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Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • Osinbajo, Tinubu, governors attend Buhari’s book presentation 

    Osinbajo, Tinubu, governors attend Buhari’s book presentation 

    Eminent personalities on Thursday attended President Muhammadu Buhari’s book’s public presentation in Abuja.

    The book  ‘Making Steady, Sustainable Progress for Nigeria’s Peace and Prosperity’, was presented to the public at the old Banquet Hall of the State House.

    It was a mid-term scorecard on the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

    Among those that graced the public presentation of the book, that started few minutes past 12 noon, were the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who is the keynote speaker at the occasion.

    Also at the occasion was the Chairman of the occasion and the APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.

    State governors at the event were Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Rauf Aragbesola (Osun), Jigawa, Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Darius Ishaku (Taraba), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara).

    Other members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), other top government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and traditional rulers also attended.

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara was represented at the occasion.

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

  • Fayose attacks Buhari for not sending him birthday greetings

    Fayose attacks Buhari for not sending him birthday greetings

    Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of not sending him any message to congratulate him on his 57th birthday.

    Fayose said he deserved to be sent a congratulatory message from the Presidency as “one of the governors in Nigeria and a leading opposition figure in the country.”

    On the raging controversy on who emerges the next People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the December 9 National Convention, Fayose said all chairmanship aspirants from all the geopolitical zones in the South are eligible and not only aspirants from the Southwest.

    Fayose has been accused by some PDP chieftains in Ekiti State of supporting Prince Uche Secondus from Rivers State for the post of National Chairman rather than a candidate from the Southwest to where the position had been zoned by the party.

    The governor spoke on Wednesday with reporters at the Government House, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital as part of the occasions to mark his 57th birthday.

    Fayose said “one of his greatest wishes on his 57th birthday was to have woken up this morning to receive congratulatory message from President Muhammadu Buhari or read such message in the media.”

    He said: “My wishes on my 57th birthday as Ayo Fayose are many but one of them which will interest you is that I wish ‎President Buhari’s congratulatory call would have woken me up today as one of the governors in the country, as a father of the nation and as a leading ‎opposition figure in the country.

    “(The President ought to congratulate me as) a fearless young man who believes that things should be done rightly to show himself (Buhari) as a father of all, preaching that we must extend love to everybody not only those in his political party.

    “The President would have made a difference if he had extended such gesture to others beyond his political party.  Such a congratulatory message should have been conveyed through his Minister of Information.

    “I would have loved to either wake up receiving a congratulatory call from him or read it in the papers. But since it is not coming, it is not a big deal to me and I take no offence on it.

    “I am not Buhari’s enemy; opposition is the strength of democracy, it ensures that the electorates get value for their votes. Those who criticize your government are not your enemies, they are catalysts to your growth as a government.

    “I remain a factor no one can ignore in this country. Apart from the fact that I am a leading opposition (figure), Nigerians respect my voice; they believe that I don’t compromise the truth no matter whose ox is gored.”

    On the confusion over who becomes the next PDP National Chairman, Fayose said: “Nobody can say some zone would hijack it because there is no election yet. You don’t know where the election would go. 24 hours is a long time in election.

    “What is important is that a credible candidate emerges as PDP chairman and the fact that we must as members, conclude this convention as one party.

    “You also remember that all our candidates have signed and agreed to remain one regardless of the outcome of the convention. That shows unity among us, the chairmanship is zoned to the south.”

    Responding to a question that his presidential ambition may rob the Southwest of the party’s national chairmanship slot, Fayose said: “How can only one man’s ambition rob others their own chance?

    “That is just cheap blackmail. You see when I wanted to be governor; there was nothing that could stop me because I was determined.

    “The aspirants for PDP chairmanship who have come from the South-West were determined, if not, they wouldn’t have come out. Let us say that expressly that we don’t know tomorrow, 24 hours is a long time in politics.”

    “The aspirants for PDP chairmanship who have come from the South-West were determined, if not, they wouldn’t have come out. Let us say that expressly that we don’t know tomorrow, 24 hours is a long time in politics.”

  • I appoint my aides on merit – Buhari 

    I appoint my aides on merit – Buhari 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday night in Abakikili explained that many appointees in his administration were appointed purely on merit and their proven track records.

