The Nation Newspaper

Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • Files, files and files

    Files, files and files

    Rather than ignore past confab and other reports, we need to gain from them

    Recently the question about what shape the future of this country will take and how to approach that destiny has generated renewed acrimony.

    The first stir came from the presidency with the news that President Muhammadu Buhari tossed into the archives the report of the National Conference held in 2014 under President Jonathan’s watch. Subsequently, Buhari declared that the federation, as we know it, was not negotiable. He was reacting to Biafra’s swirl of separatist elan. Against that backdrop, some Nigerians had made calls of different decibels for restructuring.

    However, it was former vice president, Abubakar Atiku’s theatrical split with Buhari in his call to restructure the country that gave a new vitality to the outcry, and that outcry also led to a broadside from the secretary to the federation, Babachir David Lawal. The SGF dismissed the 2014 conference as “job for the boys.”

    A brouhaha ensued, and no less than the deputy chairman of the conference, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, lashed back at what he saw as Lawal’s insensitivity to the mammoth intellectual labour that birthed the report.

    We align with any view that accepts that Nigeria is an ongoing dialogue, and we believe that the president should have paid attention to the confab report. We agree that the circumstances of the 2014 confab fell below the virtues of political rectitude. It was billed as a project of distraction, to divert attention from criticisms of the Jonathan administration’s epic bumbling. But, as Professor Akinyemi noted, too many significant personalities, some of whom of iconic quintessence, took part. It would therefore be meeting cynicism with cynicism to throw away the whole report.

    While weighing in on the matter, Professor Wole Soyinka supported reconsidering the 2014 confab report, suggesting that its conclusions exceeded in quality that of Pro-National Conference Organisation of which he was a part. Hence he took exception to the president’s contempt for the report. Hear him: “We have a habit of consigning files to the dust shelves and then we start all over again. The (confab) report that came under Jonathan is even superior to the one that I participated in as a member of PRONACO and I think that should be addressed seriously.”

    We believe also that it is high time we plunged into our archives to salvage our files of reports. They contain our accumulated wisdom as a people. There is virtually no aspect of Nigerian life about which we have no diagnosis and of which we do not have prognosis or answer. We have rather turned this search for solution into a destiny of paralysis.

    A lot of efforts go into this work, and appreciations are necessary. That is what President Buhari did not demonstrate when he threw the 2014 file into the lurch. We are by no means saying the 2014 document was definitive. We are saying that we should retrieve all our files and study and excavate patterns and trends of diagnosis and solutions and go about implementing them.

    The House of Representatives has given a sort of endorsement to the 2014 confab report as a springboard to amend the 1999 Constitution. It is a good step but falls far short of what is necessary. The 2014 conference report has not addressed some of the fundamental worries of our federal imperfections, including fiscal imperatives and state police. But it has addressed a few of the weaknesses of this constitution. Its call for more states reflects more of our deficiencies than strength.

    The virtue of looking back to our collective work affects virtually every aspect of our national life. We have had reports on the education, health care, security, civil service reforms, local government structure.

    The problem is that successive governments have seen the organisation of men into committees as moves to mollify the civil society or to divert attention. When the reports come, we witness elaborate ceremonies in which the president gives a soaring speech and the heads of the panels also celebrates the rigour of their work and patriotism of their members.

    The government turns the whole document into an epic anticlimax and colossal waste of public resources and time. Some of the committees are seen often as opportunities to enjoy the perks and luxuries of government. It is so cynical that the members who work so hard to produce these sublime documents are doubtful of the prospects of the nation ever enjoying the fruits of their labour. However, some of the members take consolation in the material reward. Some of them are satisfied with the so-called largesse.

    Every nation needs ideas to develop, and we have the vitality of ideas decked up in files buried in dust. Yet we bellyache over perennial poverty, unequal parts, inequality, fiscal miscues, tribal tensions, religious fears and regional suspicions. All of these give us a future looming with instability.

    Researchers agree that virtually everyone in this country loves to be a Nigerian. We have just not agreed how to be one.

