. We can not and we will not allow such advocacy.

    As a young Army Officer, I took part from the beginning to the end in our tragic civil war costing about 2m lives, resulting in fearful destruction and untold suffering. Those who are agitating for a re-run were not born by 1967 and have no idea of the horrendous consequences of the civil conflict which we went through.

    I am very disappointed that responsible leaders of these communities do not warn their hot-headed youths what the country went through. Those who were there should tell those who were not there, the consequences of such folly.

    At all events, proper dialogue and any desired constitutional changes should take place in a rational manner, at the National and State Assemblies. These are the proper and legal fora for National debate, not some lop-sided, un-democratic body with pre-determined set of objectives.

    Government is keeping up the momentum of dialogue with stakeholders in the Niger Delta to keep the peace. We intend to address genuine grievances of the communities.

    Government is grateful to the responsible leadership of those communities and will pursue lasting peace in the Niger Delta.

    SECURITY

    On security, Nigerians must be grateful to our gallant Armed Forces for rolling back the frontiers of Boko Haram’s terrorism, defeating them and reducing them to cowardly attacks on soft and vulnerable targets.

    Nigeria is grateful to its neighbours and the international community for the collective efforts to defeat this world-wide menace of terrorism.

    Not even the most organized and most equipped police and security forces in the world can escape the menace of modern day terrorism, as we have seen in recent years in Europe and other parts of the world.

    But we are not letting up. Our Armed Forces in an effort to enhance the operational capability of troops of OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE have established Mobile Strike Teams in the North East. These will ensure the final push to wipe out the remnants of Boko Haram.

    In addition, through targeted air strikes most of the leadership and identified logistics bases and routes of the insurgents have been neutralized. The Armed Forces have established a Naval presence in the Lake Chad Basin as part of the coordinated military efforts to curtail the movements or re-emergence of the sect in the area.

    Government is working round the clock to ensure release of the remaining Chibok girls, as well as other persons in Boko Haram captivity. Government will continue to support the Armed Forces and other security agencies to fight not only terrorism, but kidnapping, armed robberies, herdsmen/farmers violence and to ensure peace, stability and security in our country.

    ECONOMY

    With respect to the economy, the Government has remained pro-active in its diversification policy. The Federal Government’s agricultural Anchor Borrowers Programme, which I launched in November 2015, has been an outstanding success with:

    · N43.92 billion released through the CBN and 13 participating institutions,

    · 200,000 small holder farmers from 29 states of the federation benefitting,

    · 233,000 hectares of farmland cultivating eight commodities, namely Rice, Wheat, Maize, Cotton, soya-beans, Poultry, Cassava and Groundnuts, in addition to fish farming.

    These initiatives have been undertaken in close collaboration with the states. I wish to commend the efforts of the Governors of Kebbi, Lagos, Ebonyi and Jigawa States for their support to the rice and fertilizer revolutions.

    Equally commendable are contributions of the Governors of Ondo, Edo, Delta, Imo, Cross River, Benue, Ogun, Kaduna and Plateau States for their support for the Presidential initiative for palm oil, rubber, cashew, cassava, potatoes and others crops.

    With the abundance of rainfall last year and this year, agriculture has enjoyed Divine intervention.

    Since December last year, this Administration has produced over 7 million 50Kg bags of fertilizer. Eleven blending plants with a capacity of 2.1 million metric tons have been reactivated. We have saved $150 million in foreign exchange and N60 billion in subsidy. Fertilizer prices have dropped from N13,000 per 50Kg bag to N5,500.

    Furthermore, a new presidential initiative is starting with each state of the Federation creating a minimum of 10,000 jobs for unemployed youths, again with the aid of CBN’s development finance initiatives.

    Power remains a huge problem. As of September 12th, production of power reached an all — time high of 7,001 Megawatts. Government is increasing its investment, clearing up the operational and financial log jam bedeviling the industry. We hope to reach 10,000 Megawatts by 2020.

    Key priorities include better energy mix through solar and Hydro technologies. I am glad to say that after many years of limbo, Mambilla Power Project has taken off.