    Speaking at a State dinner organised in his honour, President Buhari emphasised that he always considered what was best for the country in his decisions.

    Buhari, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said ‘Some of the people holding high positions in the government, like my ministers, will tell you that I didn’t know them from Adam.

    ‘‘I just came across their names from the records and I worked with the records. I thank God that I have a very good team,’’ he said.

    The President commended Governor David Umahi for his development strides in the State, saying ‘‘the absolute commitment of the Governor to his position is very remarkable and I am very impressed.’’

    President Buhari, while expressing gratitude to God and the people of Ebonyi for recognising his modest contribution to the country, described Nigeria as a great country with incredible resources and highly talented people.

    ‘‘We should continue to pray to God that the elites that will be in-charge of the country in the future fear God,’’ he said.

  • Buhari calls for calm, respect for Constitution in Zimbabwe

    Buhari calls for calm, respect for Constitution in Zimbabwe

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday called for calm, peace and respect for the constitution in Zimbabwe.

    The President also urged all political and military stakeholders in Zimbabwe to avoid any action that may plunge the country into unnecessary conflict and impact negatively on the region.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said, “Every attempt must be made to resolve all contentious issues by constitutional means in Zimbabwe to save the country from avoidable political instability.”

    The appeal by the Nigerian leader came in the wake of reported “military takeover” as a result of rising political tension in the southern African country sequel to President Robert Mugabe’s recent removal of former Vice-President, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

    This led to the threat by the head of the Armed Forces of Zimbabwe, General Constantino Chiwenga, that “the military will not hesitate to step in” when the issue had to do with protecting the “revolution.”

  • Buhari: My appointments based on merit, track record

    Buhari: My appointments based on merit, track record

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday night in Abakaliki explained that many appointments in his administration were done purely on merit and proven track records.

    Speaking at a State dinner organised in his honour, Buhari said that he always considered what was best for the country in taking such decisions.

    ‘‘Some of the people holding high positions in the government, like my ministers, will tell you that I didn’t know them from Adam.

    Read Also: Buhari: more development for Southeast

    ‘‘I just came across their names from the records and I worked with the records. I thank God that I have a very good team,’’ he said.

    The President commended Gov. David Umahi for his development strides in the State, saying ‘‘the absolute commitment of the Governor to his position is very remarkable and I am very impressed.’’

    He expressed gratitude to God and the people of Ebonyi for recognising his modest contribution to the country.

    Buhari described Nigeria as a great country with incredible resources and highly talented people.

    ‘‘We should continue to pray to God that the elites that will be in charge of the country in the future fear God,’’ he said.

  • Inconsistency: Senate re-positions NDDC

    Inconsistency: Senate re-positions NDDC

    The Senate Tuesday passed a Bill for an Act to amend the Niger Delta Development Commission Act.

    The upper chamber said that main objective of the amendment is to clarify certain provisions in the Principal Act and to provide for prompt remittance of funds due to the NDDC as well as penalties for delay or default.

    It said that it was observed that some of the provisions in the Act establishing the commission were ambiguous hence the need to clarify them.

    Apart of the amendment included the review of Section 2(1)(b) to ensure that the person to represent each state of the commission on the Governing Board of NDDC should come from an oil producing Local Government Area, not oil producing area as stated in the NDDC Act.

    The upper chamber added a new subsection to Section 4 of the Act to ensure the rotation of representatives within the oil producing Local Government Areas of individual member states of the commission.

    It reviewed Section 2(1)(f) to ensure that only the permanent secretaries are eligible for appointment to represent the ministries of Finance and Environment respectively in the Governing Board of NDDC.

    It reviewed Section 5(3) to ensure the word “same interest” in the provision refer to ‘same Local Government Area” in the case of a state or “same state” in the case of a regional representative.

    It created new subsection 14 of the Act to ensure compliance by contributors to the fund of the Commission, irrespective of any other law in force.

    It also reviewed section 14(2)(c) to ensure that the 50 per cent contribution from Ecological Fund of each member state is deducted during Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meetings and paid directly to the commission’s account.

    The passage of the Bill was sequel to the adoption a report on the bill by the Senate Committee on Niger Delta under the chairmanship of Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North).