  • Buhari urged to give Semenitari time to restructure NDDC

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to give more time to the acting Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs Ibim Semenitari, to reposition the commission for optimal performances.

    The plea was made by the founder of Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF) and former Bayelsa state governorship candidate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), Moses Siloko Siasia,

    According to Siasia, Mrs. Semenitari is championing the restructuring of the commission to meet the yearning of Niger Delta in line with the agenda of the President Buhari-led administration.

    “I will appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to give Mrs. Semenitari more time to complete the restructuring of the commission so that it can contribute meaningfully to the development of the Niger Delta. She is dogged and committed, unbiased and incorruptible in the discharge of her responsibilities,” he said.

    Siasia, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mosilo Group, added that effort by the acting MD of the NDDC is beginning to show in the region by ensuring that projectes awarded by the previous administration are executed.

    “Since she assumed office, there has been a turnaround in the activities of NDDC. She is employing the standardized project management process in the execution of projects. This is in line with President Buhari mantra of change,” he noted.

    Observing that some politicians from Akwa Ibom are already jostling for the post, Siasia urged President Buhari to be mindful of them, stressing that history has shown that the best days of the commission are when technocrats and not career politicians head its affair.

    “Records are there to show that the commission performs well when professionals are engaged to head it, rather than the career politicians. I am sure if the president gives her more time, she will turn the place around and whenever, the president deems it fit to appoint someone from Akwa Ibom, he can look within the commission rather than these career politicians lobbying for the post,” he submitted.

  • Plaintiff discontinues certificate case against Buhari

    • Court strikes suit out

    A lawyer, Nnamdi Nwokocha-Ahaaiwe  beat a retreat Thursday in the suit he filed before the before the Federal High Court, Abuja challenging the veracity of the academic credentials of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Nwokocha-Ahaaiwe, had by the suit, sought to disqualify Buhari from the 2015 presidential elections on the ground that he failed to exhibit his West African School Certificate (WASC) in the form he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    On Thursday, Chikodi Okey Orji, representing the plaintiff, moved a motion for discontinuance of the case. He was silent on the reason for his decision to discontinue the case.

    Following Orji’s application, Justice Adeniyi Ademola struck out the case.

    By virtue of “Section 50(2) of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure Rules, this matter is hereby struck out,” the judge said.

    Justice Ademola had on June 16, adjourned further proceedings in the case indefinitely following the appeal filed against his ruling by lawyers representing Buhari.

    On June 15, Buhari had appealed against a previous ruling of the court dismissing the President’s preliminary objection and held that proper service of processes was effected on the President.

    It was the plaintiff’s main contention that Buhari was not qualified to run for president because he did not possess the minimum qualification to run for the office.

    He had alleged that Buhari did not sit for the Cambridge West African School Certificate WASC) in 1961.

  • Tompolo seeks meeting with Buhari

    Tompolo seeks meeting with Buhari

    • Says military option can’t work

    Former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Government Ekpemupolo (AKA Tompolo) has expressed a wish to meet President Muhammadu Buhari on the Niger Delta crisis.

    Tompolo, in a letter to the President, a copy of which was obtained by our reporter, said the meeting would present him with an opportunity to tell President Buhari “my side of the numerous stories you have been inundated about me.”

    The former warlord hinted that it was in the interest of the nation for President Buhari to employ dialogue, stressing that he should learn from the 2009 invasion of Gbaramatu kingdom and the resultant offer of amnesty when military option failed.

    He said, “Mr President sir, please permit me to quickly recall a similar incident that occurred in May, 2009, when this same military invaded several communities in Gbaramatu kingdom, under the command of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

    “Traditional worship centres were desecrated, property were looted and above all, the multi-billion naira ultra-modern magnificent palace of the Pere of Gbaramatu kingdom was burned down, and his golden crown was stolen by the military.”

    While recalling the 2009 invasion, Tompolo lamented the failure of the Federal Government to pay the N99bn compensation to the embattled community as was directed by the court.

    He said the kingdom approached the courts and demanded compensation for the unlawful invasion and destruction of property because of their peaceful disposition and belief in the rule of law.

