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Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • Agatu killings: Benue demands N100b compensation

    Agatu killings: Benue demands N100b compensation

    The people of Benue State are asking for N100b compensation for the attacks on Agatu area of the State by unidentified Fulani herdsmen that led to loss of lives and destruction of property.

    As a solution to the clashes arising from cattle grazing in the State and other parts of the country, the State government is insisting that cattle ranching is the only solution to the clashes.

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, who said President Muhammadu Buhari directives in March led to a flurry of activities, however disclosed that 18 people have been arrested in connection with the Agatu attacks.

    He however disclosed that the police was yet to gather enough evidence to prosecute the suspects.

    Thursday at the continuation of a House of Representatives  public hearing on Agatu killings by unidentified Fulani herdsmen, the IGP told Committee on Police Affairs that efforts were made to put in preventive measures after interactions with governor Samuel Ortom and town hall meetings held with communities in Benue and Nasarawa States over the incidents.

    While he affirmed that security reasons would not allow him to divulge some sensitive information publicly,  Arase said the police was willing to work with vigilante groups, while beefing up the Benue State Police Command with intelligence, more personnel and technology.

    However, in his presentation, MUT President General, Edward Ujege said about 500 people were killed in the attacks while asking for N100b in compensation.

    Ujege, who said the attacks were deliberate and professionally executed, lamented the deterioration of relationship with the Fulanis that had barely 50,000 herds of cattle in 2010 but by 2016 having more than a million in the State.

    Saying that the herdsmen attacks took place in 14 out of 23 Local Government Areas of the State, Ujege also aleged that chemical weapon might have been used by the herdsmen that have killed thousands since the outbreak of the attacks.

    He said: “The herdsmen have ransacked whole communities in Benue and other parts of the country, plundered, killed and chased everyone out; and are now comfortably settled on these lands.

    “Between 2015 and 2016, 101 persons had been killed, 6650 others were displaced andproperties worth N8, 335,664,000.00 was destroyed by the herdsmen in four local councils in the state namely: Buruku,Logo,Tarka and Ukum.

    “Fulani herdsmen have invaded and occupied portions of 11 out of 14 local government areas constituting 78 percent of TIV speaking areas as follows: Guma and Gwer West LGAs 75 percent of the wards have been invaded and occupied while in other LGAs 25 percent of the wards are being occupied.

    While he disregarded suggestions for grazing routes, Ujege said cattle ranching is the solution, adding that cattle rearing should be treated as a private business.

    The Deputy Governor, Benson Abonu said the issue of herdsmen attacking communities should not be treated with levity because “There is more than meet the eye” over the issue going by the manner of execution the attack.

    According to him, the attacking herdsmen were seen in black uniforms.

    He said the State government has only one position on the solution to the issue, which iscattle ranching.
    Number of those killed in the incidents however varied with MUT puttng it at 500, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) puts its own figure at 300 in its presentation while the IGP said the police can only find three.

    The Committee however tasked the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) to step up its responsibility by identifying Fulanis that aren’t Nigerians.

    The Committee also want the attacking herdsmen to be recognized as terrorists to enable the State subject them to the laws of the land.

    Representatives of Miyetti Allah failed again to attend the second day of the hearing before it was adjourned indefinitely.

     

  • Buhari greets Soun of Ogbomoso at 90

    Buhari greets Soun of Ogbomoso at 90

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, as he turns 90 years old on May 27, 2016.

    He joined the Oyo State Government, Oyo State Council of Obas and chiefs, Ogbomoso kingdom and the family of the Soun of Ogbomoso in celebrating the long life and remarkable achievements of the revered royal father, who has spent 42 years on the throne of his fathers.

    Looking into the pedigree of the nonagenarian from birth in 1926, his success in business and ascension to the throne, the President believed that the steps of the Kabiyesi were ordered from above to bring succour to his people and serve humanity in general through his passion for peaceful co-existence, education and entrepreneurship.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, affirmed that the two national honours to the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) and Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR), were most deserved, going by his humility, courage and contributions to national development.

    The President prayed that the Almighty God will grant the royal father more strength and long life.

