Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari
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Photos: Buhari opens Katsina economic summit
President Buhari declares 2016 Katsina State Economic and Investment Summit open in Katsina State before departing for London on 10th May 2016. -
We must lift our people out of poverty – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed the commitment of his administration to lifting Nigerians out of poverty.
President Buhari, who made this known on Tuesday when he declared open the Katsina State Economic and Investment summit in Katsina, described employment as “the quickest way to escape poverty’’.
He, however, said that for that transformation to occur, every player, including the Federal Government “must do his best’’.
“Employment is the quickest way to escape poverty. And we must lift our people out of poverty.
“But for this laudable transformation to occur, every player must do his best, including the Federal Government, but in particular, the people and government of Katsina State.
“For global players, some of whom I am pleased to see represented here, to take the deep plunge, they must be offered attractive incentives.
“The Katsina State Government appears to make I can’t refuse offer to investors through a liberal set of tax incentives, infrastructural support, faster and shorter government responses to business requests.’’
According to him, it is only through massive provision of employment opportunities that all tiers of government can reduce the level of poverty among the people.
President Buhari, therefore, commended Gov. Aminu Masari for offering attractive incentives to local and foreign investors who would subsequently provide employment opportunities to the people of the state.
He reiterated his determination to end poverty through ending corruption, broadly-shared economic growth, investing in the nation’s economy and creating jobs.
The president noted that the overall objective of the summit, was to stimulate local investment and attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the manufacturing sector, agri-business, solid minerals, power, hospitality industry, and other services.
“Creatively and purposefully applied, these should help to bridge gaps in capital, management skills and technology, where they are most severe, and support the competences of local companies and the workforce towards world standards.’’
He said this would enable both local and foreign manufacturers and service companies alike, to stand with the best in servicing local and global markets.
According to the President, these generous offers are the minimum required to attract the critical investor who is courted in every country and region of the world.
“It is in this context that today’s Summit takes on an additional significance: APC Government of my home State has strongly embraced this vision by assembling the world to be part of this summit.
“As I said, Federal Government alone cannot deliver on the high expectations of our people.
“Katsina State Government and people have shown the way by assembling the brightest and best from the business world.
“The brightest and the best from the development partner community; the best and the brightest from MDAs and regulatory bodies.
“Katsina State is doing its part.’’
The President, however, stated that economic progress must be tailored to environmentally safe and sustainable programmes.
He said, “we should also keep an eye on the rights of the future generations who are as entitled as we are to their heritage of Nigeria.’’
He maintained that, in this regard, the Federal Government would work with the Katsina state government in rationalising such actions to avoid over-laps or discontinuities or environmental damage.
The President also enjoined the state governments to work closely with the private sector to enable them achieve “quickest, most efficient and sustainable path to industrialisation.’’
“The private sector should be the engine of economic growth; it should be the largest investor in the economy; it should be the quickest, most efficient and sustainable path to industrialisation.’’
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that goodwill messages were delivered by local and prospective investors at the event.
The event was witnessed by the governors of Zamfara, Kano, Lagos and Sokoto states as well as other dignitaries.
Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State also announced the allocation of land to one of the prospective investors, who pledged to begin the construction of Tomato Paste Company within the next three months of the allocation.
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Why Buhari has to go on foreign trips – Lai Mohammed
As President Muhammadu Buhari attends anti-corruption summit in the United Kingdom Tuesday, Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has defended his foreign trips, saying that, it was in the interest of Nigeria that the President attends to meetings that require his presence outside Nigeria.
According to the Minister, only President Buhari so far parades the kind of personality that attracts the confidence of world powers.
Lai Mohammed stated this in Kaduna while appearing on Liberty Radio and Television live programme, tagged Guest of The Week.
According to Mohammed, President Buhari sending representatives to such meetings as some people have suggested will not be as effective as having the president attending them in person.
He said it would be unfair to attribute the President’s readiness to honour such invitations to a desire for pleasure saying at the president’s age such things do not matter to him but is only compelled to oblige out of necessity and due to his passion to serve the country.
“Many world leaders are saying now that Nigeria has a leader with integrity, they have the confidence to discuss with us even on the issue of the looted funds, so sending a representative cannot achieve that much,” he stated.
