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Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • Buhari appoints new Rector for Ado-Ekiti Fed Poly

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Dr. Dayo Aladebeye as the sixth substantive Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti.

    According to the letter appointing Aladebeye dated 1st March, 2018 and signed by Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, the appointment is with effect from 23rd February, 2018.

    Oladebeye before his latest appointment was earlier appointed as the Acting Rector on 18th December, 2017 following the expiration of the tenure of the immediate past Rector, Dr. Theresa Akande.

    According to a statement on Tuesday by the Deputy Registrar, Information, Mr. Ade Adeyemi-Adejolu, Oladebeye is the first alumnus of the Polytechnic to rise to the position of Rector.

    Oladebeye, 55, graduated from the institution with Distinction in Mechanical Engineering in 1986 and joined the services of the Polytechnic as a Technologist in 1987.

    The new rector holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering rising through the ranks to become a Chief Lecturer, the highest academic appointment in a Polytechnic, in 2007.

    He had at various times served three times as Head of Department, Dean of the School of Engineering and Deputy Rector for four years.

    Read Also: Riot: Ado Poly imposes N20, 000 reparation fee on students

  • Updated: House of Reps recall Jibrin from suspension

    The Suspended former Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin has sent in a letter apologizing to the House of Representatives for his numerous allegations that put the Green Chamber into disrepute.

    The Speaker of the House Yakubu Dogara, who showed the letter on the floor today at plenary, said Jibrin has fulfilled all the conditions that he was given by the House ” and can resume legislative duties if he so wishes.”

    Recall that Jibrin was suspended for 180 days on September 16th 2016 after the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges considered his case and made recommendations to the House which were adopted.

    Jibrin was also barred from occupying any position of authority in the Green Chamber till the 8th assembly ends.

    To be forgiven, the suspended lawmaker must tender a formal written apology to the House, which must be advertised in a number of daily newspapers amongst other requirements.

    Jibrin had incurred the wrath of the House with his numerous allegations against the Speaker Yakubu Dogara and three other principal officers.

    He claimed the 2016 budget was padded the 2016 budget to the tune of billions of Naira by the quartet and referred to the Speaker as “corrupt” and a “shameless thief”

    Jibrin also alleged that members of the House received hundreds of millions as running cost, a claim which annoyed most members.

    Read Also: Jibrin must apologise before re-admittance — Reps

  • Updated: Buhari declines assent to amendment to Electoral Act bill

    The controversy trailing the amendment of the Electoral Act which reordered election sequence in the country took another dimension Tuesday.

    President Muhammadu Buhari declined assent to the amendment citing probable infringement of the Constitution.

    The two chambers of the National Assembly on February 14, 2018 adopted the conference report of Electoral Act amendment which altered the sequence of elections in the country.

    Essentially, the amendment slated the National Assembly election first in the order of elections, followed by the Governorship and State House of Assembly Election.

    The amendment placed Presidential election last in the sequence of elections.

    Following its passage, some senators led by Senator Abdullahi Adamu, stormed out of the chamber to fault the amendment.

    The group of nine senators also claimed that President Buhari was that target of the amendment and vowed that it would not stand.

    Some commentators have also risen to fault the amendment and threatened to charge it in court.

    President Buhari in a letter dated 3rd March 2018 addressed to the Senate President,  Abubakar Bukola Saraki, told the lawmakers why he declined to assent to the bill.

    The Presidential letter entitled “PRESIDENTIAL DECISION TO WITHHOLD ASSENT TO THE ELECTORAL AMENDMENT BILL 2018,” was read by Saraki on the floor of the upper chamber yesterday.

    It read in part, “Pursuant to Section 58(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), I hereby convey to the Senate, my decision, on 3rd March 2018, to decline Presidential Assent to the Electoral Amendment Bill 2018 recently passed by the National Assembly.

    “Some of my reasons include the following:

    “A.The amendment to the sequence of elections in Section 25 of the principal act, may infringe upon the constitutionally guaranteed discretion of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organize, undertake and supervise elections provided in Section 15(A) of the third statue to the Constitution;

    “B.The amend to Section 138 of the principal act to delete two crucial grounds upon which an election may be challenged by candidates, unduly limits the rights of candidates in elections to a free and fair electoral review process;

    “C. The amendment to Section 152(3)-(5) of the Principal Act may raise Constitutional issues over the competence of the National Assembly to legislate over local government elections.

