The Nation Newspaper

Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • Nigerians want Govt of massive wealth creation

    The proposed plan of Federal Government of Nigeria, led by President Muhammadu Buhari to commence payment of N5,000 Social welfare to about 25 million Nigerians, is a plan that must be critically and objectively looked into before anyone would begin to praise the government.

    It was widely reported in most of Nigerian dailies on Tuesday 8th of December that President Buhari has proposed N6.2 Trillions in 2016 budget, about N500 Billions of this budget, for the social welfare scheme.

    The question we must ask is that, is the idea of paying N5, 000 to each of the 25,000 million Nigerians a way forward for us as a country at this perilous time.

    If you visit any news stand in any part of Nigeria, the kind of discussions you’ll hear about this current government will amuse you, you will begin to wonder if we are indeed in a change era or shortchanged time, you will hear the opinion of people about this initiative of social welfare, many Nigerian tend to disagree with President Buhari on many of his policies and his style of governance.

    Many people do not want how the nation was mismanaged by the past administrations since the inception of democracy but wants a “CHANGE” in terms of clear economy revamping policy direction not tokenism as proposed by Buhari government.

    My own opinion is that instead of government of tokenism, it should be government of massive wealth creation. Government can create more millionaires with the N500 Billion voted for tokenism in the budget.

    One will wonder the yardstick Buhari government intend to use in determining those who are vulnerable in Nigeria, does government already have the records of these people, what method do government plan to use in capturing their details, and how would government identify genuine people who really need the money, is the programme sustainable, how far can it go and is there any exit plans? There are lots of questions one should begin to ask about how government intent to implement the tokenism system called social welfare scheme and to what effect.

    Nigeria actually needs wealth creation system and not tokenism.

    What government plans to do is not so different from the Almajiri system in the Northern Nigeria where people are used to monies from other people without wanting to work or incapacitated to work.

    Nigeria is not a soviet or communist state where citizen must depend on Government for money to survive, the business of government is provision of basic infrastructures and economic policies that will encourage businesses to thrive, even in US and other countries where they practice welfare system; it’s really not yielding any meaningful results for them.

    A country must have been developed to a certain level before a thing such as social welfare is introduced. Government by so doing will be encouraging laziness, social unrest, and emotional distrust among families.

    Amidst the dwindling oil price without any concrete diversification and lean economy strength, the little money left should be channeled into programmes that can assist the country recover from its financial crises, placing token in the hands of percentage of people every month will turn Nigeria to a Lazy beggar nation and this will greatly damage the country.

    President Buhari can use the N500 Billion to power an initiative like YOUWIN embarked upon by the Ex-President Jonathan administration and properly monitor it.

    A programme like the YOUWIN will target poor youths from every parts of Nigeria, when these people are given opportunities and training with grants from the programme, wealth will be created, productions will kick off, export will kick off (GDP), more people will be employed because government cannot employ everyone.

    Let us be practical here, if Buhari administration pick up a son or a daughter of a poor man, train them in any area of their talent or acquired skills, give them grants to support their talent, such person will begin to make more money as times goes on and will be able to feed, clothe and shelter his or her parents, they will be able to cater for their parents better than the N5, 000 token government intends to hand over to them or their parents.

    Government should not be too ashamed to look at implementing a better programme or modify their campaign promises for effectiveness. If they should go ahead to implement the N5,000 tokenism called Social Welfare scheme, it will amount to waste and damage to the reputation of Nigeria as a beggar, the implication is that government will waste about N2 Trillions in four years and people will still remain poor and beggars. When people wait for crumbs from government it means they have practically become beggars.

    Nigerian government both at States and Federal should not waste hard earn tax payers money to embark on a project or programme that will not yield any meaningful result in the end, even if the plot of government is to “Bribe” people with the money for past or future electoral gains, people will still lament and complain as time goes on that what can the money “N5,000” do in their lives. Government should teach people how to fish and not fish for people to eat.

    Nigeria is blessed with massive human and natural resources, we should use them to create wealth and enrich our people. The youths need jobs, civil unrest, security threats, threat of disintegration and Boko Haram Killings should be urgently looked into.  Nigerians should be taken out of darkness with provision of electricity, our roads are death traps and should be fixed, we need better foreign reputation, relationship and policies with great economy directions.

     

    Adelaja Adeoye is a blogger and social/political commentator

    He writes from Lagos Nigeria.

