The Nation Newspaper

Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • Buhari lands in Abuja

    Buhari lands in Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday afternoon arrived the Presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Buhari, who has been in the United Kingdom since May 7th on medical ground, landed at the airport around 4:35 p.m in Nigeria Air Force Plane 001

    He wore a  black coloured caftan and trousers with multicolored cap to match.

    Buhari arrived Abuja with his Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Lawal Abubakar, Chief Security Officer (CSO), Bashir Bindawa, Chief Police Security Officer (CPSO), Abdulkareem Dauda, and Personal Assistant one, Mohammed Sabihu (Tunde) among others.

    He alighted from the plane and shook hands with the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo before rendition of the National anthem.

    Buhari, after rendition of the National anthem, went round to shake hands with governors and top government officials who had formed a single file.

    He then departed for Presidential Villa by road.

    The governors at the airport to welcome him  included governors of Kano state, Abdullahi Ganduje, Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara, Muhammed Abubakar of Bauchi, Abubakar Bello of Niger,  Nesom Wike of Rivers,  Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi and Deputy governor of Kaduna state, Mr Barnabas Bala.

    Among those at the airport to welcome the president included members of the National Assembly, service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris, Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari as well as other presidential aides.

    Others at the airports are the National Security Adviser to the President (NSA) retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno; the Director-General, Department of State Security (DSS), Alhaji Lawal Daura and other dignitaries from and within Abuja.

    The President took a national salute from the Presidential Guards Brigade while cultural groups were also singing and dancing to welcome him back home.

  • Daura residents jubilate over Buhari’s return

    Daura residents jubilate over Buhari’s return

    Residents of Daura in Katsina State are in an upbeat mood over reports of President Muhammadu Buhari’s return to Nigeria after his medical vacation abroad.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those interviewed on Saturday expressed gratitude to Allah for the Presidents recovery and return to Nigeria.

    Alhaji Salisu Haro, a civil servant, said the President’s return represents a ray of hope for the nation and prayed that Nigerians would support him to deliver quality leadership that would take the country to the next level.

    He commended a section of the media for keeping Nigerians abreast of Buhari’s condition throughout his stay in London, adding that objective journalism would help to accelerate national development.

    Alhaji Abdumanaf Daura, APC Northwest Organizing Secretary, described the report as encouraging, saying it has put all those spreading rumours of Buhari’s incapacitation and death to shame.

    He berated those he called unpatriotic elements using the president’s ill health for politics and spread of baseless rumours, saying they should atone for their sins.

    The politician thanked Nigerians for their resilience, prayers and understanding during the trying moments of the nation, stressing that Buhari was back into the country for good.

    Nura Usman, a civil servant, expressed the hope that Buhari would continue with his reform agenda.

    “We are solidly behind his crusade on corruption, insurgency and every other evil that derailed the progress of this nation.

    “We have been praying for his well being and God has answered our prayers,” Usman said.

    Alhaji Nura Habu, a local farmer, said the residents would organise prayers to celebrate the return of Buhari.

    Mr Chukwu Emeka, a trader, danced on hearing the news, saying he had prayed fervently for the president’s recovery and return.

    Emeka who has lived in Daura for over 20 years with his family, said God has put to shame those wishing to see the president dead.

    Malam Musa Zango, an Imam, attributed the return of the president to God, “because of Buhari’s good intention to the nation.”

    He pledged that the residents would organise special prayers to thank God and protect the President from all evil machinations as he as he steers the affairs of the nation.

  • Presidential Villa agog as President Buhari returns to Abuja

    Presidential Villa agog as President Buhari returns to Abuja

    The Presidential Villa Abuja is agog with activities as staff and security personnel are making last minute preparations to receive President Muhammadu Buhari who is expected back to the country today.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buhari, who has been on medical vacation in the United Kingdom for the past 100 days is expected to arrive the Nnandi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja at 3.00 p.m.

