The Nation Newspaper

Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • Nigeria happy with peace, stability in The Gambia, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja said the successful transition in the Republic of The Gambia, and the ongoing peace process in the country gives greater hope of harmonious co-existence and development on the African continent.

    He made the remark while receiving a Letter of Credence from the High Commissioner of the Republic of The Gambia to Nigeria, Mr Amadou Taal.

    President Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said all the interventions by ECOWAS to ensure a stable and economically vibrant economy in the country was worth the effort, considering the country’s position and value.

    He said “I will like to congratulate your government for trying to stabilise the situation in your country. I am very pleased that the peace process is going well, and things are getting normal.

    “I am very pleased also that Nigeria’s role in stabilizing the country is appreciated. We look forward to improved bi-lateral relations,’’ he said.

    In his remarks, the High Commissioner of The Gambia said: “The Gambians are proud of you as a person, Mr President, and this great country for all the wonderful work you have done for our country. Your intervention made all the difference.

    “We are proud that your intervention brought peace and stability to The Gambia. Our President has very high regard for you, and he sends his warm greetings.’’

    President Buhari, who also received a Letter of Credence from the Ambassador of the Republic of Congo to Nigeria, Mr Jacques Obindza, said the bilateral relations with the country needed more attention, especially in economic terms.

    The Congolese ambassador said he would work hard to strengthen economic relations between both countries, noting that some Nigerian industrialists like Alhaji Aliko Dangote and notable banks in Nigeria had already set up businesses in his country.

     

     

  • Buhari didn’t substitute members of APC convention Committees – Presidency

    The Presidency on Thursday denied the allegation that the Presidency substituted or smuggled in some names of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Convention Planning Sub-Committees.

    A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said “We are constrained to deny media reports alleging that the Presidency substituted or smuggled in some names of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Convention Planning Sub-Committees.

    “Nothing in the allegation can be further from the truth in every material particular. For the umpteenth time, we wish to reiterate President Muhammadu Buhari’s position that he will not interfere in party affairs or matters before the law courts.

    “It ought to have been obvious by now to discerning Nigerians that it is not in the nature of this President to go against the provisions of the country’s constitution let alone his party’s constitutional provisions.

    “It is, therefore, disingenuous to attribute every perceived infraction in activities of party or government appointees to the President’s desk.” he stated

    In another statement, Adesina spoke on the great things happening to the Nigerian economy under the present administration.

    Read Also:APC Convention committee to present zoning proposal

    He said “Some people have made it a pastime to talk as if there is no silver lining in the sky as far as the Nigerian economy is concerned. They carry on as if it is doom and gloom all the way, a thoroughfare of woes. This they do, to hoodwink the public, and peradventure gain political advantage for themselves, or their principals.

    “But facts are stubborn things. Those arrayed against facts may abhor and deride them, but there they are, staring them starkly in the face. Here are some current facts about the Nigerian economy, which naysayers may not be able to do anything about:

    “According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the economy has recovered from the slow-down and eventual recession, which started in 2014. There has been improvement with stronger growth for three successive quarters. From contracting by 0.91% in Q1 2017, the economy has grown by 0.72% in Q2 2017, to 1.17% in Q3 2017, and 2.11% in Q4 2017.

    ” The Q1 2018 GDP shows that the economy has recorded a GDP growth of 1.95%, compared to a contraction of 0.91% in Q1 2017.

    “The growth is driven by Agriculture and Industry, which shows that finally, after more than 50 years of lip service, the Nigerian economy is on the road to diversification. The oil sector’s contribution to GDP is 9.61%, while non-oil sector’s share is 90.39%.

    “One of the factors responsible for the positive performance of the economy in Q1 2018 was the spending of about N1.5 trillion on infrastructure projects in 2017.

    “For the past 15 months, inflation has declined consistently from 18.72% to 12.48%. The country is steadily on the road to single digit inflation rate.

    “The first quarter of 2018 saw a continuous growth in total capital importation into the country, the fourth consecutive quarterly increase since Q2 2017. The total value of capital imported is $6,303.63 million, a 17.11% growth over the figure reported in the previous quarter.

    “Foreign reserves stand at $47.79 billion, compared to $29.6 billion inherited in May 2015, after about six years boom in oil prices in the international market. The increase came at a time of modest oil prices, showing transparency and accountability by government.