    “After seven years of that sad incident, the Federal Government is yet to pay the compensation. This incident also led to the declaration of the Presidential Amnesty programme for peace to reign, as the government found out that military action is not the best way to address the Niger Delta question, and the rest become a history in the life of those who led that invasion.

    “I believe Mr President should learn a lesson from the 2009 military invasion and do the needful,”  Tompolo advised.

    Meanwhile, he appealed to the President to direct the army to return items including a golden sword that is the symbol of authority of the Gbaramatu kingdom and other artefacts allegedly looted from shrines in Oporoza.

    “Today is exactly 31 days after (another) invasion of the traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Oporoza town, by your military led by Brig. General Faruk Yahaya of the 4th Brigade, Benin City, with the allegation that I am the one behind the bombing and destruction of crude oil facilities in the Niger Delta region.

    “I was informed that the army was on the loose, and committed so much abomination in the community.

    “The military made away with the symbol of Authority of the Gbaramatu people from the Egbesu Shrine, which I am the Chief Priest. They also made away with other valuables worth several millions of naira from the community.

    “The most annoying one is the purported arrest of 10 young promising men most of whom are orphans, who are secondary school students sitting for the West African Senior Secondary School Examinations (WASSCE) and other palace staff, and labelled them as members of the Niger Delta Avengers.

    “As I write you now, these innocent young promising men are still with your military for no reason. This is truly man’s inhumanity to man in our own country. We are presently being treated like conquered people because of crude oil,” he stated.

  • Journey so far: Buhari’s successes, failures, challenges, projections

    Journey so far: Buhari’s successes, failures, challenges, projections

    • Keynote address at the First Year Branch Anniversary – Commemoration with Symposium of APC UK BEDFORDSHIRE BRANCH, Luton.

    On behalf of all members of party in APC UK chapter, I bring you fraternal greetings and congratulate you on this occasion of your branch first year anniversary.
    When we came here last year on 9th May 2015 for the inauguration of your branch, I commended your very well organised programme as the best we had seen since branches started opening up across the UK. Well done for keeping up with your tradition of excellence in your branch activities.
    The APC led Federal government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, came into office with the message of “CHANGE” campaign. And the three cardinal points of President Buahri’s campaign promises were hinged on:
    Buhari promised to fight corruption
    Buhari promised to tackle insecurity
    Buhari promised to create jobs.
    The President took a pragmatic and distilled view of the APC manifesto of “A new party for a New Nigeria”. He decided to take a focussed approach on those issues he considered the main stumbling block to Nigeria’s liberation and/or emergence into a peaceful, prosperous and stable country. This shows that he had given great thoughts to his Presidential ambition and what he would like to be remembered for as President of Nigeria.

    The fight against corruption:
    “Corruption is a disease, a cancer that eats into the cultural, political and economic fabric of society, and destroys the functioning of vital organ” (Inge Amundsen, 1999). I am going to review this subject along two broad lines, namely financial and political corruption.

    Financial Corruption
    No doubt, tremendous progress has been made in re-energizing and repositioning the national anti-corruption organisations, such as the EFCC and ICPC, such that, not just newspaper stories, but rather numerous convictions and asset recovery is taking place regularly. Indeed cash recovered in all currencies within the last one year as declared by President Buhari, is well over half the national budget for this year. This is commendable and should give us hope that at last Nigeria is beginning to set out on a journey of creating an environment that is conducive for business – because wherever financial corruption thrives, businesses cannot thrive because of the stifling nature of activities such as bribe taking which inevitably slows down the processing of payments and reduced profit margins for business people.
    The successes so far recorded in the area of the anti-corruption war in financial dealings seems limited to the national government agencies at the moment. It is now time for systems to be devised to tackle this scourge at the state and local government levels where it appears the stink of financial sleaze is suspected to be even more prevalent with state governors literally behaving like overlords and the local government leadership only appearing in offices to collect and share monthly allocations. It means therefore, that the anti-corruption bodies need new thinking in spreading its intelligence gathering tentacles across all sections of government.
    It is time to move beyond waiting for petitions to be sent before investigation commences. There has to be a proactive mechanism independently driven by organisations such as the EFCC through the deployment of both technology as well as specially trained “invisible” Marshals who live their lives doing other things but who work as financial intelligence officers to snoop around and help with information gathering on the financial behaviors at all levels of government across the country; all year round. This is the innovation I suggest is needed to fully ensure that the present anti-corruption programme not only succeeds but outlive the Buhari Presidency and become a way of life in Nigeria.