    NAN reports that other itinerary members of staff in the Presidency are also on standby, while security vehicles and personnel attached to the President’s convoy had since left for the airport to receive the president.

    NAN also observed that members of the Presidential Guards Brigade were seen moving toward the airport after conducting rehearsal at the Arcade in Abuja.

    The President, whose absence sparked-off protests both in Nigeria and London with some asking for his resumption or resignation, is expected to make a national broadcast to Nigerians on Aug. 21 at 7a.m.

    Buhari left Nigeria on May 7, for the second round of his medical treatment in London after receiving 82 rescued Chibok school girls who were abducted by the Boko Haram sect in 2014.

    While in London, Buhari received a number of visitors, including Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who first hinted Nigerians about the President’s recovery.

    Other visitors are leaders of the All Progressives Congress, state governors, Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

    Pastor Enoch Adeboye, leader of the Redeemed Christian Church of God also visited the President.

  • Osinbajo pledges support for IPI 2018

    Osinbajo pledges support for IPI 2018

    …Tasks media leaders to deal with hate speech

     

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday said that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration will partner the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI) to host a hitch-free 2018 World Congress of the Global Network of Free Media.

    He gave the assurance when the board of the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI), paid him a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa to intimate him on plans for the forthcoming event scheduled for Abuja in June 2018.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo said “It is a very important opportunity for Nigeria to showcase ourselves and also to show that Nigeria is safe and secure for business. It is also an opportunity to advertise all of our ease of doing business initiatives.’’

    The Acting President also assured the visiting IPI board that states could participate in the hosting of the event especially as it provides “an important opportunity for tourism and for them to showcase some of the great initiatives that they have.’’

    He urged the local organizing committee to consider putting on the agenda of the event, the issue of hate speech and its implications for our polity and for peace and security.

    According to him, “the forum is an important one for raising the question of hate speech and its implications for our country, for our polity and for peace and security.’’

    He added: “somehow these things are resonating all over the world, new found nationalism and all of that. But I think for us here in Nigeria, it is a very important issue.

    “I think that it is important that we find ways of controlling these things. I think that we owe a responsibility, especially leaders of journalism, to find ways of dealing with this issue because it is a cancer.’’

    Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation and chairman of Thisday newspaper, Chief Nduka Obaigbena solicited the support the Federal Government in the hosting of the event in different areas including, the provision of a secured and safe environment for delegates, visas on arrival amongst others.

    Obiagbena stated that the issue of hate speech will indeed form one of the thematic issues to be discussed during the IPI congress.

    He thanked the Acting President for the pledge to support IPI Nigeria in the hosting a hitch-free congress.

     

  • How we rescued Charly Boy, others from mob – Police

    How we rescued Charly Boy, others from mob – Police

    The FCT Police Command has explained the role it played in the rescue of Charles Oputa who is popularly known as Charly Boy.

    Charly Boy; the Leader of the #ResumeOrResignprotest against President Muhammadu Buhari’s continued medical vacation in the UK was attacked on Tuesday in Wuse Market by angry mobs.

    The attack led to closure of the market by the market management.

    The police also said their intervention prevented the mob from burning two cars belonging to Charley Boy and his membership.

    This is contained in a statement in Abuja Wednesday by Command Spokesman, DSP Anjuguri Manzah.

    The police also said the Divisional Police Officer Utako, CSP Jimoh Gbenle and several other policemen were injured while trying to rescue the protesters.

    The statement reads: “FCT Police Command has rescued Charles Oputa aka Charlie-boy and other members of the Concerned Citizens Group from being lynched by an angry mob who attacked them during their mobilisation campaign at Wuse market on Tuesday 15th August, 2017.

    “Prior to the unfortunate incident, the group assembled at Unity Fountain and addressed the press at 0945hrs where massive security was provided by police operatives. However, the group left Unity Fountain and headed to the busy Wuse Market in a bid to mobilise support; this police was not notified.

