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Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • Bribery allegation against Buhari malicious – Presidency

    Bribery allegation against Buhari malicious – Presidency

    The Presidency on Wednesday described the bribery allegation against President Muhammadu Buhari as malicious, utterly ridiculous, and revolting.

    A statement by the Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kola Awodein, has reacted to news making the rounds that he gave Justice Niyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, currently standing trial for alleged corruption, the sum of N500, 000.00 at the behest of President Muhammadu Buhari, during the contrived certificate issue affecting the then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said “Mr Awodein (SAN) describes the allegation as ‘malicious, utterly ridiculous, and revolting,’ in a statement released Wednesday.

    He recalled that President Buhari challenged the elections of 2003, 2007, and 2011, up to the Supreme Court, and not once was he named as trying to compromise any Judge, even though some of them were his schoolmates, or contemporary, at one time or the other.

    In keeping with the President’s time-tested reputation as a man of truth and integrity, he said that any attempt to sully that reputation is bound to fail, inexorably.

    According to him, the President was in no way linked with Justice Ademola.

    Awodein’s statement reads: “I am constrained to make in absolute good faith , in good conscience and in the interest of justice and fair play the following very short statement on account of the distorted news story currently being peddled as  affecting the person of Mr. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and  my good and very noble self.

    “The very simple and plain facts are as follows:

    “I have known as a friend and for well over 35 years Mr. Justice Niyi Ademola, a notorious fact known to majority of lawyers who have practiced especially in Lagos for over that same period more or less and also to so many other professionals of other disciplines and other prominent and not so prominent Nigerians.

    “It is a fact that the sum of money mentioned was personally paid by me as a friend to Mr. Justice Ademola as a personal gift, as our custom well recognizes and demands, on the occasion of his daughter’s High Society wedding solemnized at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, on the 9th of May 2015, which I attended in person.

    “I was fully convinced then, as I remain today, that I could do no less as a friend of longstanding to fairly reasonably support him on that memorable occasion of his daughter’s wedding.

    “Anyone and everyone who knows me would readily and unquestionably testify that I am and have always been a man of impeccable integrity on and off the Courts and that such a record speaks always loudly for itself.

    “I would conclude by stating categorically and without any equivocation that  ANY link whatsoever with Mr. President, or any court case or cases, of my personal gift from my personal resources delivered to Justice  Niyi Ademola by myself on that occasion or any suggestion whatsoever that it was anything but such a gift or that it ever came from Mr. President or at his instance or that I was acting, under any circumstances, on his behalf is most malicious, utterly ridiculous and in very poor and revolting taste and most undeserving of any further comments,” he stated.

  • Saraki reads Buhari’s medical vacation extension letter, others

    Saraki reads Buhari’s medical vacation extension letter, others

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Tuesday read President Muhammadu Buhari’s medical vacation extension letter.

    Saraki also read the letter seeking the confirmation of Acting Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen, as substantive CJN which was endorsed by Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

    President Buhari in the letter notifying the Senate of the extension of his medical leave referred further to his letter dated 18th January 2017, in which he notified the Senate of taking part of his annual leave.

    He noted that “During my leave, I took the opportunity to have routine check-ups and consult my long standing doctors in London.

    “In the course of the routine examination, certain test result indicated the need for a course of medication and further appointments have been scheduled for next week.

    “I am therefore, notifying the Distinguished Senate that I am extending my leave until the doctors are satisfied that certain factors are ruled out.

    “In the circumstance, the Vice President will continue to act on my behalf.”

    On the appointment of the Onnoghen as CJN, entitled “Re: Appointment of Chief Justice of Nigeria” the Acting President said, “Following the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, I hereby notify you (Senate) of the appointment of the Honourable Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen CFR as Chief Justice of Nigeria.

    “The Senate President is requested to kindly present the said appointment of the Honourable Justice Onnoghen for confirmation by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, pursuant to Section 231(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria.”

    Saraki also told the Senate that he led a delegation of the Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan to visit President Buhari in London.

    The Senate President reiterated that they met President Buhari in good spirit, in good health and chatty as usual.

    Saraki said that he led the delegation to convey the good wishes of the National Assembly to President Buhari.

    President Buhari, Saraki said, “hopes to be back very soon.”

