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Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • FEC wades into Falcon’s allowances’ palaver

    FEC wades into Falcon’s allowances’ palaver

    …Mohammed: Default in payment caused by recession

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday started deliberation on the crisis surrounding the payment of outstanding allowances and bonuses to the victorious Super Falcons.

    The team, which won the African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) trophy last Saturday, seized the trophy until the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) settles all their outstanding bonuses and allowances in tune of $25,000 for each player.

    They also vowed to remain at their Agora hotel in Abuja until their money is paid.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed said that FEC is looking into the matter.

    “The Minister of Youth and Sports raised the issue today at the council and it is being looked into,” he said.

    According to him, the economic recession in the country is partly responsible for inability to meet up with the outstanding payments.

    “Over time, it has become tradition to reward victorious athletes of sports persons but I think this is caused by the biting economic situation.

    “The Minister of Youths and Sports is handling the matter. It was reported under other matters today at the council,” he stated.

  • Court strikes out Buhari’s N50b suit against NTA, IGP, Ali, others

    Court strikes out Buhari’s N50b suit against NTA, IGP, Ali, others

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out a N50billion suit by President Muhammadu Buhari against two media houses, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), former Director of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential campaign organisation, Ahmadu Ali, among others.

    The suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/267/2015 was filed by the President on March 23, 2015 through a team of lawyers led by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

    The suit sought to among others, prohibit the defendants from further airing and publishing an offensive documentary produced by then President Jonathan’s campaign organisation, which portrayed Buhari and his party – All Progressives Congress (APC) in bad light.

    Defendants in the suit included DAAR Communication Plc – owner of African Independent Television (AIT), National Television Authority (NTA), National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), IGP, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Dr. Ahmadu Ali.

    Buhari had argued, in his statement of claim that the documentary titled: “The Real Buhari,” aired on NTA and AIT during the last presidential campaign, amounted to hate speech, which contravened Section 95(1) of the Electoral Act, 2010.

    He stated that the hate broadcast by Daar Communication (AIT) and NTA, contained fabricated and concocted facts about the purported past of the 1st plaintiff (Buhari), meant to mislead the electorate for the benefit of then President Jonathan, then Vice President, Namadi Sambo and the PDP.

    The plaintiffs – Buhari and the APC – sought among others, a declaration that the publication and airing of the documentary breached Section 95 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 and Section 2(g) – (n) of the NBC Act 2010.

    The plaintiffs also urged the court to award N50b in exemplary and aggravated damages against the defendants, and in their (plaintiffs’) favour.

    They equally sought an order directing the 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th defendants (Daar Communication, NTA, PDP and Ali to publish “unreserved apologies” in the Economist of London, the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Cable News Network (CNN), among others.

    When the case was mentioned Wednesday, no lawyer announced appearance for any of the parties.

    In a brief ruling, Justice John Tsoho noted that the case was filed on March 23, 2015, but that the plaintiffs failed to take any follow-up steps.

    “It (the case) is deemed abandoned. And it is hereby struck out,” the judge said.

  • Buhari swears in 6 INEC Commissioners, expresses concern over electoral processes

    Buhari swears in 6 INEC Commissioners, expresses concern over electoral processes

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday swore in six Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and expressed concern over the integrity of the nation’s electoral processes.

    The president charged the commissioners to be firm and fair in the discharge of their duties, urging them to help consolidate the integrity of the electoral body.

    “This administration is extremely concerned with the integrity of the electoral processes. You are people of great integrity, renowned throughout the country. This administration will depend on you to be firm and fair.

    “What this administration expects is that after we have gone, that Nigerians will read in our political history, that we respect Nigerians.

    “We woo Nigerians to use his Permanent Voters Card (PVC), cross checked by the card reader, that they have been given the opportunity.

    ”The security in their respective constituencies to elect those they want to elect, the rest is left to their conscience and to God.’’

    The president, who frowned at the way by-elections were conducted in some states of the federation, said government would continue to ensure violent-free elections in the country.

    He congratulated the commissioners for their new appointments.

    Responding on behalf of the commissioners, Mr Okechukwu Ibeano, pledged that they would discharge their duties diligently.