    “Please accept Distinguished Senators, the assurances of my highest consideration.”

    Saraki read the letter after a brief closed session where the issue of the rejection of the bill might have featured.

    It is not yet clear the next line of action of the lawmakers. An insider hinted that “we will override the president if we feel strongly over the bill.”

    He added, “I can tell you that the issue is not over.

    Read Also: Electoral Act amendment will die natural death, says Senator

  • I wasn’t aware IGP disobeyed my directives to relocate to Benue – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said he wasn’t the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, left Benue State for Nasarawa State after he was ordered to relocate to the state.

    He said this during a meeting with some stakeholders at the Government House in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

    The President had on 9th of  January ordered the Inspector General of Police to immediately move to Benue State to restore law and order and prevent further loss of lives and properties, due to attacks by herdsmen in the state.

    According to him, “The governor and I, and others here know that we will leave one day, but the relationship between farmers and herders will continue. I urge you to keep in touch with them and advise them to live peacefully. Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups with different cultures and nobody can question God for putting us together.”

    President Buhari while noting that he was not in the habit of publicly rebuking his appointees as many would desire, said that he preferred to quietly “read the riot act” as he did to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) when the Benue attacks began.

    The President disclosed that he even shared the IGP’s security report on the Benue crisis with Senators George Akume and Barnabas Gemade from the state.

    Recalling his Civil War era memories with military officers from Benue State, he noted that his nostalgic experience with such persons would never allow him to do harm to the state.

    President Buhari, while thanking God for the good rains, the successful efforts of the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, an indigene of Benue State, whom he described as “a great asset in my government,” said his administration would continue to empower farmers with loans by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    Expressing delight that the agricultural policy of his administration has led to 90 per cent reduction in rice importation, he commended Ebonyi, Lagos, Kebbi, Jigawa and Benue States for “doing extremely well.”

    Reacting to what he called a “shopping list” by some stakeholders, the President enjoined them to pray for the economy to improve, noting that he would not make any promises during this trip. He, however, stressed that, “When coming back on campaign, if coming back on campaign, I may promise.”

  • Buhari’s visit: Security beefed up in Makurdi

    Ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Benue on Monday, security has been beefed up, the News men reports.
    Armed security personnel were seen deployed to strategic areas in Makurdi while others were seen patrolling streets in armoured tanks and vehicles as part of measures to boost up security in the state.
    The news men also reports that patrol officers with sniffer dogs were also sighted along busy streets and highways in the state capital while a military helicopter was sighted conducting aerial surveillance.
    Similarly, siren-blaring police patrol vans conveying armed security personnel decked in bullet prove vestments were seen patrolling the streets.
    Buhari is expected in Benue to condole with the people of the state over the deaths of local farmers killed by suspected herdsmen on Jan. 1 in Guma and Logo Local Government Areas.

    Read Also: Buhari’s curious comparison

    Scores of other villagers were also reported to have been killed at Okpokwu, Logo and villages in Guma since the Jan. 1 massacre.
    Part of the president’s itinerary as released by the Benue Government included a courtesy call on the fifth Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, at his Makurdi residence.
    According to the release, the president will have an interactive session with selected Benue indigenes and visit the IDP camp via helicopter.
    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Fatayi Owoseni, and the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Moses Yamu, were yet to respond to phone calls put to them by the news men as they were said to be working to firm up the security arrangements.
    However, a cross section of Makurdi residents commended security agencies for the tight security measures put in place.
    The resident hoped that the visit would tackle the mounting security and development challenges of the state.

    NAN

  • Buhari vows to end vicious cycle of violence in Nigeria 

    Buhari vows to end vicious cycle of violence in Nigeria 

    President Muhammadu Buhari has restated his commitment to arrest the cycle of violence that has engulfed some parts of the country.

    Speaking on Thursday in Jos, Plateau State at a Town Hall meeting in the course of his two-day official visit to the state, President Buhari who also launched the Plateau State Roadmap to Peace, congratulated the Governor for uniting the people of the state.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said “I wish to encourage your Excellency to continue with the good work you are doing, and I wholeheartedly congratulate you for uniting the people of Plateau State.

    “I am indeed quite impressed with gains and successes recorded in the area of conflict management and peace-building, which has returned this state to the path of relative peace.