    Elsewhere in the economy the special window created for manufacturers, investors and exporters, foreign exchange requirements has proved very effective. Since April, about $7 billion has come through this window alone. The main effect of these policies is improved confidence in the economy and better investment sentiments.

    The country has recorded 7 consecutive months of lower inflation, Naira rate is beginning to stabilize, appreciating from N525 per $1 in  February this year to N360 today. Broad-based economic growth is leading us out of recession.

    Furthermore, in order to stabilize the polity, the Federal Government gave additional support to states in the form of:

    ·State Excess Crude Account loans,

    ·Budget Support Facility,

    ·Stabilization Fund Release

    to state and local government as follows:

    ·N200 billion in 2015

    ·N441 billion in 2016

    ·N1 trillion in 2017

    Altogether totaling N1.642 trillion.

    This was done to enable states to pay outstanding salaries, pensions and small business suppliers who had been all but crippled over the years.

    In addition, the Government’s current N500 billion Special Intervention Programme is targeting groups through;

    · Home Grown School Feeding Programme,

    · N-Power Job creation to provide loans to small-scale traders and artisans,

    · Conditional Cash Transfer,

    ·Family Homes Fund and

    ·Social Housing Scheme

    CORRUPTION

    Fellow Nigerians,

    We are fully aware that fighting corruption was never going to be a straightforward task. We expected corrupt elements to use any weapon to fight back, mainly judicial obstruction and political diversion. But we are determined to eradicate corruption from our body politic.

    In this fight, the Government has:

    ·Empowered teams of prosecutors,

    ·Assembled detailed databases,

    ·Accelerated the recovery of stolen funds

    The Administration’s new institutional reforms include:

    ·Enforcing Treasury Single Account,

    ·Whistle-Blowers Policy,

    ·Integrated Payroll Personnel and Information System

    We have signed multi-lateral cooperation agreements on criminal matters with friendly countries. There are signs of increasing cooperation from the Judiciary. Recently the Chief Justice of the Federation directed Heads of all our Courts of first instance and Appeal to accelerate hearings of corruption cases and dismiss any judicial officers found to have been compromised.

    Justice Salami has just been appointed to chair the Judiciary’s anti-graft committee. Government expects a lot from this Committee.

    I commend the National Assembly for refocusing on its oversight committees. They should, in addition, ensure swift passage of enabling corruption laws. But fighting corruption is a bottom to top operation. I call on all Nigerians to combat corruption at every turn. By not asking for and refusing to accept a bribe, by reporting unethical practices or by blowing a whistle, together we can beat corruption. The government for its part will work for accountability at all levels – Federal, State and Local Governments. CHANGE will then be real.

    As we enter the second half of our term of office, we intend to accelerate progress and intensify our resolve to fix the country’s challenges and problems.

    Thank you and a happy holiday to all of you.

    God bless our country

  • Buhari, Obasanjo, Akufo-Addo laud Okorocha’s education initiative 

    Buhari, Obasanjo, Akufo-Addo laud Okorocha’s education initiative 

    …says Africa needs education to bridge development gap

     

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari, his Ghanaian counterpart, Nana Akufo-Addo and former President Olusegun Obasanjo Saturday commended the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha for his free education programme for African children.

    The Imo Governor under the Rochas Foundation College Africa awarded scholarship to five children each from fifty five African countries.

    Speaking at the opening ceremony of the College in Owerri, the Imo State capital,  the African leaders agreed that access to quality education is the fastest way to change the fortune of the African continent.

    They urged African states to make education accessible to every African child “irrespective of their backgrounds”.

    Buhari who was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema, said that African leaders are pushing for greater African integration, which he said the Imo governor has taken the lead “through his Rochas Foundation College which has given opportunity to quality and free education to children from across Africa”.

    He noted that the greatest gift Governor Rochas Okorocha has given to humanity is the charity he has displayed through his Foundation and identifying with the less-privileged in Nigeria and Africa through education.

