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Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • Minimum wage: Our patience is running out, NLC tells Buhari

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) wants President Muhammadu Buhari to take urgent steps to address the lingering issue or the new national minimum wage by immediately forwarding an executive bill to the National Assembly to legalise the recommendation of the tripartite Committee.

    President of Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba said Nigerian workers were running out of patience with the government over the delay and we’re getting more and more agitated.

    The National Minimum wage tripartite committee put in place by the President to review the current N18.000 Minimum wage had two weeks ago presented its report to the president recommending N30,000 as the national minimum wage,  but the Nigeria Governors Forum has said they can’t pay the figure presented by the committee.

    Speaking at the 2018 Harmattan School of the Congress in Abuja, Comrade Wabba said workers are running out of patience on the implementation of the new wage.

    He described as unfortunate the position being taken by some Governors who are saying they can’t pay the N30.000, but are spending billions of dollars in the name of security votes which they can’t account for.

    The NLC President dismissed claims that the implementation of the new national  Minimum wage would lead to inflation in the country, adding that when salaries of political Office holders was increased by 800 percent in 2008, it did not cause inflation, and  wander why just N30.000 for workers can cause inflation.

    “We don’t know why the president has not transmitted an executive bill, the report of the tripartite committee to the National Assembly for an enactment into law, because Workers patience is running out.

    “We have maintained that any governor that said he can’t pay the N30.000 should go to his state, gather workers and tell them they are spending billions of dollars in the name of security votes but once it comes to payment of N30.000 Minimum wage, they are saying workers are just 20 percent.

    “How can they say that because without workers which include health workers, police, army and others, most politicians can’t sleep. Minimum wage is not a favour but a right of a worker because the law states that after 30days, a labourer is worthy of his wage”.

     

  • Buhari, DSS, IGP, NSA meet in Aso Rock 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday again met behind closed doors with some security chiefs at the Presidential Villa.

    Those at the meeting included National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi and members of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

    Read Also:Buhari, Service chiefs meet over soldiers’ killings

    Also at the meeting was the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.

    The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

     

    Details later

  • COSON rejects APC and PDP presidential manigestos

    The Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) has rejected the presidential manifestos made public by the presidential candidates of both the All Progressive Congress (APC), President Muhammadu Buhari and that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    Rising from a meeting of its Board held at the COSON House on Monday, COSON said that after reading both the #NextLevelNG manifesto of the APC and #TheAtikuPlan manifesto of the PDP, it is shocked that none of the candidates appears to have a plan to grow or develop the immense talent that exist in the Nigerian creative industry such as music, movies, theatre, fashion, content etc an area in which the Nigerian nation has significant comparative advantage and the youth have tremendous flair for.

    “We are no longer going to stand on the sidelines,” COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji said.

    “This is the era of the knowledge and creative economy and we will do whatever is necessary to make sure that our country is not just an onlooker in this new world but a key partaker and serious player, starting from 2019. We mean business”

    COSON has said that the lack of strong policy positions in this area is evidence of the disconnect between the leadership and the followership in Nigeria. This is not withstanding the significant contribution said to have been made by the Nigerian creative industry when the Nigerian economy was rebased a few years ago under the Jonathan administration.

    COSON has announced that the organization is inviting serious politicians to the COSON Arena to come and educate stakeholders in the creative industry on the concrete plans that they have to deploy the assets that the country has in this creative direction. It is the interaction of the industry with the politicians that will determine whom the thousands of members of COSON will endorse, support and campaign for and recommend to their fans to vote for.

  • South-East has right to develop along other regions – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says it is the right of the South-East to develop along with other parts of the country.

    Osinbajo made this known during the opening of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign office on Friday in Enugu.

    He noted that the posture in some quarters that President Muhammadu Buhari had a disdain for the South-East was not true and a misplaced statement.

    The V-P added that it was the right of the South-East to get good governance and develop evenly with other parts of the country, adding that citing infrastructure in the zone was not a favour.