    “While at Wuse Market, the group was attacked by a mob and in response to a distress call the Police moved in and rescued Charly-boy and his co-travellers.

    “The Police was also able to prevent the angry mob from burning a Prado jeep and a BMW car belonging to Charlie boy and his members.

    “The vehicles which were towed by the Police to Wuse Division were later released to Charlie boy and his team”.

    On some of those injured, the statement stated: “In the process of protecting and securing Charlie boy and his group members from the hands of the mob, many policemen were injured including the Divisional Police Officer Utako, CSP Jimoh Gbenle.”

    Normalcy has however returned to Wuse Market and all other parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The Command while stating that it has deployed uniform and plain-cloth policemen in all flash points to forestall any breach of the peace also urged  protesters to always liaise with them so as to provide them necessary security and proffer necessary advice.

     

  • Buhari sympathises with President Koroma over tragic mudslide

    Buhari sympathises with President Koroma over tragic mudslide

    President Muhammadu Buhari has sympathized with President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone over the huge loss of lives and massive devastation caused by mudslide in the West African country.

    In a Tuesday telephone call from London, President Buhari told President Koroma that the hearts of Nigerians are with the people of Sierra Leone at this tragic and painful period in the history of the country.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, also prayed that Almighty God will comfort those who are mourning loved ones and suffered other losses.

    President Koroma thanked President Buhari for his show of concern and wished him good health.

  • Sour tales on the train

    Sour tales on the train

    Amid passengers’ complaints of being ripped off at the Abuja-Kaduna train station, some colluding staff are caught and sacked. FAITH YAHAYA reports

    The Abuja-Kaduna rail line kicked off last year July after it was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari. It was a new day for rail transport after several failed attempts to revive it.

    Buhari had said the new rail service would provide affordable and safe movement of passengers and freight between the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna State.

    With the takeoff of commercial activities on the rail line, passengers who were scared of road accidents and kidnapping on Abuja-Kaduna highway gave a sigh of relief. Passengers were particularly happy because it reduced the burden of travelling on a route they already described as unsafe with incessant cases of kidnapping and accidents. It was cheaper, safer and passengers were sure of their arrival and departure time, unlike the road transport system that is wracked by bad roads, lots of ditches and potholes, sometimes traffic gridlocks and armed robbery attacks.

    Also, the Abuja-Kaduna rail line passengers who would have been stopped and sometimes had to part with their hard-earned money owing to checks by policemen were also happy that they could ride on the train at an affordable rate without stress.

    The train which takes off from Idu in Abuja with the final destination in Rigasa, Kaduna State, witnesses movement of people in and out of both destinations three times daily.

    The story has however not been the same in the last six weeks with complaints from passengers who are either swindled, extorted, or denied boarding the train because there were no tickets to buy or such bogus stories.

    A passenger, Binta Aminu who was billed to arrive in Kaduna before departing to Adiss Ababa told The Nation that the attitude of the porters almost made her miss her ride. Aminu who arrived at the train station around 6:06am was told the tickets were exhausted. She said another porter who noticed her desperation told her he could get her a ticket but she would have to pay extra. She said because of time factor, she parted with her money despite knowing that it was not right.

    Alhaji Nasiru Abdullahi who also narrated his ordeal to our correspondent said, “Those boys are terrible, they can do anything for money and they make passengers and [their other victims] to blame everything on government.

    “I was billed to arrive in Abuja from Rigasa for an appointment with my doctor because I was ill. These boys did not care about the pains I was feeling even when they saw me in pains. They told me ticket was finished. It was after much persistence that they told me they would get one for me if I would be willing to pay more.”

    This is the tale of many who are forced to either look for a way out and which results in them paying whatever amount the porter deems fit.

    The role of the porter at the station is to assist passengers with their luggage but they have been allegedly responsible for ticket racketeering. They capitalise on the desperation of the passengers to sell the ticket to them at higher rates.

    One of the porters however ran out of luck on Friday when the Manager of Abuja-Kaduna Train Services, Pascal Nnorli disguised as a passenger just to get more information about their activities following complaints from passengers.