    “Let me express the Federal Government’s commitment to support and assist the Peace Building Agency in its effort to arrest the vicious cycle of violence and lay the foundation for sustainable peace in our country.” he said

    President Buhari also commended Governor Simon Lalong for his achievements in the development of the state, ensuring regular payment of salaries and pensions, strides in the Agricultural sector and assured that the Federal Government will continue to work with Plateau State government.

    “I am glad that the state government has fully keyed into the All Green Initiative and the Anchor Borrowers’ Scheme of the Federal Government considering the strategic importance of agriculture to our national development.  Equally commendable is Plateau State’s commitment to the African Development Bank-funded Potato Value Chain Support Project, which is targeted at wealth creation, employment generation and food security.”

    The President also lauded Governor Lalong for continuing with the projects abandoned by previous administrations, noting that this has saved the state from white elephant projects and assured that the Federal Government will speed up refunds on Federal works executed by the state.

    “I have noted the request for refund of funds expended on the rehabilitation of the Jos-Bukuru-Mararaba Jema’a Road which is a Federal road project and other interventions.  Federal Government will expedite action towards the refund of verified claims by the Plateau State Government,” he said.

    President Buhari also listed some of Federal Government intervention activities such as the construction of the Pankshin-Tapshin-Gambrar-Sara-Kai-Gindiri Road to Metropolitan Construction Company Ltd; Execution of TETFUND Projects; Bail-Out Funds; Paris Club Refunds and N-Power Scheme and assured that the request for dualization and construction of the road from Abuja to Jos will be put into consideration given its economic viability and status as gateway extending to the North East.

    Responding to a request by the Governor for the inclusion of more Plateau State indigenes in Federal appointments, President Buhari assured that, “the request will be looked into so as to reflect federal character in line with the Federal Government’s determination to address issues of marginalization in the spread of appointments and other privileges.”

    He also reminisced on his time as General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 3 Armoured Division Jos, recalling that it was from this position that he was summoned to become Head of State in January 1984.

    The President had earlier commissioned some road projects executed by the State Government and paid a courtesy call on the Gbong Gwom Jos, Dr Jacob Gyang Buba.

    Read Also: Buhari’s visit unites Plateau politicians

     

  • Buhari to inaugurate ERGP Labs Tuesday

    Buhari to inaugurate ERGP Labs Tuesday

    The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Udoma Udo Udoma, says the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) Focus Labs would be inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday.

    The Minister stated this when he briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Economic Recovery and Growth Plan is an economic plan that builds on the 2016 Strategic Implementation Plan, meant to tackle corruption, improving security and rebuilding the Nigerian economy.

    The lab is one of the several initiatives by the Federal Government to drive the implementation of the strategic objectives of the ERGP.

    According to the minister, he briefed the Council on the most recent Gross Domestic Product and other related economic performance numbers as released last week by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

    He noted during the last quarter of 2017 the economy had continued its positive growth trajectory growing by 1.92%.

    He said: “”This is higher than the previous quarter when it grew by 1.40 per cent and higher still from the second quarter, when it grew by 0.72per cent.

    “”The numbers clearly show that the economy has fully exited recession Council members were particularly pleased to note that this growth is very broad based with Agriculture growing at 4.23 per cent up from 3.06 per cent  in the 3rd Quarter.

    “”Other sectors such as transportation and storage, electricity and gas production, metal ores, and industry all grew.

    Particularly noteworthy were the growth recorded in Trade (2.07per cent and Services (o.10per cent) after six quarters of negative growth.’’

    The minister disclosed that the Council was also happy to note that overall the non-oil sector grew by 1.450 per cent, its strongest since 2015.

    He said inflation was also trending downwards moving down from 18.72 per cent in Jan. 2017 to 15.13per cent in Jan. 2018.

    Udoma also said the Council also expressed satisfaction over the increasing private sector confidence in the ERGP, and other policies and programmes of the Buhari administration, as evidenced by the increasing capital inflows.

    He revealed that capital inflows in 2017 were 12.228 million dollars, a growth of 138.6 per cent over the total inflow in 2016 of 5.124 million dollars.

    According to him, this has been a factor in the build-up of nation’s foreign reserves which have grown from 23.81billion dollars in Sept. 2016 to almost 42 billion dollars.

