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Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • Disabled persons to Buhari: Sign disability bill into law

    Persons living with disability in the country on Monday staged a mini rally in Abuja and appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to further demonstrate his love for them by immediately signing into law the National Persons with Disability bill recently passed into law by the National Assembly.

    APC National Disability Leader,  Misbahu Lawan Didi who addressed the rally which was part of activities marking the International disability day said with the signing of the bill, the President will provide the over 24 million disabled persons in the country voice,  adding that they will have no option than give him their support for a second term.

    Didi said the Buhari government is the first government in the history of the country to recognise people living with disabilities, appointing two of them into government while the APC is the first and only party so far to incorporate them into the leadership at all levels

    Read Also:Obaseki gives disabled rapper Razaly N10m

    He said  the main objective of the match was to appreciate Mr. President and the APC as a party for what they have done in the life of persons with disability, pointing out that it is on record that no ruling party or political parties has ever recognize people with disability.

    He said; “It is only the APC that recognizes them. They do not only recognize us by mouth, but also by ensuring that they are captured in the party constitution at all levels. We have disability leaders at all levels. We have about 40,000 members as leaders of the party at various levels.

    “Secondly, Mr President appoints two aides; Senior Special Assistant (Disability) to the President and Special Assistant (Disability) to the President. This is a great achievement by this government. Equally, last week, National Assembly passed Discrimination Against Persons With Disability Bill which is now waiting for assent.

    “I believe that as a father who cares for his children, especially persons with disability, he will give assent to that bill so that it becomes law. Once we have that, the over 24 million disabled persons in this country will have no option but to support our great party, the APC that has identified with people disability over the years.

    “Also, today is International Day of Persons with Disability. As a party, we are also commemorating this day. It is only the APC that has planned something to commemorate the day by having a get-together with people with disability. These are some of the things that motivate me and the APC to organize something by ourselves. You can see that no government is here. It is not a sponsored program. It is our own will.

    “The people with disability agree and contribute something to ensure that this event takes place today so that we appreciate government and the party. For me, being the representative of people with disability in APC, a lot of them are happy with the position I have got and I am also proud of my people because they are with me.

    “Disabled leader is here from every State in this country. That is to tell you that we are one family and we are ready to ensure that APC and President Muhammadu Buhari retains positions as President and ruling party.

    APC, National Treasurer, Adamu Fanda who represented the Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams of Oshiomhole said the APC was the only all-inclusive party that believes that everybody is endowed either you are disable or able.

    “We give you a level playing ground. Our party is a mass-oriented party. It is meant for the poor and majority of Nigerians. This is because we know that we have a large number of people with disability. That is why we provide special position for them in the party. Whatever they do, we have to come and identify with them and share in their glory”, he said.

    On the Disability Bill, he said “as a party, we will implore Mr. President to quickly and immediately sign the bill so that it becomes a law.”

  • George Bush: Buhari condoles with United States

    President Muhammadu Buhari has joined world leaders in mourning the passing of former President of United States, George H.W. Bush.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, sent condolences to the government and people of the United States, family of the 41st President and all political associates of the great leader, whose legacies continue to inspire and attract encomiums across the world.

    Read Also:Former America President George H.W. Bush dies at 94

    The President believed the passing of George H.W. Bush is a loss to the entire world, not just America, especially the many people he inspired.

    He extolled the late President’s love for his family and country, which remains legendary as clearly seen in the way his children have taken up leadership roles and are steadily breeding new generation of great thinkers and leaders.

    The President prayed for God’s comfort on the mourning nation, the family of the nonagenarian, and a peaceful rest for his soul.

  • Metele massacre: Sack service chiefs now

    SOME retired military officers and security experts yesterday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the nation’s service chiefs over Boko Haram’s attack troops in Metele, Borno State.

    In different interviews with our reporters yesterday, the ex-military officers and security experts charged President Buhari to replace the service chiefs with new officers, saying that the country was not getting the desired result in the fight against the insurgents.

    Many officers of the 157 Task Force Battalion were reportedly killed by the deadly sect in the said attack, while several military officers who had gone to evacuate the bodies of their fallen colleagues were also killed in another attack by the insurgents on November 19.