    Narrating how they extort money from passengers, Nnorli said: “We have been hearing cases of ticket racketeering for the past six weeks from high profile Nigerians and the management decided to set up a team to get to the root of the matter. Those behind this act sometimes lie to passengers that there is no more ticket. This morning, I came as early as 5am and I disguised as a passenger because they don’t know me and I called one of the porters by the name Mr. Peter and I told him I wanted a first class ticket.

    “After a while, he called one Abass who seemed to be their ringleader and he agreed to sell it for me at the rate of N3000 as against the N1000 that is sold at the ticket office. At the end of the day, I gave him N3000 to procure one for me and he did.

    “Now that we have gotten him, he will take us to Abass who will help us with our investigation by telling us who gives him the ticket,” Nnorli said.

    Following this development, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi paid an unscheduled visit to Idu and Kubwa station on Friday to inspect activities at the stations.

    His inspection led to the order for the sack of Station Managers, Ticket Sellers and Porters at Idu and Rigasa stations.

    The Minister expressed optimism that their sack would address the menace and restore passengers confidence. He also said the arrival of more coaches would help address the lingering issue.

    A porter, Peter was also arrested at the Idu rail station for ticket racketeering.

    Amaechi said: “Passengers complained on social media and when I discovered that the complaint lasted for over four weeks, it showed that it is not a lie and that is why I came to check.

    “I think the best thing to do is to remove the ticket sellers in Idu and Rigasa and also remove the Station Manager at Rigasa and let’s hope that would address it.

    “The Porter services should also go and those who they help to carry luggage should carry their luggage themselves”

    He also assured that the elevator would soon be fixed to make it easy for passengers to carry their luggage.”

    On other measures taken to address the extortion, he said: “The new coaches would leave by the end of August and they would arrive by October. If they arrive, there would be two locomotives and over 14 coaches and then the problem of ticket racketeering and all that would end because there would lots of coaches for passengers and those who are buying ten to 15 tickets to resell would stop it”.

    Many people have commended the move made by the Minister, but others said their fingers were crossed to see if this would end the menace and restore the confidence of passengers.

  • Marching for and against Mr. President

    The Shehu Shagari Way linking the Unity Fountain by the Transcorp Hilton Hotel to the Presidential Villa in the Federal Capital Territory last week Monday lived up to its two-year reputation. The road has been hosting different groups who expressed displeasure against or support for the government, including the Bring Back Our Girls group.

    But the protesters last Monday, carrying placards with various inscriptions, were not pushing for the rescue of the remaining Chibok girls in captivity. The protesters, comprising a coalition of civil society groups, who slowed down vehicular movement on the road had demanded for resignation or resumption in office by President Muhammadu Buhari, who left Nigeria for the United Kingdom on May 7 to meet up appointments with his doctors.

    The protests spearheaded by the National Coordinator, Foundation For True Freedom and Good Leadership, Deji Adeyanju; Publicity Secretary, #OurMumuDonDo Movement, Adebayo Raphael; Convener, Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution, Ariyo-Dare Atoye, Secretary of Concerned Nigerians, John Danfulani and artiste Charles Oputa (Charly Boy), faulted the continued stay of the President in London and non-disclosure of the President’s health challenges.

    They urged the National Assembly to invoke Section 144 sub Section 4 of the Constitution and set up a medical panel to determine the President’s health status.

    Adeyanju said, “The leadership of the National Assembly must choose between the Nigerian people and the cabal. 90 days is too long for a president to be away from his country without any explanation to the people that voted him into office.

    “If Buhari had become incapacitated, he should do the honourable thing and resign because he cannot continue to hold the country to ransom; his absence in the country is being exploited by a cabal to loot the treasury,” he added

    But the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, swiftly replied the protesters stressing that the call for the President’s resignation was uncalled for. He maintained that President Buhari has not flouted any law of the land.