    According to the President, “I salute your vision. What create the world of visionaries are people who are able to dream big and make a change. This is what we see in Governor Okorocha. Your free education across Africa will help to push for a greater African integration. So I expect the products of the Foundation to be agents of Unity and wealth Creation”.

    Obasanjo on his part,   lauded governor Okorocha for his contributions to the development of education in Nigeria and the African continent.

    He stressed further that the “the extent we take education is the extent we take development”.

    The former President disclosed  that he is marveled by the Imo governor’s free education initiative which he said had offered opportunity to the under privileged and poor children to rise above poverty and relegation.

    He maintained that “the beginning of development for any country is education”.

    The former President, who is also the Chairman of the Board of the College, described Governor Okorocha as “the most resourceful and focused man of his generation”, who has continued to surprise him with his visions.

    He charged the graduating students of the Foundation College to be “job creators and not job seekers”.

    “I have come to share in the Rochas Okorocha vision on how to build African leaders of tomorrow so that they will grow up with African perspective, orientation and understanding, culture and integration because by the time we have Students in this School for five years, we will be having at least 25 Students from all African Countries. This will be the leaders of tomorrow, they will know themselves across Africa and when you talk about anything about Africa, they will understand and they will be the torch bearers and light of Africa”, he observed.

    To the new students, he said “you are very lucky boys and girls. You have a wonderful opportunity here, opportunity of hope away from home, opportunity of mothers and fathers that you might have lost, opportunity of friends you might not have gotten and opportunity of greater future. My advice to you is to take advantage of every opportunity that this School will give you”.

    He Continued “As the Chairman of the Board, I have agreed with Rochas that we will have five children from each African country every year and six from Nigeria, one from each of the Six geo-Political zones of Nigeria to balance the Political sensitivity of Nigeria”.

    Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo, in his speech, stated that the access to quality education is the fastest way to change the fortune of the African continent.

    He insisted that education is a right that every African child should exercise, adding that “education is the equalizer of opportunities”.

    Akufo-Addo, noted that quality education can be made available “if we make the right decisions as African leaders”.

    He disclosed that the reason for his close association with Rochas is because he shares in his passion for development through education and his drive for a common vision of making education accessible to every child irrespective of family or place, adding that “Rochas has fulfilled the Scripture as in Matthew 25:40″.

    He explained that “education can change the fortunes of Africa. It is the equalizer of opportunities. We must all buy into the vision of a United Africa and the best way is through education”.

    The Governor in his brief speech stressed that,   “my dream is to unite and empower Africa through education. The only language we understand in Africa is the language of poverty and this is what bond me and these Children. I strongly believe that out of these poverty situation in Africa, the great leaders of tomorrow will emerge. I just started what I do not know how to complete but God will Continue to direct me”.

    To the graduands, he stated “I pray you keep the Candle on when am gone. I tasted poverty and had sworn to fight the scourge with resources available to him. We have taken five Children from each of the African Countries, who are mostly orphans or less-privileged in addition to the over fifteen thousand Children already in the Rochas Foundation Colleges across the nation”.

    Also at the event which also marked the 10th Graduation ceremony of the Rocahs Foundation College,  were former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, the governors of Oyo State,  Chief Abiola Ajimobi, Kebbi State, Usman Saidi Dankingu, Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello and Akwa Ibom State, Chief Emmanuel Udom.

    Others were the Ambassadors of Liberia, Sierralone, Guinea, Congo, Southern Sudan, Ethiopia and Zambia, as well as traditional rulers from across the country.

  • Buhari greets  Okorocha at 55

    Buhari greets  Okorocha at 55

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State on his 55th birthday.

    In a personal congratulatory message to the Governor, President Buhari extolled the celebrant’s sterling leadership qualities, selfless philanthropy and commitment to the nation’s unity.

    The President, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, also wished him many more years of service to his people and to the country.

    The letter reads in part: ‘‘On this special occasion, I wish to commend Governor Okorocha’s leadership and commitment to the people of Imo State and the entire nation.