    Early media reports put the casualty figure at about 100, but the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, said that only 23 soldiers were killed in the attack. He also put the number of troops wounded in action at 31.

    A two-time Minister of Science and Technology and former head of the Nigerian War College, Gen. Sam Momah (rtd), said the country has to change its tactics in the conflict against Boko Haram.

    His said: “It is a guerrilla war and it is obvious that we are still using conventional methods to confront it, and that is wrong. It will not work. We have to change.

    “How can you be using fighter jets to fight people who are not all located in one place?

    “Troops have to undergo re-training in countering terrorism. The army has to join them in disguise and destroy them from within.

    “The army have to move in and know who they are, know who their commanders are and know their lines.

    “It is not about fighter planes right now. I’m embarrassed by the current tactics of the army. These are simple tactics that the commander in chief should be aware of.

    “Then you have to depend on the citizens to give you information about them. And to do that, you have to ensure that they the citizens have good roads, basic health care, light, food and water.

    “You have to take care of your citizens so they can assist you to curb terrorism.”

    Asked whether it was time to change the service chiefs, he said: “Surely, it is not out of place for Nigerians to raise their voices and call for the sack of the service chiefs.

    “Calling for their sack depends on the overall variables, which will determine that they should be changed.

    “It is definitely not out of place for service chiefs to be changed if we are not getting expected results.”

    Momoh’s position was also supported by retired Group Captain S.B. Adamu, who feared that the security chiefs are not in tune with what it takes to crush the insurgents.

    He said: “From the look of things, it seems that the people in charge of the security of the country have run out of ideas on how to tackle the issue.

    “It also seems that it might be necessary that the service chiefs step aside so that new hands can be tested.”

    Commodore Abimbola Olaribigbe Ayuba (rtd), also said: “Based on the recent attacks launched by the insurgents after they were thought to have been defeated, it may be in the general interest of the people to replace the current service chiefs with new ones.

    It is about time that such should be done.”

    Brig-Gen Peter Omale (rtd) regretted the manner the officers were massacred by insurgents.

    He noted that the Metele incident has further exposed the weakness of the Nigerian army in war situations.

    Omale advised President Muhammadu Buhari to procure modern war equipment and task the military on intelligence gathering to tackle the menace of Book Haram.

    He said: “Since the attacks by the sect are on the increase, there is the need for the military to change tactics and use maximum force.

    “The war against Book Haram has further exposed the weakness of the Nigeria Army in war situations.

    “Boko Haram has become a big time business where capitalist countries are happy in advancing their trade of arms’ sales.

    “The solution will not be immediate. Moreover, there are moles in the army whose loyalty is divided. Some of the soldiers have one of their legs in the Nigerian Army and one with Boko Haram.”

    A security expert, Hon Dipo Okeyomi, asked President Buhari to sack the service chiefs, adding: “The service chiefs have tried their best for the country and should take the bow at this point.

    “This is the time to bring in new officers who understand the terrain.

    “We need new officers who are familiar with the areas of operation. If we do otherwise, we would never achieve the desired result.

    “Aside from replacing the service chiefs, I will also strongly advise that there should be discipline among security operatives in the country.

    “Security business requires high level of discipline and the earlier we enforce this, the better.”

    Okeyomi further advised the Federal Government to consider involving traditional rulers in security issues because “they know the people and can use their clout to promote peace and fish out undesirable elements in the society.

    “Lastly, citizens should consider playing active role in security issues by providing information to security operatives.

    “The security operatives should also do well to gain the confidence of the people by protecting their identity when they give them useful information.”

    Another security expert, Wilson Esangbedo, who is the Chairman, Lagos Zone of the Association of Licensed Private Practitioners of Nigeria, opined that based on what is happening now, “empirically, the government needs to go back to the drawing board because as the elections are coming, it may be that there could be more attacks.

    “Remember during ex-President Jonathan’s time, before the election, the attack from Boko Haram became vicious and President Jonathan had to postpone the election so as to have more time to deal with the Boko Haram insurgency.