  • Nigerians in Diaspora lauds Buhari, Kachikwu on Petrol Pricing

    Nigerians in Diaspora lauds Buhari, Kachikwu on Petrol Pricing

    The Nigerians in Diaspora Monitoring Group, has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari, for liberalizing petrol sales.

    The group described the action as the beginning of economic rebirth for the country.

    The group also said President Buhari and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, have carved niches for themselves in Nigeria’s history and deserving laurels for daring to do the right thing.

    A statement by the United Kingdom Coordinator of the group in Abuja, Adeka Onyilo, said: “The inherited rot that left Nigerians suffering on fuel queues was becoming an international embarrassment until President Buhari took the bull by the horn.

    “The cartel that acquire FOREX from government under the guise of importing petrol only embark on round tripping has been severed from the supply chain and should leave the government with some money to invest in other sectors that will touch the lives of citizens across board.

    “We however urged that the judicious and prudent management of the resources of Nigeria vested in the custody of the present government because this is important to the nation’s prosperity.”

    It further urged President Buhari and Kachikwu, to ensure that Nigerians who now have to pay realistic prices for petrol are not short-changed by fraudulent marketers who tamper with their meter to under dispense the product.

    “We further urge the Minister to enforce the price cap as reports indicate that some outlets still sell above the computed N145 per litre. Such development can only create the cover for those opposed to change to creep on the government and populace with another price hike or petrol scarcity citing the willingness of the people to pay more as excuse,” the group said in the statement.
     

  • FG introduces automated payment of salaries, allowances

    FG introduces automated payment of salaries, allowances

    The federal government is alarmed that it is spending N165 billion every month on salaries and allowances of workers across the country.

    To find a way of reducing the huge wage bill, President Muhammdu Buhari has directed the compulsory automation of payment of workers’ salaries and allowances as a means of reducing the cost of governance.

    Speaking when serving Chiefs under the federal ministry of interior came to the ministry of finance to plug into the payment automation exercise, the minister of finance Mrs Kemi Adeosun said President Muhammadu Buhari wants everybody to be on the automated payment system which will lead to improvement in financial control and transparency.

    Adeosun then lamented that the government spends N165 billion every month on payment of salaries and allowances a development which has now made it necessary to automate this payments.

    With regards to capturing the biometric details of members of the military and other security agencies, the finance minister disclosed that the military has been asked to design a road map for securing their information and assured other security agencies that their security dates will be adequately protected.

    Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, federal ministry of interior Mr. Bassey Akpanyung said the presidential directive to automate the payment systems to enable government know who is being paid and the number of personnel in its services to help determine if any services requires more men or is over staffed.

    The Ministry of Finance’s Director of Special Projects, who is in charge of the continuous audit exercise, Mr. Mohammed Dikwa said the essences of the automation of the payment is that there is need to look carefully to make sure that all those areas of leakages are blocked, “and we have come up with a plan to implement this programme.”

    Dikwa also revealed that “as at today, since we started the continuous audit programme, we have saved about N50 billion and over 43,000 ghost workers have been removed from the payroll of the federal government.”

     

  • Buhari champions new economic initiative for Africa

    Buhari champions new economic initiative for Africa

    Nigeria has set plan in motion to sign economic pact with a block of eight countries, as part of the efforts to promote economic partnership among African countries.

    Though the names of the countries making up the block was yet to be disclosed, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr.  Geoffrey Onyeama who disclosed this Tuesday while briefing newsmen on the one year of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    Onyeama noted that trading among African countries have been very low.

    He however said that with the initiative by the Buhari led administration, it is expected that there will be an upsurge in economic partnership in Africa.

    While stressing that Africa still remains the centre peace of the country’s foreign policy, the minister however regretted that it is a paradox that as a Nigerian, one cannot go to an African country without a visa unlike what is obtainable in West Europe.

    To address this he said, ” What we are trying to do at the ministry  is try to promote Visa free, free movement of business  people, and we want to start with about eight countries, or  see if they come up as a group of eight countries and at the  presidential level they agreed to that, and sign up to free  movement of visa free people and we believe that if we can  achieve that within a year, then other countries may want to  come and  join and we believe this is a better way to  go than institutionally ECOWAS etc, as countries take so  long to ratify agreements.