    ‘‘His philanthropy has touched many lives in states across the country, from the south to the north.

    ‘‘I also wish to express my deep appreciation to him for his support and commitment to the success of this administration.

    ‘‘Owelle Rochas Okorocha had the vision to look beyond ethnic bias and align his political interest and that of his people with that of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), even when many in his region did not have such foresight.” he stated

  • Real reasons Kaduna APC leaders want Buhari and El Rufai re-elected in 2019

    Real reasons Kaduna APC leaders want Buhari and El Rufai re-elected in 2019

    For political leaders in Kaduna State, Saturday, September 16, 2017 was a day like no other in the State, at least in recent times. Setting aside all differences and burying all hatchets, leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from ward to national levels, in an unprecedented move, gathered at an expanded stakeholders’ meeting and unanimously endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari as the State’s candidate for the 2019 presidential election. Similarly, the delegates endorsed the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el Rufai as the candidate of the party in the 2019 gubernatorial election. In all, APC leaders from all the 255 electoral wards of Kaduna State attended this very successful meeting, which held at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall in Kaduna. At this epoch-making political gathering were the State Governor, Mallam Nasir el Rufai, virtually all the members representing the State in the National Assembly, all the APC members of the State House of Assembly, all the Local Government Chairmen in the State, party executives at ward, State and national levels as well as several other critical stakeholders across the three Senatorial Zones of Kaduna State.
    For leaders of the APC in Kaduna State, the stakeholders meeting provided a veritable platform for soul searching and self-assessment. The unequivocal verdict was that the APC government under the able, careful and mature guidance of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, has truly rescued Nigeria from the economic, social and political malaise foisted on our great nation by the crass misrule, ineptitude and unbridled corruption of the immediate past Peoples Democratic Party-led administration. Indeed, all the persons who spoke at the Kaduna Stakeholders’ meeting affirmed that in just two years of APC’s rule under President Buhari, Nigeria has begun regaining its rightful place as a peaceful, stable, cohesive, indivisible, economically viable and internationally respected nation. More so, party leaders were effusive in their commendation of President Buhari for guiding the nation’s economy out of the recession that was brought on us by the unprecedented corruption that characterized the last PDP administration in the country. The President and gallant officers and men of the nation’s Armed Forces were commended for defeating the Boko Haram insurgents in the northeast. Not surprisingly, the political leaders in Kaduna resolved, at this meeting, that never again would the State vote into any political office persons that are known to be corrupt, aloof, inept, clannish or unprepared for the rigors of the high office they are supposed to occupy. It was on that note that it was unanimously agreed (a voice vote was actually called) that Kaduna State will massively mobilize and vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and the equally profound Governor Nasir el Rufai to continue for a second term in their respective offices of President of our great country and the Governor of Kaduna State.
    As one of the key organizers of the phenomenal APC stakeholders’ meeting in Kaduna, I must confess that since the outcome of the event was made public, I have received several calls, text messages and emails lauding the endorsements of President Buhari and Governor El Rufai for second terms in office. However a few persons have challenged me to openly disclose what the stakeholders were told that both President Buhari and Governor El Rufai have achieved thus far, that swayed them to pass the confidence vote on both men. I have, with all due respect, since accepted this challenge. However for want of space and given that the achievements of these great men in just over two years in office, are legion, I shall try to be brief.