    He said the Council, however, agreed that whilst these positive results were most encouraging, particularly in the light of where the nation was in the last few years, “the current growth rate was still rather modest.

    “”We have to continue to work even harder to achieve the goals of the ERGP of diversifying the economy and achieving our growth targets of 3.5per cent this year, and 7per cent by 2020.’’(NAN)

  • Audio: FG orders audit of Dana airline 

    Audio: FG orders audit of Dana airline 

    The Federal Government on Wednesday ordered complete audit of Dana airline.

    The airline had recently been involved in non-fatal accidents in the country, with one of its plane over shooting the runway in Port Harcourt and another one had its door failing off while taxiing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport, Abuja.

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said the audit will cover the personnel and assets of Dana airline.

    He was with the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani.

    Garba Shehu said “A lot of quality time was spent discussing air safety. The government of Nigeria is very much concerned about safety and the life of Nigerians; this is following the recent air incidents.

    “Minor as they were because there were no fatalities, the government did feel concern and the Minister did the report to the Council on steps that were taken following the last incident in Port Harcourt, Dana aircraft overshooting the runaway. As soon as that happened, a few seconds, a rescue team was there on the ground and few moments thereafter every passenger on board was evacuated. There was no harm to persons and this is something that should be celebrated.

    “Within 24 hours an official investigation had commenced because investigators arrived in Port Harcourt and began work. One week after that a preliminary report was prepared and it was about this that the Council was briefed.

    “Consequently as announced by the aviation authorities, the engineer and pilot of that particular aircraft got their licences suspended and beyond that the government has ordered a complete audit of Dana airlines in terms of personnel, operations, and technical capacity,” he said.

    He also disclosed that the Council has approved the augmentation of the contract sum for the rehabilitation of Burnt Marina Bridge and the Maintenance of Eko (Apobgbon) and Iddo bridges in Lagos State, in Favour of Messrs. Buildwell Plant and Equipment Industries Limited, in the sum of N114, 424,225.05.

    The amount, he said, represented 12 percent of the original contract sum.

    https://soundcloud.com/thenationnewspaper/fg-orders-comprehensive-audit-of-dana-airline

    He said that the contract sum was reviewed from N957, 053,316.45 to N1, 071, 29,541.40 with additional completion period of six months.

    The Council, he said, also approved augmentation for Mangu Dam, in Plateau State to N7.66 billion from original cost of N5.66 billion increasing the total contract sum to N13.2 billion.

    Dan-Ali said that his Ministry presented to the Council the status of the implementation of approved capital projects and achievements of the Ministry of Defence from 2015 to 2017.

    The presentation, he said, covered the strategic policies of the Ministry, including to build and maintain flexible, compact and highly trained Armed forces capable of defending the territorial integrity of the nation.

    He said “The brief also covers the serviceability of the military platforms, operational readiness, future projections and the way forward. During the period under review the Ministry received a timely consideration and approval of its capital projects and the Armed Forces in general.

    “This no doubt resulted to the successes recorded so far in the fight against terrorists and other security challenges in the country. It is pertinent to state that prior to assumption of office by President Muhammadu Buhari, most of the military platforms and hardware were old, worn out, non-functional and obsolete.

    “However, it is gratifying to mention that this administration have made tremendous efforts in the provision of funds for the acquisition of modern military hardware to meet up with security challenges. High priority was also placed on renovation of existing barracks facilities to cater for the welfare of the members of the Armed Forces.

    “Some of the facilities renovated were neglected for over forty years. Between 2015-2017 a total of 18 rehabilitation works have been carried out in various barracks across the six geo political zones by the Ministry. Similarly Defence Headquarters also approved 36 capital projects within the period.

    “The Nigerian Army embarked on 68 approved projects. Nigerian Navy implemented 31 projects while a total number of 64 projects were also implemented by the Nigerian Air force,” he said.

    According to him, he also gave breakdown of capital projects implementation stage by other agencies of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

    “The Armed Forces Command and Staff College implemented 23 capital projects Similarly, the National Defence College got approval for 69 projects some of which were already completed while others are on-going. The Defence space Administration has so far implemented 32 capital projects from 2015-2017. Defence Intelligence Agency has 11 projects approved and most of them are already completed or at various stage of completion The Defence Industries Corporation in Kaduna got approval for 38 projects, some already completed while paucity of funds is affecting the completion of others The Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, oshodi had 38 capital projects approved, most of the projects are already completed It is worthy to mention that since independence no projects of such magnitude and number were achieved in less than 3 years,” he said.