    “We believe we can just start off, eight countries and they agree among themselves, then others will come in.”

    He also added that it will not help if the continent continues to export just raw materials to developed nations.

    Mr. Onyeama also hinted that the federal Government has commenced process to appoint new sets of ambassadors for the country.

    Most of the ambassadors have been recalled by the President Mohammadu Buhari administration.

    Explaining the reason behind the delay, the minister said the current administration want to do a thorough job so as to ensure that very competent hands are sent out.

    The minister who also spoke on the repatriation of stolen funds from Europe and America said all the processes are almost over and the monies would soon start to roll in.
    The minister who also spoke on expected return of the country’s looted fund stacked in foreign banks said the government is at verge of repatriating   £300 million from Jersey, Uk

    Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands, between England and France, an independent, English-speaking territory with a mix of British and French cultures, with a population of about 99,500.

    The minister revealed that for the last minute objection raised, the fund would have been repatriated.

    He said, “We are just in the process of repatriating them, sometimes very often what happens is that the people who have ownership or who claim to have ownership, they might bring up a defence.

    “Like if you take the one in Jersey it is like 300 million or there about pounds, now everything has been done to repatriate the money.

    “It is no longer contestant and then at the last minute, an objection was raised by the people who were supposed to forfeit those funds.

    “So of course the Authority in Jersey obliged as much it has obliged to go ahead and repatriated to go through certain legal procedure, because the other party would have a lawyer and there were legal issues.

    “And now we have to now start going through that all over again, so that is really  the challenge,” he said.

    He further assured that the process has been engaged, there is no going back and there will be no relenting.

    He also said that the process of repatriation of looted funds stacked in other countries like Switzerland and U.S. was in progress.

    “ It is something that takes time repatriating of stolen fund because very often you have to have an idea you have to work on lead.

    “And Very often it is real amaze it is just the way people use other people fund,” he said.

    He stressed that the repatriation of all other fund was in progress but has to go through a lot of process

    Why expressing concern over frustration that set in the process of repatriation the minister said that such act makes it difficult to get the money back

    “That is why the anti-corruption Summit and the initiative of Mr President is really focusing on these Western countries to remove the barriers, some of those lengthy procedure that exist that make it possible for some of these people to delay and delay.

    “That is what we are looking at, they are coming on board some of these Western countries more and more,

    “We just have to look at mechanism to make it a bit easier to make it more or less clear, that the stolen funds require us providing all the evidence it is never easy,” he said.

  • Buhari seeks understanding

    Buhari seeks understanding

    •President hails Ambode

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday urged Nigerians to support his administration, despite the economic hardship they are going through.

    The President spoke during a visit to Lagos to inaugurate some projects carried out by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration.

    He was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who said: “This country is going to be a nation where there will be abundance and prosperity, but there are teething problems and a lot of repair to be done. There is a lot of re adjustment and a lot that we have to do to ensure that our country becomes the kind of country that it really should be.”

    He added that the government had approved N500 billion for social investment as part of its measures to tackle the myriads of economic problems and provide palliative to  unemployed graduates.

    He said the investment plan will address the challenges of unemployment, industries,manufacturing, Agriculture, among others.

    According to him, there were plans to create 500,000 employment opportunities for graduates with another 370,000 for non-graduates.

    He said besides, there would be provision of micro loan facilities for market women, using the various market unions and associations.

    Projects inaugurated the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) Response Unit in Cappa, near Oshodi, which  he described as not only the first of its kind in Nigeria, but one that would go a long way to improve response time during emergencies.

    “With this special rescue unit, it is evident that we have moved a notch higher. There is no question at all that this facility is a world class facility.”

    The LASEMA Response Unit boasts of an initial acquisition of 51 equipment including three Forklifts, one Crane, 13 trucks, 10 Paramedic Motorbikes, two Fire Trucks, Ambulances, among others.

    Also inaugurated was the Ago Palace Way, Okota road, which he described as an important economic road to promote trade and investment and enhance movement along that corridor.