    Political Corruption
    “Political corruption takes place at the high levels of the political system. Political corruption is when political decision-makers use the political power they are armed with, to sustain their power, status and wealth. Thus, political corruption can be distinguished from bureaucratic corruption, which is corruption in the public administration, at the implementation end of politics” ((Inge Amundsen, 1999).
    You will immediately realise that political corruption is actually the foundation for financial corruption and indeed maybe worse than financial corruption. In my mind this behemoth encompasses such behaviours as nepotism, ethnic and religious exclusivity and elevation of members of a particular group over and beyond all others in the belief that they are the only ones that can be trusted. This is an area, that I am uncertain the government of President Buhari has  come to grips with; what with the reported cases of secret employment of children, relatives and connected individuals in several government parastatals without reference to laid down guidelines and moreover at a time when a large army of unemployed Nigerians roam the streets.
    It is my view that the government cannot afford to keep quiet or turn a blind eye on such behaviours with all the attendant potential it carries for continued institutional decay/degeneration.
    The priority of government should be about how to actively promote those behaviours that will encourage state institutional regeneration and renewal, and there is an element of urgency in this regard to win public trust and support for the war against corruption.

    The fight against insecurity:
    Prior to President Buhari being sworn in May 2015, Nigeria faced the grave danger of being overrun by Boko Haram. Boko Haram was gaining territory on a daily basis in the North east of Nigeria.
    The Nigerian armed forces did not seem to have an answer to the rampaging advance of the terrorist.
    Now we know why! We now know that the military was grossly under resourced.  Although some of the soldiers were crying out at the time that they were being sent to the battle front with bare hands to fight against an enemy that was well armed; and in addition with an enemy that seems to know the Nigerian military’s every tactical plan and movement.
    We now know that at the highest level of the military, monies meant for the purchase of military hardware and for the welfare of the soldiers were systematically pillaged by the military and security leadership. Perhaps, if no other event manifests, the utter heartlessness of the last government, this did. Some of the soldiers who complained were assembled, court marshalled and some sentenced to death, whilst others were given jail sentences. How could this have happened to our proud armed forces who have in time past demonstrated leadership in numerous conflict zones in Africa and beyond.
    Now the story has changed. True to his campaign promise, President Buhari has mobilised national and international resources to take the battle to the door steps of Boko Haram and the terrorist group has been broken, degraded and peace is gradually returning to the North East of Nigeria.
    On this score I will award the President and his government a pass with distinction!
    A new threat has however returned to the country, with restiveness and armed militancy returning to the Niger Delta! A new militant organisation – Niger Delta Avenger (NDA), that seem to be only interested in; and indeed determined to maintain the now apparent old order of “let me just chop oil money – because na we get am” mentality has emerged. They are blowing up pipelines and oil production facilities, leading to massive drop in oil production as well as power generation.
    The NDA seems to not care that for six years a son of soil occupied Aso Rock and all he achieved was to open the national coffers and  poured our commonwealth into the banks of a few – No development came to the communities of the Niger Delta, even already approved federal projects in the region were not executed, a new form of internal colonisation rose within the region, with one ethnic group seeming to take on the new role of regional overlords and in the midst of all the poverty, a new cream of super-rich emerged at the expense of the Niger Delta communities.
    The reason for the emergence of the NDA, whilst claiming that their mission is resource control and the continuation of the amnesty programme for militants from the Niger Delta, appears however from recent news report to be that they want all corruption investigations and/or possible charges against their principals dropped! What does this tell of the real purpose of the NDA?
    Successes of the APC led government of President Buhari in the N-D.
    Since coming into office, the APC government of President Buhari has set out a clear agenda for the Niger Delta; namely the construction of the already approved rail project and road networks linking the Niger Delta to Lagos and other parts of the country – the East West coast road and the coastal Port Harcourt – Calabar Rail Project. And very recently the Federal government launched the most ambitious clean-up project in oil polluted communities of the Niger Delta in line with the UN environmental study and recommendations for the region. This is the first time any government in Nigeria is taking such a gigantic step to restore life back to the destroyed and degraded Niger Delta ecosystem. So again in terms of taking steps to ensure that finally the people of the Niger delta at the community level enjoy the benefits of Oil production in their communities, I give APC government of President Buhari a pass with distinction!

