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Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • Buhari urges religious leaders to fight corruption

    Buhari urges religious leaders to fight corruption

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday charged religious leaders to use their exalted position to assist the on – going crusade against corruption in the country when ministering to followers.

    Buhari said the battle to rid the nation of corruption and corrupt practices should not be left for the administration alone, adding that with the collective support of majority of Nigerians, the menace could be fought to a standstill.

    The President who spoke at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, during the 55th anniversary Conference of the League of Imams and Alfas of Yoruba land, Edo and Delta States, was represented by his Special Adviser on Political Affable, Babafemi Ojudu.

    At the event which was also used to install former Minister of Steel and ex – Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Alh. Tunji Sarafa, as the new Baba Adini of Yoruba land, Edo and Delta States, the President lauded the body for praying fervently for his recovery during the long period he was ill, urging them to continue to pray for him and the unity of the country.

    Buhari said it also was heartwarming to know the Registrar of Joint Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Isiaq Oloyede, is one of them and has represented the religion of Islam and the organization well in the manner he had demonstrated accountability, transparency and commitment.

    He said since the birth of JAMB body has remitted to the coffers of the federal government what Oloyede had paid as the Registrar of the examination body.

    Also, Governor Ibikunle Amosun who declared the conference open urged Muslim Imams and Alfas to continue to work for the peace and unity of the country.

    Amosun said Islam is a religion of peace and advised adherents, particularly the elders and leaders in the faith, to inculcate this into the youths so that they do not conduct themselves in manner that could convey erroneous impressions about the religion.

    The Governor noted that there was the overriding need for Nigerians, notwithstanding their different geographical locations, creeds and ethnic nationalities to live in unity so that genuine growth and development can take place in the country.

    He noted that no people or nation can achieve anything worthwhile in an environment of chaos, hence the need for every citizen to work for the peace of Nigeria.

    “Nothing good can come from an atmosphere of violence, rancour and in atmosphere where people don’t love or tolerate one another. We have to do more in working for the unity of Nigeria,” Amosun said.

    On the new Baba Adini, Tunji Sarafa, Amosun said the office is a “big burden” and prayed that the almighty Allah would grant him the strength and wisdom to succeed.

    In his welcome address, the President – General of League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba land, Edo and Delta States, Sheikh Muhammed  Jamiu Bello, called for the continued unity of the body and Nigeria.

  • Crisis: Senate threatens to dump 2018 budget

    Crisis: Senate threatens to dump 2018 budget

    Nigerians may not have heard the last about the passage of the 2018 budget presented to a joint session of the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 7.

    Senators in plenary Tuesday threatened to dump the fiscal estimate over alleged inconsistencies and abysmal performance of the 2017 budget.

    The lawmakers took turns to criticize the performance of the 2017 budget, taking cognizance of what they called extremely low releases by the Ministry of Finance to fund projected capital projects.

    They insisted that the promised passaged of the 2018 budget before the end of the year was no longer feasible.

    The senators said that the promise by President Buhari that 40 per cent of the 2017 budget would be achieved before the end of the year while remaining the balance of 60 per cent would be rolled over to 2018, has not be adhered to.

    The lawmakers were particularly irked by the observation that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), only attained 15-20 per cent 2017 budget performance.

    This, they said, was despite repeated assurances by the executive arm that improvement in releases of funds will be made.

    Most MDAs, they said, were yet to receive funds to pay salaries and as well as fund other recurrent components of the 2017 budget.

    For them, the declaration by the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, that N750 billion had been released, remained questionable.

    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki’s intervention saved the day as no resolution was taken at the end lengthy debate on the performance of the 2017 budget.

    Many of those who contributed to the debate wanted the lifespan of the 2017 budget to be extended to  31st of March, 2018.

    It was the opinion of the speakers that until the 2017 budget attained a high level of performance, the implementation of the budget should not be truncated by the passage of the 2018 budget.

    The debate of the performance of the 2017 budget followed a closed door session where the lawmakers were also said to have bared their minds.

