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Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • EFCC has secured over 150 convictions – Magu

    …Assures anti-graft war not a witch-hunt

    Worried by the wrong notion promoted by some individuals in the ongoing fight against corruption in the country, the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, on Monday dismissed the speculations that the anti-graft agency is being used to witchhunt the perceived political enemies of President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government.

    Justifying the claim that the agency has been doing all within its power to sustain the anti-corruption war irrespective of personal or political affiliations, Magu said the agency has secured not less than 150 convictions of corrupt individuals from January to June 2018 alone, saying “that’s the best anybody can do from January to date.”

    Read Also:EFCC probes 35 capital market fraud cases

    The EFCC boss made the revelations at a stakeholders’ interactive session which held at the EFCC Ibadan zonal office, Iyaganku, Ibadan. He was received at the office by the Southwest Zonal Director, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, top officials of the agency, artisans, trade groups, religious leaders among others.

    The interactive session, aimed at strengthening partnership and collaborative efforts with all stakeholders in the fight against corruption had in attendance the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) led by its chairman in Oyo State, Mr Waheed Olojede; Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its state chairman, Pastor Benjamin Akanmu; founder of Shafaudeen in Islam Worldwide, Prof Sabitu Olagoke; as well as Oyo state Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu and members of the Corrupt Practices Eradication Organisation of Nigeria (COPEON).

    Magu said, “The EFCC will not, and does not engage in a witch-hunt. Our activities are in line with international best practices. In all that we do, we are indeed, guided first by the fear of God and patriotism to our fatherland and the rule of law. I will continue to discharge my duties solely by the fear of Almighty God, the overriding interest of our fatherland, Nigeria and the rule of law.”

    “It is pertinent for all of us to see ourselves as stakeholders in this fight. We must collectively strive to achieve the Nigeria of our dream, one which our children, indeed, even generations unborn will be proud of.

    “For us at the EFCC, we are driven by courage, integrity and professionalism and our commitment to the common task of improving the lot of our people at the grassroots as we promote working partnership with all of you needs not be emphasised. Like we all know, corruption is the number one problem that has militated against the development of Nigeria, especially the very poor at the grassroots. The havoc that corrupt practices have wreaked on the Nigerian economy is, no doubt, endless.

    “This is why fighting it to a standstill is not only a must but the only lifesaver for our country, as to save the next generation. I want to restate for the records that, there is no better time to prop up the anti-corruption campaign than now. There are various ways of fighting corruption, which is to sensitise, create awareness, and all that. But I am telling you, the looting must stop. We should not glorify the corrupt. We should not appreciate the corrupt. The ill must stop in the interest of our future generation. We have to find a way to protect their future.”

    Magu, who was visibly angry at the level of corruption in the country said the agency did not have any sacred cow in its fight, adding that the stakeholders’ interactive session was organised in recognition of the important roles, which the stakeholders have all played in assisting the commission to achieve its goal of ridding Nigeria of all forms of corruption.

    “No doubt, your commitment and outcry against ills of corruption, particularly in the grassroots is a step in the right direction since the people at the grassroots constitute major victims of the menace of corruption anywhere in the world. I am also very much aware that this responsibility and partnership towards complementing Federal Government’s efforts to rid corruption in Nigeria, is a social responsibility of all of us in line with the change mantra of the present administration.

    “The media owe the people, particularly at the grassroots, the obligation of providing relevant information on the consequences and the negative impact of corruption in the society. We are always ever ready to provide the media with the necessary information to be disseminated to the grassroots on the evil of corruption.”

    The stakeholders in their separate remarks, however, assure the anti-graft agency of their readiness and support to ensure that the corruption and corrupt tendencies are reported and exposed promptly.

     

     

  • Buhari congratulates Onoja at 70

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with former Governor of Plateau and Katsina states, Maj. Gen. Lawrence Onoja (rtd), who turns 70 on 10thAugust, 2018.

    President Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, sent warm greetings to family, friends and former professional colleagues of the cerebral military officer on this auspicious occasion of his birthday, recognising the many years of hard work and sacrifice to the nation as he served in strategic positions in the army and governor of two states.