    He reinstates the Federal Government’s commitment to completing all ongoing projects in the zone, particularly the Second Niger Bridge.

    He expressed dismay at the successive administration in the country for not completing various contracts which they awarded.

    “Our commitment is that we will not steal the resources of the state. Previous administrations awarded contracts but nothing happened,” he said.

    Osibanjo explained that the present administration was led by a group of people who could deliver on its mandates, adding that such would ensure the party’s victory in 2019 general elections.

    The vice president said their administration would deliver on its entire mandate, adding that “your support for the APC must increase day by day”.

    The governorship candidate of the party in the state, Sen. Ayogu Eze, said the people of the South-East would give the necessary support to the president for his re-election in 2019.

    Eze urged the president to discountenance the antics of some people in the zone who claimed to have endorsed the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He added that such people spoke for themselves and not for the region, adding “our people have not met to endorse anybody.

    “These are people speaking for themselves,” he said.

    Eze said the South-East was poised to give the Party over 90 per cent of their mandate, adding that the president had done so well for the people.

    Also, the Enugu West Senatorial candidate of the party, Mrs Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu, described the reception accorded to the Osinbajo as unprecedented.

    Ibekaku-Nwagwu described the reception as an honour for the APC led administration and an acceptance of the president.

    She said for members of the PDP and the APC to have come out en mass to receive the vice president spoke volume.

    Ibekaku-Nwagwu added that the people of the region would reward the gesture of the president during the presidential election. (NAN)

  • Corrupt leaders won’t escape jail, Says Buhari 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday in Abuja said leaders who undermine the economy by denying workers their benefits, while stuffing personal accounts with public funds will not escape the current anti-corruption dragnet.

    He made the remark while receiving All Progressives Congress (APC) delegation from Benue State, led by Sen. George Akume.

    Read Also:Senate panel parleys CJN over bills rejected by Buhari

    He said the Federal Government’s bailout to states and Paris Club funds were basically to alleviate the sufferings of the people, describing misappropriations as unjust and unfair to workers.

    Buhari, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said; “I honestly don’t know how people sleep when workers have not been paid.

    “The workers have to pay rent, buy food, send their children to school and they have healthcare to take care of.

    “I assure you that my main interest is all Nigerians in all parts of the country. Therefore, if anybody who tries to create any impression that I prefer any group across ethnicity or religion let him dare me by being caught red handed stealing public funds.  I will deal with him,’’ he said.

    The President told the APC delegation that the Federal Executive Council had been monitoring the plight of workers across the country and utilisation of the bailout and Paris Club funds by some states.

    “I thank you for your courage to come and see me. This visit has resuscitated our morale,’’ he said.

    President Buhari said the Federal Government had made significant progress in diversifying the economy by investing in agriculture and encouraging more individuals and entrepreneurs to go into farming, pointing out that Nigeria would soon become self-sufficient in feeding its citizenry.

    “We are proud of what we have achieved with resources at our disposal,’’ he added

    He also listed ongoing road, rail, sea port, airport and power projects as hallmarks of his administration’s commitment to improving lives.

    Buhari said the Ministry of Agriculture and the Central Bank of Nigeria will be further motivated to work together and support all interested Nigerians to take up farming on commercial scale.

    He noted that the killings across the country, including in Benue, Zamfara and Taraba, were carried out by “ungodly’’ people who had no religious or ethnic inclinations.

    “We know about herders. The ones we knew carried sticks, and sometimes cutlasses to cut foliage for their cattle. We now have people who carry AK 47s and pretend they are herdsmen.

    “We are working hard to secure our borders. We are going to see how the old cattle routes can be opened. We will control movement. Please beg our people to be patient,’’ he said.

    The President pointed out that security personnel were already uncovering the network of the killers and arresting them.

    In his remarks, the leader of the delegation said the narrative in the state about the Federal Government was fast changing for the positive as more people had discovered the good intentions of President Buhari to secure lives and property, and alleviate poverty.