    Although Saraki broached the issue of what really transpired at the closed session, Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah raised a point of order.

    Na’Allah cited Order 42 and 45 of the Senate Standing Rules to buttress his point.

    The Kebbi South lawmaker told his colleagues that the plan to pass the 2018 budget before the end of 2017 was no longer feasible due to prevailing circumstances.

    He warned that the prevailing template of the budget will continue to pose serious challenges to the Federal Government in the implementation of the budget.

    Na’Allah noted that the template was developed and adopted during the Military era specifically when Kalu Idika Kalu was Finance minister.

    He said that issue should be extensively discussed in order to proffer solutions.

    Na’Allah said: “I feel that there are certain aspects that the Senate has so many things to discuss. When we suspended the plenary for two weeks, the intention was to enable committees work. They are supposed to report progress in order to enable the Senate pass the budget before the end of the year or early next year.

    “When we suspended plenary, it was with the idea that the committees will swing into action so we can have a tentative date to pass the budget. From what I have seen, we might run into troubled waters. If we have not appreciated what the problems are, it is important for Nigerians to come here and understand what the problem is.

    “The template we are using will continue to create problems for us. It was created during the Military era. The template cannot work in our country today. From reports we have had, it is obvious that we have problems. We need to know what the problems are. If we have a 2017 budget that has not been executed today and we are considering the 2018 budget, it means there is a problem.

    “The President told us that the 2017 budget was going to achieve at least 60 per cent performance. Today, that has not happened. We need to lay this issue and discuss it. Let us put the facts before the Executive and show Nigerians the difficulties we are facing.”

    Senator Barnabas Gemade, in his contribution suggested that the consideration of the 2018 budget be suspended.

    He also suggested that the lifespan of the 2017 budget be extended to end of March of 2018.

    Gemade said, “This point of order raised is important because of what the public is waiting for. Our two weeks committee work should have led us to where we will lay the report and pass the budget. As was indicted, we need to appreciate the efforts of the executive who is trying to return the budget year from January to December.

    “What we have seen is far from the 40 per cent capital project implementation we were told. In many MDAs, budget performance is hovering between 12 to 15 per cent. In early November, the borrowing plans were brought and we approved it. They said they were going to release more funds. As of now, we cannot say if that is true.

    “In defending the budget, MDAs are supposed to bring their 2017 budget performance to committees. When you look at the budget proposals brought here, many things captured in the 2017 budget were not rolled over. Committees and MDAs need to do some work.

    “We have to set a date for the implementation of the 2017 budget based on the borrowing plans we approved. I therefore propose that we set March 31st for the 2017 budget to be implemented before we can start working on the 2018 budget. We need to guide against abandonment of ongoing projects.”

    Senator Solomon Adeola wondered why the Senate should consider and approve the 2018 budget, when the performance of the 2017 budget is unknown.

    The Lagos West senator prayed the Senate to invite the Minister of Finance, Mrs Adeosun to brief the chamber on the troubling low performance of the budget and why her Ministry is not releasing funds.

    Adeola said, “How can we approve the 2018 budget without knowing the performance of 2017 budget? This is abnormal. From the recent budget defences, it is obvious that MDAs are not ready. Year in, year out, the budget performance is low. Last week, a Minister was asked to excuse lawmakers because he did come prepared. He did not come with the necessary documents to defend the budget of his Ministry.

    “We need to show to Nigerians that the National Assembly is ready to approve the budget. Remember that the President during the presentation of the 2018 budget, said the performance of the 2017 budget will attain at least 40 per cent. But that has not been done. I am suggesting that we invite the Minister of Finance to brief us on the performance of the 2017 budget. We need to be told.

    “Remember how the Executive submitted the MTEF and withdrew it again. It submitted it and withdrew it again. It shows the lack of seriousness on the part of economic managers of the country.”

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Public Account, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, noted that the consideration of the 2018 budget be suspended, pending when the 2017 budget will attain appreciable level of performance.