    He also said that the presentation also proposed a way forward for the implementation of a comprehensive reform of the entire defence management system with a view of promoting effectiveness, transparency, accountability and self-reliance.

    According to him, the role of the Presidency/Armed Forces Council and the National Assembly were identified as paramount in the implementation of the defence sector reforms.

    He said that the Defence Headquarters will also improve on training of personnel, improvement on the serviceability rate of equipment by conducting regular audits of existing assets.

    Udoma said that he briefed the Council on the NBS recent report.

    He said “I presented a briefing to the Federal Executive Council today on the most recent Gross Domestic Product and other related economic performance numbers as released last week by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

    “You will recall that it indicated that in the last quarter of 2017 the economy had continued its positive growth trajectory by growing by 1.92%. This is higher than the previous quarter when it grew by 1.40%. And higher still from the 2nd Quarter, when it grew by 0.72%.

    “The numbers clearly show that the economy has fully exited recession. Council members were particularly pleased to note that this growth is very broad based with Agriculture growing at 4.23% up from 3.06% in the 3rd Quarter. Other sectors such as Transportation and storage, Electricity and gas production, Metal Ores, and Industry all grew, particularly noteworthy were the growth recorded in Trade (2.07% and Services (o.10%) after six quarters of negative growth.

    “Council members were also happy to note that overall the non-oil sector grew by 1.45%, it’s strongest since 2015. Inflation is also trending downwards moving down from 18.72% in January 2017 to 15.13% in January 2018. Council members were also happy to see the increasing private sector confidence in the ERGP, and other policies and programmes of the Buhari administration, as evidenced by the increasing capital inflows.

    “Capital inflows in 2017 were US$12,228 million, a growth of 138.6% over the total inflow in 2016 of US$5,124 million. This has been a factor in the build-up of our foreign reserves which have grown from US$23.81 billion in September 2016 to almost US$42 billion.

    “Council members however agreed that whilst these positive results are most encouraging, particularly in the light of where we were in the last few years, the current growth rate is still rather modest and we have to continue to work even harder to achieve the goals of the ERGP of diversifying the economy and achieving our growth targets of 3.5% this year, and 7% by 2020.

    “And, of course one of the ways we are intensifying implementation of the ERGP are the ERGP focus labs which will be launched next week Tuesday, 13th March, by Mr President,” he stated.

    Usani Uguru, said the Council approved the design of section five of East – West Road meant to link Oron in Akwa Ibom to Calabar in Cross River State.

    Read Also:AIB releases preliminary reports involving DANA, Delta , Nestor Oil aircraft

  • FG bereft of ideas, says Lamido 

    FG bereft of ideas, says Lamido 

    Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has said the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government is bereft of ideas on how to move the country forward.

    Lamido who was in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, to solicit for support as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential flag bearer in next year’s election said it was for this reason he was offering himself for service to salvage the country from collapse.

    Lamido who visited Governor Ben Ayade described the PDP as the party owned by Nigerians with genuine concern for the welfare of all Nigerians irrespective of their tribe or religion as in the case by the ruling party.

    “Today we witness the collapsed of governance because they were not prepared in the first place. They only came together to grab power at the centre without proper planning, that is why today we have hunger-haram in the country,” he said.

    Read Also: I am not desperate for Nigerian Presidency, says Lamido

  • Buhari’s visit: Plateau declares Thursday public holiday

    Buhari’s visit: Plateau declares Thursday public holiday

    The Plateau government has declared Thursday, March 8, a work-free day to enable residents welcome President Muhammadu Buhari on a one-day working visit to the state.

    Mr Izam Azi, Head of Service, announced this on Tuesday in Jos, after an emergency State Executive Council meeting.

    “The holiday will afford civil servants and other citizens the opportunity to give the President a rousing welcome,” Azi said.

    Meanwhile, Mr Yakubu Dati, Commissioner for Information and Communication, has said that there would be restriction of movement during the visit, especially around areas the President would inaugurate projects.

    Dati said that government had created alternative routes in affected areas, adding that security agencies would guide movements during the day.

    Read Also: Taraba Killings: Buhari to visit Mambilla Plateau

    NAN