    The Ago Palace Way is a link road that connects about four local governments, providing a viable alternative route for motorists trying to access Festac, Mile 2 and Apapa areas with ease thereby reducing travel time.

    At the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, where he handed over security equipment purchased by the State Government to the tune of N1.85billion, the President said that it was a testament to the premium the administration of Governor Ambode has placed on safety of lives and property of its citizenry.

    Among the equipment are 140 brand new Ford Ranger Pick-Ups and 335 Power Bikes fitted with communication gadgets, Helmets, Bullet-proof vests and other kits.

    The President said: “I have also seen already so much attention being paid to security. In fact virtually all the security agencies including immigrations and Customs including NDLEA are to benefit from this latest gift of the Lagos State Government.

    He said the State Government was blazing the trail with several commendable projects, including the two roads being constructed in each of the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas of the State.

    He commended Governor Ambode for the achievements recorded within the first year of his administration assuring that now that the state is in the same party with the government at the centre, it will certainly get all the support that is due for the Lagos.

    “I’m amazed by the achievements of the Lagos State government so far, he said.

    The president said the Federal Government will soon embark on  infrastructural  development in the state adding that the Lagos stands a great deal to benefit from this corridor.

    “The focus of the Federal government budget is on infrastructure and parts of that infrastructure are the rail route. Both rail routes start from Lagos the Lagos to Kano and Lagos to Calabar. So they are incredible opportunity for Lagos with the development of the rail routes both the one going to the north and the coast one going to calabar.

    “The Lagos-Ibadan expressway is also an important project which we will be focusing on in this budget circle. I am convinced that we have everything going and this state has a lot to benefit from this government.

    Ambode expressed his administration’s commitment to the protection of lives and property and urged security personnel to continue their good work by making Lagos safer for all and sundry.

    “My administration is committed to improve security being a sine-qua-non for economic and social development.”

    Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase who received the equipment on behalf of the other security agencies, assured government that his men will reciprocate the gesture by putting more effort in ensuring security of life and property in the state.

    Arase said: “When you (Governor Ambode) gave us the first set of equipment, I did promise you that to whom much is given, much is expected and the officers and men of the Command have worked tirelessly and assiduously to ensure that the crime rate in Lagos is within tolerable limit that will attract foreign direct investment and other investment to the State.

    “I can’t thank you enough but I can also promise you today that we are not going to rest on our oars. We will continue to work and ensure that the peace and stability of Lagos State is guaranteed.”

  • What Buhari has changed in the last 12 months

    What Buhari has changed in the last 12 months

    Have things remained how they were when President Muhammadu Buhari took over about a year ago? Certainly not! Here are what has changed, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU

    Facts and figures

    N3tr Between June 2015 and April 2016, the Federal Government TSA collection clocked N3trillion.

    40 The number of accounts closed in NNPC to give room for accountability

    60% Port Harcourt and Warri refineries are back in operation with 60 per cent capacity and producing 7 million litres of PMS daily. The Kaduna refinery also resumed production at the end of the April, 2016.

    N689.5billion The amount President Buhari directed the CBN to disburse as bailout to 27 states to pay salaries.

    34,000 The number of ghost workers draining the nation’s resources now expunged from the Federal Civil Service.

    N2.29b The amount the government saves monthly for expunging 34,000 ghost workers from payroll.

    $1m The amount saved as a result of President Buhari’s directive stopping the appointment of a government delegation for pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia

    25 On assumption of office, the President cut down the number of ministries from 42 to 25 to reduce the cost of governance.

    $321m The amount Switzerland will repatriate to Nigeria from the illicitly   acquired wealth of the Gen. Sani Abacha family. 

    N7b The amount recovered as at March by the Presidential Committee set up to probe contracts awarded by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) from 2011 to 2015.

    11,595 The total number of persons rescued by the Nigerian troops during the ongoing operations in the Northaast as at February

    $21m The amount Nigeria has provided to the Task Force since June 2015.

    $5m The support announced in June last year by the U.S. for the fight against the terrorists in the sub-region.