    He also thanked the president and Nigerians for giving them the opportunity to serve the nation.

    “On behalf of my five colleagues, I thank the President and Nigerians for giving us this special and challenging opportunity to serve this country.

    “We pledge to discharge our duties, responsibilities and functions as contained in the oath of allegiance and oath of office which we have just sworn to.

    “We seek the support and prayers of the government and people of Nigeria so that we can discharge our functions to the best of our abilities and contribute to improve the advances and achievements that have been recorded in our electoral processes so far.

    The six INEC commissioners sworn in by the president are Okechukwu Obinna Ibeanu (Anambra), May I. Agbamuche-Mbu (Delta) and retired AVM Ahmed Mu’Azu from Gombe state.

    Others are Mohammed Kudu Haruna (Niger), Mr Adekunle Ogunmola (Oyo) and Abubakar Nahuche from Zamfara.

  • Be firm, fair, Buhari tasks INEC commissioners

    Be firm, fair, Buhari tasks INEC commissioners

    …swears-in six INEC commissioners

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday charged newly sworn in commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be fair and firm in the discharge of their electoral assignments.

    He gave the charge during the swearing in ceremony for six commissioners at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The new commissioners, whose appointments have been confirmed by the Senate, are Mohammed Kudu Haruna (North-central), Retired Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Tijani Mu’azu (North-east), Abubakar Nahuche (North-west), Professor Okechukwu Ibeano (South-east); May Agbamuche Mbu, (South-south) and Dr Adekunle Ladipo Ogunmola (South-west).

    Buhari told them to live up to expectation as his administration is extremely concerned about integrity of electoral processes.

    He said: “You are coming on board at a critical time of our political development. I am sure you have truly observed the bye-elections from Kogi to Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo and Ondo. I am sure you are even concerned about the carnage in some of the elections and the resources dissipated.

    “This administration is extremely concerned about the integrity of the electoral processes. You are people of great integrity known throughout the country.

    “This administration will demand of you to be firm and fair. What this administration expects is that after we have gone, Nigerians will read the political history and know that we served Nigeria.

    “We want every Nigerian to use his PVC cross checked by card reader, that they have been given the opportunity and security in their respective constituencies to elect those they want to elect. The rest is left to their conscience and to God,” he added.

    Speaking on behalf of the commissioners, Ibeano thanked the President and Nigerians for giving them the opportunity to serve the country.

    “We pledge to discharge our duties, responsibilities and functions as contained in the oath of allegiance and oath of office which we have just sworn to.

    “We seek the support and prayers of the government and people of Nigeria so that we can discharge our functions to the best of our abilities and contribute to improve the advances and achievements that have been recorded in our electoral processes so far,” he added.

  • Boko Haram’s end in sight, says Buhari

    Boko Haram’s end in sight, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Dakar, Senegal assured the international community that the end of Boko Haram terrorists was in sight.

    He also commended the increased cooperation between Nigeria and its neighbours in the fight against terrorism.

    Speaking at a Panel of Heads of State at the 3rd Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa, the President also assured the international community that the security situation in Nigeria had improved significantly.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said: “About a month ago, I spoke with the President of Chad and I was pleased that a number of Chadians and Nigerians that were Boko Haram members are surrendering to him en-masse.

    “The good news I have is that the end of the raining season has come in the North eastern region of Nigeria.

    “Members of the Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) are in their respective positions and at an agreed time they will move simultaneously and spontaneously for us to see the end of Boko Haram.

    “We are now operating in the Sambisa Forest and as far as Boko Haram is concerned in the Lake Chad Basin area, I think they are done for.” He stated.

    Highlighting the gains of the cooperation among the Lake Chad Basin Commission countries comprising Chad, Niger, Cameroon, Benin Republic and Nigeria, Buhari told the gathering that Boko Haram is no longer holding any territory or Local Government Area (LGA) in his country.

    “Those who live in the North East know that Boko Haram is no longer holding a single territory in the 774 LGAs in Nigeria. But they have a system of using IEDs and they indoctrinate mostly teenage girls and send them to soft targets to churches, mosques and market places. That too is becoming very rear.