    He said, “I want to say that the budget of 2018 is already bedeviled. For us to be able to determine the 2018, we need to see the performance of 2017. Many MDAs are complaining that what they are getting for recurrent expenditure is not even for them. More worrisome is the capital expenditure.

    “Last week, the Minister of Finance announced that N750 billion had been released. If this money has been released, MDAs are yet to get this money. With the envelope budgeting they are doing, we do not know what has been given to MDAs.

    “I want to say that every consideration about the 2018 budget should be put at bay. This executive is not serious. Let them tell us what they have done with the 2017 budget. The budget presentation is an annual ritual that is not benefiting anybody,” he said.

    Senator Mohammed Hassan, (Yobe South) proposed the setting up of a technical committee to come up with a standard format on how to handle the 2018 budget.

    He specifically listed the inclusion of N8.5 billion in the budget of Ministry of Power for counterpart funding of the Mambila Power projected when the National Assembly had already approved a loan of $5.5 billion for the presidency.

    He noted that the Senate was told that part of the $5.5 billion loan would be used for the counterpart funding of the Mambila power project.

    Hassan said: “Many of us have been made to do the work of the executive. We need to set up a small technical committee to come up with a standard format on how to handle the 2018 budget. It is very important to do that.”

    Senator Dino Melaye, on his part, described the 2018 budget as a ‘boju boju’ document.

    The Kogi West lawmaker said that it was obvious that the 2018 budget proposal was “garnished with deception.”

    He stated: “The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, said during the budget presentation that the 2017 budget will be rolled over. I took the 2017 budget and went through it page by page. There is no relationship between the two documents. The budget we received was a ‘boju boju’ budget. Why do we package a 2018 budget that was garnished with deception”

    “There is about N850 trillion with the CBN. There is an outstanding of N1.5 trillion from collection of stamp duties with the CBN. This money has not been remitted. Yet we took over N2 trillion loan. We need to strengthen the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

    “The NNPC was supposed to remit hundreds of billions of naira last year. They did not do that. Yet, we say we are fighting corruption. We cannot continue in sin and ask grace to abound. The issue of discussing the 2018 budget should not even arise.

    “Enough is enough. We must ensure that the 2017 budget is properly implemented. We must ensure that the budget is an elitist. What they have brought to us is a just a proposal. We need to give Nigerians a budget that will benefit Nigerians.”

    Saraki who did not subject the points and proposal made to vote noted that if the executive refused to act, by rolling over the 2017 budget as promised, it will be a disaster.

    Saraki added that lawmakers are not magicians.

    He said, “Truly, it is very disheartening and disappointing because we know how much we have put into the budget process. How can anybody who is responsible travel at this period when the budget defence is ongoing?

    “The budget has not been implemented. We cannot be magicians. We just have to work and give a good budget to Nigerians. The executive really needs to sit up. If they have refused to roll over the 2017 projects into 2018, it is a disaster. We have to work with what we have.”

  • Faleke to Gov Bello: Don’t drag Buhari into double registration saga

    Faleke to Gov Bello: Don’t drag Buhari into double registration saga

    Governor Yahaya Bello has been warned to desist from dropping President Muhammadu Buhari’s name for his political gains.

    Chairman, House of Representatives on Customs and Excise, James Faleke said it was wrong for the governor to have claimed to be mentored by the President over his double voter registration issue with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Faleke was the Deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 gubernatorial election in Kogi state.

    In a reaction Tuesday, Faleke said governor Bello should desist from dragging the name of the President in the mud over the issue because such attitude was a direct opposite to the principles that the President Buhari stands for.

    Saying that Bello should rather deal with the consequences of the double registration by himself because President Buhari is reputed for his virtues of incorruptibility, honesty, discipline and spartan life style while Gov. Bello is known for his unbridled extravaganza and indiscipline.

    He said: “Yahaya Bello should stop using the president’s name to commit illegality.

    “I make bold to tell the governor that he has disgraced the good people of Kogi with his criminal act of double registration.

    “I can confirm that Governor Bello did his first registration in Abuja on January 30, 2011, while he did the second illegal registration on May 22, 2017 at Government House, Lokoja.