    “Nigeria’s Stock Market ended 2017 as one of the best-performing in the world, with returns of about 40 percent.

    “Tax revenue increased to N1.17 trillion, in Q1 2018, a 51% increase on the Q1 2017 figure.

    “Milled rice production has increased from 2.5MT to 4MT, and rice imports have dropped from 580,000MT in 2015 to 58,000MT in 2016. Millions of dollars have been saved,” he said

    According to him, those are just little among the good things happening to the Nigerian economy.

    He said that only the willfully blind will not see it.  “But it does not stop the good work, which continues,” he said

    On exiting recession last year, he said that President Muhammadu Buhari had said he would not consider the job done, until the ordinary man feels the impact of the rebounding economy on his life and pocket.

    “We are inexorably on that road, no matter what scoffers may say,” he stated.

  • What I want from FG at 60 – Falana

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human rights activist, Mr Femi Falana, on Thursday thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his birthday wishes and prayers as he turned 60 on May 20.

    Falana expressed the appreciation in a message made available to the media.

    He said that he was humbled by the love shown to him by Buhari on his birthday.

    Read Also:Buhari congratulates Falana on 60th birthday

    Falana, however, requested release of Nigerians detained `illegally’ across the country, as a special birthday gift from the Federal government.

    “I thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his wishes and prayers for me, but the birthday gift which I humbly ask from the Federal Government is more commitment to respect for human rights and rule of law.
    .
    “In particular, all Nigerian citizens, who are being detained illegally in the country, should be freed without any further delay,” he said.

    Buhari had on Saturday, in a press release signed by his special adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, hailed Falana’s sense of patriotism over the years.

    The president prayed that God would grant the human rights campaigner longer life, good health and more wisdom to keep serving the country.

    NAN

  • 8.2 million Pupils enjoying Buhari’s meal in 24 states – Presidency 

    …Over 80,000 cooks engaged in 45,394 schools

     

    The Presidency on Wednesday said that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s National Home-grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) is now feeding 8,260,984 pupils in 45,394 public primary schools across 24 states.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Laolu Akande, said that the government has achieved its target of 5.5 million pupils being fed free daily under the programme in 2017.

    He said that the 24 states currently benefitting from the school feeding programme are Anambra, Enugu, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ebonyi, Zamfara, Delta, Abia, Benue, Plateau, Bauchi, Taraba, Kaduna, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Imo, Jigawa, Niger, Kano, Katsina, Gombe, Ondo and Borno.

    According to him, over 80,000 direct jobs have also been created from the School Feeding Programme; with 87,261 cooks currently engaged in the 24 participating states.

    All 36 states of the Federation and the FCT, he said, will eventually benefit from the programme.

    Read Also:7.4m children have benefitted from school feeding programme, says Osinbajo

    He said “The programme’s educational, economic and health benefits have been praised by many.

    “Not only has the Buhari administration’s School Feeding Programme created jobs for thousands of Nigerians in these communities where the programme is being implemented, it has also helped to boost local economies by linking the local farmers to the school feeding market.

    “Similarly, the school feeding programme continues to record significant milestones in the classrooms as the scheme has led to an increase in enrolment.

    “Another important aspect of the School Feeding Programme is that by providing a meal a day for millions of pupils, it addresses the issues of malnutrition and stunting among children, increasing the chances of the pupils making a significant headway in their learning and in life.

     

    “The NHGSFP plans to implement feeding in 28 States in the coming months, and all over the country soon after,” he stated.

  • Buhari directs release of fund for Ogoni clean up

    …FG to get blue print on Niger Delta development 

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and oil companies release fund within a very short period for the clean-up of Ogoni community.

    The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachukwu made this disclosure Wednesday in the first part of an 8-Part Series Podcast that focuses on the Niger Delta and security. 

    He insisted that the president is committed to the success of the Ogoni clean up, noting that his ministry was working with the Ministry of Environment to continue the exercise. 

    His words: “The president is completely committed to the success of this. And we are working with the Ministry of Environment to continue the Ogoni clean up. The President has just directed that funds necessary for this must be released within a very short period of time so that this Ogoni clean up can actually move from the drawing board to actual practical reality. In fact, both the oil companies and NNPC to fund this sufficiently for us to move forward.”