    “Your Excellency, Mr. President, we know your commitment to Nigeria. We know how much you love the country and will be ready to die for the good cause,’’ Sen. Akume said.

    Akume, a former governor of Benue State, told the President that APC members had started sensitization and mobilisation of voters for the 2019 elections, noting that more had accepted the party and its manifesto in the state.

    He commended the President for the flag-off of the dualization of the Abuja-Keffi-Lafia-Makurdi road, urging more attention on the Makurdi-Otukpo road and the water projects in Gboko and Otukpo.

    “You have worked hard to stop herdsmen and farmers clashes in Benue. It is important to note that many people used religion and ethnicity to score cheap points. Religion was used in Benue for sinister purposes,’’ he added.

    On corruption, Sen. Akume said the President has made significant difference by tackling perpetrators.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Akume said “This is a very special delegation of leaders and stakeholders of the APC Benue State to the president. We came to solidarise with him in total sense of involvement and commitment to his re-election. A man who has worked so tirelessly to turn around the fortunes of this country, deserves to be supported by all well-meaning Nigerians. This has nothing to do with politics.

    “I am from the APC family but the truth is that, within three and half years, what has been achieved under this government is monumental, you cannot compare this with what we have witnessed in the last administration which we always refer to as the Lancia regime, those of you who speak French will know the implication of a referring to a government as lancia regime.

    “Be it in the area of infrastructure you can see what is going on in the rail transportation, yesterday (Thursday), we were at Keffi to flag off the Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi axis of dualization of that road. This is something that has been on the drawing board since 1999 when the PDP came to power.

    “If you look at the performance of this government against the backdrop of what happened in the area of power, again you will give kudos to this administration.

    “I recalled that in 2005 contracts were awarded for the purpose of increasing the power generation in the country. We were told and we believed because we all supplied money – the local governments, states and federal, pulled resources together to ensure the increase in the power output in this country. And by the calculation of government of the day, by the end of 2007, 6,000 megawatts of power would have been added to the national grid, my God. By the end of May 2015, were still hovering between 3,000 and 5,000 megawatts, the story is now different.

    “When you talk of security, Boko Haram has taken over virtually Borno and Yobe states, that is a different story today. Yes, occasional incursions in some of the areas by Boko Haram remnants even American which is the most powerful in the country has not been able to subdue as it were the gorilla elements in Afghanistan. They are still hitting whether they the ISIS or the other group.

    “So our performance is much better. I’m not saying we are America but I am saying that when you talk of Gorilla warfare, there is no way you can completely wrought it up within two days or one year. So invariably, we are on a very safe ground.

    “Look at agriculture, so many initiatives in that area. So when you look at it this cumulatively, you will know that this government is working, three and half years and the results are spectacular compared to what we witnessed in the past 16 years of the PDP administration and they are coming back again, they want to take over.

    “Let’s be honest, they have no message. If people could share $2.5 billion meant to buy arms and ammunition and kit our sons and daughters before sending them to arms way, then of course those people do not deserve to see this place again.

    “Those people do not deserve that. And to show you how wicked these people were, some of these guys who managed to escape, were still arrested and tried for escaping, some of the soldiers for escaping, why did you escape? So, the difference is very clear,” he said.

  • PDP laments, tasks Buhari on killing of Nigerian soldiers by Boko Haram

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has lamented the incessant but avoidable killings of Nigerian soldiers by Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast.

    In a statement Friday by the spokesman for the PDP, the party demanded explanations from President Muhammadu Buhari on the killing on Sunday of over 70 Nigerian soldiers.

    Read Also:Anger in Senate over troops death in Boko Haram attack

    The soldiers, attached to the 157 Task Force Battalion in Melete, Borno State, were attacked and killed by invading insurgents.

    The PDP lamented that the insurgents has reportedly sent a threat letter the previous Friday, stating their intention to take over military locations in the area.

    The main opposition party said the clarification from the Buhari Presidency was necessary in view of the consistent claims by the government that the insurgents have been defeated.