    $40m The amount announced in April 2016 by the U.S. for humanitarian assistance in the sub-region

    $1b The amount being saved annually by the elimination of the Offshore Processing Agreement (OPA) through the introduction of the Direct Sales and Direct Purchase (DSDP) scheme with reputable off-shore refineries

    7m The amount of litres of PMS produced daily by the Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna Refineries

    The report was not just damning. It exposed the country’s nakedness. Titled: “Inside NNPC Oil Sales: A Case for Reform in Nigeria”, it detailed an opaque oil-for-fuel swap agreements, the withholding of an estimated $12.3 billion from the treasury by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and many more.

    Issued by the Natural Resource Governance Institute (NRGI), the report also showed that in 2013, the treasury got only 58 per cent of the $16.8 billion worth of oil the NNPC voted for its underperforming refineries.

    According to Aaron Sayne, who co-authored the report with Alexandra Gillies and Christina Katsouris, there was too much impunity in the oil sector.

    Sayne said: “Oil sales are Nigeria’s biggest revenue stream, but management has worsened in recent years. By our estimate, just three of the problematic provisions in a single swap contract may have cost the government $381 million, or $16.09 per barrel of oil, in a single year.”

    Gillies added: “The combination of a new government and the current budgetary shortfalls offers Nigeria its best chance in years for overhauling NNPC’s oil sales. The status quo is unaffordable. Everyone from trading companies to Nigerian citizens is waiting to see how the new government will approach these transactions, including the allocation of new export or swap contracts. Our research maps the current state of play, and we suggest what issues reformers in Nigeria ought to urgently address.”

     

    A more transparent NNPC

    The report, which was issued before Muhamamdu Buhari came on board as President, was no hold barred. It urged the President to reverse the trend. So, what has Buhari done in the last one year to redirect the oil sector?

    One of the first steps the administration took was to reconstruct the opaque accounting structure of the NNPC to be more transparent. This led to the closure of more than 40 accounts. Now, NNPC publishes its monthly financial reports. Operational deficits have been reduced by not less than 50 per cent. NNPC outstanding Annual Audits from 2011 to 2014 has been conducted.

    The agency is also undergoing other forms of restructuring that will make it an effective entity. This restructuring, said analysts, leaves room for competition, predictable revenue generation and compliance with global best practices.

    Buhari has also resolved the shadowy oil swap deals that had cost the country billions of dollars and left it at the mercy of a few rich Nigerians. The government has also introduced third party financing to eliminate direct funding of cash calls.  The administration has also renegotiated existing service contracts under Joint Venture and Production sharing contracts (PSC) Operations by about 30 per cent leading to operational efficiency improvements and cost reductions.

    The administration has also eliminated the Offshore Processing Agreement (OPA) through the introduction of the Direct Sales and Direct Purchase (DSDP) scheme with reputable off-shore refineries. This has yielded annual savings of $1 billion.

     

    State of the refineries

    Before the inauguration of the current administration, the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries were dormant. Now, they are back in operation with 60 per cent capacity and producing 7 million litres of PMS daily. The Kaduna refinery also resumed production at the end of the April, 2016.

    Minister of State for Petroleum Dr Ibe Kachiwku said the government was looking at privatising the refineries within 12 months. He said oil giants Agip and Chevron have indicated interest in purchasing two of the refineries.

    “We have gotten commitments from some of the majors. Agip has indicated interest to work with us on Port Harcourt, Chevron on Warri. We are talking to Total on Kaduna,” Kachikwu told Reuters.

    He explained that the government had been able to recover the two critical crude supply pipelines; which were Escravos/Warri and Bonny/Port Harcourt crude supply pipelines.

    Kachikwu said the pipelines were down for six to seven years but had been repaired and were working and supplying crude to the refineries.

    “For the first time, the refineries will get their crude, pay for it; they will sell their products and they will earn the income from that product. And then, they can develop and continue to maintain the refineries even after this intervention is over.

    “Port Harcourt is back in production, Warri is back in production… It is something of joy,” he said.

    Also, Kachikwu said about 25 licences that were given to private operators between 2002 and 2014 to build refinery complexes in Nigeria would be reviewed and inactive ones would be  revoked.