    “I challenge him to go to court on this. It is an incontrovertible fact. The governor ought to have known that for a body like INEC to come up with such a decision, it must have gotten its facts right.

    “After the registration, the governor’s camp in wild celebration to prove that the governor had succeeded in registering in Kogi state at last, went to town with pictures of the registration process backed by a press release signed by the Director – General of his media team, Kingsley Fanwo explaining why the governor had to re-register in Kogi.

    “It is very unfortunate that the Governor even went ahead to induce some INEC staff to remove the hard-drive from the computer used in committing the illegal registration in order to hide his criminal intensions. I have my facts and I also challenge him to go to court on this”.

    It would be recalled that Governor Bello was last week accused of double registration by the INEC.

    While three INEC workers  involved were relieved of their duties, it said the governor would have been prosecuted but for the immunity he enjoys.

    The governor had since denied any involvement in the double registration accusation, stating that having received regular mentorship from President Buhari, he has been operating above board in his official duties.

  • Why Buhari cancelled Niger trip – Presidency

    Why Buhari cancelled Niger trip – Presidency

    The Presidency on Monday explained why President Muhammadu Buhari cancelled his planned trip to Niger Republic.

    Special Adviser on media and publicity to the President Femi Adesina had announced on Sunday that President Buhari had been invited to join other world leaders for the celebration of the 59th year of the country’s independence.

    Giving reasons for the cancellation of the trip, Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity Garba Shehu said Niger Republic invited the leaders of neighboring states, the Presidents of Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania and Nigeria.

    Garba said President Buhari felt satisfied that he had useful discussions with his friend and brother, President Mahamadou Issoufou in the course of the weekend meeting in Abuja, of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.

    He said “after a phone call last night between the leaders, President Buhari decided to send a delegation made up of the three governors of Katsina, Yobe and Borno States along with the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs to represent him.”

  • Decent living in journalism is difficult, says Osinbajo

    Decent living in journalism is difficult, says Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Monday said that journalists living a decent life in the country is almost impossible with the present poor remuneration.

    According to him, the private sector in the country does not respect the national minimum wage.

    He spoke during an end-of-year seminar of the State House Press Corps with the theme: ‘Journalists and Retirement Plans’ at the old Banquet Hall, Abuja.

    The Vice President noted that remunerations were generally poor in the country, including his own and that of the President.

    He said that he earns about N1.5m as Vice-President, while President Muhammadu Buhari earns about N1.75 million, which he said was not commensurate with the offices they occupy.

    According to him, the case of journalists was unique because many media owners are making the revenues but simply refuse to pay journalists better as and when due.

    He recalled his brief encounters working with media houses as legal adviser, and how in all the months he worked; he was not paid despite the irregular hours he put in.

    Osinbajo noted that the private sector, which hosts many media organisations, does not adhere to the country’s minimum wage, which is currently N18, 000 per month.

    He also said that entry into journalism is not rigorously regulated or enforced by professional bodies as even untrained persons are allowed in.

    He however, absolved the journalism on its own, saying that it is not exactly the fault of the profession but the way the reality of modern trends and invasion of social media has made it be.

    He said, “I realized first of all that this is not a profession from which one could make a decent living in the first place unless you find a really good way of doing so.

    “But more importantly for me was the fact that you are just on your own. Journalism as a profession is so wide open

    “There are a few reasons in my view why remuneration is poor and why those in the media especially those who are formally engaged, I will show you that it is not your profession and why that is the case.

    “The first is that it is just simply cheating.  There are owners of media that are just cheats. They just want to get something from nothing and that is not uncommon, it is a general malaise, it is not necessarily restricted to the media.

    “It is also the same in the legal profession. There many lawyers if they tell you what they earn, you will certainly not want to be a lawyer.

    “The private sector does not respect the minimum wage. Even if a minimum wage is set nationally it is not necessarily respected by the private sector and this is something that should be factored in to the status of a company and whether a company is even complying with the requirements.

    “In other places these are points which are checked when you are being considered for task, whether you are meeting your task or not. That is not the case here, so we need to enforce that.