    He said, “They are exercising their rights in line with the constitution of this country. Of what use or value is a democracy in which citizens cannot embark on peaceful protests? So we respect their right to convene or undertake peaceful protest.

    “On the second issue, whether the President should resign or disclose or whatever, I think they are stepping outside the laws of this country.

    “Anyone conversant with the constitution of this country will have noticed or seen that Mr President has complied 100 per cent with the requirements of the constitution.

    “He has handed over power to the Vice President, relying on the constitution and the Vice President is carrying on with the affairs of this country; he is undertaking activities of government in line with the constitution in a way that the President himself has given words of commendation.

    “So the President has not breached any law. What he has done is perfectly in line with the constitution of this country and people are looking for things to say. I think they should do their research very well.” he said

    In reaction to the demands of the protesters, the Senate also threw its weight behind President Buhari as it claimed that the President has not violated any law.

    In a statement last Tuesday by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, the Senate asked the protesters to leave the President alone.

    Stressing that Buhari, before his medical trip to the United Kingdom, fulfilled the constitutional requirement of informing the National Assembly of his vacation and transmitted power to the vice-president, the Senate told the protesters that their actions were creating unnecessary tension in the country.

    “The President has broken no law and therefore we do not see any justification for this diversion and noise making.

    “The sponsors are merely seeking cheap publicity at the expense of the peace of Nigeria.

    “We, in the National Assembly, are satisfied that there is no vacuum. The federal government is working. Acting President Yemi Osinbajo is providing the required leadership. So, there is no reason for the protests.

    “All Nigerians now should focus on praying for the safe return of the president. We in the Senate are happy about the report by the governors and party leaders who recently visited President Buhari in London and we know he will soon return to continue to provide leadership to our people and the rest of Africa.

    “We, therefore, call on the protesters to stop all these demonstrations and let their sense of patriotism overshadow the zeal for activism by joining other Nigerians to pray for the president, the acting president and Nigeria as a country at this critical period.” it stated

    While some Nigerians commended and welcomed the reaction of the National Assembly to the protest, it did not go down well with the groups.

    Charles Oputa, had responded with: “The Bukola Saraki-led chamber had once again demonstrated that it is nothing but a mere rubber stamp of the executive arm of government.”

    He also claimed that the Senate President’s decision to back the President, despite the hardship faced by Nigerians owing to poor governance caused by Buhari’s absence, was a desperate attempt at patronising the Presidency.

    While all the drama was going on, another set of groups emerged last week drumming support for President Buhari’s administration.

    It will definitely not be out of place here to urge for calmness on every side, as Buhari,  who is said to have flouted no law of the country, is claimed to be recovering fast and will soon return to Nigeria to take the country to the promised land.

    Let’s give him the benefit of doubt especially as any mortal can fall ill at any point in time.

     

  • Resignation: Pro Buhari youths hold peaceful rally in Kaduna

    Resignation: Pro Buhari youths hold peaceful rally in Kaduna

    Hundreds of youths on Monday held a peaceful rally in support of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in Kaduna State.

    The youths, drawn from various states in the Northern region, asked the President to ignore the call for his resignation.

    The spokesman for the group, Ibrahim Garkuwa, said they are happy with the manner which President Buhari’s administration has governed the country in the last two years.

    A member of the group, Mohammed Sani, also noted that in spite of repeated attempts to portray the present administration as not performing, the President has achieved far better than his predecessors.

    The group insisted that President Buhari has fulfilled his campaign promises to Nigerians, especially in areas of anti-corruption fight and security despite the challenges he met on ground.

    They described those calling for his resignation as enemies of the country who are not happy with the successes recorded by his administration in ridding Nigeria of corruption.

    The group maintained that the President has not violated the Constitution to warrant the call for his resignation after he had properly handed over to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo.

    After taking the rally to the Government House in Kaduna, Commissioner for Stakeholders affairs, Shehu Balarabe addressed the youths on behalf of the state governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

    The rally is coming after over 90 days the President left the country for the United Kingdom where he is receiving medical attention.