    The bill was read for the first time on July 26, 2017 while senators deliberated on its general principles on July 27 and thereafter, read for the second time and referred to the committee for further legislative action.

    Nwaoboshi said that in order to reposition the NDDC for more effective service to the Niger Delta region, it had become necessary to review the Principal Act in order to rid its provisions of ambiguities.

    It also explained that with the clarification of some provisions in the bill, representation on the board of NDDC would henceforth, be clearly defined, noting that the financial burden of the commission would be reduced with the provision of new subsections to ensure prompt remittances to the commission.

    The Upper House noted that “with the strengthening of some provisions, the contributors that failed to fulfill their statutory obligation to the commission will be made to do so”..

    It added that “it is imperative to amend the Niger Delta Development Commission (Establishment etc.) Act 2000 so as to remove obvious impediments, particularly, in the area of funding and reposition the commission to carry out its mandate effectively”

    The Senate observed that the NDDC Act, 2000 had been in operation for 17 years and had never been reviewed, pointing out that the amendment was in consonance with the observations of senators while considering the confirmation of Presidential nominees for the Governing Board of the NDDC and debate on the general principles of the bill.

    The report says: “as a result of weaknesses of certain provisions and gaps in the Principal Act, some of the contributors have not paid anything to the fund of the commission till date, while others are underpaying by not declaring their total annual budget to the Commission.

    “This lack of payment by some contributors and underpayment by others has led to huge debts owed contractors by the commission”.

    The senate had on October 11, 2016 while considering the request of President Muhammadu Buhari for the confirmation of chairman and members of NDDC found that some of the provisions in the Act establishing the commission were ambiguous.

    The Senate mandated the committee to carry out a review of the Niger Delta Development Commission (Establishment, etc.) Act, 2000.

  • President Buhari Doles Out N17.5m To D’Tigress

    President Buhari Doles Out N17.5m To D’Tigress

     

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari has redeemed his promise to reward the 2017 Afrobasket winning women’s team, D’Tigress of Nigeria.
    Each player got N1,000,000 (One million Naira) while 5 Coaching crew members got N500,000 (Five hundred thousand Naira)each.
    In his address, the Minister of Youth and Sports Barrister Solomon Dalung said sports in Nigeria is moving to greater heights through the unprecedented support of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari.
    “In Mr President’s usual way of showing appreciation to our sports men and women who made the nation proud, he received the team at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday August 30, 2017 during the Federal Executive meeting.
     “History is made today as His Excellency, Mr President has fulfilled his promise to the heroic Afrobasket team by doling out the sum of One million Naira (N1,000,000) to each of the players and Five hundred thousand (500,000) to each of the officials totaling Seventeen million, five hundred thousand Naira (N17,500,000).”
    Barrister Dalung thanked the President for his administration’s outstanding contributions to the development of sports in Nigeria and for his extrinsic reward in particular.
    The Minister said that Mr President’s kind gesture will have a multiplier effect on the country’s podium success in the forth coming Commonwealth Games, scheduled to hold in Gold Coast, Australia from 4th -15th April 2018.
    In his response, the Vice President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation Mr Babs Ogunade thanked the President for redeeming his promise to reward D’Tigress for their excellence and hard work.
    “Over a period of time, administrations have made promises to athletes and failed but with the change mantra, this administration promised to reward the gold winning basketball team and they have fulfilled their promise.
    “Like Oliver Twist, we will always ask for more. As you are aware, we qualified for the World Cup in Spain next year and we are gearing up for that as well as the Commonwealth Games. We ask for the federal government’s support ahead of all these assignments although, we are also looking outward to get sponsorship so that we don’t put everything on the government. We however thank you so much and look forward to seeing that all these come to fruition,”  Ogunade said.
  • Buhari to Ndigbo: We’ll fulfill promises on South East infrastructure

    Buhari to Ndigbo: We’ll fulfill promises on South East infrastructure

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Abakiliki, capital of Ebonyi State, assured Ndigbo that his administration will ensure the timely execution of roads, power and other projects in the South-East.

    He made the remark while addressing Ebonyi State Leaders of Thought and Traditional Rulers at a meeting in the Government House.

    According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President also commended Ebonyi people for the warm reception accorded him during the State visit.