    “We need to enforce some kind of adherence to the minimum wage structure. Not just the minimum wage of the lowest paid person, but minimum wages across the board especially so that there is certain amount of regulation of how people are paid and how they are paid.

    “Entry into journalism is not vigorously enforced.  Most professions are able to pay better because there is entry requirements that are rigorously enforced, Perhaps not the case in journalism and for good reason.

    “There are those who are formally trained as journalists but the profession will admit anybody at all even if you are not formally trained as a journalist and that is even becoming more so now with social media platforms, with blogs.”

    According to him, market forces also often determine the revenue of media houses and the pay that journalists attract for themselves.

    He therefore charged journalists to brighten their prospects and future by always seeking ways of improving themselves and getting better job opportunities with attendant improved income.

    He said it was inevitable that when one improves to be good or better at something, he attracts better pay; and this applies to journalists and even media outfits as better performance by newspapers and broadcast stations attracts more endorsements and adverts.

    Osinbajo touched on the role of professional associations guiding journalists, and lamented that they do not adequately engage media organisations that don’t pay their workers or journalists enough or not at all.

    Chairman of the occasion and governor of Nasarawa state, Tanko al-Makura, represented by the state Commissioner of Information, Mohammed Kwara, said a good retirement plan starts the day one is employed.

    He said: “On the whole, it is important to note that a good retirement plan starts the very day you are employed knowing that whatever has a beginning has an end. 35 or 60 mandatory years of service are certainly not eternity.

    “It must also be stressed here that it is not too late to plan even where you have just few years to retire from service.

    “The most important thing is that you have a plan either of money saved or of the job you intend to carry after on retirement. Put every other factor in place such as your age, strength and the mental capacity to carry on.” he said

    He added “It is important to state, therefore, that the uncertainty on payment of entitlements has continued to worry Nigerian workers, making them fear retirement.

    “This has led to prospective retirees falsifying their age just to enable them stay put in the Service.

    “In this regard, a lot of corruption induced activities have continued to infiltrate the MDAs and the organized private sector responsible for managing pension.” he said

    He listed ten top ways to prepare for retirement including start saving, know your retirement needs; contribute to your employer’s retirement savings plan.

    Others, according to him, are learn about your employer’s pension plan, consider basic investment principles, don’t touch your retirement savings, ask your employer to start a plan, think of creative ways to be self-sustaining, find out about your social security benefits, and ask questions.

    The guest lecturer and Chairman of Elumelu Foundation, Tony Elumelu said retirement should not be synonymous with being tired or giving up as it should be a stepping stone.

    He advised working journalists to pursue their purposes with passion, stressing the need to increase capacity in readiness for the next phase

    He said, “Entrepreneurship is not a function of age.  Set your milestones and work towards accomplishing the milestone.

    “Entrepreneurs are resilients, they persevere to succeed. You don’t need to give up easily, it requires sacrifice, discipline”

    Others who presented goodwill messages were Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed; Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi and Special Adviser (Media & Publicity) to the President, Femi Adesina.

  • APC Germany urges support for Buhari

    APC Germany urges support for Buhari

    The All Progressive Congress (APC), Germany Chapter on Monday called on all Nigerian from far and wide to support the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government and reform policies.

    The party made this declaration in a communique issued by the it’s secretariat and made available to The Nation.

    While commemorating with the President on his 75th birthday; the Chairman of APC Germany Chapter, Hon. Olalekan Ogunwede enjoins Nigerians to embrace peace and our diversity as a key component of prosperity and that Nigerian should support the policies of this administration. He disclosed that the event of the President continue to be a beacon of hope for ordinary Nigerian and that it is evident in the direction He is steering the ship of the country to National development.

    The party prays for more life for the president in Good health and that peace should continue to thrive in our nation.

  • Buhari extends tenure of Service Chiefs 

    Buhari extends tenure of Service Chiefs 

    The President and Commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, has extended the tenure of all the service chiefs.

