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Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • Panel seeks overhaul of Human Rights Commission

    Panel seeks overhaul of Human Rights Commission

    The Presidential Investigation Panel to Review Compliance of the Armed Forces with Human Rights Obligations and Rules of Engagement on Friday recommended that the Federal Government should examine the present state of the National Human Rights Commission.

    The review is to enhance the Commission’s ability to promote and protect the rights of all Nigerians.

    The panel also recommended that practical steps be taken to make the Nigerian police more professional in fulfilling their constitutional role of providing security to all Nigerians, irrespective of financial status, ethnicity, gender or religious inclination.

    These were contained in the report of the findings and recommendations of the panel received by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

    The Eight-man Investigation Panel, headed by Justice Biobele Georgewill of Court of Appeal, was set up in August 2017 to investigate allegations of human rights violations and non-compliance with rules of engagement in local conflicts and insurgency leveled against the Nigerian armed forces.

    Osinbajo said “I think that it is absolutely important, because of the sanctity of the rights of our people and the sanctity of their lives and livelihoods, that we ensure that we are finding out when the occasion arises whether their rights are being respected or violated, especially in situation where you have light conflicts or even serious conflicts and situation where you have security concerns in different parts of the country,”

    He said President Buhari, being a soldier himself, was keen to “know the content of the report” and was “interested in knowing what the panel’s findings were.”

    Osinbajo said that he was pleased that a full report of the panel’s findings and recommendations has been submitted.

    He noted that in most of the places visited by the panel, people said they were comfortable with military presence, pointing out that “it shows the confidence people have in the Nigerian military.”

    He said the findings would be referred to the relevant agencies for action.

    “Whatever the findings are not only will they be referred to the necessary or to the relevant agencies but also to the military, especially where there is a need for disciplinary action or for any type of action, they will certainly be referred to the military for action, and if there is need for civilian authorities or the courts to take action, that will also be done and where there is a need to commend we will also do so,” the Vice President said.

    He commended the members of the panel for their diligence and for the timely and thorough job they did.

    Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Panel, Justice Biobele Georgewill, said “building a culture of respect for human rights and accountability depend largely not only on existing law, but also on a strong and well-funded, equipped and empowered National Human Rights Commission,”

    He said the commission should play an important role in taking forward most of the recommendations.

    Georgewill also said many of the allegations of human rights violations against the Nigerian armed forces were largely the direct result of increased visibility of the Nigerian armed forces in almost all the 36 states of the federation.

    “Indeed, the Nigerian Army is increasing taking on the role of policing many communities across Nigeria,” the jurist stated, calling for steps to be taken to make the police more professional.

    He said the members of the panel visited the six geo-political zones of Nigeria; listened to petitions of the people; heard the response of the three arms of the Nigerian Armed Forces within its mandate; and evaluated and analyzed all they saw and heard before putting their report together.

    Also present at the event were other members of the panel, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabriel Olanisakin, and other top government officials.

     

  • Only fit, proper judges will preside over courts – Buhari 

    Only fit, proper judges will preside over courts – Buhari 

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commenced the process of ensuring that persons, Judges and Justices recommended by the National Judicial Council (NJC) for appointment into various Courts of Record in the instant are fit and proper, and are not under any disability to function as Judicial Officers.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said that the President’s position is in furtherance of the executive powers vested in him under Section 5 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows him as the appointing authority to exercise same reasonably, taking all relevant factors into consideration.

    “Nigerians are assured that President Buhari will issue his approval or otherwise as soon as the process of the background verification is completed,” it stated.

  • No plan to colonise any part of Nigeria, says Buhari

    No plan to colonise any part of Nigeria, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari  promised yesterday to review the appointments made by his administration and take a second look where necessary.

    He also explained that the proposed cattle colony by the Federal Government in response to the killings and frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers is not meant to colonise any part of the country.

    The President spoke when he received the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), led by Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama.

    According to him, the intention of the government is to create grazing locations for cattle rearers, an idea which, he said, has been misconstrued as colonisation.

    Buhari met with the Bishops in camera, but presidential spokesman Femi Adesina issued a statement on what the President said.

    Besides, the Bishops gave the text of their address to State House reporters.

    The President regretted that the well-thought out policy, which he said was conceived after wide consultations with stakeholders had been largely misunderstood by a section of the public.

    He, however, assured the bishops that the government would continue to explore all opportunities and support initiatives to ensure peace and stability in restive areas.

    Condemning the killings in Benue, Adamawa, Taraba, and Zamfara states, the President said security operatives would ensure prosecution of perpetrators and all those found with illegal arms.