    Missing factor in resolving Nigeria security challenges?
    To tackle and finally ensure long term sustainable security in Nigeria, not just in the North East or Niger Delta, a more fundamental approach need to be adopted. Here it appears to me, our party and government is failing. For us in the UK we have in the last two years witnessed or are witnessing two referendums
    First the Scottish referendum and on 23 June 2016, the EU referendum. What is the significance of these and what lessons do they project to the security challenges Nigeria faces? There is a direct correlation between citizens’ feeling that they have a stake in the governance of their country, thus creating that feeling of ownership and internal security. The Nigerian leadership at both the executive and legislative arms cannot and should not continue to alienate the people they are working so hard to serve.  I am sure there is a justifiable reason why President Buhari does not want to hear anything about the restructuring of the Nigerian state. Justifiably, he seems not pleased with the amount of money that was expended in organising the last National Conference by former President Goodluck Jonathan. And yes, our party, the APC was clear they were not in support of that conference. Yet, it is time for both our party leadership and President Buhari to take a fresh look at the challenging question of Nigeria national restructuring, for the purpose of national security, national reconstruction and the elevation of a sense of new national culture of ownership, devotion and acceptance of our “Nigerianess”.
    The nearly three hundred ethnic nationalities that constitute the Nigerian state should be given a chance to actively participate in making a decision on the core issues that involve their commonwealth.
    Our party, the APC and President Buhari need to step back and review the present situation. We as a Party in government have a real chance of creating the Nigeria of our dream – a country that values its citizens, not just the rulers; a country that is futuristic in planning, yet delivering maximum benefits of governance to its citizens in the now; a country determined to contribute to world peace and prosperity and a country that is fully running in the steam of truly participatory democracy.
    How can this be done? My thoughts:
    As a government, I suggest that we do not need another Sovereign national conference. Let there be a distillation of the core issues namely:
    a) Form of government – Parliamentary or Presidential.
    b) Resource control and true federalism – central ownership and sharing of resources as is presently the case vs devolved system that sets percentage contribution to the centre from each state.
    c) Relationship between the states and local government etc.
    The federal government should set a timeline to conduct a referendum during which she will sensitise, educate and mobilise the people on the issues outlined above or more. And at the chosen date the Nigerian people should be called out to vote in a referendum on these issues. The National Orientation Agency (NOA) is already in existence and can lead on this campaign and sensitisation programme whilst INEC conducts the voting aspect.
    The outcome becomes binding on all and the Nigerian constitution amended by the national assembly to reflect the new status. I believe that with this approach, the unending cry of marginalisation, resource control and question of the form of government will be settled by the people and therefore become the new order.