    In a statement signed by Col. Tukur Gusau, the Public Relations Officer to the Hon. Minister of Defence,  Mansur Dan Ali said the President’s took the decision, “having carefully reviewed the on-going military operations across the nation and the efforts of the Chief of Defence staff and the Service chiefs in the counter insurgency operations in the North East coupled with the security situation of the Niger Delta region, has graciously approved the extension of tenure of service of  General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, Chief of Army Staff; Vice Admiral Ibok-EteIkwe Ibas, the Chief of Naval staff and Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, the Chief of Air staff,” the statement said.

    While citing the constitutional powers to carry out the decision, the statement said, “This extension is pursuant of the powers conferred on the President and Commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by section 218 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and section 09.06 of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions for Service for officers (2012) Revised”.

    The Honourable Minister of Defence Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali congratulates  the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for earning the confidence of the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria  leading to their extension of service.

  • Pay our promotion arrears, psychiatric workers pray in Calabar

    The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Health care Professionals (AHPAN) of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital in Calabar have demanded the payment of their promotion arrears from 2014 till date.

    Rising from a Congress in Calabar, Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of the hospital and Secretary of JOHESU, Comrade Ken Bassey, who presented the communique, called for immediate and unconditional payment of the arrears.

    According to Bassey, they have given the authorities up to December 31 for the matter to be addressed.

    The communique, signed by the Chairman, Comrade Dan Odo, Secretary, Doris Nso and member, Godwin Adede read: “The congress drew the attention of the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation that promotion arrears from 2014 until date have not been paid to our members. We call for the immediate and unconditional payment of same to enable us to celebrate Christmas with our kith and kin.

    “That the management of the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Calabar should immediately and unconditionally release the result of this year’s promotion exercise for senior members of staff.

    “The congress commended the courage and resoluteness of President Muhammadu Buhari to fight corruption in all its ramifications.  The congress prayed that God should renew his vigour and patriotism in order to succeed despite daunting challenges.

    “The congress expressed appreciation on the setting up of the 30-man committee on the national minimum wage and called for speedy action to ensure that Nigerian workers heave a sigh of relief with the much-expected living wage early next year.

    “The congress applauded the bravery of the Nigerian Armed Forces to decimate the dreaded Boko Haram sect. As they intensify efforts to mop up their remnants, they should also direct attention to renewed incidences of kidnapping and robbery across the country.

    “The congress equally appeals to her members to show more commitment to their duties by shunning absenteeism, lateness to work and truancy.”

     

  • Buhari approves appointment of staff for AUSC Region 2 headquarters

    Buhari approves appointment of staff for AUSC Region 2 headquarters

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja announced his approval of appointment of managerial staff of the African Union Sports Council ( AUSC ) Region 2 Headquarters.

    Buhari, represented by the Minister of State for Power, Works, and Housing, Suleiman Hassan, made the announcement at the opening of the First Session of the AUSC Region 2 Ministers Meeting.

    He said the approval would facilitate the easy take-off of the AUSC Region 2 Secretariat in Abuja.

    Buhari also directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, to accord diplomatic status to the secretariat staff.

    “My country will give you the necessary support through the Ministry of Youths and Sports to enable you complete the task ahead of the newly-created AUSC Region 2 for overall success.

    “I have approved the request of the ministry to engage few foundation staff to facilitate the take-off and pay them in line with the Personnel Service Scheme of the Africa Union Commission (AUC).

    “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will accord diplomatic status to the secretariat staff of AUSC region 2,’’ he said.

    Buhari said the West African Ministers of Sports meeting of Wednesday affirmed the seriousness Nigeria and the region attached to sports.

    He congratulated the AUC for going the extra mile to give adequate attention to sports development on the continent.

    Buhari said this was clear in the recent restructuring within the African sports movement which gave birth to AUC.

    “With the new African sports architecture in place, I look forward to seeing African sports develop, live and bounce.

    “My country Nigeria attaches great important to sports, hence our acceptance to host this very important meeting to provide the needed platform for our sub-region.