    The PDP expressed worries about reports of alleged compromises, neglect and inattention to military formations in the Northeast, leading to the vulnerability of the soldiers engaged in the counter insurgency war.

    The statement said, “This is in addition to apprehensions by Nigerians that the Buhari Presidency has been distracting our military by dragging our Service Chiefs to participate in his re-election campaign activities, instead of concentrating on their statutory duties.

    “The PDP however notes that it still has implicit faith in the Nigerian military and urged the Buhari Presidency to desist from acts that tend to whittle the proficiency and compromise the safety of our men and women who are daily risking their lives in defence of our nation.

    “Our party, therefore, charges President Buhari to be alive to his responsibility as the Commander-in-Chief by immediately reviewing his parade to ensure greater professionalism and welfare of our officers and men.

    “Finally, the PDP calls on Nigerians not to despair in the face of this ugly development but continue to join forces with our security agencies in the effort to cleanse our land of bandits, insurgents and marauders”.

  • Buhari promises crashed prices for medicines

    …Sets up inter-ministerial panel

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday directed the setting up of an inter-ministerial committee to fashion out how medicines and livestock drugs can be made available to the Nigerian public at a fraction of the prevailing prices.

    While receiving the executive board members of a pharmaceutical company, Graham Foggs Ltd, at State House, Abuja, the President also reiterated his commitment to the improvement of the quality of lives of Nigerians.

    Read Also:Buhari, Benue APC leaders meet in Aso Rock

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, then charged the Ministers of Health and Agriculture and Rural Development to work with the pharmaceutical company, “short-circuit disruptive bureaucracy, and brief me from time to time.”

    The company, led by Chief Sam Nda-Isaiah, a pharmacist and newspaper publisher, seeks to make essential medicines and livestock drugs available to the public, at significantly reduced prices.

    Nda-Isaiah said “It has been established that 70% of Nigerians cannot afford modern medicines produced by multinational pharmaceutical companies due to their high prices,”

    According to him, most of the companies operate at less than 30% of installed capacity.

    “And it has been so for a very long time. The only break was during the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) days, when drug manufacturers were achieving 80% of installed capacity.” he said

    Graham Foggs Ltd plans to bring down the prices of most of the commonly used medicines by up to 60%, producing only generic medicines as against patented ones.

    “This would be achieved without a single kobo subsidy from government, with Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) or bulk raw materials imported from China and India for the approved local production companies in Nigeria,” Nda-Isaiah said.

    He noted that the finished products would be sold at fixed prices, to achieve the objectives of the programme.

    “Millions of jobs would be created across the country as pharmaceutical plants would be operating at near-maximum capacity, and this would be for medicines of all classes including livestock drugs to boost the agricultural sector.

    “The price of every medicine, including those under the health insurance scheme, will come down.” he said

    It will be recalled that President Buhari had earlier in the life of this administration reduced tariff on pharmaceutical raw materials, and increased the one for finished imported products.

    It was aimed at boosting and encouraging local production of medicines, for the benefit of ordinary Nigerians.

  • Buhari calls for youths participation in food security

    President  Muhammadu Buhari on Friday advised youths to participate in promoting food security for the increasing population of the country.

    He said there must be concerted effort  to orientate people towards cultivating a new habit of growing what to eat and shun the penchants for eating foods that are not grown in the country.

    To preserve food, he called for an urgent need to replace the aging farmers in the country.

    Delivering his address at the 26th convocation ceremony of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta  ( FUNAAB),  he   charged Universities of Agriculture to ensure their curricula are designed to arouse students interest in farming that would make them self reliant.

    “there is an urgent need to replace the aging population of farmers in this country if we are to promote food security for the rapidly increasing population of Nigerians. Our Universities of Agriculture must ensure that it’s curricula are such that it will make farming attractive to its students so much that graduates of these universities should naturally embrace agriculture rather than searching for white collar job after graduation.