    “I think Boko Haram shot themselves in the foot when they gave their ideology a religious connotation by killing children in their schools, people in the mosque and churches and shouting Allahu Akbar.

    “This is a major contradiction as no religion advocates hurting the innocent. You can’t kill people and say Allahu Akbar. You either do not know what you are saying or you don’t believe it,’’ President Buhari said.

    He said that Nigeria is capable of surmounting its security challenges as he appealed to the international community to focus more attention on addressing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and unemployment in Nigeria.

    “In the southern part of the country, stolen Nigerian crude is being illegally transported through the Gulf of Guinea and installations offshore are being subverted. We also have the problem of unemployment in Nigeria. With a population of 180 million people of which 65 per cent are under the age of 35, young Nigerians are looking for any kind of job to survive.

    “We are addressing the situation (unemployment) by turning to agriculture and solid minerals because we are lucky to be blessed with arable land, water and resources,” he stated.

  • List of successful police job seekers released

    List of successful police job seekers released

    The Police Service Commission (PSC) has released the names of successful 10,000 applicants that will be recruited into the Nigeria Police Force.

    President Muhammadu Buhari at a Security Summit in Abuja last year announced the federal government’s decision to inject 10,000 police men into the Force.

    The commission explained that the recruitment exercise was based on merit, Federal Character and geographical spread and all the successful candidates went through the processes put in place for the exercise which involved the screening of the credentials of the candidates and physical screening such as height, sight, chest etc.

    The Commission in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday by the Spokesman of the Commission, Ikechukwu Ani stated that the Commission has conclusively completed the recruitment of the General duty applicants made up of 500 Cadet Assistant Superintendents of Police (ASP), 500 Cadet Inspectors and, 7,500 Constables.

    It also noted that it has concluded the recruitment of 80percent of 1,500 specialists expected to be recruited into the Force and have shortlisted applicants who applied for some disciplines that require further professional/expert interview.

    According the Commission, the specialists include; engineers, laboratory scientists and technicians, community health officers and the date for the interview will be communicated to the shortlisted candidates.

    Applicants have been asked to check the following Commission’s websites; www.psc.gov.ng and the Nigeria Police Force website, www.npf.gov.ng for their names.

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  • Buhari seeks smooth transition in Gambia

    Buhari seeks smooth transition in Gambia

    President Muhammadu Buhari has again congratulated the President-elect of Gambia, Mr. Adama Barrrow on his electoral victory.

    He had earlier congratulated him on Saturday December 3, after his triumph was announced.

    In a telephone conversation with him on Monday afternoon before his trip to the International Forum on Peace and Security in Senegal, President Buhari expressed his gladness at the conduct of the contestants before, during and after the elections.

    He urged Mr. Barrow to ensure that the transition process is also as smooth as the electoral process and carry everyone along in his task of taking the Gambia to a new level.

    The President, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, also expressed his admiration at the existing rapport between the President-elect and other contestants especially the current President, who lost the election.

    Stressing that democracy, rule of law and respect for each other are fast taking roots in Africa, he said that Gambia has also become a role model for Africa and the world at large.

  • Buhari tasks African leaders on socio-political stability

    Buhari tasks African leaders on socio-political stability

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday tasked African leaders on the need to ensure socio-political stability in their countries.

    This, he said, will help to achieve peace and speedy regional and sub-regional integration in the continent.

    He spoke during a joint press briefing with the visiting Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, after a closed door meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Even as he noted that the situation in the ECOWAS sub-region was relatively stable, he said there was need to continue to persuade the leaders to pay more attention to security and development.

    He said: “The situation in our sub-region is relatively stable but there is the need for us to continue to persuade our colleagues to show appreciation on the efforts the sub-region is doing to make sure that we pay more attention to security and development.

    “I have appreciated very much your efforts and I also congratulate you on your successes. I believe you may even go outside the region, to African Union, so that before the AU meeting we try and persuade the leadership of those countries in our sub-region to show more patience and accommodation with politics of their countries,” he added.

    He said that the forthcoming 3rd Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security would discuss some political developments in two countries of the sub-region.