    “When the government announced that the war against Boko Haram had been won, people were happy. But right now, which foreign investor is going to come in when there are killings and attacks?

    “It is not possible.”

    On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of King Davids Security, Dr Davidson Akhimien, said the government should re-strategise to defeat Boko Haram. “And the new strategy should take into consideration all aspects and encompass different strategies.

    “Who is Boko Haram? A rag tag army? If not that corruption has eaten into our system, who is Boko Haram to be compared with our army?

    “We restored peace in Liberia. We restored peace in Sierra Leone. So who is Boko Haram?

    “We should re-organise our army. Let’s get our act together and do the needful.”

  • Buhari swears in commissioners in FCSC

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday swore in the Chairman and 12 Commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He charged them to address all obstacles inimical to the image of the service.

    The President also enjoined them to tackle issues detrimental to effective service delivery by the nation’s civil service

    The civil service, he said, must be re-positioned to enable it discharge its assigned responsibilities for efficient implementation of government policies.

    He said “In recent times government has observed some developments that are inimical to the image of the service and detrimental to efficient delivery of its responsibilities.

    “The Federal Civil Service must therefore be repositioned to enable it fulfills role in honestly executing government policies.

    “Considering your respective backgrounds your appointments were predicated on your wealth of public service experience.

    “I, therefore, have no doubt that you are equipped to reposition the civil service to respond efficiently and professionally to its responsibilities.

    “In this regard, you must ensure that government’s recruitment drive is conducted in a transparent and fair manner to attract the appropriate capacity of skilled personnel to the civil service while maintaining and motivating new recruits,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Buhari to politicians: Don’t politicize religion in Nigeria

    He stressed that the civil service is saddled with the onerous responsibility to formulate and implement policies and programmes of government through which benefits of governance are delivered to the citizenry.

    He said the civil service had remained a central institution to any government and the engine room for helping the executive to deliver good governance.

    “It must therefore put in place a sound system for appointments, promotions and discipline of personnel that will respond to the direction of government,’’ he added.

    President Buhari reminded the chairman and the commissioners of the three cardinal objectives of his administration, which he said included security, improve economic and fight against corruption.

    He, therefore, charged them to support initiatives aimed at delivering on these and shun practices that run counter to the delivery of the set objectives.

    He congratulated the chairman and the commissioners for their appointments to perform roles most critical to the success of the government.

    The chairman of the FCSC, Alhaji Yakubu Ingawa, who spoke to State House correspondents after the swearing in ceremony, pledged that the new members would discharge their responsibilities diligently.

    Those sworn in along with the chairman included Mr Moses Ngbale from Adamawa; Waziri Ngurno from Borno; ; Aminu Sheidu fromKogi; Simon Etim from Akwa Ibom andBello Mahmoud from Jigawa.

    Others were Ahmed Sarna from Kebbi; Iyabode Odulate-Yusuf from Ogun; Shehu Danyaya from Niger; Fatai Adebayo from Oyo; Ejoh Chukwuemeka from Anambra; Joe Poroma from Rivers and Ibrahim Mohammed from Kaduna.

  • Buhari orders military to end Boko Haram threat, returns from Maiduguri

    President Muhammadu Buhari has returned to Abuja from Maiduguri, Borno State, where he  ordered the military to eliminate all threats of Boko Haram, declaring that the war against terrorism is “a must win’’.

    Buhari gave the order while declaring open the 2018 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference.

    President Buhari said: “It is a must win war. I want to encourage our troops not to be distracted by speculations but remain focused and committed to the task of eliminating Boko Haram from the surface of the earth.’’

    He assured the military that his administration would continue to address their needs in terms of manpower development and equipment supply, promising that their welfare and entitlements will also be improved.

    “I want to reassure you that as your Commander-In-Chief, I will do everything within my power to continue empowering you by providing all the necessary equipment, force multipliers and enablers required for you to prevail on the field.

    “I also want you to be aware that I am currently looking into measures to improve your entitlements and welfare generally,’’ he added.