    “the current administration under my leadership  will do all in its power to give the fullest support to every planned effort towards creating more jobs.  We realised that this is only possible  through the re-orientation of Nigerian youths towards developing  an entrepreneurial mindset, as it is vital to the attainment of government objectives of improved food security,  employment, poverty reduction and wealth creation” he said.

    Buhari who was represented by the Minister of state for Education,  Prof Anthony Anwuka, emphasised the need to  add value to crops,  tackle post- harvest losses and improve local contents  by encouraging the industrial uses of local crops.

    He warned that while the government is committed to job creation for the teeming youths,  students should be creative and determined to contribute their quota by engaging  in productive activities.

    In view of the decline in the Internal Generated Revenue and the over dependence on oil revenues which pose a threat to the economic stability,  he explained that the Universities of Agriculture will remain relevant to make Agriculture the main stay and seek other ways to diversify the economy.

    The  President noted that it’s  Agricultural’s  Anchor Borrowers Programme launched in 2015 has recorded huge success with its initial release of 43.92billion and 13 participating institutions and 200,000 small holders farmers from 29 states benefiting and the 233,000 hectares of farmland farming eight commidities such as Rice,  Wheat,Maise Cotton,  Soybeans,  poultry,  Cassava and Groundnut.  Also the fish farming programmes.

    He commended the school for it’s primal role in the promotion of cassava as a value crop in Africa and also it’s Community Based Farming  Scheme(COBFAS) which engages students in farming among the rural communities  in the state.

    He also called on universities  to be at the fore front in the fight of corruption through inculcating the culture of discipline, hard work,  honesty and inspirational leadership.

    “one of the most difficult things about human affairs is embracing change.  Nevertheless,  changing our society  from the path of corruption in high and low places is a daunting task that we all must be committed to.  It is not magic wand or arsenal that a single leader alone can use. Rather we all have to believe  in it and work together for it by inculcating the virtues of hardworking,  honour,  integrity,  discipline and transparency” he added.

  • Reps pass bill to make June 12 a national holiday 

    The House of Representatives Thursday passed through Second reading a bill to make June 12 a national holiday in the country.

    The proposed legislation titled: “A bill for an act to amend the Public Holidays Act, Cap. P40 Laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004 to bring the Act in tandem with the current realities and exigencies of the modern times and to declare June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria and for related matter,” was sponsored by Hons. Edward Pwajok (APC Plateau) and Kayode Oladele (APC Ogun).

    Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari declared June 12 a national holiday on June 6 this year.

    Read Also:I was imprisoned for June 12 – APC Senatorial Aspirant, Osinowo

    Pwajok while presenting the bill said Countries set aside some days to commemorate special events such as celebrating their independence, Religious festivals, some heroes etc.

    “For instance, President Ronald Reagan initiated the celebration of Martin Luther king’s day as a holiday in the U.S.A. He is considered a civil Rights hero in the U.S.A, May 1st is celebrated in most cities to celebrate workers.

    “There are individuals who have impacted so much on their countries, that they are
    celebrated with a declaration of public holidays such as George Washington of the U.S.A, (the First U.S President).

    “Certain events also have compelled the declaration of public holiday, such as Human Rights, Freedom. Youth, Women and National Reconciliation days in South Africa.

    “In many countries public holidays are not fixed, as they change from year to year. Thus, the U.S.A celebrates Presidential inauguration only in the fourth year when the new President is sworn in.”

    The lawmaker said in the year, 2000, President Obasanjo declared 29 of May, each year as Democracy Day to celebrate the handover of Government by the military to elected civilians.

    “This is in addition to celebrating independence on October 1st each year.

    “The question needs to be asked whether the mere hand over of power on May 29, 1999 is more symbolic of Democracy than the June 12th 1993 election.

    “It is pertinent to remember that it was the crisis that accompanied the annulment of the June 12th
    1993 election that led to not only the return of Democracy in 1999 but the concession of the Presidency to the South West in 1999.”