    He said: “The next stage of this is that we are going to look at all the licences that have been given out; some of them were given a window within which to build their refineries and we are going to revoke the ones that were not used.

    “The reason they did not use the licences is that unless the price is right on the outer point, your economics cannot balance. So, no refinery investment in the world comes to a country where there is no liberalisation and it is not just Nigeria because if you don’t liberalise, nobody is going to invest in your refineries.

    “So, that is why they did not, a lot of them thought it was nice to have licences but as soon as you move into the capital market and you do your analysis, you realise this.”

     

    Bailout for states 

    At the time Buhari took over, many states were struggling with arrears of salaries. To alleviate the suffering of Nigerians, the President last September directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to disburse N689.5 billion as bailout to 27 states to pay salaries.

     

    And last month, as a way of stimulating the economy and reduce poverty, Buhari approved deferment in the payment of the bailout because states were under the burden of the fall in commodity prices.

     

    Killing the ghosts in civil service

    Every month, the government was losing N2.29b to the payment of more than 34,000 ghost workers. An audit carried out by the Buhari administration revealed this drain and it has since been blocked.

    Finance Minister Mrs Kemi Adeosun said the deploying the Bank Verification Number (BVN) revealed the ghost workers. Initially, 23,000 ghost workers were discovered and less than three weeks later, another 11,000 ghost workers were also discovered on government’s payroll.

     

    TSA and cutting of wastages

    The implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) has provided greater visibility of government revenues and cash flows. Between June 2015 and April 2016, the Federal Government TSA collection stood at N3trillion. This was made possible by Buhari’s directive to Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to close multiple accounts, thereby plugging loopholes for leakages.

    To save funds, Buhari cancelled government sponsorship of delegation for pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Through this, the government says it has saved about $1m and N30m on local expenses.

    To reduce the cost of governance, the President cut down the number of ministries from 42 to 25. Also, the President directed that all top government officials must prioritise foreign travels and use only business class tickets, instead of first class tickets as was previously obtainable.

     

    A war on high pedestal

     The anti-corruption war of the current administration is one thing that is clear to all as one of the things that have changed in the last 12 months. Right from the moment he won the presidential election, Buhari’s no-nonsense and incorruptible mien sent a signal to looters of public funds, with many of them returning funds stolen under the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

    As a way of creating a frame work for prosecuting the war against corruption, Buhari set up an Advisory Committee on War Against Corruption headed by Prof Itse Sagay. The anti-corruption battle has seen several high profile cases going on in the courts. Such cases include the ones against former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spokesman Olisa Metuh, Daar Communications Chairman Dr Raymond Dokpesi and former Chief of Defence Staff Alex Badeh.

    In March, the Presidential Committee set up to probe contracts awarded by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) from 2011 to 2015 announced the recovery of over N7 billion from indicted companies and individuals.

     

    No longer a pariah state

    Unlike in the past, the international community has warmed up to the Buhari administration in the last twelve months. And Buhari has enlisted the support of multilateral institutions, such as the World Bank and IMF, security agencies, Western countries and other friendly nations to source, locate and repatriate stolen assets.

    At one of his international engagements, specifically the London summit on anti-corruption, Buhari announced that Nigeria would begin the full implementation of the principles of the OPEN contracting data standards.  This was in furtherance of his trips to the Middle East, where he had gone to sensitise the governments on the need to repatriate stolen assets and hand over the looters for trial in Nigeria. In January, Nigeria and UAE signed Judicial Agreements on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters.

    The Federal Government and the Swiss Government in March signed a Letter of Intent on the Restitution of Illegally-Acquired Assets forfeited in Switzerland. Under the agreement, Switzerland will repatriate $321 million illicitly   acquired by the Gen. Sani Abacha family.

     

    Boko Haram: No longer

     the Lord of Sambisa

    The president was aware of the magnitude of the Boko Haram challenge. No wonder one of the first things he changed was the military structure, which led to the relocation of the Nigerian Military Command Centre to Maiduguri in May last year. This has contributed to the success in the fight against insurgency in the Northeast.