    The President commended the efforts and sacrifices of the military in safeguarding the peace, security and territorial integrity of the country.

    According to him, the officers and men who are fighting against the curse of terrorism in the North East deserve all the attention the country’s leadership can give them.

    “As President of the country, I am determined to ensure that every citizen feels safe and secure in all parts of the country. To achieve this, the security agencies must rise to the challenge and curb threats to security in our country,’’ he added.

    President Buhari called on the armed forces to embrace “the wind of change that is blowing across the country,” urging more cooperation at inter-service and inter-agency levels.

    “To this end, the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs must work closely together as well as with other security agencies to improve on strategies that will defeat terrorism, militancy and other forms of criminal activities in our country.’’

    The President, who also addressed officers and men of the Nigerian Army at the Maimalari Barrack, headquarters of Operation Lafiya-Dole, said he shared in the agony of loss of gallant soldiers.

    “I have come to pay homage to the gallant soldiers lost by the nation and to console the injured ones in recent terrorist attacks.

    “I urge you to remain focused and win the war,’’ the President said.

    He also commended Nigerian Army’s commitment to upholding democracy and urged them to remain committed to their profession.

    He said: “As we approach the 2019 General Elections, I want to urge all members of the Armed Forces to live up to their responsibilities and remain non-partisan.

    “In addition, you must all remain vigilant throughout the electioneering period and alongside other security agencies, prevent every form of violence that could disrupt the process in line with your Rules of Engagement.’’

    President Buhari urged the soldiers, who were on parade, to always show disciplined conduct.

    According to the president, no matter how equipped the military is, the military is of no use if it doesn’t have discipline.

    He, therefore, urged them to uphold the tenets of the constitution and ensure tight security to protect lives and property.

    In his statement at the conference, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai said internal security had greatly improved from what it was in 2015 when President Buhari assumed office.

    Buratai said a new proactive strategy would be put in place to counter the recent military losses.

    He said the army remains neutral and non-partisan and would carry out its  constitutional duty of safeguarding the nation’s democracy.

    The Minister of Defence, Brig. Gen.  Mansur Dan Ali (rtd) assured the President that the military was putting in place new strategies to stabilize the country.

    President Buhari asked for a minute’s silence in memory of the gallant soldiers and before his departure, he went round the wards to visit wounded soldiers in the hospital within the army barracks.

    He gave assurances that the soldiers would be taken care of.

    At the Palace of Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, President Buhari said his administration would do everything to secure the country.

    He commiserated with all Nigerians who lost loved ones following recent setbacks in the fight against terrorists.

    “We have to remind ourselves where we were and where we are now and what happened in between. The people of Borno State know what we did in the last three years. The situation would have been worse,” he said.

    President Buhari also expressed his determination to change the unemployment situation of youths in the country.

    He pointed out that “Jobs for the young persons, especially those who are 30 and below in Borno State and across the federation continue to engage our attention. We go to bed with it and wake up with it.”

    In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno, who spoke on behalf of the State’s Council of Chiefs, thanked the President for bringing peace to the state, and asked for intensive security patrols across the territories to save people from attacks on farms.(NAN)

  • I’ve no rift with my father for supporting Buhari – Obasanjo’s son

    …insist it will be unfair to compare Obasanjo, Buhari government

     

    Son of former President Olusegun Obasanjo who is supporting President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office, Olujonwo Obasanjo has said his decision to support the President has not created any rift between him and his father, saying in supporting the President he was only looking at the future of Nigerian youths.

    The younger Obasanjo who spoke at a media interactive session organised by the APC Press Corp said despite supporting different Presidential candidates, the Obasanjo family remain one United and loving family, adding that supporting different candidates has not stopped them from being a family.

    Read Also:Oshiomhole: Obasanjo planning to rule by proxy

    He was however quick to add that it will be unfair for anybody to compare the present regime of President Buhari with the one that was headed by his father saying both government came into office under different circumstances.

    He said: “When we get to certain point in our lives, you are responsible for the decisions you take. With all due respect, my father is my father and will remain my father despite our political differences. At the end of the day, this election will end. Does that stop him being my father? Are you saying we cannot sit down and have dinner together and discuss issues?