Mohammed explained that each of the President’s trip is necessary saying shortly after assuming office, President Buhari had to travel to neighboring countries to seek their collaboration on the fight against insurgents then later to the G-7 countries saying his reputation as a sincere leader with integrity is what makes the world leaders invite him to such meetings.
The minister explained that the President’s current trip to the UK to attend the summit on anti corruption is no different saying it would avail him the opportunity to meet with world leaders on the fight against corruption and on the issue of looted funds and how it can be repatriated back to the country.
Mohammed used the opportunity to explain comments he made on how Nigeria can diversify its economy through tourism saying the tourism industry presents a huge potential that can be tapped.
The minister denied saying the government is going to create jobs using masquerades saying he only used the example of a particular masquerade in the South East to illustrate how a single festival can attract activities across board.
Meanwhile, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and other Ministers are to give account of stewardship of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration in the last one year at a town hall meeting in Kaduna Tuesday.
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Buhari lampoon Biafran agitators
President Muhammadu Buhari, Monday, lampooned those agitating for the secession of Biafra , insisting that his administration would ensure continuous existence of Nigeria as a united entity.
Speaking at the palace of the Emir of Katsina during his official visit to the state, Buhari recalled that over two million Nigerians were killed during the 30 month of the Nigerian civil war which was fought to ensure unity of the nation.
He said the nation was plunged in a civil war leading to colossal lost of lives and properties in the bid to ensure its unity “but recently, some people who were not even born then are saying they want to divide Nigeria”
“I always say the civil war was fought for the unity of Nigeria because then we don’t even discover oil let alone enjoying it. But two million people were killed”
He assured that his administration will do all it could to ensure the continuous existence of Nigeria as a peaceful and one united entity.
The President who admitted that he knows the difficulties Nigerians are passing through said government was doing everything possible to change the fortunes of the nation for the better.
He urged Nigerians who have land to embrace farming “while those who don’t have should learn a trade.”
Earlier in his address, the Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Kabir accused the immediate past administration of Goodluck Jonathan for abandoning the contract for dredging of River Niger noting “in land water way is the wealth of the nation and these people don’t want it here”.
Emir Kabir who urged residents especially the hausa-fulani to intensify prayers for PMB said there are enemies within and outside.
“We know there are saboteurs but we will finish them with prayers” the Emir said and requested for the renovation of dams in the state so as to boost irrigation farming and water supply.
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Buhari fecilitates with Shonekan at 80
President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with elder statesman and former Head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan on his 80th birthday.
Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, commended his immense contribution to national peace and development which he has exemplified as an accomplished administrator, astute businessman and patriot.
The President believed that the historic role played by the octogenarian in forging and maintaining the unity of Nigeria will continue to endear him to many.
He assured that his administration would continue to look forward to his fatherly counsel and advice on how to move the nation forward.
The President prayed that God Almighty will grant Chief Shonekan more years of good health and happiness to see the Nigeria of his dreams.
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Ijaw youths to Buhari: Crush real militants
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Monday, condemned the unwholesome activities of a new militant group in the Niger Delta, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).
The IYC spokesman, Mr. Eric Omare, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to fish out the real troublemakers and spare innocent persons and communities in the region.
Omare, who spoke in Yenagoa said there was no justification for NBA to embark on destruction of oil facilities and pollution of the region’s environment.
While siding Buhari’s efforts in unmasking the identities of the culprits, he said such move should only be targeted at the real militants.
The new militant group has claimed responsibility for the recent attacks on the SPDC platform at Forcados, the Chevron Okan platform at Abiteye in Escravos, and the pipelines transporting crude oil to the Warri and the Kaduna refineries.
Omare said: “We do not see the justification in the Niger Delta Avengers embarking on destruction of oil facilities because Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, denounced the group.
“I think Tompolo did the proper thing by coming out to inform the entire world that he was not part of the NDA when there were insinuations to the effect that he was behind them.
“As with other cases of attack on oil facilities, the Niger Delta environment and people are the ultimate victims and would suffer from these latest attacks. The IYC believes that irrespective of their grievances, there are better ways of expressing them rather than contributing to the further destruction of the already massively degraded Niger Delta environment.”
Omare added: “The security agencies should go after the real culprits and not innocent communities and people in the region. From our experience, the security personnel in a bid to impress their superiors and justify the huge amount of money budgeted for the purpose, always attack innocent communities and people.