    He said: ‘‘The impression created that I was sitting in an air-conditioned office and home, enjoying myself while these things happened is dishonest.

    ‘‘At every step, I have tried to foresee these problems because I have the experience as a former military officer who commanded three out of the four divisions of the Nigerian Army – in Lagos, Ibadan and Jos.

    ‘‘I am quite aware of the problems we have and I am doing my best to get law enforcement agencies to be on the alert,’’ Buhari said.

    The President added that he would not be tired of recounting remarkable progress recorded security, economy and the fight against corruption.

    ‘‘We have done very well on security in the Northeast, when you compare what the condition was before we came in and what it is now.

    ‘‘On the economy, particularly agriculture, I am very pleased that God answered the prayers of Nigerians who prayed for bountiful harvest.

    ‘‘People have taken advantage of Federal Government policies and programmes to return to the farm and they have not regretted,’’ he said.

    On the fight against corruption, the President reiterated that the government would be guided by the law in the investigation and prosecution of all graft-related cases.

    ‘‘People are being prosecuted systematically with evidence”, Buhari said, adding:

    ‘‘If a permanent secretary has five houses in Abuja, two in Kaduna and one in Borno and Sokoto and he can’t account for the properties and there are bank transactions linking him to the properties, the prosecuting agencies will not have difficulties to make progress on the case.”

    The statement by the Bishops, which they said was read at the meeting, is signed by  CBCN President and Archbishop of Jos, the Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Ayau Kaigama and Secretary and Bishop of Gboko, the Most Rev. Dr. William Avenya.

    They said the Catholic Church in Nigeria would continue to support the Buhari administration and contribute to nation-building through prayers, admonitions and assistance to needy Nigerians.

    ‘‘As the voice of the people, we shall continue to highlight the plight of our people and play our prophetic role of sensitising the government, thus promoting good governance, national unity and cohesion,’’ Kaigama said.

    He added that “there is no doubt that when you came into office, you had an enormous amount of the goodwill of Nigerians, since many saw you as a person of integrity who would be able to bring sanity into a system that was nearly crippled by endemic corruption.

    “Nearly three years later, however one has the feeling that this goodwill is being fast depleted by some glaring failures of government which we have the moral responsibility to bring to your notice, else we would be failing in our duty as spiritual fathers and leaders.”

    Expressing its concerns, the group said: “Your Excellency, there is too much suffering in the country: poverty, hunger, insecurity, violence, fear… the list is endless. Our beloved country appears to be under siege. Many negative forces seem to be keeping a stranglehold on the population, especially the weaker and defenceless ones.”

    It went on: “While many have become victims of human trafficking. The nation is nervous.

    “Just as we seem to be gradually emerging from the dark tunnel of an economic recession that caused untold hardship to families and individuals, violent attacks by unscrupulous persons, among whom are terrorists masquerading as herdsmen, have led to a near civil war situation in many parts of the country.

    “We are saddened that, repeatedly, innocent citizens in different communities across the nation are brutally attacked and their sources of livelihood mindlessly destroyed. Lives are wasted and property, worth billions of Naira, including places of worship, schools, hospitals and business enterprises are torched and turned to ashes.

    “We are still more saddened by the recent massacre of unarmed citizens by these terrorists in some communities in Benue, Adamawa, Kaduna and Taraba states, which has caused national shock, grief and outcry.

    “The silence of the Federal Government in the wake of these horrifying attacks is, to say the least, shocking. There is a feeling of helplessness among the people and the danger that some people may begin to take laws into their hands.”

    Quoting the Federal Character Principle as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the bishops said: “The government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies (Section 14, Sub-section 3-4.”

  • Cattle colony: No plan to colonize any part of Nigeria – Buhari 

    Cattle colony: No plan to colonize any part of Nigeria – Buhari 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja explained that the policy proposed by Federal Government in response to the frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the country is not meant to colonize any part of the country.

    He made the remark while receiving Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) led by Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama.

    According to him, the intention of government is to create grazing locations for cattle rearers, which has now been misconstrued as another form of colonization.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, regretted that the well-thought out policy of the Federal Government, which was conceived after wide consultations with stakeholders, had been largely misunderstood by a section of the public.

    He, however, assured the Catholic Bishops that the Federal Government will continue to explore all opportunities and support initiatives to ensure peace and stability in restive areas.

    Condemning recent spate of killings in Benue, Adamawa, Taraba, and Zamfara states, the President said security operatives would ensure prosecution of perpetrators and all those found with illegal arms in the affected areas.