    On President Mohammadu Buhari, leaders of the APC in Kaduna State, especially our dear Governor, Mallam Nasir el Rufai spent hours enumerating and offering proper details of the achievements of Mr. President in just two years in office.  Party members were told, among other things, that in the crucial area of the economy, the Buhari administration has returned the country to unprecedented growth in particularly Agriculture and Solid Minerals. Incontrovertible facts were made available at the meeting that showed all too clearly that these two priority sectors have in the last two years seen improved performance, in spite of the economic recession the nation contended with during the period under review. Facts that are available in the Federal Office of Statistics and elsewhere indicated that Agriculture grew by 4.11% in 2016, while Solid Minerals recorded a 7% increase. The contribution of the Ministry of Solid Minerals to the Federation Account tripled to about N2 billion in 2016, up from N700m in 2015. Party leaders were also happy to note that President Buhari has since restored the time-honoured culture of saving for the rainy day. Even at a time of low oil prices (and by implication low government revenues), Nigeria’s External Reserves grew by US$7 billion by October 2016; The Sovereign Wealth Fund witnessed inflows of US$500m in 2016 and 2017 (the first inflows since the original US$1bn with which the Fund kicked off in 2012), and the Excess Crude Account has seen an inflow of US$87m, in 2017.
    The Kaduna political leaders, many of whom are big time farmers, were besides themselves with joy when the facts were laid bare that the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (which involves a partnership with the Government of Morocco, for the supply of phosphate), has resulted in the revitalization of 11 blending plants across the country – the benefit of this include annual savings of US$200 million in foreign exchange, and ₦60 billion annually in budgetary provisions for Fertilizer subsidies. Of course, many of the party leaders at the meeting said they were well aware that the Scheme has also made it possible for farmers to purchase Fertilizer at prices up to 30 percent cheaper than previously available.
    Our party leaders applauded relentlessly when a number of persons spoke about the Buhari Administration’s support for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). It was succinctly explained that the Buhari administration has launched a series of funding and capacity development initiatives designed to support MSMEs across the country, these include: the new Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) which is at the verge of taking off, with initial funding of US$1.3bn (provided by the World Bank, German Development Bank, the African Development Bank and Agence Française de Development) to provide medium and long-term loans to MSMEs.
    In the all-important area of provision of critical infrastructure across the country, delegates at the meeting acknowledged the fact that road projects are ongoing across every State of the country; many of these projects had been abandoned in recent years because of mounting debts owed by the Federal Government to contractors. They also appreciated the fact that the Buhari Administration is also pushing ahead with the revitalization of Nigeria’s 3,500km network narrow-gauge railway. In addition, Abuja’s Light Rail system is slated to go into operation later this year and Kaduna political leaders at the meeting were also well aware that the Buhari Administration successfully completed the reconstruction of the Abuja Airport runway within the scheduled six-week period (March – April 2017).
    Political leaders in Kaduna State also took cognizance of the fact that the four components of the Buhari Administration’s Social Investment Programme (SIP) have fully taken off. President Buhari’s SIP is reputedly the largest and most ambitious social safety net programme in the history of Nigeria, with more than 1 million beneficiaries so far. These include  200,000 N-Power beneficiaries (160,000 of them have had their details validated and are now receiving the monthly N30,000 stipend, while the rest are undergoing verification.
    The Kaduna political leaders were also made aware that the Buhari Administration’s Strategic engagements with OPEC and in the Niger Delta have played important parts in raising the nation’s expected oil revenues. Already, Nigeria’s External Reserves have grown by around $7 billion in the last six months. In the same period the nation has added $87m to the Excess Crude Account, and $250m to the Sovereign Wealth Fund.
    Even more profound is the administration’s war against institutionalized corruption. The Kaduna political leaders applauded the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA), which was set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to strengthen controls over Government finances through a continuous internal audit process across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), particularly in respect of payroll. Through the activities of PICA, more than 50,000 erroneous payroll entries have been identified, with payroll savings of N198 billion achieved in 2016. Also, the Federal Ministry of Finance has set a target to ensure that the Federal Government’s Payroll Platform — the ‘Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System’ (IPPIS) — covers 100 percent of MDAs by the end of 2017. Currently 60% of MDAs are enrolled on the IPPIS platform.