    “I am pleased to know that you already have a blueprint in place which is the draft strategic plans for AUSC Region 2.

    “I have no doubt in my mind that during the course of your deliberations, you will ratify them for effective implementation.

    “In line with AU’s overall objectives, I urge you to broaden your deliberations to align sports with peace, security, education, health promotion, social mobilisation, employment creation and social economic development,’’ he said.

    Earlier, Senate President Bukola Saraki had urged the African Ministers of Sports to ensure that the meeting’s decisions and resolutions would be used to develop sports in the West African region.

    He said the primary aim of government was to create an environment for business to thrive, adding that sports today was a global brand.

    “Africa is heading towards a crossroad with emerging sports personalities able to perform on an international sports stage, but it lacks the domestic organisation to make continent proud.

    “There cannot be success at the highest level if we fail to put our house in order. Many African countries face social economic challenges which appear to be more pressing than sports.

    “But the onus falls on the administrators to be more creative and try to involve more private sector participation in the development of sports on the continent,’’ the Senate President said.

    Saraki, who was represented by the Chairman of Senate Committee on Sports, Obinna Ogba, said certificated sports professionals should be given the opportunity at all levels of sports administration.

    He said the issue of corruption should not be tolerated if Africa’s sports must be developed.

    Nigeria’s Youths and Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, in his welcome address said the first session of African Ministers of Sports meeting was a dream come through.

    He added that it would go a long way in redefining the desired peace in the region.

    The minister said the AUSC Region 2 secretariat would bring regional integration, socio-cultural and economical development of the region through the instrumentality of sports.

    “With the evolution of OAU to AU, the new architecture of sports saw the emergence of five sports regions, with the 15 West African countries belonging to Region 2 and Abuja as the capital.

    “Today, we are gathered to celebrate the take-off of this regional secretariat through the ratification of all the legal instruments that will make for rapid development of sports in the region.

    “ It is my belief that the objectives will be greatly achieved. We are happy that with the headquarters of ECOWAS in Abuja the active interface will make for rapid sports development.

    “ Our strong desire is that the immediate benefit of this new innovative will be felt during the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the 2019 African Games and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics where our athletes from the 15 West African countries will make us proud.’’

  • Ex- Chief Judge blames poor leadership for nation’s woes

    Ex- Chief Judge blames poor leadership for nation’s woes

    Immediate past Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta has argued that the many crises plaguing the nation today are traceable to poor leadership.

    Justice Auta noted that the country was faced with many challenges ranging from corruption, kidnapping, ritual killings, lack of infrastructural development, favouritism, nepotism and religious crisis.

    He said: “At the root of these challenges is leadership. What we have been lacking in Nigeria is good and purposeful; nationalistic and patriotic leaders.”

    Justice Auta spoke in Abuja at a reception and award night held in his honour by Society Watch Media Ltd (SWML) on Tuesday evening.

    The retired jurist faulted the general perception that the Judiciary is a corrupt institution. He said the Judiciary and the judges were merely victims of corruption allegations.

    He said that because judges were barred from speaking to the press, most of the corruption allegation levelled against them often became sustainable.

    Justice Auta said the impression that judges were corruption was becoming acceptable, because the people believed whatever they read in the media, without first, verifying from other sources.

    He noted that there was no country and sector free from corruption in the world, but that the difference was in the magnitude.

    Justice Auta urged Nigerians to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari to enable him act in the best interest of the country and ensure that his policies benefit the people.

    He said there need for the recruitments of more policemen in order to ensure adequate security in the country.

    Justice Auta noted that the current insecurity problem in the country necessitated the need for more personnel for the Nigeria Police Force that is well equipped and adequately funded.

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SWML, Michael Balogun also argued that the nation was currently plagued with challenges because its leaders were not focused and committed to the welfare of all.

    Balogun said: “Our problem is not corruption as we are made to believe, but leadership, because a good and purposeful leader will know that stealing our common resources is a sin against God.”

    He hailed Justice Auta for distinguishing himself as a man of integrity, “who performed excellently well during his tenure between 2011 to 2017.”