    He said ‘‘the impression created that I was sitting in an air-conditioned office and home, enjoying myself while these things happened, is dishonest.

    ‘‘At every step, I have tried to foresee these problems because I have the experience as a former military officer who commanded three out of the four divisions of the Nigerian army, in Lagos, Ibadan and Jos.

    ‘‘I am quite aware of the problems we have and I am doing my best to get law enforcement agencies to be on alert,’’ he said.

    The President told the Catholic Bishops that he would not be tired of recounting remarkable progress recorded in the areas of security, economy and the fight against corruption.

    ‘‘We have done very well on security in the North East, when you compare what the condition was before we came in and what it is now.

    ‘‘On the economy, particularly agriculture, I am very pleased that God answered the prayers of Nigerians who prayed for bountiful harvest.

    ‘‘People have taken advantage of Federal Government policies and programmes to return to the farm and they have not regretted,’’ he said.

    On the fight against corruption, the President reiterated that government would be guided by the law in the investigation and prosecution of all graft-related cases.

    He said ‘‘People are being prosecuted systematically with evidence.

    ‘‘If a permanent secretary has five houses in Abuja, two in Kaduna and one in Borno and Sokoto and he can’t account for the properties and there are bank transactions linking him to the properties, the prosecuting agencies will not have difficulties to make progress on the case.”

    On the question of Federal character, the President declared that no ethnic group or political zone has been deliberately marginalised in the appointments made so far.

    He, however, added that he would take a second look at areas on which issues have been raised, when a compendium of all government appointments is submitted to him.

    In his remarks, Archbishop Kaigama pledged that the Catholic Church in Nigeria would continue to support the Buhari administration and make its contribution to nation-building through prayers, admonitions and assistance to needy Nigerians.

    ‘‘As the voice of the people, we shall continue to highlight the plight of our people and play our prophetic role of sensitising the government, thus promoting good governance, national unity and cohesion,’’ Kaigama said.

     

     

  • Buhari loses sister in-law

    Buhari loses sister in-law

    A sister in-law to President Muhammadu Buhari, Hajiya Aisha Mamman, is dead.

    Mamman, 75, died in the early hours of Thursday.

    The Information Officer of the Daura Local Government Council in Katsina, Alhaji Salisu Haro, made the disclosure in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Daura.

    He said the deceased died at 11:30 a.m. at the Federal Medical Center in Katsina after a brief illness.

    Read Also: Buhari greets Sen. Durojaiye at 85

    Haro said that the deceased was the wife of the late Alhaji Mamman Danbaffale, the elder brother to Buhari.

    He said that Mamman was survived by eight children, including Fatihu Mamman, a staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission and Hajiya Rbiya Mamman, a nutrition officer with the Katsina State Government.

    Haro said the deceased had since been buried in Daura in accordance with Islamic injunction.

     

  • Buhari greets Sen. Durojaiye at 85

    Buhari greets Sen. Durojaiye at 85

    President Muhammadu Buhari has joined members of the All Progressives Congress and the National Assembly to congratulate an exemplary leader, Sen. Olabiyi Durojaiye, on his 85th birthday.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, felicitated with family members, friends and professional colleagues of Otunba Durojaiye, whose patriotism, unwavering commitment to the strengthening of political institutions and promotion of inclusive governance continues to inspire both old and young leaders on the innate values of democracy.

    The President believed Durojaiye’s political philosophy of ensuring that all Nigerians must be given a chance to contribute and participate in the decision making processes that shape their lives, leaves a historical landmark of a responsive, forthright and broadminded leader.

    He also commended the senator for his contributions to the financial architecture of the country through working for many years in the Central Bank of Nigeria, and variously serving on the boards of the Federal Mortgage Bank and the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank, contributing to the restructuring and repositioning of the institutions.

    The President affirmed that Sen. Durojaiye’s efforts in fighting for the return of democracy in Nigeria from military rule, promotion of good governance, and entrenchment of the unassailable values of good education, discipline and hard work, remain glaring examples of his vision for a greater and united Nigeria.

    He prays that the almighty God will grant Otunba Durojaiye longer life, more wisdom and strength to continue serving the nation he loves so much.

     

  • Civil society group decries IGP’s handling of Benue killings

    Civil society group decries IGP’s handling of Benue killings

    A civil society organisation, the Sanctity Transparency Peace Initiative (STPI) has called on the Inspector General of Police Mr. Ibrahim Idris to come clean on the alleged complicity of the police and its negligence which has worsened the herdsmen’s killings across the country.

    In a communique issued on Tuesday after its emergency meeting in Abuja, the group bemoaned the deteriorating security situation in the country, particularly in Benue State.