    The results are glaring:   Over 11,595 persons have been rescued by the troops, including one of the Chibok schoolgirls- Amina Ali; since last December, all Nigerian territories previously under Boko Haram control have been regained;   Nigeria has provided $21million to the Task Force since June 2015 and is committed to an additional $79m, bringing the total of Nigeria’s commitment to the Task Force to $100 million; and in June 2015, the United States announced a $5-million support for the fight against the terrorists in the sub-region.

    The seriousness with which the administration has pursued the anti-terror war has also led to the U.S government further announcing an additional $40 million for humanitarian assistance in the sub-region

    In May, the country hosted a Regional Security Summit to boost military operations against Boko Haram and forge a global support for the rehabilitation of the IDPs and rebuilding of the North East.

    The government has ensured a cohesive international support in the fight against terrorism and assistance to victims and communities affected by terrorism.

     

    The president also did these

    In April, Buhari ordered the release of 10,000 tons of grains from the National Strategic Grains Reserve to cushion the effect of rising food prices. He also directed the Ministry of Agriculture to provide assistance to able-bodied men and women in IDP camps return to farming.

    The President directed the CBN to clear all the outstanding allowances of former militants studying in various institutions across the world. He salvaged the Amnesty Programme by giving it a new vision of catering for the weak, the poor and the vulnerable, instead of enriching a few.

    Buhari also ordered a fast-track of Ogoni clean-up, acting on a United Nations Environmental Project Report abandoned by the previous administration.

    Special Adviser to the President on Media Femi Adesina said the next one year would bring better goodies for Nigerians. Adesina said the government has laid a proper foundation capable of putting the country on the right footing.

  • Buhari calls off Lagos trip

    President Muhammadu Buhari has cancelled his earlier scheduled visit to Lagos State.

    Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo will now represent the President on the Lagos trip.

    The visit billed for Monday and Tuesday will witness commissioning of several projects in the state.

    Confirming the new development on Sunday, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, did not give any reason for the cancellation of Buhari’s visit to the state.

    He said: “The truth is that the Vice-President will now represent the President in Lagos.

    “There is nothing wrong if the Vice-President represents the President at functions,” he stated

  • Bishop to govt : Lead, don’t rule

    Bishop of Lagos Mainland, Rev Adebayo Akinde has urged the government and those in power to respect the votes Nigerians imposed on them and be accountable by leading  and not rule the country.
    He also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to see Nigerians as his brothers who need to be educated on his plans for the country
    Rev Akinde, who spoke yesterday, while briefing reporters on activities to mark the First Session of the Diocese of Mainland from 26 to 29, said this year’s will be his valedictory Synod as he will retire on August 23, two days before he joins the league of octogenarians.
    Giving the theme as: ‘Thy Hand O God, has guided’, he said it was chosen after a careful review of his life in the Diocese, which his has shepherded since inception and the handiwork of God in it.
    “I have cause to say it is God that brought me thus far. The theme is a testimony and a public proclamation that we serve a living God that answers prayers and binds us together  as a church irrespective of our differences.”
    The cleric lamented the history of bad governance in the country and the selfish lifestyle of politicians who have refused to evenly distribute resources.
    “the cost of governance is so high compared with the masses. Government has abandoned the use of our agricultural produce to provide us with infrastructures.
    “That is falsehood on the part of government but as a church, we have a responsibility to speak out against all forms  of evil and warn both individuals and government that the soul that sin shall die.”
    He reminded Christians not to be daunted by the state of the nation but see the religion as one of hope and demands of us our faith in the Almighty.

  • Buhari receives rescued Chibok girl in Aso Rock

    Buhari receives rescued Chibok girl in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday received the rescued Chibok girl, Amina Ali, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Carrying her baby in her arms, she arrived with Borno State Governor, Kashim Shetima in black SUV around 2.45 p.m.

    She was shielded from talking to journalists as she was led to the President’s office along with other persons who came with her from Borno State.

    Only CNN, Aljazeera,VOA, Reuters and other foreign cameramen and reporters were allowed to accompany the girl and the delegation to the President’s office.

    Some State House correspondents including NTA, Channels and AIT were also allowed in. No single print reporter was allowed in.

    Amina Ali and the team were still in the President’s office at the time of filing this report.