The Nation Newspaper

Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • #‎BBOG applauds Buhari, Military, others for Chibok girls release

    …We have been vindicated, says #BBOG

    Members of the #BringBackOurGirls (#BBOG) group have expressed excitement over the release of twenty one Chibok girls.

    The group which congratulates the Buhari led Federal Government, Soldiers on the battle line and international negotiators for securing their release, state that they will continue to make demands for the release of the remaining 197 girls.

    In a press statement signed by leaders of the group, Oby Ezekwesili and Aisha Yesufu, #BBOG states that the movement is very supportive of an immediate commencement of the program for the physical, mental, emotional and social recovery process of our released 21 girls.

    They stated, “We are extremely delighted and welcome the news of the release of 21 of our 218 #ChibokGirls who have been in Boko Haram captivity for 913 days. Our hope is renewed that our Government will fulfil the pledge it made to rescue all our #ChibokGirls as well as every other abducted citizen of our country. Now, we can continue to make our demand for the rescue of the remaining 197 #ChibokGirls with greater expectation of their quick return.

    “Kudos to our Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, our soldiers in the frontline of battle who daily sacrifice, the heads of the military and security establishment for today’s remarkable development. We also thank the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Swiss government and all negotiators involved in securing the release.

    “We wish to again recommend the use of the instrument of Verification, Authentication and Rehabilitation System (VARS) which our movement developed and had twice at our meeting with our President offered for Federal Government use. VARS is a process that can help achieve a most effective and credible identification, rehabilitation (physical and psychosocial), resettlement and reintegration of our released girls in a systematic and structured manner.

    “Our movement is very supportive of an immediate commencement of the program for the physical, mental, emotional and social recovery process of our released 21 girls and stand ready to support the Federal and Borno State Government in every relevant respect.

    “Following this development, we trust that our government will continue to work to keep the safety, security, and well-being of the other girls a high priority. We further urge the international community to continue to support our government’s effort to rescue all other abducted Nigerians, so that parents, the Chibok community, the nation, and the world can finally put an end to this nightmare once and for all.”

    Meanwhile, member of the group, Fatima Abba-Kaka has stated that the group has been vindicated from those who doubted them and the sincerity of the Chibok girls abduction.

    Abba-Kaka said, “those that doubted us and those that said they did not exist, God has vindicated us, even when my President said he had no credible intelligence, now I can understand why he said it, because he did not want us to let go and now he has done it and Nigerians that doubted that the girls where taken, you know God is almighty and for everything we say God and God has vindicated us, we will keep on standing, we will keep on demanding until the last girl comes out, this has just re-energised us.”

  • Reps to probe Buhari’s appointments

    Reps to probe Buhari’s appointments

    The House of Representatives is set to investigate all appointments into Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) since the inception of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The lawmakers said the investigation became necessary due to public outcry over apparent lopsidedness and imbalance in recent appointments and sharing of posts into public offices by the federal government and some of its agencies in favour of certain zones.

    Consequently, House Committee on Federal Character has been mandated to carry out a comprehensive overview of all Federal government appointments/recruitments during this dispensation.

    The Committee that was given four weeks to carry out the assignment would ascertain level of compliance or otherwise of the MDAs with Section 14 (3) of the Constitution.

    The decision of the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion by Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), who noted that the failure of the Federal government to comply with the federal character principles in appointments/recruitments into public offices and government agencies has negatively affected the country.

    “The concern and commentaries in the recent time about an apparent lopsidedness and imbalance in appointments and sharing of posts into public offices by the federal government and some of its agencies in favour of certain zones.

    “This negates Section14 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended that ‘The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice’.

    “Section 14 (3) of the Constitution also made it clear  that ‘The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few States or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies’.

    “It was towards the realisation of the above objectives that the Federal Character Commission (FCC) was established under the Federal Character Commission (Establishment, etc) Act, 2004, with responsibility to promote, monitor and enforce compliance with the principles of the proportional sharing of all bureaucratic, economic and political posts at all levels of government.