    The communique, signed by its National Coordinator, Sunday Alakho, the group condemned what it called the less than salutary role of the police chief since the killings by suspected herdsmen started on New Year’s day.

    The group said the IGP’s initial description of the mass murder of innocent villagers by herdsmen as a “mere communal clash” is callous and insensitive against people crying out for Justice.

    It further accused the IGP of flouting the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari to relocate to Benue State and also rated the intervention of the police as a monumental failure, as according to the group, the killings have continued unabated.

    The group also expressed concerns over remarks credited to the IGP that the implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition Law in Benue was responsible for the killings.

    It wondered if the same law was responsible for the herdsmen’s similar killings in Plataeu, Zamfara, Edo, Ogun, Kaduna and Oyo States where such laws do not exist.

    The STPI maintained that the complicity of the police was confirmed by the reference to Benue’s Governor Samuel Ortom as a “drowning man” by Force spokesman, Mr. Jimoh Moshood.

    It demanded for a full public explanation from the police authorities on what it meant by branding an elected governor “a drowning man”.

    The group urged the Nigerian people not to take the characterisation lightly, as it could be interpreted to mean the safety of the Governor is endangered. It demanded a public pronouncement by the police guaranteeing the safety of Governor Ortom.

    The STPI joined other Nigerians in calling for the immediate arrest of leaders of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore which it accused of masterminding the killings, following an earlier threat issued by the herdsmen.

    It charged the IGP to impartially execute his presidential mandate by ensuring the safe return of villagers who have been moving to Internally Displaced Peoples (IDP) camps and to ensure the safety of their communities failing which he should resign.

    The STPI warned the police authorities to refrain from dragging the noble force into the murky waters of politics in order to disabuse the minds of citizens who suspect that the role of the police in this crisis is a manifestation of a hidden agenda against particular ethnic groups.

    It also recalled with dismay an earlier statement credited to the Minister of Defence, Gen. Dan Ali, citing the Anti Open Grazing law law passed by the state as being responsible for the killings.

  • FEC okays $2.5 billion external borrowing for refinancing

    FEC okays $2.5 billion external borrowing for refinancing

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved USD2.5 billion Eurobond external borrowing for refinancing.

    The Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    On the potential savings on the proposed USD2.5 billion refinancing, she said that the estimated proceeds of N762.5 billion will be used to redeem Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTB).

    She said “At estimated current NTB rates of 15% (following mop-up operations by the CBN), the savings from the refinancing of N762.5 billion of Domestic Debt using external capital raising is about  N64 billion per annum.”

    On the impact of the use of the proceeds of the USD500 million issued in November 2017, she said “The proceeds about N162.50 billion were used to redeem NTBs which matured in December 2017.

    “The immediate impact was a significant drop in the Bid Rates at the Auctions of both NTBs and FGN Bonds. In December 2017 and January 2018:

    “NTBs dropped from about 16% to 13%. FGN Bonds dropped from about 16-16.50% to 13.50%

    “This translates to savings for Government on new borrowing while also making the cost of borrowing for the real sector cheaper since the sovereign rate serves as a benchmark for other borrowers,” she added.

     

  • Mining and diversification strategies

    It is no longer news that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had it very rough when it came to power in May 2015.

    Apart from complaining of inheriting an almost empty treasury, the government was ushered in when the prices of oil in the international market was nosediving.

    The price of oil which was over $100 per barrel for a better part of the the administrations before Buhari’s government, crashed to as low as $30 per barrel.

    Due to the magnitude of the problems and infrastructural decay on ground, the Buhari’s administration had told Nigerians in 2015 that it will take some time to clear the rots left behind by the past administrations.

    The government had said that it is after clearing the mess that Nigerians can begin to see appreciable progress in the various sectors of the economy and governance.

    What is new, though, is the progress being made in the mines and steel development sector.

    Against all odds, the Buhari’s government, which was propelled in 2015 by the falling oil revenue, started reformatory measures in the mines and steels sector.

    That move was part of the diversification strategy to keep the Nigerian economy afloat despite the long neglect of non-oil sectors.

    A great challenge in the sector had been inadequate tracking of resources from quarry operations, mineral resources exploitation, exportation and under invoicing.

    While the vast deposit of various solid minerals in the country was seen as a goldmine capable of giving Nigeria the desired economic breakthrough, the sector was left for too long in the hands of illiterates and locals.

    These Nigerians were said to have connived with straying expatriates to indulge in illegal mining and extraction of minerals for their own benefit.

    These illegal partnerships led to massive loss of revenue as the government hardly gets anything as proceeds or royalties from the sector.