    “As a nation, we need to progress mentally and quit looking at politics as a do or die or as something that separates us. Politics is meant to unite us. We can disagree to agree; we can have genuine argument. You see things from my point of view, I see things from your point of view and we see how we can work together.

    “That is the type of politics we are trying to promote and the message we are trying to send across. We are looking to promote certain values in politics. That is why we are in politics. It is very important that we rise above religion, ethnicity and primordial sentiments for the interest of this nation as a whole.

    “Politics is not a battle, it is not war. We should stop looking at it from the stand point of who is superior. I have an ideology and an opinion, my father has his and we are not in conflict, we are still a family, a loving family with my dad.”

    On whether his father has tried to influence his decision since announcing his decision to support President Buhari, he said: “I am as an individual and as an adult. I am here as someone who believe in this Government. This Government is diversifying the economy from an oil based economy and has made agriculture fashionable.
    “Today, people talk about farming and no longer look at it in a degrading manner. People now look at the value chain when you talk about farming. For me, it is all about the impact that this government has made. As a nation, we must look beyond oil and think outside the box by looking at other areas which is what this Government has come to do.

    “Nigeria is a nation blessed in several ways and not just oil and this government is promoting youth involvement in all sectors. As a young man, I am looking at future and I believe in this Government and I am supporting Mr. President. So, I cannot speak for my father.

    “Everybody’s parent wanted them to be one thing or the other, probably different from what they are today. But at certain stage in our lives, we choose our part. That does not amount to disrespecting your parents.”

    On why he is supporting the President, he said “We believe that by promoting the ideology of Mr. President, we are also promoting his achievement. We will be putting the fact forward and allow the electorates decide what is best for them.

    “Alot been going on in the social media. But at the end of the day, it is the grass root that matters. One of the things the President faced when he came into office was the security challenges in this country. Several local governments were under Boko Haram.

    “We will always have security challenges, but it is important that we have a leader who is sincere, trustworthy and make sure that our resources are applied towards fighting for this nation. You can see that from the successes we have recorded, Me President has done a tremendous Job within a short time.”

    On what he will be telling Nigerians who would want him to compare the Buhari government and that of his father, he said “I think that will be unfair because what each leader met on ground and came in under different circumstances. It will not be an unfair comparison.”

     

     

  • Buhari convenes meeting of Heads of State and Government of LCBC

    President Muhammadu Buhari, in his capacity as Chairman of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC), has convened a consultation of Heads of State and Government of the LCBC scheduled to take place in N’Djamena, Chad, on November 29, 2018.

    Read Also:Buhari reiterates commitment toward improved welfare for Army

    The one-day meeting, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, will review the security situation in the areas affected by Boko Haram insurgency.

    According to him, the meeting is also to adopt measures to enhance the capacity of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to meet the challenges of securing the areas.

    The statement reads “The presidents of the LCBC member countries of Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and the Central African Republic have been invited to attend the meeting. The President of Benin Republic, a troops-contributing country, has also been invited to attend.

    “The MNJTF and the national operations of the affected countries have appreciably degraded the capacity of Boko Haram terrorists, although the insurgents still retain the capacity to attack isolated targets in desperate search for supplies,” he stated.

  • Imo 2019: I will support Nwosu in any party- Okorocha

    …says aggrieved APC members will support Buhari

     

    Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha Tuesday said that he won’t stop his former Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu from realizing his governorship ambition in any other political party other than the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    While reiterating that he (Okorocha) remains in APC, the governor however maintained that Nwosu will get his support in any party he chooses to run for the Imo governorship.

    Read Also:Imo APC ticket: I won’t succumb to threat – Nwosu

    He insisted that Nwosu remains his preferred governorship candidate, even though he may not be running under his party, the APC, describing the emergence of the APC governorship candidate, Senator Hope Uzodinma as the “worst imposition in Nigerian political history”.

    But the Imo governor assured reassured that his followers will deliver President Muhammadu Buhari, despite their grievances over the conduct of the (APC).