    The minister added that the ministry has commenced a Programme to engage Ogoni in order to secure the community buy-in and participation when there is any problem. 

    The plan to make communities have faith in the government, according to him, is not restricted to Ogoni.

    Read Also:‘Ogoni people’ll never allow resumption of oil production, without broad discussion’

    Continuing, Kachikwu said that government is currently working on a framework for a community based participation in oil and gas pipelines and oil and gas assets. 

    Following the realization from inter-agencies researches that challenges were still lingering in the Niger Delta even as over $40billion had been spent in the region in 15 years, the ministry is working with the Office of the Vice President, the Ministry of Niger Delta, Niger Delta Development Commission and the corporation to do more of capacity building and economic empowerment, he said. 

    He said that from the reports, the ministry has seen the past expenditure and what is still available in the states of the region. 

    The minister said that he has set up technical committees in Edo, Delta and Imo States that are working with the governors as the chairmen to look at the volume of oil available and produced in the states, the opportunities, economic empowerment and the burning issues in the states.

    The committee, which has oil companies, the ministry and government agencies as members according to him, will also carry out the assessment in other oil producing states in order to develop a blueprint for engagement and intervention in the region. 

    He said that “If we succeed in doing that, for the first time, what we are going to have is a complete blueprint, complete local engagement, complete intervention and supervision of the Niger Delta Development module. And that is something that can be sustained for posterity.”

    The minister said that the ministry has approved the establishment of 10 modular refineries out of which two have begun construction. Kachikwu said that the two that sited in Kwale, Delta State and Ogbere , Rivers State will start yielding results within one year. 

  • Buhari to take actions on IGP/Saraki issue, others – Senate Leader

    President Muhammadu Buhari would soon take appropriate actions aimed at addressing the `not too cordial’ relationship between  National Assembly and the Executive arm of government.

    Senate Leader Ahmad Lawan revealed this on Tuesday when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the closed door meeting between the president and the 10-man senate delegation.

    He said the president had pledged to address all issues concerning the two arms of government including the impasse between Senate President Bukola Saraki and Inspector-General of Police Idris Ibrahim.

    Cue in audio – Lawan

    “Well the IGP thing was one of the issues discussed on a general note But of course it is right that the committee was set up after some incidents had happened.

    “But let me said that the issues are beyond IGP/Senate affair. We have so many other issues that bother on ensuring that we work better with the executive arm of government.

    “So, the IGP issue was just one of those issues that were discussed.

    “Well we have told the president all the issues that we thought we should discuss with him and of course those issues we were mandated to discuss with him and he has taken notes and would take appropriate actions,’’ he said.

    Cue out audio – Lawan

    The Senate leader expressed the hope that the meeting would promote more understanding between the executive and the legislature for the general good of the country.

    He described as `normal’ cases of misunderstanding between arms of government, saying that efforts were being put in place to ensure that “the executive and the legislative arms are on the same page.’’

    It would be recalled that the Senate had on May 9 passed a vote of no confidence on the IGP, describing him as “enemy of democracy’’ over his failure to honour its invitations twice.

    Idris, however, asked the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Operations), Joseph Habila to represent him at the senate.

    Saraki on Wednesday also accused the IGP of plotting to implicate him and Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara in a murder case involving some suspected cultists.

    The Senate on Thursday raised a 10-man panel to meet with Buhari over the allegation leveled against the IGP by Saraki.(NAN)

  • Breaking: Buhari, Senators meet in Aso Rock 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met behind closed doors with a delegation of the Senate at the National Assembly.

    The 10-man delegate was constituted by the Senate over allegation by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, of moves by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to frame him up.

    Read Also: Breaking: Buhari, Saraki, Dogara meet in Aso Rock

    They arrived the Presidential Villa around 1.p.m

    The relationship between the Senate and the Police has not been cordial in the past few weeks.

    IGP had refused to honour three invitations extended to him by the Senate.

    Frustrated by the behavior, the Senate had subsequently passed a vote of no confidence on the IGP, describing him as “enemy of democracy’’ and unfit to hold any public office anywhere in the world.

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

     

    Details Later…

  • Cancel Nigeria-Congo DR friendly, Charly Boy tells Buhari

    Charles Oputa, AKA Charly Boy wants President Muhammadu Buhari to cancel the international friendly between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and their DR Congo counterparts scheduled for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on May 28 as a result of the Ebola outbreak in the central African country.