    “It is however worrisome that the Federal Government and the Federal Character Commission (FCC) have not lived up to the above mandate as there exists numerous cases of lopsidedness and imbalance in appointments and sharing of posts/offices, including the recent recruitments by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) appointments into boards and parastatals and more recently the nomination of Ambassadors, to mention but a few.

    “Unless urgent and positive steps are taken to check the prevailing imbalance in the appointments and sharing of Federal Government posts, people would continue to be discontented and despondent, and this could lead to dis-unity and disloyalty, and heighten ethnic agitations and national insecurity”.

    Also in its resolution, the House urged the Federal Government to comply with the Federal Character Principles in Section 14 (3) of the Constitution in all appointments/recruitments into public offices in the country.

    The motion was unanimously adopted when it was put to voice vote by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara.

     

  • #ChibokGirls: Ezekwesili expresses gratitude to God, Buhari

    #ChibokGirls: Ezekwesili expresses gratitude to God, Buhari

    Following Thursday’s release of 21 out of the 218 Chibok school girls abducted by the terrorist Boko Haram group in Nigeria, the former minister of Education, and leading voice on the global #Bring Back Our Girls campaign, #BBOG, Oby Ezekwesili has expressed gratitude to God and equally thanked both the President Muhammadu Buhari and the gallant Nigerian soldiers for seeing to the safe release of the girls.

    Ezekwesili who took to the social media to express her joy over the release of the girls said her mood was that of weeping, a cry that is a mixture of multiple emotions.

    Calling on all Nigerians and the world to join voices with the Psalmist’s song of 126 in thanking God, she said at 4am in California, she could not sleep again because of joy. “I can only weep, right now. You know that kind of cry that is a mix of multiple emotions. Lord. Some of OUR Girls ARE BACK!!! B. A. C. K.!!”

    “As WE @BBOG_Nigeria wait for FG and #ChibokParents identification of OUR 21 #ChibokGirls, THANK YOU, LORD. THANK YOU, @MBuhari .Thank you.” “It is4am in California and I can no longer sleep. Join me in singing the words of Psalm126… “When the Lord turned again the CAPTIVITY…” She also said it was a thing of joy that the number of the abducted girls has now reduced from 218 to 197. “On this DAY913 of OUR #ChibokGirls: President @MBuhari What Are We Demanding?

    #BringBackOurGirlsNowAndAlive How many? 197 no longer 218!!!” “DAY 913 of OUR #ChibokGirls. WE @BBOG_Nigeria so thank our soldiers in the frontline of battle. You’ve given &keep giving so much SACRIFICE,” She concluded.

    The released girls were among the 219 students stolen from their dormitory bed in Chibok community, Borno State on April 14, 2014. The Chibok girls were exchanged for four Boko Haram prisoners in Banki, an official of the Ministry of Information said. The girls were exchanged for four Boko Haram prisoners in Banki, northeast Nigeria, said a local source.

    A government official said the ‘insurgents released the 21 Chibok girls to the Nigerian government.

    Other sources revealed that the Chibok girls were rescued in Banki area of Borno state where Boko Haram militants had left them Thursday by military helicopter.

    Recall that in previous videos from the militant group, its leader, Abubakar Shekau had demanded the release of Boko Haram fighters in exchange for the Chibok girls.