    Further, the Buhari administration has since expanded the Treasury Single Account (TSA) coverage. This decision to fully operationalise the Treasury Single Account system — a public accounting system that enables the Government to manage its finances (revenues and payments) using a single/unified account, or series of linked accounts domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria  —  has resulted in the consolidation of more than 20,000 bank accounts previously spread across banks in the country, and in savings of an average of N4.7 billion monthly in banking charges associated with indiscriminate Government borrowing from the banks. As at February 10, 2017, a total sum of N5.244 Trillion had flowed into the TSA.
    It is also to President Buhari’s credit that safety, security and sanity have retuned to the once war-ravaged northeast of Nigeria. Barely weeks after assuming office, President Muhammadu Buhari and the gallant officers and men of our armed forces worked assiduously to defeat the Boko Haram insurgents in the northeast. Though, the defeated insurgents continue to target soft spots occasionally, the fact remains that Boko Haram’s operational and spiritual headquarters, “Camp Zero”, in Sambisa Forest has since been captured by our armed forces. Following this, the Nigerian Army conducted its Small Arms Championship from 26th to 31st March 2017 in Sambisa Forest, a measure aimed at enabling the Armed forces to dominate the area, and avoid regrouping by the terrorists.
    After enumerating the huge achievements of President Muhammmadu Buhari in just two years, Governor Nasir el Rufai bluntly informed the gathered stakeholders that the political future of President Buhari is closely tied to his own personal political future. He reminded the Kaduna APC leaders that he (El Rufai) was among the few persons who begged and prevailed on President Muhammadu Buhari to run for the office of the President of Nigeria in 2015, after three unsuccessful previous attempts. It was the view of Mallam El Rufai that if President Buhari does not accept the plea to run for a second term in office, the nation stood the risk of returning to the dark era of ineptitude, corruption and insecurity. Mallam Nasir el Rufai was so emphatic about his insistence on the continuation of Buhari in office beyond 2019 that he even suggested that he (El Rufai) might not be keen on seeking reelection as Governor of Kaduna State if President Buhari decides not to seek reelection in 2019. In fact, the Governor reminded the Political Stakeholders in Kaduna that as far as he could remember, he was the only person President Buhari prevailed on to run for office. Indeed several of the stakeholders recalled all too vividly how President Buhari staunchly insisted that El Rufai must contest for the Governorship of Kaduna State in the 2015 elections under the APC. At this stakeholders meeting an emotional Governor El Rufai said he was happy he has not betrayed the trust reposed in him by President Buhari and the teeming electorates in Kaduna. The political stakeholders agreed with the Governor and cited the fact that the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Kaduna three weeks ago to commission the multi-billion Naira Olam farm, was the President’s first official visit outside Abuja since he returned from his medical vacation. This, many of the stakeholders agreed, can only be a measure of the unwavering love, trust and confidence the President has in the Kaduna State Governor. They were also quick to point out that the solidarity rally the Kaduna State Government organized for the President shortly after his arrival from medical vacation in London remains unprecedented. Over 200,000 persons were said to have attended the rally, just to show support for the President.
    More so, many of the political stakeholders at the meeting poured encomiums on Governor El Rufai for changing the face of Kaduna for good. Faced with the arduous task of speedily creating an economy for the State outside earnings from crude oil and also saddled with the task of revamping inherited decayed infrastructures in the State, Governor El Rufai, on assumption of office in May 2015, opted for, and continues to assiduously pursue series of homegrown options. In particular, the State Government began focusing on mining and agriculture to rev up the economy of the State. Effectively collaborating with key players in the private sector, the administration has practically made Kaduna State the agricultural hub of sub-Saharan Africa. Not too long ago, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai was joined by the Governor of
the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, to perform the ground breaking ceremony for the establishment of a
potato farm and processing facility worth $120 million in Manchok,
Kaura local government area of the state. The project, jointly initiated by the state government and Vicampros
Farms Limited, is the biggest potato plant in sub-Sahara