     

  • Test results: Buhari needs more time to rest in London – Presidency

    Test results: Buhari needs more time to rest in London – Presidency

    …Says no cause for worry

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday thanked millions of Nigerians who have been sending good wishes and praying for his health and well-being in mosques and churches throughout the country.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said that he was immensely grateful for the prayers, show of love and concern.

    He also reassured Nigerians that there is no cause for worry.

    The statement reads “During his normal annual checkup, tests showed he needed a longer period of rest, necessitating the President staying longer than originally planned.”

    The President had embarked on the medical vacation in the United Kingdom since 19th of January 2017.

    Speaking with State House correspondents on Tuesday, Adesina said that the test results are responsible for Buhari’s long stay in the UK.

    He said “The President wants Nigerians to know that he appreciates their prayers, he appreciates their concerns and their goodwill. He has added that there is really no cause to worry.

    “He is the one who owns the body and there is nobody who will know his body more than him and he says no cause to worry.

    “It makes sense to say that maybe from the results of the tests, further rests had been recommended. The statement did not say how long the rest will last.

    “I speak for somebody, I do not speak for myself. So it is what he tells me to say that I say and the statement transmitted to me is that the President needs to rest for some further time.” he said

    On the possibility that he will speak directly to Nigerians, he said: “What he has just done is to speak to Nigerians.”

    Asked to speak on the President’s sickness, he said “Don’t you know that the Hippocratic Oath even forbids a doctor from speaking about the condition of his patient except the patient authorises it? It is only the patient himself who can speak about what he is going through.

    “This is the person going through these series of tests and rest and he says no cause to worry, let us believe that.”

    On why journalists trying to reach the President in UK were been harassed, he said “I do not consider that an harassment. Presidents are not hijacked and interviewed. Those things are scheduled. So I do not consider that as harassment.

    Also speaking on the reports that Buhari may remain in UK for months, he said: “What we have just said is what I will want us to believe. The President said he needs to rest further. The same President that communicated that to us, when it is time for him to come, he will also communicate to us.

    On the claim that the President has lost his voice, he said that those making the claim needs to prove it.

    “Those people need to prove it. He spoke with President Trump. Did Trump say he did not speak with Nigerian President. Anybody can allege anything.

    “My message to Nigerians is that let us learn to believe our leaders. This is a man we elected into office and he says no cause to worry, let us believe him,” he added.

     

  • Aso Villa owes Abuja Disco N555m

    Aso Villa owes Abuja Disco N555m

    The Federal Government will spend the sum of N94.5 million to purchase bullet-proof tyres for the use of President Muhammadu Buhari and others in the 2017 fiscal year, Permanent Secretary, State House, Jalal A. Arabi, has said.

    The purchase of canteen and Kitchen equipment, on the other hand, will gulp N100.8 million.

    This is contained in the breakdown of the State House 2017 budget presented by Arabi to the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs.

    The number of treated (bullet proof) tyres that will be purchased with N94.5 million was, however, unspecified.

    The Permanent Secretary told the committee that a total sum of N94.5 million is proposed for 2017 representing 50% of the actual sought for in 2016.

    He noted that they expected that the amount will address the shortfall and compliment the requirement of “the sector which is mostly treated tyres procured at an exorbitant price.”

    On why the tyres should be purchased at “exorbitant price” Arabi explained that “some of the tyres being purchased are actually treated (bullet proof)” and hence constituted the bulk of the purchase cost.

    On canteen and kitchen equipment, Arabi said that the sum of N100.8 million was provided for in the 2017 proposal for the items.

    He added: “This amount is principally the un-released appropriation for 2016 which was the unpaid balance in 2015 for contracts awarded and executed. The sum of N80.2million appropriated in 2016 has up to this moment not been released hence its roll over and inclusion in 2017.”

    He noted that it was important to mention that the proposal covered kitchen equipment in the main residence, VP residence, banquet hall, State House medical centre, State House auditorium and 22 other guest houses.

    On electricity charges, he said that N45.3 million was approved in the 2016 budget for the purpose.

    He said that the State House electricity bill for 2016 alone as forwarded by Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) for State House Abuja was N252 million with another outstanding liability of over N300 million for State House, Lagos facilities.