    The fight against unemployment:
    Nigeria like all other countries classed either as poor or developing economies have a relatively young population demographic. This by itself should be a huge advantage, except that it also means that millions of young people are out of work
    The APC federal government under the leadership of President Buhari took off very slowly, with operators of government levers not installed months after the President took office and indeed many still not in place into the second year in the life of this government.
    This scenario coupled with the revelations of Budget padding has meant that whatever promise was made in regard of this subject is only just beginning to take off. The new national initiative on job creation; the Npower project, has now been launched – 500,000 graduate and non-graduate jobs will be created across several sectors. This is a massive step in dealing finally with backlog of millions of young people who have been in the unemployment market for years. Other sectors, for example the Police force is also in the process of recruiting.
    What now needs to be done is stepping up the drive to encourage private sector growth for job creation. I am confident that APC government of President Buhari will surpass expectation in this regard, now that the process has finally started and lessons must have been learnt from the botched and delayed implementation of this year’s budget.
    I believe that the Diaspora Nigerian population have real opportunity to contribute to national development through job creation. We in the UK in partnership with other national bodies and associations in Europe and elsewhere are already actively engaged in the process of mobilising towards Diaspora group participation in project development.
    We are confident that this government will not fail, though the present situation appears absolutely depressing because of the numerous challenges being faced in the effort to recover the national drive and focus for development.
    Like all Nigerians we are anxious that the process moves faster especially knowing that ours is a government that is driven by the party’s ideology of Social democracy and welfarism. We align ourselves with the people of Nigeria and call on our party’s leadership and government to continue to strive hard to ensure that the problems of poor or lack of electricity and food provision be urgently tackled.
    Perhaps a short term solution to the increased cost of agricultural produce is a consideration of allowing for private imports of essential products such as tomatoes etc.
    To the leadership and all members of APC UK Bedfordshire branch, I say a big congratulation on your one year anniversary. And thank you for inviting me and my team to this celebratory event.

    Written by Dr Philip Idaewor
    Chairman APC UK

  • Unilever promises further commitment to sustainable business

    Unilever promises further commitment to sustainable business

    The Global Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Unilever, Paul Polman on Monday pledged the company’s commitment to building sustainable and profitable businesses in Nigeria while creating a bright future for Nigerians.

    The Global CEO made this known when he visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Aso Rock Abuja, in the company of the Leadership team of the multinational organisation.

    Polman mentioned that the company, which has been operating in Nigeria for over 90 years, would continue to step up its capital investment in the country by enhancing its local manufacturing capacity. “We have concluded plans to expand our business base in the country, albeit the prevailing economic challenges. We are a proud Nigerian company doing business here since 1923, and we intend to stay for even longer,” he said.

    “At Unilever, we believe that businesses cannot exist without the environment, which is why we ensure that we create value that sustains our ecosystem. Nigeria is strategic to our business operations in Africa, and as we continue to do business here, we will add value to the community, to the people and the country.”

    Also speaking at the event, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, Unilever Nigeria’s Board Chairman, who led the Unilever delegation, spoke extensively on Unilever’s commitment to adding value to the economy, stating that so much work has been done, and more underway, in contributing to the employability and capacity development of thousands of Nigerians.

    “We currently provide employment to thousands of people across the country directly and indirectly through our supply chain, and we will do more as we enhance our local operations. We are also working with different partners to empower rural women, build small business skills and enhance the skill sets of students to make them employable once out of school,” he said.

    “As a company, we are committed to the growth and development of Nigeria and we will continue to do our best to support the various initiatives of government, while stepping up our capital investment in Nigeria,” he added.

    In his response, President Buhari commended the company for their long history in Nigeria, and commended their efforts in sustainable development over the years. He noted that his administration recognizes the Unilever’s drive towards establishing industries that have created various employments for Nigerians especially the youths.

    He said: “I appreciate Unilever’s efforts in creating more employment and job opportunities through agriculture and it is a good thing at this time as my government is also focused more on agriculture. Nigeria is a country that can feed itself if only it can put more drive towards agriculture and I know Unilever is passionate about development and agric. We are, therefore, endeared by your commitment to enhancing this sector, thereby creating a sustainable environment for all.”

    “Our aim is to provide the enabling environment to help businesses thrive in Nigeria, hence, we want to assure you of our continued support in this regard,” he added.

  • Avengers: Buhari sets to meet with Niger Delta stakeholders

    Avengers: Buhari sets to meet with Niger Delta stakeholders

    Baring any change in plan, President Muhammadu Buhari, will meet directly with governors, elders and other stakeholders from the Niger Delta region as part of efforts to end ongoing nefarious activities of the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and other militant groups in the region.