Africa, cultivating 10,000 hectares of land and is expected to
generate 30,000 job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the State and beyond.
    Similarly, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai has attracted to Kaduna State, the biggest poultry and hatchery farm in the whole of West Africa. The farm, which is worth about $150 million (about N30 billion), was constructed by the Olam group and was commissioned at a very colourful event three weeks ago by President Muhammadu Buhari himself. Olam Group had on Friday April 8, 2016, commissioned another mega farming project in Kaduna, the Olam Integrated Feed Mill and Poultry project in Chikpiri Gabas village.
    In the same regards, the agricultural revolution in Kaduna State under Mallam Nasir el Rufai has caught the attention of the highly successful Dangote Group. Dangote Group is currently investing  $10 million (about N2 billion) on a 7000-hectare tomato farm and
processing plant in Kaduna state. Apparently, borrowing a leaf from the Dangote Group, another reputable business giant, the Stallion Group has also committed about 100 million USD investment to rice farming and milling in Kaduna State. Of course, sensing business expediency, Indorama, one of Africa’s largest fertilizer companies has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to build an organic fertilizer plant in Kaduna to power the agricultural revolution going on in the State under Mallam El Rufai.
    Conscious of the fact that Kaduna State is the leading producer of ginger in Nigeria, Governor Nasir el Rufai has perfected plans to more than triple yields between this year and 2018. On this score, the State Government is collaborating with the Central Bank of Nigeria to enable ginger farmers in the state access a N5 Billion loan to boost ginger farming. It is the hope of the Governor that when the loan is properly harnessed and utilized as intended, ginger farmers in the state will be empowered economically as the crop is in great demand across the globe. Already many ginger farmers in Kaduna State are hitting gold as they are merrily exporting several tons of their produce to China, Chad, Sudan and Ghana while a considerable volume is being sold locally across the country.
    But for the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, it is in abundant deposits in raw Gold and Nickel that Kaduna State holds the aces. Indeed, mappings carried out by the Kaduna State Government has shown clearly that the raw gold deposits in one local government area of the state is larger than the entire Gold deposits in the Republic of South Africa. Mallam El Rufai disclosed recently that solid minerals alone would attract about N40 billion investments to the state, and urged investors to explore the opportunities in the state. No doubt, good times are in the offing for Kaduna State.
    It is also on record that Kaduna State is one of the first subnational governments in the world and the first in Nigeria, to conduct an in-depth analysis of local SDGs data and strategy development to implement all 17 Goals in the State. At the recently concluded United Nations General Assembly in New York, Kaduna State was the cynosure of all eyes as the State showcased to the world how it integrated the SDGs into its State Development Plan for 2016-20 as well as how the integrated system is improving livelihoods, investing in education and ensuring access to life-saving services, while boosting environmental sustainability, social cohesion and peace for its citizens. The overall goal of the El Rufai administration is to leave no one behind as every citizen counts in this development agenda. To achieve this, the State has taken drastic steps on the journey to sustainable development to generate sufficient data to understand where Kaduna State stands in relation to these SDG goals, and to help guide policy interventions to target the deepest and most persistent pockets of poverty.
    Clearly, the call for a second term in office for President Buhari and Mallam El Rufai has become so overwhelming that has practically transmuted to a Movement in Kaduna State that can hardly be halted or diluted by whatever means. It therefore did not come to many as a surprise when critical stakeholders and political leaders who attended the crucial expanded stakeholders’ meeting vehemently insisted on President Buhari and Mallam Nasir El Rufai as their respective candidates for the 2019 presidential and Governorship elections. This much they articulated in the communique issued at the end of the meeting and made available to the public. Kaduna State has become the first State to make its stand known: President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Nasir el Rufai have much more to offer the nation and Kaduna State respectively beyond 2019.
    Sani is the Special Adviser on Political and  Inter-governmental Affairs to the Governor of Kaduna State.
  • Buhari hails Bangladesh for rescuing Burma refugees