  • Looters beware

    Looters beware

    Federal Government owes the country a duty to ensure that all looted fund is recovered in the open

    When the Federal Government announced that another tranche of looted fund amounting to N31 billion  had been uncovered, Nigerians were happy that the war against corruption would be given effect. It was also expected that the Buhari administration that had promised to ensure good governance but appeared incapacitated by paucity of funds could after all take off with the money so recovered. Those interested in justice, too, looked forward to the arrest, arraignment and prosecution of the suspected looters who had, by their action, sent many to their early graves. However, suggestions by the presidency that the looters could be given soft landing are disquieting. We are surprised that so early in the life of this administration that held out so much promise during the election, a bleak prospect is being painted already.

    We warn that the alleged crime is neither against President Muhammadu Buhari nor the Federal Government. It is against the Nigerian state. The money involved belongs to the Nigerian state and people. Therefore, the government owes it to the entire public to handle all issues appertaining to the fund transparently. It is unbelievable that at a time like this, some Nigerians could constitute themselves into a cabal and embezzle what should have made section 14 of the constitution and the welfare provisions in the supreme law of the country relevant.

    The issues involved are too grave to be treated with a slap on the wrist. In a country where petty thieves are sentenced to more than 10 years for stealing goats, what justice is being promoted if plunderers of the treasury are told to go and sin no more?

    Plea bargain might not be strange to our law. It might have been introduced to ensure that cases do not drag on for too long. But, what was the essence of the new Administration of Criminal Justice Act? It is the duty of the three arms of government to ensure that enemies of state are given appropriate punishment. We note, too, that if plea bargain is to be entertained in whatever guise, it is not the responsibility of the executive to handle the transactions. Apart from putting the details in the public domain, the case must be charged to court to enable the judiciary adjudicate the matters. The lawyers have to come up with all the issues; we must be told all those involved and how much has been traced to each. It is not the duty of government to shield those who have bled the economy, rendering so many young Nigerians jobless and industries comatose.

    We recall a recent statement by the President that some of those responsible for the decadence of the system have been quietly returning their loot. We reiterate that this is unacceptable. It is not left for the looters to take action as and when they deem fit. It is not about their convenience, but Nigeria’s. We look forward to actions this administration would take in sanitising the justice sector- from arrest, to detention, arraignment, prosecution and sentencing. A lot has gone wrong over the years and now is the time we expect a government that prides itself as committed to effecting wholesale change to swing into action.

    Nigeria prides itself as a democracy. It lags far behind so many other countries, including some in Africa. It is therefore right that the people are fully brought into the picture as democracy is hinged on popular participation. The day is gone when a President could describe himself as the sovereign. The people are the kings. If the looting culture is to end, all those who treated themselves to opulence at the expense of the state should be appropriately handled.

    It is apposite to bring it to the attention of the incumbent administration that building a country- a democracy- is not hinged on strong men, but institutions, mechanisms and processes. This is the responsibility bestowed on it. Negotiating with suspected looters amount to a betrayal of the confidence reposed in the government and subversion of institutions of state. The day is long gone now when sloppy prosecution by anti-graft agencies could be contemplated and condoned. All agencies and institutions must be alive to their duties. Agencies such as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) should patriotically handle their constitutionally assigned duties.

    President Buhari, the Federal Executive Council and the Attorney General of the Federation are key officials and agencies of state charged with ensuring that the end of justice is well served in the matter at hand and other similar loots. They must live up to their responsibilities.

  • Buhari at 73: Sen Boroffice urges support for President

    Buhari at 73: Sen Boroffice urges support for President

    The Senator representing Ondo North Senatorial District of Ondo State, Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice has urged Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

    The Senator said this in a statement issued, containing his congratulatory message to the President during his 73th birthday celebration on Thursday.

    The statement reads: “I wish a foremost patriot and democrat, President Muhammadu Buhari many more fulfilling years in sound health as he continues to display exemplary leadership on National affairs.

    “At the international level, Nigeria has regained her respect because we have a leadership that has zero tolerance for corruption.

    “Having inherited an economy that was almost in coma, President Buhari has discharged his responsibilities creditably well.

    “Again, the fear of Buhari has changed a number of the way things are done in the country.

    “For instance, on the man-made fuel scarcity, I can assure Nigerians that in another three months, things will be better.

    “I urge Nigerians to support the anti-corruption crusade of the Buhari-led administration. Quite critical to dev of all sector.”