    He noted that the provision in the 2016 budget could not accommodate the outstanding liability.

    He said that the management of the State House was forced to install meters in 2016 to ensure proper billing “and that was what reduced the bill to a reasonable figure.”

    Arabi said that since the bills were currently subject of reconciliation “we have made a modest provision of the sum of N319.6 million for 2017 to settle current and part of outstanding bills as noted above.”

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    He said that other outstanding bills will be captured in 2018 proposals.

    Arabi said that a “modest provision of N4.9 billion” was made for annual routine maintenance of Villa facilities for the 2017 fiscal year.

    He said that they considered some factors including exchange rate and inflation trends before coming up with the provision.

    He said: “The services under this heading are very wide and vary. For instance, in 2016 alone, our analysis indicated a consumption of about 123 trailers (about 4million litres) of diesel in the State House Power House alone and which falls under this arrangement. This gives a conservative estimate of almost N900 million on diesel consumption alone. This would rise higher in 2017 unless drastic measures are taken to lower the price of diesel and improve power supply in 2017.”

    Arabi said that another major contributing factor to the rising cost was the undetermined nature of unscheduled works that come at the instance of “our principals.”

    He noted that the facilities covered under the maintenance arrangement included but not limited to maintenance of electrical/mechanical installations, building and civil infrastructure in President/VP residences and offices, President/VP safe houses, banquet hall, council chambers, State House conference center, Villa administrative block, presidential and ministerial chalets as well as Airport lounges.

    The Permanent Secretary said that the sum of N52.8 million was provided for sewerage charges in 2017.

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    He said that the bills received from Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) for liquid waste disposal for the State House for 2016 is N15.6 million with outstanding liabilities of previous years standing at N37.5 million totaling N52.8 million.

    He noted that the figure remained consistent over the years which informed the provision of the same amount in the sum of N52.8million in 2017.

    Arabi said that the position was the same sought for in 2016 proposal “but only a paltry sum of N6.1 million was appropriated.

    He said that they have already commenced negotiation with AEPB to arrive at a mutually acceptable changes henceforth.

    The Permanent Secretary put the sum of N5.08 billion as the total sum of overhead expenditure.

    Chairman of the committee, Senator Tijjani Kaura said that the State House Medical centre should be properly funded by the center does not serve the Presidential Villa alone but provides services for outsiders.

     

  • We discussed national issues with President Buhari – Dogara

    We discussed national issues with President Buhari – Dogara

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has said that himself, president of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and leader of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, discussed national issues when they visited President Muhammadu Buhari in London  Wednesday evening.

    Dogara in a tweet via his verified official twitter handle @YakubDogara on said they discussed national issues with the President in the United Kingdom.

    The Speaker, according to a statement by his Special Adviser Media & Public Affairs Turaki Hassan further said “President Buhari is as fit as a fiddle and cracked jokes in his usual manner.

    “President is as fit as a fiddle, “after burning national issues, it was all PMB’s vintage humorous jokes. I’m so elated he is as fit as a fiddle.”

    Recall that the leadership of the National Assembly’s visit to the President is sequel to an agreement reached between the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

  • Rice importation costs Nigeria 2 bn dollars annually- Dangote

    Rice importation costs Nigeria 2 bn dollars annually- Dangote

    Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Groups of Companies, says Nigerians consume over 6.5 million tonnes of rice annually, less than half of which is produced locally.

    Dangote said that on Wednesday during the inauguration of the Dangote Rice Out growers Scheme in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto state.

    He expressed concern that the deficit arising from the importation of rice cost Nigeria over 2 billion dollars per annum.

    He said: “As agriculture remains an important sector in our economy, we plan to produce 1million tonnes of high-quality parboiled rice within the next three years.

    “This is by cultivating about 160,000 hectares of irrigable rice farmland in some selected states, thus making the commodity affordable to ordinary Nigerians.

    “Moreover, the out-growers scheme is committed to creating a significant number of jobs, increasing the incomes of small holder farmers and ensuring food security in the country.

    “This is by providing high-quality seeds, fertiliser and agrochemicals, as well as technical assistance on best agricultural practice to farmers.”

    The Project Director, Dangote Rice Ltd, Mr Robert Coleman said that the Sokoto operation was a demonstration phase meant to familiarise the farming community with the programme.