    The President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Mr. Udens Eradiri, who confirmed the development at the weekend said the Presidency contacted some of the elders and stakeholders to inform them of the meeting.

    Though he did not disclose the date of the meeting, he said the gathering of the stakeholders to deliberate on the crisis and the way forward will take place very soon.

    Eradiri commended President Buhari for heeding the advice of the IYC which had on many occasions called on him to take the driving seat in resolving the crisis in the region.

    He insisted that the issues and problems in the region required direct intervention by the President adding that Ijaw youths would not be part of any dialogue without the President in attendance.

    Eradiri said: “We want to commend the President because I heard from the grapevine from one of our formost governor and leader of Ijaw land this morning when he said they had been invited by the President for an engagement with respect to the Niger Delta crises.

    “So, I want to commend the President for hearing our cry and for taking the right approach because there is no other approach than what the President has decided to do.

    “Mr. President is a very meticulous man who keeps a lot of things to his chest and Nigerian and people who are always around take advantage of his silence and misinterpret the body language of Mr President in various ways.

    “That body language that has been misinterpreted has created a lot of confusion that has further worsen the situation in Niger Delta. Therefore we thank God Mr President will be coming out boldly to address the issues and body language will no longer be misrepresented.

    “We want to thank the president for that bold steps and look forward to the right leaders going to sit down with the President to properly articulate the position of Niger Delta”.

    But he said the Ijaw would continue to advocate for true federalism and restructuring as the permanent solutions to issues affecting different parts of the country.

    Eradiri maintained that restructuring would solve the problems of Fulani herdsmen, constant attacks on pipelines, agitation for Biafria and other matters arising from the lopsidedness of the Nigerian state.

    He said: “We are of the opinion that Nigeria needs to be restructured so that we can solve problems of tomato price, dollar prices, insecurity, herdsmen crises, insecurity in the middle belt, armed robbery cases and others.

    “The only solution to Nigeria’s problems not just Niger Delta problem is that we restructure this country to the point where people sit down and agree that we should go forward as a nation. It is only on that spirits that we will solve avengers’ problems once and for all.

    “We want a holistic approach to the problem so that tomorrow an avenger will not arise or a destroyer will not arise or another pseudo group will not come and be destabilising the region.

    “We have said this because the same issue the Willink’s Commission talked about was the same issue Isaac Borro came out to declear the Niger Delta Republic and eventually fought for Nigeria and died for it; the same issue Ken Sarowiwa was killed for.

    “It is the same issue that led to the formation of IYC to non-violently address issues of underdevelopment and marginalization in the Nigeria state and the same issues that led to MEND and the same issue that led to avengers. So, if we want to move forward it’s only common sense that we address those issues and we think that those issues are holistically embedded in a restructured Nigeria.

    “And so we want to thank the President for the opportunity to sit down and hear from the people so that he who is the President that is holding the knife and the yam would be able to cut it to the happiness of Nigerians in general”.

    Eradiri added that former President Olusegun Obasanjo adopted a coastal-meeting model where he constantly sat with the Niger Delta governors and stakeholders, as his direct approach to tackle issues in the region.

    He said that the late President Umaru Yar’Adua and his successor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan were also directly involved in dealing with Niger Delta matters.

    He said such direct approach led to peace in the region and increased the country’s oil production.

  • Pipeline bombings: Buhari appeals to militants to soft pedal

    Pipeline bombings: Buhari appeals to militants to soft pedal

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday urged Niger Delta militants to soft pedal on the bombing and destruction of oil and gas installations.

    He made the call during the breaking of fast with All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The President also urged those closed to the militants to prevail on them to take it easy.

    Noting that the militants are in many groups, he said that the equipment they are using negatively are not small technology.

    He said: “I honestly don’t know how many factions the militants are in the Niger Delta compared to the north east where you have the Boko Haram.

    “The technology being deployed by the militants to destroy oil installations is high tech, the way they can go on high sea and international waters and target oil installations is a national problem. It is affecting development.

    “No insurance company will want to insure installations that will end up being blown up and no banks will want to finance such installations.