    According to him, “in the 2019 general election, we are going to vote for candidates and not political parties. I am in the best position to assess the candidates and I know that among all the governorship candidates, Nwosu remains the best. I have told Imolites to check the records of those clamoring to govern the state before voting for them.

    “What we saw in Imo APC was a clear case of injustice and the worst imposition in history. The party members are aggrieved and they will be moving to another party to pursue their ambitions but we are going to form alliance with whichever party they choose to deliver President Buhari”.

    He continued that, “what is happening in Imo APC is interesting and strange, a party known for uprightness, justice and fairness has exemplified by President Muhammadu Buhari, has been dented by the actions of the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole for whatever reasons he is yet to disclose.

    “I have been trying to manage the situation but I have no moral justification to stop the aggrieved candidates who felt shortchanged from realizing their ambitions in any other party but I have not left APC and does not intend to leave APC. But you must realize that in Imo we don’t play party politics but politics of individuals. People did not join APC because of anybody but because of me”.

    Nwosu when contacted assured that he will mobilize all the aggrieved APC members to work for President Buhari’s victory despite the provocation.

    Though silent on his next line of action towards actualizing his governorship ambition, Nwosu said that he remains the most popular governorship candidate in the state and will emerge the next governor of the state.

    He said, “the actions of the National Chairman will not affect our support for President Muhammadu Buhari. Our support and love for him transcends party affiliation, we are convinced that his reelection will be in the best interest of the Igbo in particular and Nigeria in general”.

  • Confirmation of EFCC scribe suffers setback in Senate

    The Senate Tuesday differed the confirmation of Olanipekun Olukoyede, as the secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Olukoyede, who hails from Ekiti State, is the Chief of Staff to the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu.

    President Muhammadu Buhari in a letter to the Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, dated September 10, 2018 nominated him as secretary to the Commission.

    Saraki who read the letter in plenary on October 3, 2018, referred it to the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, to screen the nominee and report back to the chamber.

    Chairman of the committee, Senator Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North) presented the report his committee to the chamber yesterday.

    Utazi told the upper chamber that Olukoyede satisfied the committee expectations and answered all questions posed to him by committee members.

    The Enugu North Senator told his colleagues that the nominee demonstrated competence and sufficient experience to occupy the office for which he was nominated.

    He noted that the committee, having found the nominee qualified and worthy of the office, recommended that he be confirmed as requested by President Buhari

    Utazi said: “The nominee appeared before the Committee on Wednesday October 24, 2018. The members subjected to scrutiny the curriculum vitae of the nominee and other relevant documents relating to his background and educational qualifications and the work experience of the nominee.

    “The Committee found that Olanipekun Olukoyede is a trained lawyer. He gave in-depth responses to the questions asked by the members which we believe will add value to policy formulation and implementation in the EFCC.

    “The Committee is satisfied that the nominee has the requisite experience, integrity, professional competence and industry to discharge the functions of the position in which he is nominated.

    “The Committee also noted that there was no adverse security report against the nominee and the scrutiny carried out on the nominee shows that the nominee possesses the necessary academic and administrative experience for the position.

    “The Committee therefore, recommended that the Senate should confirm the appointment of Olukoyede to the office of the Secretary of EFCC”.

    Senator James Manager (Delta South) in his contribution observed that only few members of the Committee signed the report of the screening.

    Manager said that since the nominee satisfied the requisite experience and professional requirement, he should be confirmed.

    “I observe that only few signatures appeared on the signature column. However, going through what the Chairman of the Committee has presented, and knowing full well that this is not very normal time for the Senate, it will not be easy for a chairman of a Committee to have all the members to attend but however, from the number that appeared am sure that they formed quorum.

    “From the report of the Committee, since the nominee has the requisite experience and professional competence, that is what we are looking for in a nominee for the kind of office that we screen him for, I therefore, suggest that any other thing can be ignored so that we confirm the nominee,” Manager said.

    On the issue of low turn-out by members of the Committee during the screening, Utazi explained that some of the senators were out of Abuja on oversight functions while others were engaged on electioneering activities.