    He said ‘My presence here today is a demonstration of our strong belief in the unity of Nigeria. As the most populous country in Africa, with over 300 ethnic groups, our diversity is unique among nations.

    ”When I met with leaders from the South East last month in Abuja, they raised several issues of concern, including the state of the roads and infrastructure in the region. I want to assure you that we will deliver on our promises.

    ”Our 2018 Budget includes many strategic projects for the region in the roads, power, agriculture and other sectors,’’ he said.

    The President had earlier inaugurated the 14.5km Abakiliki-Afikpo Federal road constructed by the Ebonyi State Government.

    He also commissioned the 700 metre length of the dual flyover over the Trans-Sahara route running from Enugu to Cameroon, and the Senator Offia Nwali flyover, all in the State capital.

    In addition, he performed the foundation-stone laying ceremonies of Ebonyi City Mall, another flyover and road tunnel named after him.

    The President also unveiled the statue of Sir Akanu Ibiam, a former governor of the old Eastern region, whom he described “as a great Nigerian, whose notable records of humanitarianism, advocacy of free primary education and rural development, will continue to be an inspiration to all.’’

    President Buhari, who commended Governor David Umahi for ”his vision and commitment to the development of the State,” also thanked the traditional rulers of the State led by Eze Charles Mkpuna for conferring him with the chieftaincy title of Enyioma 1 of Ebonyi (Trustworthy friend of Ebonyi).

    At another event with South East traditional rulers led by Eze Eberechi Dick, the President was conferred with the chieftaincy title of Ochioha Ndigbo (Leader of Igbo people).

    Earlier in an address presented on behalf of Ebonyi Elders by a former Governor of the State, Chief Sam Egwu, he appealed for more Federal presence in the State, particularly the conversion of College of Education Ikwo to a Federal College of Education.

    He also called for urgent intervention by the Federal Government to curb intra-communal clashes as well as cross-border disputes in the region.

  • Senate okays $5.5 billion loan for FG

    Senate okays $5.5 billion loan for FG

    The Senate Tuesday approved the request of President Muhammadu Buhari to borrow the sum of $5.5 billion.

    The sum of $2.5 billion out of the $5.5 billion, according to the presidential request, will be used to fund the 2017 budget while the balance of $3 billion is meant to refinance domestic debts.

    Nigeria’s debt profile stood at N19.6 trillion as at June 30th, 2017 according to Debt Management Office (DMO) document.

    Before the unanimous approval of the loan, some Senators called for caution on the way and manner the Federal Government rushes to take foreign loans.

    The lawmakers particularly expressed fear that the ability of the country to repay the loans might be limited if the national currency depreciates further.

    Senator Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf, (Taraba central) who was one of those who voiced this fear said: “We must be very careful because this is dependent on what happens in our foreign reserves. If our foreign exchange rate goes to N500/USD1, we are going to have a very serious problem on generating enough foreign exchange to pay the foreign debts.”

    The approval of the loan followed the adoption of the report of the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts that vetted the request sought partly to finance the deficit in the 2017 budget.

    Chairman of the Committee, Senator Shehu Sani who presented the told the Senate that “the terms and conditions of the loan are favourable and do not pose any compromise to the integrity, independence and interest of Nigeria and its citizens.”

    He added, “The projects are essential for rapid economic and social development of Nigeria. And that the projects, when completed, will create jobs through a chain of economic activities.”

    The committee noted that the $3 billion for refinancing of the country’s domestic debts will not lead to an increase in the public debt portfolio.

    It said that the loan will reduce the cost of the debts while the projects are essential for rapid economic and social development of Nigeria.

    It said that the construction of the second runway in the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport will enhance the safety of air passengers, increase the use of the airport by international airlines, “thus increase the revenue base of the government.”

    It said that the rail projects when completed will reduce the use of roads, its attendant congestion and thus minimise the cost of road maintenance.

    The committee said that the Mambila Hydro Power Project which had long been abandoned when completed will add substantially to the National grid and improve power output of the country.

    The $3 billion refinancing loans, it said, will create a significant decrease in the cost of financing the nation’s debt stock while creating more borrowing space in the domestic market for the private sector to benefit from.