“This must not be allowed to happen this time around. We would also advise the Federal Government to be prompt in directing security agencies to deal with insurgent groups all over the country including the Fulani herdsmen who have been killing innocent Nigerians just like they have just directed in respect of the Niger Delta Avengers.”
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Buhari commends Biya for hosting 56,000 Nigerian IDPs
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday night commended the people and government of Republic of Cameroon for hosting over 56,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Nigeria since July 2014.
They were displaced due to the onslaught of the insurgents, Boko Haram.
Buhari made the commendation at dinner and cultural night organized in honour of the visiting President of Cameroon, Mr Paul Biya and his wife, Chantal Biya at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
While expressing appreciation to the United Nations and other international donor agencies for their assistances to the IDPs across the country, Buhari also condoled with the families of those that lost their loved ones as a result of the murderous activities of the Boko Haram insurgents.
He said: “Our special condolences go to families of our fallen heroes who had sacrificed their lives to safe guard our territorial integrity and provide security of lives and property of our people
“Permit me to use this occasion of your Excellency’s visit to Nigeria to once again extend my personal gratitude and that of the Federal Government for your country’s hosting of over 65,000 Nigerian refugees since July 2014.
“We also appreciate the assistance of the United Nations System, International donors, local and international non-governmental organisations and the ordinary Cameroonian families who share their meager provisions with the refugees in the spirit of African brotherhood. We thank them all.” he added
He said that a comprehensive rehabilitation and resettlement programme for the IDPs are being worked out by the Federal Government in collaboration with some international organizations, noting that data of the IDPs are being collated for smooth implementation of the scheme.
The President also expressed satisfaction with the successes being recorded in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency by the Nigerian military in collaboration with the Multinational Joint Task Force against Boko Haram.
He specifically commended the Cameroonian security agencies who recently participated in a joint military onslaught against the terrorist sect along the border areas of the Lake Chad.
According to him, the battle against the terrorist group would soon be over as efforts had been intensified by various security agencies across member countries of the multinational joint task force.
Nigeria and Cameroon, he said, would continue to maintain the path of dialogue and peace in addressing possible incident of social conflict or misunderstanding among the citizens of both countries.
He also assured that Nigeria would continue to partner with Cameroon in growing the economies as well as to ensure the safety of lives, land and maritime borders of the both countries.
In his remarks, President Biya, who spoke in French, reiterated the determination of his country to end the menace of the Boko Haram insurgency.
He also commended the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in the fight against the activities of the terrorist group within and beyond Nigeria.
He called for joint agricultural programmes between Nigeria and Cameroon along their border communities to address the challenges of youth unemployment in their respective countries.
Among dignitaries that attended the dinner included Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.
Others are Chief Justice of the Federation, Mahmud Muktar and top private sector and government functionaries.
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Assassination Attempt: Edo APC calls on Buhari to act
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Edo state has sympathized with all victims of the violent attack on the gubernatorial aspiration campaign team of Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr Pius Odubu at Auchi, Headquarters of Esako West Local Government Area last weekend just as they called on president Muhammadu Buhari to fish out the culprits.
APC expresses gratitude to God for preventing death so far from the attack and pray for speedy recovery for those who were wounded by gun shots from the hoodlums.
According to Comrade Godwin Erhahon, State Publicity Secretary of the party, “We apologize to the victims and the public for the statements of some of our officials who sounded sadistic and conspiratorial in a feeble but self-indicting attempt to trivialize the near tragic incident. Their reckless and ungodly utterances do not represent the culture of APC.
“It is saddening that these heartless officials could not sympathize with those who were wounded in the attack.
Erhahon said the very godly and peaceful conduct of the Deputy Governor is highly commended as it is now obvious that he does not move about with thugs otherwise casualties would have been recorded on the side of the attackers and that could have helped the sadists and desperadoes to turn the story against him.
“We commend all the other gubernatorial aspirants who have openly condemned the attack, particularly Mr. Godwin Obaseki.
“APC appeals to the good people of Edo South to resist the temptation of viewing the attack on their illustrious son, the Deputy Governor as an ethnic plot knowing that godly leaders from Auchi and other parts of Edo North have unanimously condemned the attack.
“We appeal to the national leadership of our great party and the presidency to rise to the challenge posed by the ugly trend in the ongoing campaign for the gubernatorial primaries of Edo APC.
“APC prays God to sanitize the hearts of all those who have vowed to rather die or kill than see any aspirant other than their choice emerge as gubernatorial candidate.”