    He extolled Onoja’s sense of patriotism and relentless effort in contributing to the growth of the nation by accepting to serve on the board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and the National Institute of Sports, and consistently remaining active in the political sphere.

    At he turns 70, President Buhari believed Onoja’s keen appetite for knowledge, which saw him earning a doctorate in International Law and Diplomacy, and the wisdom that comes with age, will be further translated into serving the country he loves so much.

    The President prayed that the almighty God will bless Onoja with longer life and strength to keep contributing to the growth of the nation.

  • Igbo Presidency: I stand the best chance, says Okorocha

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha Thursday said that he is more favoured to become the first President of Igbo extraction.

    The Imo governor, who spoke during a breakfast meeting with journalists at the Government House, noted that he commands massive followership beyond the Southeast much more than any other Igbo politician.

    Read Also:Okorocha to Buhari: No more defections from APC

    But Okorocha however lamented what he called the pull-him-down attitude among Igbo political elites, stressing that, “it is unfortunate that we the Igbo don’t celebrate our own, we are only interested how to destroy our own”.

    He however disclosed that he will not be relying on the support of  the Igbo to pursue and actualize his Presidential ambition.

    According to him, “I stand a better chance of making the Presidency in 2023 but my greatest challenge will come from the Igbo. It is our character. It will be a foolish thing to imagine that the Igbo will support me”.

    On President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election, the Imo governor, disclosed that the Igbo are mobilizing to give him landslide victory.

  • Women lawyers to Buhari: end killings

    African Women Lawyers As-sociation (AWLA) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to find a lasting solution to incessant killings in the North.

    In a statement by its President, Mandy Asagba, the group said: “We condemn in its entirety the incessant and needless killings of people and destruction of property in the Middle Belt and its environs by Fulani Herdsmen and bandits, as well as the near absence of protection of the people by the Authorities charged with the responsibility of providing safety and security of its citizenry.

    “We call on the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and all the necessary security agencies, to put an end to these killings with immediate effect, and provide adequate and tight security in all the affected areas, schools, and other public places, as well as farm lands.

    “We also demand that the perpetrators be prosecuted, to prevent further violence. We desire also that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are given adequate protection and care, especially the women and children, who are the worst hit. We call on all Nigerians to lend a helping hand to the victims of these attacks, who are living in fear, hopelessness and hunger.

    “We commiserate with families of the victims, and pray that the Lord grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. We are also appealing to well meaning citizens, who can assist with information, to please, send such information to the appropriate authorities.

    “In addition, we suggest that the governors of the affected states, should be proactive. They should think outside the box. They have security funds which can be channelled towards providing adequate security to their citizens.

    “It is clear that some of these herders/bandits may not be Nigerians, so our borders must have adequate security. They should take a cue from the Lagos State Government, by setting up Security Trust Funds. They should also collaborate with the government from neighbouring countries they share borders with, to tighten security,” AWLA stated.

  • 2019: Defections won’t stop Buhari’s victory – Tony Momoh

    A former Minister of Information, Chief Tony Momoh, on Friday said the exit of some bigwigs from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not stop President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election in 2019.

    Momoh, also an APC chieftain, expressed the view in a telephone interview our reporter in Lagos.

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Sen. Dino Melaye , Sen. Bernabas Gemade were some members of National Assembly that dumped the APC for the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) in recent days.

    Read Also:Buhari ‘not bothered’ about defections in APC

    Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue and Gov. Abdul Fatah Ahmed of Kwara had also left with many of their state houses of assembly members to the PDP.

    The Publicity Secretary of APC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who is political godson of Saraki had also left the party for PDP.

    Momoh said while the defectors might get substantial votes for their new party in their respective areas, Buhari would still win in their domains.

    The former minister said Buhari got more votes than most of the defectors in their respective zones and states, and the same thing would happen in the next election.

    He said that the president had done well as a leader, and Nigerians would show appreciation and re-elect him.

    “I do not think the defection would stop the President from winning in the next election.

    “I will not say that it will not affect the votes of the president; votes are about people, and now that some people have left, it will have some impact.

    “But I do not think that the impact will be such that it would stop the president from winning.