  • Buhari to present 2016 budget next week

    Buhari to present 2016 budget next week

    President Muhammadu Buhari will on  December 22, present the 2016 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly for consideration and approval, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    A reliable source in the Senate told our reporter that the subject matter of the presentation of the 2016 Appropriation Bill on Tuesday next week was discussed at a close door session the upper chamber held yesterday.

    He noted that the Senate would have adjourned plenary for Christmas break tomorrow but didn’t do so because of the presentation of the 2016 budget “tentatively slated for next Tuesday.”

    The source however added that “nothing is sacrosanct as the date can still be changed if occasion demands.”

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi did not mention the presentation of the budget at a briefing yesterday.

    Sabi only said Nigerians would be informed whenever the 2016 budget was received from the Presidency when he was asked whether the fiscal document had been submitted to the Senate.

  • IPOB, insurgents’ activities unlawful, says Fed Govt

    IPOB, insurgents’ activities unlawful, says Fed Govt

    •’No serious govt ’ll fold its arms and allow this kind of security breach’

    The Federal Government talked tough yesterday on the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Southeast and the Islamic fundamentalists in the North. It declared their activities as “illegal”.

    The government said it would keep the peace in the country, warning that it would no longer fold its arms to allow their unlawful activities to continue.

    In a statement by Minister of Interior Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, the government vowed to wield the big stick should the need arise.

    The IPOB has been behind the pro-Biafran agitation in the Southeast and the protests being staged to demand the release of the Director of Biafran Radio, Nnamdi Kanu.

    The Federal Government vowed to always protect the country’s territory and the citizens against any separatist group’s activities.

    Dambazzau said: “The Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy as encapsulated in Chapter II of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, S.14(2) states that ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

    “The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, respects and upholds the fundamental human rights of all citizens as enshrined in Chapter IV of the Constitution. Incorporated in these rights is the ‘freedom from fear’, which every citizen must enjoy.

    “It is within this purview that it becomes necessary to emphasise that the government will do everything within the law to ensure that the lives and properties of persons, groups or organisations are protected.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the Federal Government will continue to protect citizens’ rights to assemble freely and associate with other persons without hindrance; protect the freedom of thought, conscience and religion; and protect the freedom of expression. However, every citizen is under obligation to recognise and respect the rights of his or her fellow citizens, especially on matters regarding public order, safety and security.

    “No serious government will fold its arms to allow security breach of the kind which threatens the peaceful coexistence and sovereignty of its society. It is therefore imperative to remind ourselves that as long as demonstrations or processions are peaceful and do not infringe on the fundamental rights of others, the government will as a matter of principle, direct security agencies to protect the individuals or groups involved in such demonstrations or processions.

    “Democracy has provided vehicles through which citizens can convey their grievances without resorting to violence, and in our particular case, there are state governments and their assemblies; representatives and senators of the National Assembly; and the judiciary. It is expected that persons with grievances take advantage of using these opportunities instead of resorting to violence.

    “Our experience at least with separatist groups (such as Biafra Movements) and religious extremists (such as Boko Haram) in the last few years, depicted individuals or groups taking laws into their own hands, situations that sometimes led to violent clashes with security agencies. It is important for us to be law-abiding, even while expressing our grievances”.

    The minister, however, urged the security agencies to protect the citizens and residence at this Yuletide season as a result of movement and increase in activities.

    “As a result of increased movements and activities during the end of year and the beginning of a new season, the Ministry of Interior has coordinated with all security agencies under its supervision, and other security agencies, to ensure that the safety and security of all law-abiding citizens are guaranteed in line with our constitutional responsibilities.

    “We are drawing the attention of all Nigerians, especially in this Yuletide season, the necessity to keep their eyes and ears open, and report suspicious activities or persons, especially in motor-parks, airports, mosques, churches, markets and all public places attracting people,” Dambazzau said.

  • Policies to boost business coming, says Buhari

    Policies to boost business coming, says Buhari

    •President to block loopholes in revenue agencies

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja said his administration will soon introduce more policies to further ease the process of doing business in Nigeria.

    Speaking after a presentation at the Presidential Villa on enhancing Nigeria’s trade and economic competitiveness, he  said the new policies will be focused on increasing efficiency and transparency in government operations, and blocking of leakages from all revenue generating agencies.