    His absence from office has, however, triggered the call for his resumption or resignation by a group of youths, as well as a counter protest by another group among several demonstrations across the country.

     

  • Hope rises for indegenes as Amaechi visits Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri Rail Lines

    Daily,one thing that has always dominated the mind of the Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi is the quest to deliver on the assignment entrusted to him by President Muhammadu Buhari

    Amaechi’s zeal to ensure that Nigeria is ranked one of the best in the transportation sector is already receiving accolades from both political watchers and key  stakeholders  across the country.

    The urge by Amaechi to provide the much talked about ‘change’ by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) spurred Amaechi’s visit to one of the Rail projects started in far back 1987.Since then, after it was awarded not much had been done by successive governments to complete a project which has cost tax payers millions of naira . The project sites had since become a habitat for wild life and all manner of dangerous animals alike.

    Before now, for the local dwellers of the ancient Agbor town in Delta State,the project was already dead and forgotten.For them,they believed that such a project would never see the light of the day until this life fades away,yes,it was as bad as that.

    But hope was however restored when President Muhammadu Buhari took over office in May 2015, with the appointment of Amaechi as the transportation minister.

    Due to the economic importance of the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri Rail Line,the Federal Government issued a directive to the Transportation Minister to ensure the completion of the project. This directive by the Federal Executive Council warranted Amaechi and his team to visit the project site which money was disbursed to the contractor last year December as confirmed by Amaechi himself.

    But with the presence of the top government functionaries at the project site, the local dwellers could not hold back  their views about what they think concerning the long abandoned project. Mrs Oghenegewe, a local farmer, was of the view that Amaechi’s visit was a sign of good things to come.

    She said: ” See let me tell you, I may not be educated but certainly I am aware of what is happening in the polity.We have never had a serious Government in Nigeria but with the level of sincerity and commitment demonstrated by the President Muhammadu Buhari government I can authoritatively tell you that this project is good to go. This project may have been abandoned the truth is that the present leadership will rescue it from rot.

    ” We have been praying for this country so that we can have a better government and i am optimistic that this government in power holds good things for us,we are earnestly praying for the quick recovery of our President and we know God will see him through.”

    For Mr Jackson , a retired staff of the Nigerian Railway Cooperation(NRC, the commencement of the project will bring about job opportunities for the teeming unemployed.

    Briefing reporters after the tour, Amaechi  said the projects are in two different phases. Amaechi also confirmed Government readiness to deliver on the project.

    According to the minister,” There are two phases of the contract, the first was awarded in 1987. We have a directive from the cabinet that we must complete the Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri Rail Line and it was included in this year’s budget. By the end of December last year we had disbursed money to the contractor ;Julius Berger and others to commence work , so we have come to see how far.We are constructing bridges too in order to reduce contact with human beings who would try to cross the track. This is a speed lane and once it starts it is going to be 120 to 150 kilometers per hour and the chances of killing human beings are going to be higher than Narrow Gauge because it is a Standard Gauge.

    “Julius Berger was handling the project before  but they said they cannot continue because they had demobilised and taken all their equipment back to France.”

    Amaechi acknowledged that insecurity was a threat to contracts particularly in the Southsouth. ” Part of the contract includes security. The problem we have with contracts in Nigeria, especially in the Southsouth area is basically security. If the contract is worth N10 million, we must set aside another N5 million for security. This project was started by February but it stopped in April because they kidnapped a staff of Julius Berger and they said they won’t work unless we provide for their security. The Rail Line will run through Kogi and Delta,this is called a Central Line and it is economic belt because this is where we have solid mineral activities. We are also ensuring that commercial activities are done,we are also looking for funds to connect Itakpe to Abuja and by that we can do both Freight and Passenger Services,” Amaechi explained.

    • Okpara ,an aide of the Transportation Minister sent this piece from Abuja