  • Celestial members to pray for Nigeria

    Celestial members to pray for Nigeria

    The Pastor and Spiritual Head of the Celestial Church of Christ, Worldwide, Rev. Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa will on Monday October 17, lead Celestial faithful from across the world to the church’s Holy City at Imeko Abeokuta, Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, to offer prayers for President Muhammadu Buhari, those in the position of authority and the Nation at large.
    The Reverend made this known in Lagos on Thursday through the Pastor’s representative, Ven. Superior Evangelist Abraham Ajose, while speaking with journalists.
    According to Oshoffa, as a result of the current unsavory situation in the country, the spirit of God has directed the church to observe a day marathon prayer for the Nation that will free her from its current woes. He stated that the hourly prayer session will cover 6:00am, 9:00am, 12:00pm, 3:00pm and end at 6:00pm.
    Aside from members of the Celestia church, Oshoffa stated that other people in whatever denomination they belong who truly love the Nation, as well as yearn for peaceful coexistence, unity and progress of the country, should converge at Imeko for the special prayer for the Nation.
    The Cele leader, who, further stated that some, people who see the indivisible power of God in the church are of the view that until the leadership crisis rocking the fold is resolved, the country will not get it right, hence the need to prayer.
    However, he assured the Nation that with the power of prayer, the country will bounce back from its low moment; “…and we shall all be blessed,” he added.
  • Buhari nominates Environment Minister for AU Reform Steering Committee

    Buhari nominates Environment Minister for AU Reform Steering Committee

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the nomination of the Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina Mohammed to serve in the African Union Reform Steering Committee.

    This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

    The committee, headed by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda is tasked with ongoing institutional reforms of the AU Commission and its organs.

    The committee which comprises eminent persons from the continent will work on part-time basis to produce a report for presentation to the 28th African Union Summit in January 2017.

    A versatile and accomplished development practitioner in the public, private and civil society sectors with over three decades experience, Mrs Mohammed had served as the Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on MDGs, serving three Presidents over a period of six years.

    Until her appointment as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in November 2015, she was the Assistant Secretary/Special Advisor to the United Nations Secretary General on Post-2015 Development Planning.

  • DSS should probe more corrupt judges, Protesters urge Buhari

    DSS should probe more corrupt judges, Protesters urge Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to ensure that corrupt judges are flushed out of the system.  

    The call, which was made at a rally Wednesday in at the Federal High Court, Alausa, Lagos, saw placard-carry protesters urging the President to wipe out corruption in the judiciary and other arms of government.

    Some of the placards read, “We support total probe of the judiciary”, “Probe more judges”, “Justice is not for sale, Probe the court”, “Corruption is worse than Boko Haram.”

    The protesters also admonished the president not to deter to take decisive action on the judges saying all the judges so far indicted or arrested for corruption should immediately resign considering the magnitude of the case that the DSS has built against them.

    The Lagos Coordinator; Human Right and Anti-Corruption Coalition, Desmond Abiona who spoke on-behalf of the masses said Nigerians are sad that the judiciary that should be the last recourse of the common man is a bigger problem than what we had hoped it would solve for us.

    “How many terrorists have we successfully convicted and put away for good?”  he quried adding that  corrupt judges have not allowed it. They rather receive bribes and allow killers roam the land with explosive belts and AK47 than deploy the judiciary as a tool for curbing terrorism. “

    According to the activists, the case of those that have been given lenient punishments or bailed from the DSS net is a slap on the wrist by the National Judicial Council (NJC) urging the president to ensure that they must face the law court.

    “The DSS must widen its investigation to take in all the petitions that the NJC has ever discarded given the fact that the council has demonstrated it tends to shield corrupt judges. The arrested judges should be charged to court within the shortest time possible to that they cannot claim their rights were violated.

    “We want to clearly warn the judges that would be handling the trial of these arrested men that Nigerians would be watching closely and this is no time to play fraternal games. In addition to accepting bribes and being corrupt there is also something called conflict of interest and Nigerians will be watching.”

    “The DSS must widen its investigation,” adding that Nigerians are not expecting anything less.

  • Buhari will dualise Trans Saharan routes – Fashola

    Buhari will dualise Trans Saharan routes – Fashola

    Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola has said that President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to dualising Trans Saharan routes in the country.

    The Minister also disclosed that future road projects in the country would be upgraded to double-lanes.

    Fashola who spoke at the 65th session of the Trans Saharan ‎Road Liaison Committee, Monday in Abuja stated that the present administration attached great importance to developing the Trans Sahara road which traversed Algeria, Tunisia, Chad, Nigeria, Niger and Mali.