    Buhari

    Charly Boy, who took to Social Media, wants President Buhari to prevail over Minister of Sport, Solomon Dalung, and NFF President, Amaju Pinnick to cancel the May 28 fixture to save Nigerians from a fresh Ebola threat.

    The popular Nigerian entertainer turned activist and our Mumu don do convener argued that the planned Ebola screening for the DR Congo squad on arrival on May 25 is not 100% safe.

    At least 15 people have been killed in the recent outbreak of Ebola in the giant Central African nation.

    His words: “If you know Amaju Pinnick , NFF President make una warn am. Why we wan carry Congo players come inside our country play friendly match where Ebola don kill many of dem people. If Ebola enter we country under Buhari, we don die finish 0!!!! Our Mumu suppose do. “

    Meanwhile, the Minister of Sport, Solomon Dalung has said the planned friendly will go on as planned.
    He said arrangements have been concluded to screen the team on arrival.

    “Nigeria is going to play the friendly with DRC, I have discussed with the Federal Ministry of Health with the World Health Organization in participation and we have reviewed the situation and received adequate information about it,” Dalung told journalists in Abuja on Monday.

    “Agreements have been reached that the Congolese players and officials be screened before leaving their country and we have also agreed that we would conduct our own screening when they arrive in Nigeria,” he explained.

  • FG unveils N64m website

    The Federal Government on Monday disclosed that it’s upgraded website www.osgf.gov.ng, costing N64 million is now live.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, did the launching in his conference room in Abuja.

    According to him, members of the public who wish to use the e-participation channel will get responses to their enquiries within 72 hours.

    With the launch, he said that the old website, which he noted was based on an old technology that had limited features, lacked security features and was not compliant to the Executive Order 001, among other restrictions, will now be rested.

    Read Also:Fund launches upgraded website

    He said that the website is about bringing governance to the people and getting them involved in the process.

    The upgraded website, he said, has a number of components that will add value to information disseminated to public.

    The SGF explained that the major component of the website is the revamped e-participation platform that allows members of the public to give feedback on policies as well as submit ideas.

    Through this platform, Mustapha said members of the public would be free to request for information from government, submit ideas, and lodge complaints.

    He said that such requests, ideas or complaints, would elicit timely response from government.

    Mustapha said if the nation  is to attract investment, information which is important should be available with ease at a touch of a button.

    According to him, the amount expended involves training of 50 officers that will facilitate timely updates and ensure very robust content management system, procurement of laptops as well as consultancy services.

    The Federal Government had allocated N65m for the project in the 2017 Budget.

    “There was a contract in 2017. The figure in public domain. It is about N64m including procurement of laptops, training, consultancy services.

    “The contract was awarded by the Bureau of Public Procurement in accordance with the Procurement Act,” Mustapha said when he was asked the cost of the upgrade.” he said

    The SGF explained that the desire of his office to operate a functional website that will deliver information and policy thrust of the present administration formed the decision to upgrade the old website.

    He said arrangements were being concluded to train officials from Ministries, Departments and Agencies who will be handling the different segments of the website.

    Mustapha said those who criticise government do not necessarily hate the government.

    “When people criticise government , it is not that they hate government. They want government to do better and for them to see improvement,” he said.

    The Permanent Secretary, General Services, Office of the SGF, Mr. Olusegun Adekunle, said the decision to upgrade the website was taken so that it can serve better.

    He said the upgrade would add value to dissemination of information of government activities.

    He added that each of the six offices in the SGF’s office will have content managers before they can upload content.

    He said there was plan to train initial 50 officers for the six offices.

     

  • Ebola: DRC players to face screening before World Cup friendly

    The Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung on Monday said that arrangement has been put in place to screen the national players of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Leopards, of Ebola virus before playing World Cup friendly with the Super Eagles.

    The disease has recently broke out in some parts of DRC.

    Read Also:Ebola: FG bans transportation of corpses from DR Congo

    But speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, Dalung said that the outbreak of the disease will not stop the friendly match.

    According to him, the players will be screened before leaving DRC on flight and also screened on landing in Nigeria.

    He said that any player that refuses to come to Nigeria through the flight will not be allowed to play the match.

    Details Later…