    To block the leakages, the Buhari’s administration has engaged the services of about 100 revenue consultants to shore up earnings from the sector.

    To really bring about the desired all round changes to the mines and steel sector, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on August 31, 2016 approved the roadmap for the mines and steel development sector.

    The roadmap listed out the various variables and factors that will ensure turnaround in the sector.

    It contained the short, medium and long terms plans of moving the sector forward, focusing on geological data, highlighting location, qualities and quantities of solid minerals in the country, their commercial viability and how to explore them.

    It also showed how to develop the entire value chain from exploration to actual production.

    With two and half years down the lane, the Buhari’s government is now proud to say that things are now looking up in the Mines and Steel development sector.

    Giving the scorecard last Wednesday, the Minister of Steel and Mines Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi said: “The approvals that we had cover ten policy and projects related initiatives.

    “Three policy initiatives around the road map for the sector which was approved was the first approval we got and then the establishment of the Council on mining and mineral resources development which the annual gathering of all the critical stakeholders in the mining sector from the states, the host communities as well as industry and the Federal Government.

    ‘The third policy approval that we obtained from Council which is making its way to the National Assembly now, the new bill on the Nigeria’s Mining and Minerals Commission which is the new regulatory agency that is going to house all of the regulatory institutions that are responsible for mining, licensing and administration and environmental compliance.

    “In talking about the ten approvals, that we obtained over the last two years, it is important to contextualize where we came into the sector when our government came into office in 2015 and the challenges that we found which necessitated the development of our road map and the linkage between our road map and economic recovery and growth plan.

    Being a frontier in that revitalisation and diversification strategy, mining is expected to contribute to job creation to building a globally competitive economy.

    “In order to do that, data is one of the critical thing that mining require being an international business and one of the very first memos that council considered and approved was the access to the natural resource Development fund which has enabled us to acquire data for out aero magnetic and electromagnetic survey  of the entire country which predated our time in office.

    “It was a contract that was given by the Obasanjo administration in 2006 but which was not delivered for lack of payment. It gives an indication of the minerals available, where they are available, the quantity in which they are available and the quality and then give a sense for investors who want to come into the sector what to focus on rather than going out in a blind manner seeking for minerals across the board.

    “The other area in which we have implemented approval from Council was in terms of illegal mining challenges in the country and council has approved vehicles procured from the ministry for federal mines officers in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory and for the establishment of a task force comprising of the police, the Civil Defence, the DSS, EFCC and the military.

    “It will help us with tackling the challenges associated with illegal mining and that is beginning to yield significant dividends. It helps us to move across the country.

    “In Taraba we have cause to clear illegal mining operations in the precious menthols and gemstones zone of Saudana local government, to Zurak in Plateau where we have to confront Chinese illegal operators colluding with Nigerians exploiting the lead, zinc resources in that area to the gold belt is Zamfara, Kebbi and Ilesha in Osun State,” he added.

    It is the prayer of all well-meaning Nigerians that the government gets it right this time around and breaks Nigeria’s age long dependence on the oil sector for revenue.

    As the year 2019 approaches, it is really hoped that the revenue to the government coffers from the mines and steel development sector will continue to improve.

    This also should extend to other sectors under the government’s diversification drive.

     

  • Buhari signs executive order to improve local content in procurement 

    Buhari signs executive order to improve local content in procurement 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja signed Executive Order 5 to improve local content in public procurement with science, engineering and technology components.

    The Executive Order, according to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, is expected to promote the application of science, technology and innovation towards achieving the nation’s development goals across all sectors of the economy.

    The President, pursuant to the authority vested in him by the Constitution, ordered that all ‘‘procuring authorities shall give preference to Nigerian companies and firms in the award of contracts, in line with the Public Procurement Act 2007.’’

    The Executive Order also prohibits the Ministry of Interior from giving visas to foreign workers whose skills are readily available in Nigeria.

    It, however, notes that where expertise is lacking, procuring entities will give preference to foreign companies and firms with a demonstrable and verifiable plan for indigenous development, prior to the award of such contracts.

    In the proclamation entitled ‘‘PRESIDENTIAL EXECUTIVE ORDER 5 FOR PLANNING AND EXECUTION OF PROJECTS, PROMOTION OF NIGERIAN CONTENT IN CONTRACTS AND SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY,’’ the President also directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies to engage indigenous professionals in the planning, design and execution of national security projects.

    It added that ‘‘consideration shall only be given to a foreign professional, where it is certified by the appropriate authority that such expertise is not available in Nigeria.’’