    “The phase is to familiarise the farming community through the training of extension workers and lead farmers as well as test modern technologies, ‘he said.

    ”In 2017, they will have 25,000 hectares to be cultivated by nearly 50,000 out growers, in addition to 260 jobs expected to be created by the end of the year.”

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal called on the farmers to respect the agreement signed between the state and Dangote group to ensure that,” all products are directed to the real sectors of need.’’

    ”The coming of Dangote to invest in the state was as a result of the government’s sustained efforts toward inviting prospective investors to the state,” he said.

    Earlier, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for diversifying the economy and urged Nigerians to pray for him.

  • Group alleges plot to frustrate Buhari’s Government

    Group alleges plot to frustrate Buhari’s Government

  • APC women plan national prayer summit for Buhari

    APC women plan national prayer summit for Buhari

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) women will hold a national prayer summit for quick recovery of the President Muhammadu Buhari.

    APC Deputy National Women leader Tina Ekwueme-Adike, who disclosed this to newsmen in Owerri on Friday, said they were worried by speculation over the health of President Buhari,

    She said that the Prayer Summit would be organised by the office of the APC deputy national women leader at Enugu and to be attended by mainly APC women from the entire Southern zone.

    She said that the prayer which would be non-denominational cuts across all political parties.

    “The prayer is specifically meant to implore God to re-enact  back those  values which Africans  and Nigerians  in particular  are noted for, especially respecting human values and praying for our leaders,’’ she said.

    Ekwueme-Adike condemned what she described as the unwarranted and unnecessary death wishes circulating in the social media on the health of the president.

    The APC deputy national women leader reminded Nigerians that to die was never for the elderly only but also for the young and infants alike.

    “Those speculating the death of someone, his or her business are rather putting their own life and business at risk because the law of nature will befall them,’’ she said.

    She urged Nigerian women to demonstrate a sense of commitment, patriotism, and selflessness in their daily life, noting that it would surely be well for the nation in the near future.

    She explained that the proposed prayer summit for the nation and its leadership was also for all Nigerians irrespective of their political parties, religion and tribal afflictions.

  • Electricity: Dangote chief advocates restructuring, better funding

    Electricity: Dangote chief advocates restructuring, better funding

    As Nigerians and businesses grope in darkness, Honorary Adviser to the President of Dangote Group, Eng. Joe Makoju has advocated adequate funding and restructuring of the Power sector so as to achieve relative stability in electricity generation and distribution

    He said the power sector is currently bankrupt to the point of even threatening the health of financial institutions and the wider national economy.

    To restructure the sector for effective services, Makoju advised a reduction in the distribution zones.

    Speaking at a two-day Power Sector Stakeholders Interactive Dialogue convened by the National Assembly in Abuja, Makoju who was a special adviser to three different Presidents of Nigeria on Power canvassed for a fundamental structural change as against the current path of tariff increases and government bailouts.

    He said: “I want to stress that, I do not wish to be alarmist; but if we continue on the current path of tariff increases and government bailouts without fundamental structural changes, we will soon be dealing with a disaster. What assets are on the ground will depreciate, financial positions will deepen, and eventually we will all come back to these same conclusions but after much more harm has been done.”

    While revealing that the failure of the Power Sector under government management was not a technical and commercial management of the business but the absence of sustained and adequate funding of the sector, he said despite the privatisation exercise six years ago, the problem of the sector remains the same.

    electricity 1According to him, “Most of the private sector investors in the power privatisation had no specialist knowledge or understanding of the power sector, which has eroded the technical and managerial competence in the industry. And the funding problems have persisted and even become exacerbated as they now even threaten the stability and health of the nation’s banking system as well as the entire electricity sector.”

    While noting that the distribution end of the value chain is the most inefficient and has suffered the greatest neglect, he described it as one which underpins the financial viability and sustainability of the entire sector. “To get the sector moving forward we need to improve its liquidity position, and this can only be accomplished through satisfied, paying customers.” he asserted.

    Still on the issue of adequate funding for the sector, Makoju said the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) reports that as at December 2016, the funding gap in the power sector is over N1 trillion and as such, he advised that funding must be looked at from the perspective of new equity and debt financing arrangements and structures, and internally generated revenue maximization.