    Buhari hails Bangladesh for rescuing Burma refugees

    President Muhammadu Buhari has lauded Bangladesh over her assistance to persons displaced by the ongoing sectarian and ethnic crisis in Burma Rohingaya.

    President Buhari, who spoke through the Chairman National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, Barrister Abdullah Mukhtar Muhammad in Makkah observed that accepting the refugees shows the Bangladeshi government’s respect for human life and dignity.

    The NAHCON boss who delivered the President’s appreciation and commendation when the Bangladeshi Counsellor on Hajj, His Excellency Muhammad Maqsudu-r-Rahman paid him a working visit yesterday at the NAHCON headquarters at Ummul Jud Makkah, said Nigeria has resolved to do everything possible to ensure stress free Hajj exercise to its pilgrims and to drastically reduce the overbearing pressure on the Kingdom.

    Hajj Management, he noted, should be a global responsibility, through an articulate policy and plan to ensure responsive conduct and behavior of all pilgrims while in the holy land to guard against stamped and all forms of discomfort not only among the pilgrims themselves but to their officials and those of the host government and it security agencies.

    Barrister Abdullah highlighted NAHCON plans to establish Hajj training Institute, formation of a twenty four hour Haram Committee to be headed by him, for next year’s Hajj, institutionalising Hajj Saving Scheme, online registration of pilgrims from next Hajj operation, perfecting the e-medical registration, recording and attending to sick pilgrims introduced this year among others.

    Barrister Abdullah who suggested that similarities and peculiarities of Nigeria and Bangladesh be effectively studied, harnessed and harmonised for the mutual benefit of the two Countries not only in the area of Hajj but in also other areas of sociocultural economic and political endeavours, also called on Bangladesh to look at the possibility of introducing wristband watches for its pilgrims, so that Nigerian pilgrims would be allowed to use theirs.

    Earlier, the Bangladeshi Counsellor on Hajj Muhammad Maqsudu-r-Rahman who appreciated the warm reception accorded him and his entourage commended the cordial relationship that exists between Nigeria and Bangladesh not only on Hajj matters but in other global engagements and fora.

    He said he was at the NAHCON office to understudy the Commission’s dexterity in Hajj management and the leadership role it plays in trying to unify Hajj affairs among all stakeholders the world over.

    The envoy said Bangladesh with a population of about one hundred and sixty five million people,  about ninety percent of whom are Muslims, had about one hundred and twenty seven pilgrims that performed the just concluded Hajj exercise.

    He said a local Carrier, Biman, airlifted fifty percent of the pilgrims while the other fifty was by a Saudi carrier.

    His Excellency Maqsudu-r-Rahman further stated that pilgrims under government umbrella paid about four thousand eight hundred dollars as Hajj fares while those on private arrangement were charged fifteen thousand dollars.

    He stated that the Bangladeshi government subsidises only aviation fuel and other navigational charges.

    Both Hajj administrators agreed that shortages of facilities and congestions witnessed this year particularly at Mashaa’ir areas were not peculiar to any Country as according to them the twenty percent quota increase this year to all nations by the Saudi authorities might have been a contributing factor to the problem.

  • I am next Nigerian President – Fayose

    I am next Nigerian President – Fayose

    The Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has officially declared his intention to contest the 2019 presidential election.

    The Governor made this known on Tuesday in a letter addressed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to inform it of his intention.

    Recall that Fayose, in July, unofficially displayed his presidential campaign on social media, after boasting that he would wrestle power from President Muhammadu Buhari.

    In the declaration, he had said: “I have a penchant for taking powers; that one in Buhari’s hand, I will take it. I’m going straight to that villa. I’m the next president.”

    Related: PDP’s primary‘ll shock Fayose, says ex-envoy

    Subsequently, during the party’s national convention, he boasted of already being in Aso Rock, urging party members to join him at the nation’s seat of power.

    The governor took to his Social media account to post a picture of the letter which he wrote to the party’s leadership in the state concerning his presidential ambition.

    Fayose
    Fayose’s Facebook Campaign Page

    The letter reads: “It is with deep sense of responsibility that I write to inform you of my intentions to seek the ticket/mandate of our party to contest the 2019 presidential election, considering your support and commitment towards our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) it becomes imperative to keep you informed and seek your support.

    “This ambition, however, is without prejudice to our party position, but in the overall interest of the party and our country.

    “I urge that all hands should be on deck to ensure victory in our quest to return to the presidential villa, Abuja in 2019.

    “Accept the assurance of my highest regards as a determined presidential hopeful.”