    “Come to think, the president got more votes more than the defectors in their senatorial zones and states mostly in the North in 2015.

    “Overall he got 15million votes in the election. Now that he is president who has performed well, he will get more votes mostly in the South-South and South-East.

    “He has delivered great projects in these two regions which did not really vote for him in 2018.

    “The votes the president will get in these regions will make up much more for the very few votes he might lose to defections in the North,” he said.

    Momoh said APC should not lose sleep over the defection, as Buhari would record his biggest win ever in 2019.

    The former minister said the president had not disappointed Nigerians on the three-pronged promises of security, corruption and economy on which he campaigned.

    He said the second term of the president would enable him to consolidate on his present achievements.

  • NANS congratulates Buhari on his emergence as ECOWAS chairman

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on his emergence as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

    The congratulatory message is in a statement signed by NANS’ National Public Relations Officer, Bestman Okereafor, on Wednesday in Enugu.

    Read Also:Find lasting solution to farmers, herders crisis – NANS tells FG

    Buhari emerged as ECOWAS chairman on Tuesday at the end of the commission’s meeting in Togo to replace Togolese President, Faure Gnassigbe.

    NANS, therefore, stated that it was joining West Africans and Nigerians in congratulating Buhari, stressing that “Nigerian students consider this as victory for all Nigerians.

    “We have no doubt that President Buhari will bring about positive changes in West African states. We believe he will promote freedom, equity and social justice, which will bring about the much-anticipated peaceful co-existence among member states.

    “Once again from all Nigerian students schooling both at home and in the Diaspora, we say congratulations to our beloved President, Muhammadu Buhari.”

    NAN

     

  • Insecurity: Buhari gives military pass mark 

    …says, Boko Haram requires multinational approach

     

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Boko Haram insurgency and other security challenges facing Nigeria require sustained multinational security operations to finally end them.

    This was as the President gave the Nigerian Armed Forces a pass mark in its response to the numerous security challenges confronting the nation.

    Buhari stated these during the graduation of 182 Senior Course 40 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji in Kaduna State on Thursday.

    President Buhari said, “As the world shrinks into a global village with advancement in technology, nations cannot afford but work closely with each other in pursuit of their national interests. Even at the level of individuals or groups, the barriers have been broken. This has also brought in its wake an increase in international trade, commerce as well as security cooperation.”

    Read Also:Insecurity biggest threat in the north, says Emir

    He said the numerous security challenges facing the world today are trans-border in nature, involving actors in different sub-regions and regions. Adding that; “The West African sub-region and indeed the African continent are not immune to the negative impacts of globalization.”

    The President therefore said that, “to effectively combat the prevalent security threats demands that African countries continue to work together at all levels including operational and tactical levels.

    “We recognise that security challenges abound in all countries of the world including Nigeria. I am certain, with the consistent efforts of our security agencies, these challenges shall be considerably mitigated and minimised. I am sure you are aware of the collaboration of the armed forces of Nigeria, Cameroun, Niger Republic and Chad in a multinational operation to combat Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin region.”

    While noting that, capacity building remains the bedrock of combat ready for effective and efficient military which this government remain committed to, the President said, the Federal Government will continue to give priority to the training and welfare of officers and men of our Armed Forces.

    “This is not only because we salute their courage and sacrifice for the safety and stability of our country but because the Armed Forces of Nigeria have continued to be the bastion of our unity.”

    While commending the armed forces, he said, “over the years, the Armed Forces of Nigeria have provided the appropriate response to the numerous security challenges facing our country.

    “Their response to Boko Haram insurgency, militancy, kidnapping, activities of separatists and armed militias amongst others have been very commendable.

    According to him, the Nigerian Armed Forces has also committed huge resources towards stability of the West African sub-region and world peace in general.

    “Our efforts in Liberia and Sierra Leone which stabilized the West African sub-region readily come to mind, more recently, our Armed Forces have also contributed to the peace in The Gambia, Mali and South Sudan.”

    Buhari said the significance and importance of joint training of members of the armed forces of friendly and allied countries cannot be over-emphasized and Senior Course 40 is not an exception. “The Course would have afforded you the chance to break barriers and build bridges of friendship amongst yourselves as individuals. It would have also afforded you the rare opportunity of appreciating each other’s lifestyle, culture and doctrines.