    He said declaring June 12 as Democracy Day will remind Nigerians of the supreme price
    many Nigerians including M.K.O Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, Alfred Rewane, Bagauda Kalto, etc paid and many others that lost their jobs, propertics, businesses etc.

    “It will also enhance National Unity by reminding us that on June 12 th 1993 Nigerians de-emphasized religion by voting a Muslim-Muslim  SDP ticket against a Musim-Christian NRC ticket,

    “It will therefore remind us of the need to be more nationalistic and Democratic, It also acknowledges the organizational skills of those who plgnned that election like
    Professor Humphrey Nwosu etc.”

    The lawmaker said though President Muhammad Buhari declared June 12 as a public holiday, in deference to the
    National Assembly which raised issues on the need to adhere to the law, there was no public holiday on June 12 2018.

    “However, if the Bill is passed and assented to, subsequent June 12 anniversaries will become public holidays to commemorate Democracy, while 29 May will only be celebrated every fourth year when there is inauguration of a new President.”

    When the Speaker,   Hon. Yakubu Dogara called for a voice vote on the bill, it was passed without dissent and referred to the Committee of the Whole.

     

  • Internal, external factors behind security challenges, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday blamed internal and external factors for the security challenges facing the country.

    He made the remark while receiving security report of Course 40 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

    According to him, the security challenges bequeathed to his administration in 2015 were threatening lives and properties.

    He said the NIPSS was commissioned by his administration to have a holistic view of the country’s security problems towards finding a sustainable solution to the problem.

    The President said: “In November 2017, I tasked the management of NIPSS with the responsibility of strengthening the nation’s internal security framework through community policing by proposing borders, policy, offence and strategy. And I think this is what the report is all about.

    “The decision of the government was borne out of sincere desire to find sustainable solutions to the many security challenges inherited by this administration. These challenges not only threaten the security of lives and property of our people, but also the sovereignty, territorial integrity of our country.

    “We are confronted by Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast, worrisome conflict with respect to farmers and herdsmen which has resulted in wanton destruction of lives and property across the country. Furthermore, there is the crisis of separatist agitation in the South East, and militancy in the Southsouth.

    “The government is convinced that these security challenges are rooted in both internal and external factors. Most importantly, the government is also convinced that finding sustainable solutions to these challenges will require the support and collaboration of security agencies and communities.”

    The NIPSS’s report, the President noted, was timely as it came at the time his government was overhauling security strategies.

    He promised to study the report and its recommendations, assuring the NIPSS that the Ministry of Budget and National planning will work towards providing necessary funding for the institute.

    This, he said, will allow the Institute to play its role of a think-tank and prepare the country’s leaders to plan and implement innovative ideas.

    He explained: “I’m pleased that the participants under the leadership of the management and faculty of the national institute took their task very seriously.

    “Your report is coming at a time when we are changing the national security strategy by placing much emphasis on the well-being of Nigerians.

    “I’m using this occasion to direct relevant government agencies to carefully study the report with a view to implementing its recommendations.

    “I’m aware of the funding challenges of the institute in view of the need to encourage it to continue the play the role of a think-tank and also prepare leaders who will plan and implement innovative policies for the present and future of the country the Ministry of Budget and National Planning would work towards providing necessary funding for the institute.’’

    NIPSS’ acting Director-General Jonathan Juma said that the process leading to the report involved series of lectures, workshops, and presentations at plenary, with resource persons drawn from directing staff, research fellows and participants.

    The participants, he said, undertook study tours of 12 states, six Africa countries and six other countries outside Africa to obtain a clearer perspective of internal security issues.

    Juma said: “I am proud to inform you that this Report is a product of thorough band painstaking engagement with relevant stakeholders and critical analysis of the issues and challenges of the nation’s internal security framework.

    “We are hopeful that the recommendations will be adopted by government as part of strategies to checkmate the mutating internal security challenges in the nation and to mobilise citizens to appreciate security as a collective responsibility.”