    Commending the Liberian leader for handling the affairs of the ECOWAS diligently, Buhari lauded Sirleaf’s efforts in stabilizing her country.

    “I have to very sincerely congratulate you with the way you have stabilised your country and with the small contributions Nigeria was able to make throughout those difficult times that you went through.

    “And also thank you very much on the way you are handling ECOWAS responsibility. We have one or two countries that I believe we will discuss when we go to Senegal today, tomorrow and maybe on Wednesday, in terms of peace and security.’’

    The Liberian leader, who is also the Chairperson of the Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS nations, said she was in Nigeria to be updated on the focus and challenges of the work of the ECOWAS Commission.

    According to her, the visit is also meant enable her meet with the entities of ECOWAS, the Commission, the Parliament and the Courts in preparation for the forthcoming Summit of the Authority of the ECOWAS, slated for Abuja on Dec. 17.

    “I’m glad once again to be back in Abuja. I’m using the opportunity of this visit to be updated on the focus and challenges of the work of the ECOWAS Commission, to meet with the entities of ECOWAS, the Commission, the Parliament and the Courts in preparation for the reports I will present at the Summit of the Authority, which will be held here in Abuja, on Dec. 17.

    “But, I’m so grateful that while here, I reached out to the President and asked him for the opportunity to call on him to be able to brief him on some of the findings I have had in my two days of consultation with the commission.

    “I also exchange with him  some of the developments in our sub-region, political development; economic development, and to get his wise counsel on how we can ensure that we monitor the situation in  all the West African countries so as  to maintain peace and stability in all of our countries,” She stated.

  • President Buhari mourns former Minister of Commerce, Kuforiji

    President Buhari mourns former Minister of Commerce, Kuforiji

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the family of former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Otunba Ayora Bola Kuforiji-Olubi, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 80.

    The President, who recently received the former minister and first female Chairman of the United Bank of Africa at the State House, also extended heartfelt condolences to the government and people Ogun State.

    He also condoled with the banking industry, Otunba Kuforiji-Olubi’s friends and professional colleagues over the sad loss.

    In a statement by Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity on Monday in Abuja, Buhari recalled that during his Oct. 20 meeting with the banking and accounting guru, where he congratulated her on her 80th birthday, she was “warm and hearty”.

    He affirmed that the then first female President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria served the nation and humanity with all her God-given strength and talent.

    He noted that the multiple professional, national awards and fellowships she received were well deserved.

    The President said “as a distinguished economist and manager who scored many firsts
    in breaking the glass ceiling in both private and public services, the deceased would be remembered for redefining the place of womanhood in Nigeria’s development and inspiring others.”

    President Buhari prayed that the Almighty God would grant her eternal rest, and also comfort her loved ones.

  • Nigeria-Morocco to sign 15 bilateral agreements – Minister

    Nigeria-Morocco to sign 15 bilateral agreements – Minister

    15 agreements in various areas of cooperation, are expected to be signed between Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco.

    This information was given by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Geoffrey Onyeama

    Confirming this to State House correspondents in Abuja on Friday, Onyeama said President Muhammadu Buhari and the Moroccan King, Mohammed VI would be witnesses to the signing.

    According to the minister, the agreements which will create mutual benefits to both countries, will touch on trades, oil and gas, fertilizer production amongst others.

    “There are about 15 agreements that are going to be signed in various areas of cooperation.

    “You know in private sector, Dangote company will be signing agreement on fertilizer production because Morocco is a big fertilizer producer and of course we are hoping that together we can be able to produce fertilizer at affordable price in this country.

    “In the agricultural area, fishery, there is an agreement to be signed there; Air travel Agreement, the Sovereign Wealth Fund; to help us in the in the Clean Energy,’’ he said

    On what Nigeria stands to gain from the King’s visit, he said: “Hopefully in the short and medium terms it could run into billions.

    “We are looking at a trans-Africa gas pipeline that is going to run along the coast of West Africa from Nigeria to Morocco giving us the potential to supply gas to Europe directly. We are talking billions of dollars there.

    “The potential is enormous. The visit is very important, it is a win-win visit, win for Morocco and win for Nigeria.’’