    In a statement endorsed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, explained that President Buhari’s administration was totally committed to closing all the loopholes in the revenue generating agencies, increasing their efficiency in trade facilitation and ensuring transparency in all government businesses so as to attract greater foreign direct investments into the country.

    The president added that the Nigeria Customs Service, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Ministry of Finance and other relevant agencies will be encouraged to adopt some of the positive ideas contained in the presentation for implementation next year.

    A representative of the company that made the presentation, Mr. Lim Chee Boon, told President Buhari that virtually all the countries that implemented its solutions have successfully reduced corruption in their import a

  • Social media bill: Penalty for violators

    Social media bill: Penalty for violators

    The proposed social media bill by The Senate on Frivolous Petitions, which passed second reading, if enacted, will subject violators to between two and four years imprisonment.

    Although, many do not know the weight of the bill, there have been reactions to the bill after it was subsequently passed to the relevant committee for consideration and to report back to the Senate within three weeks.

    On Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari promised not to assent to any legislation that might be inconsistent with the constitution.

    The President said this through his Senior Special on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, saying that he has sworn to defend the constitution and would not lend his hand to anything that was inconsistent with the document.

    “But he is not averse to lawful regulation, so long as that is done within the ambit of the constitution, which he swore to uphold,” he said.

    Shehu added that the President said free speech was central to democratic societies anywhere in the world. Without free speech, the president explained that elected representatives won’t be able to gauge public feelings and moods about governance issues.

    ‘As a key component of democratic principles,’ the president acknowledged that people in democratic societies ‘are so emotionally attached to free speech that they would defend it with all their might’.

    “Because the Senate is a democratic Senate, the President won’t assent to any legislation that may be inconsistent with the constitution of Nigeria,” he added.

    Following the controversy over the bill, Social media lovers on Tuesday stormed the National Assembly to say no to the proposed bill.

    The protesters, who gathered at the Unity Fountain Maitama Abuja, are calling on the Upper chamber ‘to immediately discontinue with the said bill as proposed by Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah from Kebbi State.
    The bill suggests four years imprisonment or payment of between N2m and N4m fine for intentionally propagating false information that could threaten the security of the country or that is capable of inciting the general public against the government through electronic message.

    Similarly, it suggests up to two years jail term or N2m N4m fine or both for anyone disseminating via text message, Twitter, WhatsApp, or any other form of social media an “abusive statement”.
    This also involves messages intending to “set the public against any person and group of persons, an institution of government or such other bodies established by law.”

    The Direct Conflict of this Bill with Section 39 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as Amended in 2011 which states, “Every Person shall be entitled to Freedom of Expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.”
    It is also noteworthy that there has been a spirited effort to justify this repressive and unconstitutional action of the Senate but it does not suffice in line with the commitment seen from the senate and its senators from both parties actively arguing positively for the necessity of such a bill.
    The question that these protesters are seeking answer to is: “Who are they (the senate) afraid of?”

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have distanced themselves from such move, urging the Senate to unconditionally suspend proceedings on the bill.

    In a statement, GarbaDeen Muhammad, President of NGE said that the broad objective of the bill was to outlaw the freedom of expression of the citizens and freedom of speech of media organisations operating in print, electronic and on-line platforms.

    The statement reads in part: “Appallingly, the bill has also included as its target very personal and private means of communication such as SMS or text messages and WhatsApp, among others.

    “The freedom of speech and expression is guaranteed in section 22 and 39(1) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution respectively. Therefore, to enact any kind of law under any guise that will contradict these fundamental provisions is to deliberately seek to undermine the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “We are, therefore, concerned that a group of persons elected by Nigerians to ensure that their rights, privileges and interests are protected, should gleefully misuse the mandate given to them to the detriment of the same people that elected them,” Mohammad observed.

    Also, National President of NUJ Waheed Odusile, speaking at a lecture in Ibadan, Oyo state, vowed that the media would not allow the bill to see the light of the day.

    Odusile said what the proponents of the controversial bill were trying to do was to bring back the Decree 4 of 1983 to satisfy their selfish interests, adding that “it is a law targeted at restricting freedom of expression”.

    Imploring NUJ state councils to submit petitions at their respective state assemblies, he said the union would mobilise its members to the National Assembly to stop the bill whenever it is presented for public hearing.