    “This unique understanding and bond is expected to come handy in forging closer co-operation when occasions demand that you are deployed together “in multinational operations.” he said

    He called on the graduating officers to realize that the nation has made a lot of investment into their training. Likewise the nation is expecting the best from them in terms of commitment to duties and their fatherland.

    He also assured of his administration’s effort to return Nigeria on the path of peace and prosperity, saying that, “At the inception of this administration, I made 3 key promises to Nigerians. First is to address the various security challenges facing our country, second, to reposition our economy and third to fight the serious challenge of corruption which had eaten so deep into the very fabric that sustains our nation,” The President said.

     

  • Former APC Senators, Reps to work for Buhari – Presidency

    The last may not have been heard about the Tuesday’s defection of 13 Senators and 37 House of Representatives members from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC).

    The Presidency Thursday said that it has received the commitment of the defectors to work for the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2019 election.

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, made the stunning clarification at a press briefing in Abuja.

    Enang noted that most of the defectors expressed intention to work for and with President Buhari to ensure his re-election in 2019.

    Read Also:Buhari: defection a seasonal occurrence

    He said that the defectors came to the conclusion to work for Buhari’s re-election because they were convinced that their problems were domestic and internal to the political structure of their respective states which had nothing to do with President Buhari.

    Asked to name defectors who gave the assurance to work for Buhari in 2019 Enang parried the question.

    He simply said, “It will be improper and breach of confidentiality for me and for the persons to be named but I have had discussions with them. Most of them are coming back and most of them are defecting to political parties that are not challenging the APC.”

    Asked whether Senate President, Bukola Saraki was invited to the meeting President Buhari held with APC senators at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, Enang said that the senators were led by Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan.

    The presidential aide said that National Assembly members should bear in mind important pending issues even as they go on vacation.

    Enang said, “These senators by virtue of their procedure have not yet fully and effectually deflected but have expressed intention to defect by the procedure.

    As a political party interacting with the leadership of the APC and other parties there is a lot of room left “for conciliation and reconciliation.

    Again all the grievances expressed by the Distinguished Senators and Honourable members non is attributed or directed to  President Muhammadu Buhari nor his actions or any action or commission or omission  of the President or the Federal Government.

    “In my interaction pre and post expression of intent to defect by the Distinguished Senators and members,  all the dramatis personae, the Distinguished Senators and Honourable members expressed their solidarity and support for Mr. President and  expressed categorically that their grievances and consequent actions are not directed against President Buhari nor his reelection in 2019 but domestic actors in their constituencies political fields such as the governors, state party leaders or frustration over zoning or indeed calculations for a return ticket or platform  for 2019 elections.

    “Indeed a great number of them have indicated that even if they pursue their bid on different platforms, they will still campaign for President Buhari in 2019 on the platform of the APC.

    “What have been done by the Distinguished Senators and Honourable members are group notice to switch camp.  It is inchoate and lives windows, doors and rooms for further consultations and resolutions because our party, the APC minds and cares for all members in or out of office.

    “Like the Holy Bible enjoins, if you loss one sheep out of hundred, preserve 99 and go and search for the lost one sheep.

    “ I believe that all if you saw perhaps this morning that at the interactive between the distinguished Senators of APC and M. President which lasted till the early hours of this morning, some of the Distinguished Senators who expressed defection to other parties or intended defection have returned to the fold of the APC.

    They were with Mr. President and those who were not there, because the notice was short some of them could not return and most of them will still be joining further interaction within the weekend with the leadership of the party.

    “There has been a lot of return and a lot of calm on the family of the APC.

    “The executive, president and ministers will keep working with the legislature with respect due their offices and person and keep working with them as legislators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who make laws for the executive to execute irrespective of their individual political decisions while leaving all options open for conciliation.

    We will be praying the legislature, the leadership, membership to consider that there are many matters of very urgent nature which are pending before the legislature and unless considered, the functioning of certain institutions of the government will be hampered. If you recall a lot of the funding for the 2018 budget was budgeted to come from some external sources.