    “Those of you who have friends among the leadership or even the militants themselves should plead with them in the name of God ‎Almighty to take it easy.

    “We need to stablise to create employment, we need to stabilize the economy etc. I agonize over these things.

    “We are in a very difficult time, so we have to organise ourselves. Anybody that says he has any other country than Nigeria should go out and see.”

    The President also said that the successful conduct of the APC primaries in Edo State has given him a new hope.

    He said that Ondo State is going to be watched very closely in order to ensure that the vote of the people count.

    The APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun welcomed the President back from his medical vacation abroad.

    He also expressed satisfaction with what the President has been able to achieve in a short time.

    He said: “Corruption is fighting back and change does not come easily. The way we do things must change. Our prayer is for God to give you the courage, wisdom and strength to set the new standard for the country.”

    Among those who attended the dinner are former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Segun Oni, Tony Momoh, Osita Ozinaso.

    Also present are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, former Minister of Labour, Hassan Lawal, former Speaker of House of Representative, Ghali Naaba, and Timipre Sylva.

  • Brexit: Buhari commends Cameron’s statemanship, courage

    Brexit: Buhari commends Cameron’s statemanship, courage

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday said that he regretted the resignation of British Prime Minister David Cameron, which will come into effect in October.

    President Buhari said Nigeria has enjoyed remarkable goodwill, support and understanding under the capable leadership of the outgoing Prime Minister over the years.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said Cameron’s resignation in response to the outcome of a referendum that supported Britain to leave the European Union “was a demonstration of courage by a democratic leader who respects the will of the people, even if he didn’t agree with their decision.”

    President Buhari noted that by ‘‘putting the will of the people before his political future, the Prime Minister proved himself to be a selfless leader with respect for democracy and voters’ sovereignty.’’

    He expressed hope that Nigeria looks forward to greater cooperation and consolidation of shared interests with Britain, despite the outcome of the referendum.

  • Nigeria needs Buhari now, says Osinbajo

    Nigeria needs Buhari now, says Osinbajo

    • Says Buhari is honest and straight forward

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday said that Nigeria currently needs President Muhammadu Buhari at the helm of affairs as a honest, straightforward and with a genuine heart.

    He spoke during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the Deeper Christian Life Church, led by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Even as some people have noted that President Buhari is strict because of his forthrightness, he said he is the kind of leader the country needs now.

    He stressed that he is a president who will not cut deals and who is only interested in moving Nigeria forward.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo said: “We are very happy that we have a President who is honest, a President who is straight forward, a President who is operating from the genuineness of his heart, this is the kind of leader that we need now,”

    He also said that he has worked together very well with the President.

    Acknowledging the current economic situation in the country, the Vice President said that the current administration did not create the problems.

    He said: “The reason (we are here at this time,) is known to the Lord Himself. Everyday I wake up knowing there is a cause for being here and it is to move the country forward.”

    Osinbajo told Pastor William Kumuyi that the clean-up of Ogoni and the Niger Delta is very important.

    He said: “The situation is very bad, I have been in the area a few times, but we need peace in the area to be able to carry on with the clean-up exercise.”

    He also said the clean-up exercise will take decades but with the phased implementation people can gradually return to fishing and farming.

    On the power sector, he noted that by February this year, the country was doing 5000MW of electricity for the first time in history, and that the militants’ attacks on the pipelines have made things bad not only regarding electricity, but also cutting the oil revenues of the nation.

    He however assured that government is working diligently on effective solutions to those challenges.

    He was clear that God has a purpose for choosing the President and himself to serve at this time, saying “this is the doing of the Lord.”

    The Vice President thanked Pastor Kumuyi for coming, noting that “your visit is a wonderful gift.”

    Speaking earlier, Pastor Kumuyi said he is in the Federal Capital Territory for a crusade and thought to pay a visit to the Vice President.

    He thanked God for the progress made so far by the Administration, adding that “God will fulfill the purpose for which He brought you at a time like this.”

    While inviting the Vice President to the crusade, Pastor Kumuyi pledged his contributions and prayers for the Buhari administration, and also for the progress of the country.