    He said the country had so far made significant development, including the 127.70km Lagos-Ibadan‎ and the 50km Oyo-Ogbomosho.

    His words: “The efforts of the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari are fully committed to the dualisation of the entire section of the Trans Saharan route in Nigeria

    “The 65th session of the Trans Sahara Road Liaison Committee further offers member countries the opportunity to strengthen the existing bilateral relations and provide an avenue to assess the extent of work that has been undertaken in ensuring the completion of the Trans Sahara route

    “The fact that out of a total length of 9, 500km of the Trans Saharan Route, more than 8, 000km of it has been surfaced with bituminous material which is a great achievement and more is expected to maintain and ensure the serviceability to the benefit of member countries and its peoples.”

    In his remarks, the Secretary General of the Committee, Mohammed Ayadi lauded the progress at which the project has witnessed.

    He said despite limited resources, three of the six countries‎ where the road passes had constructed almost all the totality of their respective sections and were involved in dualizing their roads.

    Ayadi described the project as a good example of active cooperation stressing that participating countries and institutions would immensely benefit from its proceeds when completed.

  • Buhari hails Super Eagles over victory against Zambia

    Buhari hails Super Eagles over victory against Zambia

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Super Eagles for the away victory over Zambia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier match at the weekend.

    The Nigerian National Team had defeated Zambia by 2-1 in Ndola.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said the victory is not only tonic for Nigeria, but also a confidence booster that the indomitable Nigerian spirit is well and alive.

    The President described the victory as “cheery and soul-lifting.”

    He said it was a sign of good things to come, urging the team not to rest on its oars till it eventually qualified for the global soccer fiesta.

    He said: “This is but the first step in a long journey. However, that step has been well taken. An away victory at this level, in which the stakes are quite high, is remarkable.

    “The ultimate is to qualify for Russia 2018, and fly Nigeria’s flag alongside those of other giant soccer playing nations. I look forward to that, and I urge the team and their handlers to always keep their eyes on the ball,” Buhari said.

  • Buhari to Nigerians: Patronize made-in-Nigeria goods

    Buhari to Nigerians: Patronize made-in-Nigeria goods

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday called on Nigerians to change their habits by patronizing made-in-Nigeria goods and services.

    He made the call while speaking at the 22nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja.

    According to him, increasing local production of goods and services will not only create jobs for the youths but move Nigeria from an import-based to an export-based economy.

    He said: “I am also delighted that your theme is: ‘Made in Nigeria’ which lies at the heart of so many efforts we are making to lead us through this trouble times and lay a firm foundation for the future.

    “As I have said in the past, we need to diversify the economy so that we will never again have to rely on one commodity to survive as a country. So that we can produce the food we eat, make our own textiles, produce most of the things we use and create the right environment for our youth to be able to benefit and create jobs through technology.

    “This has been the commitment and the mandate of this administration and I have remain focus on it since the assumption of this administration.

    “There is clearly no better way to achieve this without building out economic foundation of made in Nigeria goods and services. Fortunately, we have champions of made in Nigeria that have defied the odds over the years to produce locally and contribute to our economy.

    “I hope by the end of this you will make useful and realistic recommendations and policies.” He said

    The President added: “Initiative and incentives that will enhance your work we are already doing by this administration, I encourage more local production, to improve ease of doing business environment, transfer our technology and innovation capabilities, improve quality and standards, promote export and change our old attitude and behaviours to made in Nigeria products and services.

    “My greatest desire is that Nigeria moves from import dependence to self-sufficiency in local production and become an export-led economy in goods and services,” he stated.

    He said that he is looking forward to feedback on the summit’s deliberations.

  • Buhari, Obasanjo meet in Aso Rock

    Buhari, Obasanjo meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met behind closed-doors with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    The meeting, which was held at the President’s office in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, started around 2:20 p.m.

    It was still in progress at the time of this report.