    As a lasting solution, he also canvassed new capable players working in a reconfigured power sector while also considering residual government shares for bringing in long-term funding.

    While urging the FG to declare a state of emergency in the power sector, he routes for the engagement of industry experts and policymakers to draw up a comprehensive power sector master plan building on past provisions and arrangements to deliver an electricity industry fit for current and future needs.

    Makoju said: “The present configuration is not working and will not work even with more money pumped in. The structure of the sector needs to be reconfigured for efficiency, with fewer distribution zones for instance. These can be managed and coordinated by a reputable international operator like EDF, Globeleq, Actis, Reliance, etc. in partnership with financially credible Nigerian entities,” Makoju also canvassed for the restructuring of the TCN management for better service delivery.

    Given the extended lead times required for new gas, transmission and distribution improvement investments in the Power sector, and the quantum of legacy issues now encumbering the sector, Makoju opined that it may take anywhere from five years to 10 years to fully stabilise electricity delivery across the country.  

    Nevertheless, he said positive results can be recorded within the first five years’ period if earnest action is taken now. 

    Speaking at the Power Sector Stakeholders Interactive Dialogue, Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki said the problems with the power sector are Man-Made but are surmountable. He regretted that despite the huge amount of money sunk into the sector it has failed to bring about the desired result.

    He said the dialogue was convened because the legislative arm of government, which represents the Nigerian people are worried about the teething challenges facing power chain of generation, transmission and distribution. He said Nigerians of this generation must not repeat the mistakes of the past, adding that both regulators and players must be ready to make sincere sacrifices. 

    Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara also concurred with Senator Saraki that successive investments in the sector have not translated into efficiency and delivery of power to the people. He also asked questions relating to the proceeds of power sector privatisation, saying the legislative arm will continue to work with all stakeholders to deliver power to the Nigerian people.

    Minister of Power, Works and Housing Babatunde Fashola said the Muhammadu Buhari government is doing all things possible to address power problem. He, however, urged the legislative arm to support such efforts through vibrant legislations and continuing engagement with critical stakeholders.

    Also speaking Acting President Yemi Osinbajo said his office has been coordinating all activities in the sector and it is not unmindful of the deep crisis it is facing.

    He assured Nigerians the government is prioritising the sector, saying it is key to economic development. 

    Chairman of Egbin Power Plc Kola Adesina and Board Director Ikeja Electric urged the National Assembly to accord priority to power during budgeting. He also regretted that public sector debt in the sector has increased astronomically over the years.

  • Traditional rulers will support for Buhari – Sulu Gambari

    Traditional rulers will support for Buhari – Sulu Gambari

    The Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu Gambari has said that traditional rulers will continue to rally support for President Muhammadu Buhari for the success of his administration.

    The Emir stated this when the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, paid him a courtesy visit in his palace in company with six other ministers.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit was on the sidelines of the Federal Government Town Hall meeting for the North Central zone held on Monday inIlorin.

    The monarch said: “Speaking on behalf of the majority of traditional rulers of this country, we will offer help anytime and anywhere we are called upon.

    “We trust the president of this country, we know him to be a man of discipline and we hope he can tidy up things that are very rough now.

    “We pray that on his sojourn to England, he will get better and return to us in good health so that he can continue the good work that the majority of this country are expecting.buhari”

    The Emir also expressed confidence in members of the cabinet of the president, particularly those on the entourage.

    “You are the eyes of Mr President.

    “When the names of ministers were made public, we said, yes, this time around, we are very serious and ready for good governance.

    “Though it took time for Mr President to name his cabinet but it is better late and to select good hands that can deliver.

    “We are very optimistic that this administration will make a positive impact on the nation and the people,” he said.

    The monarch called on Nigerians to support the change agenda of the administration.

    Earlier, the Information minister said they were in the palace to pay homage to the monarch after the town hall meeting for the North central states of Kwara, Kogi and Niger.

    He also said that they were particularly impressed with the quality of traditional rulers that attended the town hall meeting from the three states.

    The minister noted that the town hall meeting was a very robust engagement with the people and they would take the recommendations therefrom to the president for consideration.

    He thanked the Emir for his role in ensuring peace in his domain and the country as a whole.