  • Foreign investors besiege Nigeria at climate talks

    Foreign investors besiege Nigeria at climate talks

    The determination of President Muhammadu Buhari to put square pegs in square holes in his ministerial appointments may have paid off as Nigeria emerges the sought after bride at the ongoing climate change negotiations in Paris, France.

    Contrary to the undesirable and unenviable position of Nigeria in previous climate change talks, Nigeria has emerged  as the leading negotiator for Africa and a much sought after party for other countries. This change it was learnt has to do with the international clout of the Minister for the Environment, Amina Mohammed.

    Prior to her appointment, Mohammed has been a special adviser to the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon on the Millennium Development Goal and a well-respected figure in the international community of social and development work.

    Unlike in the last two climate change conferences where no pavilion or offices were allotted to the country, Nigeria has a strategic office in Paris, a situation which registered her seriousness and announced her return to the international community.

    Also, a steady stream of international companies and governments of developed nations wishing to do business with Nigeria have been trooping into the Nigerian pavilion to talk with the minister. The Nation observed at least six different delegations which visited the Minister on Saturday to discuss bilateral issues with a view to investing in the country.

    According to a source, who was knowledgeable about the visits, Nigeria has announced her strong arrival in the committee of nations to be taken seriously by the way the country has conducted herself at the climate talks.

    “ They see we are serious, gone are the days when Nigeria would have no office and the officials would only be roaming around. Now we are serious and the international community has noticed. All these people are coming because they want to come into Nigeria, the clout and integrity of our Minister also counts because the international community would only do business with someone they know and trust and she is one,” the source said.

    Nigeria also has a lean delegation with only about 40 officials sponsored to the climate talks, it was learnt that only those who are essential to the meeting were sponsored to Paris. It was also observed that the officials have conducted themselves in a respectable manner, promptly attending to visitors in a business-like but friendly manner, a situation which was almost unheard of.

    “Things have changed as you can see, this is no longer a market place where officials would be laughing and joking without doing the work. Now Nigeria is open for business and we have registered our presence to the world in a big way,” a source said.

  • PMB and MEGAPHONE

    PMB and MEGAPHONE

    President Muhammadu Buhari said in Teheran that some of the stolen loot have returned to our treasury. Two things were wrong with this. One, he is in the habit of playing megaphone outside the country. His lips are sealed at home.

    Abroad, he becomes announcer in chief. He is president of Nigeria, not diaspora. Does he love the outside world more than where he has legitimacy? We learnt abroad of ministers as noise makers, that he would give priority to those who voted for him, that we are broke. What shall we learn at home?

    Second, I thought we ought to know through what process the looters are returning the loot. This is a democracy, and we have the right to know the looters. Is it not the courts that should bargain with these people? How much have they paid? We have a right to know because it is our patrimony. This is not a monarchy. The rule of law is the best way to handle corruption.

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  • Buhari to attend 2015 Commonwealth meeting in Malta

    Buhari to attend 2015 Commonwealth meeting in Malta

    President Muhammadu Buhari will depart Abuja on Thursday, November 26 for Malta to participate in the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

    The 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will begin on Friday, 27th November 2015 in the island nation of Malta.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Garba Shehu on Wednesday.

    The Commonwealth is made up of Britain, Nigeria and 51 other countries that work together to pursue common goals and promote development, democracy, peace, security and good governance.

    According to the statement, the President and other Heads of State and Government who will be in Malta for this year’s summit are expected to deliberate on fresh Commonwealth initiatives on development & climate change with a view to adding greater value to ongoing efforts in these areas.

    The statement reads: “The Head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, will formally declare the summit open.

    “Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II is expected to host a banquet in honor of Buhari & other participating Heads of State & Government

    “At the conclusion of the Summit on Sunday, President Buhari will leave Malta for Paris where he will present Nigeria’s statement at the United Nations Climate Change Conference scheduled to open in the French capital on Monday, November 30.

    “President Buhari will join over 100 other world leaders at the Leaders Event on the opening day of the conference.

    “The Conference will be hosted by President Francois Hollande of France and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon. Pres. Buhari will also participate in a summit of the Heads of State & Government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission & Benin Republic which has been scheduled to take place on December 2 in Paris on the sidelines of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change.

    “Deliberations at the Paris meeting of the Lake Chad Basin Commission & Benin Republic will focus mainly on the war against Boko Haram and other security issues of common interest to participating countries.

    “President Buhari will be accompanied on the trip by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, the Minister of Environment, Mrs. Amina Mohammed and the National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.).”

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