    The request for approval to raise funds from these external sources is before the legislature and unless considered it may hamper the level of implementation.

    Again, before the legislature proceeded on vacation, Mr. President also laid before them the request for virement, this also will be affected.

    Mr. President had earlier on laid the request for the application of some security funds for the purchase of Tucano jets to fight insurgency that is still pending.

    There is also the budget which is pending. You remember the president laid before the National Assembly some times in November last year the 2018 budget. It was the budget of the Federal Government and the budget of the government-owned corporations, what has been passed in 2018 is the budget of the Federal Government and the budget of the Federal Government corporations has not yet been passed.

    “You know that these budgets also include provisions for employment, provisions for capital spending which will affect the run of the economy, functioning and a lot other economy unless the legislature considers this, the executive is very law abiding and will not do a thing which the law requires the legislature to do, to approve first before it is done unless it is done. We will be praying the legislature to consider the emergency implications of this and decide to come out of this and consider this within the period of the vacation.

    “We accept that some exigencies may have caused the abridgment of the time within which they were to proceed on vacation.

    “We will be working with them to ensure that we have few of these considered and passed within a time that it will still be reasonable to attain the purpose of the economy.

    “All of them have said that they do not have a problem with the president.

    “These persons have expressed intention to work for and with President Buhari; all these are domestic and internal to the political structure of the respective states and has to do with the 2019 electoral calculations.

    “Some of them are questions that have to do with zoning. The president said that he is aware of the issues that they have. The questions that have arisen in this matter are party matters domestic to the different states. The national office of the party is handling the issues.”

  • Buhari okays new provost for Alvan Ikoku FCE

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Dr. Dan Anyanwu as the new Provost of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education­, Owerri.­­

    This was contained in a statement signed by Olusegun Adekunle, ­Permanent Secretary (General Services Of­fice) in the office of the­ Secretary to the Government of the Fede­ration (SGF).

    Read Also:20 injured as Alvan Ikoku students protest fee hike

    The appointment is for an­ ­initial period of four years, with e­ffect from 25th­ July, 2018.

    “President charged the new ­Provost to transform the institution int­o an enviable National Academic and Mora­l Centre of Excellence,” the statement said. ­

  • Nigeria, Benin Republic sets up joint committee on smuggling

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday hosted President Patrice Talon of the Republic of Benin at State House, Abuja, Wednesday, where they agreed on the imperativeness of a joint committee to combat smuggling.

    Also to be consulted in the workings of the committee is Niger Republic, which is believed to be a transit point in the concentric circle of smuggling of commodities, particularly rice, into Nigeria.

    Read Also:NASS approves N45b for ex- Nigeria Airways workers

    President Buhari, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said “We have succeeded in cutting the importation of rice into the country by about 90%.”

    He pointed out that smuggled parboiled rice still finds its way into the country, thus vitiating the efforts of government, and discouraging farmers.

    “When I got into office in 2015, the first thing I did was to visit all our neighbours; Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin Republic. It made both economic and security sense, because if you are in good terms with your neighbours, you ultimately spend less on both physical and food security, “the President said.

    He, however, added that activities of smugglers are hindering Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency, particularly in rice production.

    A more sinister side to the smuggling menace, President Buhari noted, is the influx of small arms and ammunition into the country, thus increasing the spectre of insecurity.

    Modalities of the joint committee to combat smuggling are to be worked out as soon as possible, the two leaders agreed.

    The Nigerian President also welcomed the idea of a rail network to link Nigeria, Benin Republic, Niger Republic, and some other countries, saying “it is valuable economically,” and would be subjected to further comprehensive study.

    President Talon said smuggling affects both Nigeria and his country negatively, and also constitutes a threat to the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

    “We are aware of how rice smuggling is affecting the development of local capacity in rice farming in Nigeria. It is affecting trade between us negatively, and Nigeria is an important partner for a country like Benin. But we have no powers to block goods meant for other countries, and our country is not the final destination for the smuggled rice. We need to develop a common will to face the problem,”   President Talon said.

    He also submitted that the proposed rail network between the countries would boost economic development.