    He confirmed that the committee formed quorum during the sitting where the nominee was screened.

    A member of the Committee, Senator Isa Misau (Bauchi Central), opposed the confirmation of the nominee vehemently.

    Misau said that most members of the Committee were not carried along in the screening exercise.

    The Central Senator said that observed during the screening that some of the nominees were not competent to hold the offices for which they were nominated.

    He wondered why only three senators signed the signature page of the Committee report.

    Misau asked the Senate to suspend the confirmation of the nominee so as to allow members of the Committee to meet and further deliberate on the report before the Senate could adopt it.

    He said, “I observed that only three members out of eight members signed the signature page. What I want is that this report should be stepped down so that we the members of the Committee can go through it because I participated actively in the screening of the nominees.

    “There are some of them that are not competent to hold the offices for which they were nominated. I did not sign the report because I am just seeing this report now. It has not been sent to my office. Nobody invited me to come and deliberate on this report and I was part of the screening.

    “And during the screening, I made objection on certain people who are not supposed to hold the office. So, the members of the Committee should study it and not just the Clerk of the Committee to write report and come and submit to the Senate in plenary.”

    Saraki in his ruling asked the Committee Chairman to meet with other members to discuss the report to avoid divergent positions on the confirmation of the nominee.

    Utazi explained that he invited all members to the screening of the nominee but only a few of them attended.

    Saraki ruled that members of the committee should meet and present their report today.

  • I leave Fayose to God, Says Fayemi 

    ….Says only EFCC, others can probe him

     

    The Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi on Monday said that he is not interested in probing his predecessor, Ayodele Fayose and that he has left him in the hands God.

    According to him, it is left for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other related bodies to carry out the probe.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, he said that he is only looking at the books.

    Read Also:Fayose’s trial: we moved N1.2b cash in three planes, says witness

    He said “Well, I am sure I have never said anything about probe; I only gave hints that I would look into the books prior to my swearing in.

    “Looking into books or account is the duty of any new governor; you need to know what you found on ground; I just talked about visitation panel into the education sector and institutions in the state.

    “There are other sectors in the state; and it will be good for me not to check what we found when we came into office and share that with the citizens of the state.

    “It is just accountability not probe. I am not EFCC; I am not ICPC; there are institutions that are charged with the responsibility to do that and it is entirely up to them if they want to probe the governor or not.

    “It is not my business; I leave the governor to God; I have said that before.’’ he added

    Fayose is being prosecuted by EFCC over 11-count charge of conspiracy and money laundering.

    Fayemi also said that his administration is taking steps that will lead to an increase in school enrollment in all parts of the state.

    According to him, the state government had since introduced free and compulsory education at the primary and secondary levels, to encourage school attendance.

    “One of the very first things we are doing to increase enrollment is to make sure that all fees and levies that were put on the primary and secondary sector are removed. We have returned free education, compulsory and qualitative education to our basic education sector,” he stated.

    He said the steps taken are aimed at restoring the state to its leading position in education in Nigeria.

    The education sector in Ekiti State, he said, has suffered some setbacks in recent time and the State government is doing its best to return the lost glory.

    The Governor however expressed regret that school enrollment has dropped and his administration is working hard to unravel the cause.

    “We do have a tradition of being the intellectual capital of this country but we seem to have lost that edge lately so we are doing what we can to reposition the sector particularly the basic and tertiary sectors.

    “On the tertiary sector we have set up visitation panels in all of the tertiary institutions, to review and  recommend what the critical and challenging issues are and how government should respond to the yearnings of this sector and in the basic education site, we are working hard to encourage enrollment into primary and secondary schools,” he said.

    He went on “We are doing all that we can to encourage more students to come into schools, so we are starting the school feeding programme in Ekiti State in order to ensure that students and kids that are not opportune to be in school are in school.

    “We are also ensuring that we pay salaries regularly because you cannot expect parents who have not received salaries and wages for 6-10 months on one hand and their children are been asked to pay education levy on the other hand to have the capacity to send such children to school and we need to make sure that education, which we see in our party as a right not a privilege should be free at least at the basic level is free,” he said