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WPFD2016: Buhari promises Press freedom
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said that his administration is committed to defending the freedom of the press and the freedom of information in Nigeria.
The President made this known in a social media post while joining the world to mark the World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2016.
The posts read in part: “Under President Buhari’s administration, the Nigerian press – Africa’s most vibrant – will continue to enjoy the space to thrive.”
It will be recalled that every year on May 3rd is a date which celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.
The international day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 following a Recommendation adopted at the 26th Session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s General Conference in 1991. This in turn was a response to a call by African journalists who in 1991 produced the landmark Windhoek Declaration on media pluralism and independence.
The UNESCO and the Government of Finland co-host the World Press Freedom Day’s main event and the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize Ceremony in 2016 which will take place in Helsinki, Finland, from 2-4 May 2016.
Recall that 250 years ago the world’s first Freedom of information (FOI) law allowed for accountability & gave citizens the right to express themselves.
The WPFD2016, which started on Monday, May 2 and scheduled to end on Wednesday, May 4th, is organized under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Finland, Sauli Niinistö.
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Rivers State killings: Group seeks President Buhari’s action
A group, Ekpeye Patriotic Front, Rivers State on Tuesday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately take steps to end the orgy of senseless killings of innocent and law abiding citizens in the state especially in Ekpeye Kingdom.The group said that its appeal became necessary following the sustained killings in Ekpeye Kingdom especially the killing of over 20 persons in Ula-Upata and Edeoha town on Saturday, April 30th 2016.The group claimed that it has become obvious that the Nyesom Wike led Rivers State Government is keeping quiet over the killings because it is allegedly benefiting from the increase in the crime rate in the state.President of the group, Mr. Udhuluma Okpara, in a statement made available to our reporter in Abuja, lamented that since 2015 over 200 Ekpeye citizens comprising Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas have been killed by sponsored cultists.Okpara recalled that “on 19th of January 2016, the assassins led by the notorious criminal stormed Ula -Upata and killed 17 persons, including a serving Police Corporal and the mother of another Police officer.He noted that “since then there is no day the group do not kill at least two persons on the average leaving many families in pains and agony.He said that “because of the daily and deadly activities of this group, many Ekpeye communities have been deserted for fear of attacks by these boys, which they carry out freely without any hindrance by the security agencies.”Okpara said “the worst of it happened again on 30th of April 2016, when same criminal and his gang stormed Ula-Upata and killed over 20 persons before proceeding to Edeoha community to kill another seven persons including a herbalist Mr Uwuma Ichocho and beheaded them and dumped their heads on the main road while they set ablaze their lifeless bodies.”The Rivers State Government and the security agencies, he claimed, have abandoned Ekpeye people to their fate.He said that they have written severally to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase and Commissioner of Police in the state on the spate of killings in Ekpeye and “the urgent need to arrest these known hoodlums and to beef up security in Ekpeye and save the lives of Ekpeye people who are daily being killed by these hoodlums.”He also claimed that some highly placed security operatives in the state were aiding the hoodlums to perpetrate their killing spree.Okpara urged the media and the Rivers State Police command not to play down on the actual nature of crime in Ekpeye by deliberately not telling the public the actual number of persons killed.He noted that reports credited to the police that only four persons were killed and the attacks being painted as cult clash is most unfortunate.He said that the four members of the Nwoka family of Ula Upata killed last Saturday were innocent persons shot by the hoodlums right in front of their house along the road.“The five killed at Edeoha are innocent persons as well,” he said.He urged the Police to carry out a thorough investigation and arrest these hoodlums while calling on the President to immediately declare a state of emergency in Rivers State to avert total collapse of security.The group listed those killed on 30th April 2015 at Ula-Upata1. Mr. Ihemnachor Esordi2. Mr. Fredrick Martins3. Mr. Gospel Nwoka4. Mr. Akor Aham Nwoka5. Mrs. Aham Nwoka6. Mrs. Aligbo Nwoka7. Mr. Nwadu Nwati8. Three Okada riders9. A meat (suya) seller10. A boy from Ogbo village11. A man from Ula-Ehuda community.Those killed at Edeoha town and beheaded1. Mr Uwuma Ichocho2. Master Egbuluka Uwuma3. Chisom Elleh4. Chisanim Okoro5. A visitor from Anakpor village.