    The Committee recommendation: a.The committee to recommend for approval by the Senate the issuance of USD2.5billion to finance the following projects in 2017 Appropriation Act,

    1. Mambilla Hydropower Project, ii. construction of a second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, iii. counterpart funding for rail projects iv. construction of the Bode-Bonny Road, with a bridge across the Opobo Channel.
    2. That the Senate for approve the USD3billion for refinancing of the nation’s domestic debt; c. That the Senate to emphasise effective oversight of the proposed projects.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided commended senators for supporting approval of the loan.

    He said, “This Senate will continue to partner with the Federal Government in matters that concern the ordinary people of Nigeria.

    “The implementation of the 2017 budget is key because any Appropriation Act that is not implemented is worthless.

    “So, whatever needs to be done to ensure that the budget is implemented, will always have the support of this Senate.”

    “And since this is tied to the implementation of the 2017 budget, I believe that that had informed the support that this request is now generating.

    “We need to urge the Debt Management Office to ensure that our debt profile is monitored so that we will always ensure that it is within the acceptable limit.

    President Muhammadu Buhari had in his request  for the approval of the two external loans last month said that in order to implement the external borrowing approved by the National Assembly in the 2017 Appropriation Act, the Federal Government issued a $3OO million Diaspora Bond in the International Capital Market (ICM) in June 2017.

    He noted that “the balance of the 2017 external borrowing, in the sum $3.2 billion is planned to be partially sourced from issuance in the ICM of $2.5 billion through Eurobonds or a combination of Eurobonds and Diaspora Bonds, while $700 million is proposed to be raised from multilateral sources.

    “It should be noted that the intention is to issue the Eurobonds first, with the objective of raising all the funds through Eurobonds, and that Diaspora Bonds will only be issued where the full amount cannot be raised through Eurobonds.”

    He listed the projects as the Mambilla Hydropower Project; construction of a second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport; counterpart funding for rail projects and the construction of the Bode-Bonny Road, with a bridge across the Opobo Channel.”

    On the $3 billion for the re-financing of domestic debts, the president said: “In addition to the implementation of the external borrowing approved in the 2017 Appropriation Act, in order to reduce debt service levels and lengthen the tenor profile of the debt stock, the Federal Government seeks to substitute maturing domestic debt with less expensive long-term external debt.”

    President Buhari said that the Federal Government plans to source $3.0 billion through the issuance of Eurobonds as approved by the Federal Executive Council at its meeting of August 9, 2017.Listing what he believed could be the benefits of the loan, Buhari stated that the proposed re-financing of domestic debt through external debt would achieve more stability in the debt stock while also creating more borrowing space in the domestic market for the private sector.

    The President told the Senate that the fact that in the 2017 Appropriation Act, debt service at N1.663 trillion represents 32.73 per cent of the government’s total expenditure, which makes it important to take urgent steps to reduce debt service costs.

  • Buhari harps on Unity, promises more projects to South East

    Buhari harps on Unity, promises more projects to South East

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday reiterated his believe in the unity of the country.

    He spoke in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital when he paid a one day working visit to the state.

    Buhari, who is visiting the region for the first time since he became President, said the diversity of the country makes it unique in the committee of nations.

    “My presence here today is a demonstration of my strong believe in the unity of Nigeria. As a most populous country in Africa with over 300 ethnic groups our diversity is almost unique among the nations,” he said.

    He assured the people of the South East of his administration’s commitment to carry out projects that will lead to the fast tracking of development in the region.

    According to him, in keeping with his promise to South East leaders, the 2018 budget which he recently presented to the National Assembly captured many projects in the zone in accordance with his promise to South East leaders.

    “When I met with leaders of the south east last month in Abuja they raised several issues of concern including the state of roads in the region. I want to assure you that we will deliver on our promise. Our 2018 budget include many strategic projects for the region in roads, power, agriculture and social sector,” the President said.

    Earlier, the State Governor, David Umahi said the state is appreciative of the President’s support to the state especially in the area of Agriculture.

    He, however, appealed to the President for refund of funds expended by the state government on some Federal Roads in the state.

    Former Governor of the state, Sam Egwu commended the President for the recent decision to pay former Biafra Police officers pensions.

    “Such an act of accommodation is what translates a mere leader to a great father of the Nation”.

    He pleaded with the president to give the state assistance in the area of agriculture; roads and education to enable the state catch up with other states.