The Nation Newspaper

Tag: President

  • Why God made Buhari President- Cleric

    Founder Solid Rock Kingdom Church in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Apostle John Okoriko, has said that President

    Muhammadu Buhari is God’s answer to outcries of Nigerians against the evil of corruption.

    At a press briefing marking his 70th birthday, Okoriko said at the weekend that God brought Buhari to power in 2015 to rid the country of corruption, which had ravaged the socio-economic and political lives of Nigerians.

    According to the cleric, the President’s integrity, passion and commitment to the fight against corruption earned him overwhelming victory in the 2015 presidential election.

    “I believe that President Muhammadu Buhari may not be the best, may not be the holiest but just because there was so much cry about corruption; that is why he picked corruption as his major campaign thrust,” the cleric said.

  • I won’t ignore any part of Nigeria, says President

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja promised that no part of Nigeria will be ignored under his watch.

    He gave the assurance when he received a delegation of Ugep Kingdom, Cross River State, led by His Royal Highness, Obol Ofem Ubana, Obol Lopon of Ugep, a retired Army officer.

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, was responding to a request by the royal father for the Federal Government to intervene and resolve inter-ethnic conflicts, affecting several communities, namely: Nko, Nyima, Oyadama, Edibe, Usumtong, Adadama and Ekureku.

    Buhari told the delegation: ‘‘I assure you that under my watch, no part of Nigeria will be ignored.

    “I am very pleased that you (the traditional ruler) have shared some professional background as a former military officer.

    “My experience of being in the military afforded me the opportunity to work with all Nigerians and this is a lifetime experience.”

    The traditional ruler thanked the President for appointing Yakuur sons into exalted positions in government, including Chief of Naval Staff, Minister of Niger Delta and Special Assistant to the President on Prosecution.

    He pledged the support of his community to the president’s “quest to rescue Nigeria”.

    On restiveness in the region, the Obol Lopon said: ‘‘We are increasingly losing our youths to inter-tribal wars, which if nothing is done, will leave our communities without youths in the near future.

    “As Obolo Lopon of Ugep, I am ready to partner with relevant government agencies saddled with the responsibility and management of communal conflict resolutions.”

    Speaking with State House correspondents, Obol Ofem said “We came here to thank Mr. President for finding our children worthy to work in his government…We are also asking him to help us tame the menace of communal crisis in our area; that is one of our major problems.”

  • President urges Olukoyede’s confirmation as EFCC scribe

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has forwarded the name of Olanipekun Olukoyede for confirmation as the secretary of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The request for confirmation of the appointment of Olukoyede as the secretary of the EFCC dated September 10, 2018 was read by the Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday.

    Buhari said the request was in compliance with the provision of Section 2(3) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act 2010.

    The President said he was looking forward for the usual expeditious  consideration and confirmation of the nominee.

  • President, Okowa, Ibori mourn Dafinone, Okogwu

    PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and ex-Governor James Ibori have sent condolences to the family of the late Senator David Dafinone, a Second Republic legislator, who represented Bendel South in former Bendel State.

    Buhari, Okowa and Ibori also joined the business community in mourning the passing of renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist, Ojise of Asaba, Chief Sunny Okogwu.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, commiserated with the government and people of Delta State, Dafinone’s business associates and friends.

    He assured them the senator, who was a renowned chartered accountant, lived a life of service to God and the nation.

    He hailed the senator’s disposition to serve the Federal Government whenever he was called upon, while always promoting democratic values and culture among his people.

    Buhari prayed that the almighty God would receive the soul of the departed and comfort his family.

    The President sent condolences to family and friends of Ojise of Asaba, whose love and care for the poor and downtrodden remains historical, especially in Kaduna, where he spent most of his life.

    In a separate statement, the President also recommended to other Nigerians the detribalised and cosmopolitan outlook of Okogwu, who, he said, developed strong and meaningful relationships outside his roots, and graciously invested in the transformation of many lives.

    Buhari believed Okogwu’s business acumen also reflected in his large-heartedness as he contributed generously to communities’ growth across the country.

    The President prayed that the chief would find eternal rest in the bosom of the Lord.

    He urged his family to carry on with the legacies of the iconic businessman.

    Okowa commiserated with the Asagba-In-Council and the people of Asaba over the demise of Okogwu.

    The governor’s condolence was contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Charles Aniagwu yesterday in Asaba.

    He said the deceased spent his entire life in the service of humanity, especially by helping the underprivileged in his native Asaba and Sabon-Gaya Community in Chikun Local Government area of Kaduna State.

    Okowa said the life and times of the industrialist and philanthropist deserve to be documented for posterity.

    Ibori expressed sadness over the departure of Okogwu and Dafinone.

    The for governor, in separate statements issued by his Media Assistant, Tony Eluemunor, described the two men as exceptional, leaving indelible legacies in the lives of Delta State and its various peoples.

    He said: “Chief Okogwu was indeed one of my sureties and he offered his Ship House as a bond to meet my bail conditions. His fragrant memory will always linger in my mind. May God grant him eternal rest.”

  • President Nigeria needs, now

    SIR: As we approach 2019 general elections, the horde of presidential aspirants, from all the existing political parties, keep surging forward. There is therefore need for vital information, enlightenment, analysis and engagement, devoid of ethno-religious and political sentiment, emotion and prejudice, in the choice of our next president, for the survival of our present/future generations.

    The next president should possess the capacity and capability to drive both our economy and politics, by galvanizing the technocrats into action. Politics and economy move the world, hence, the need to raise the standard of living, purchasing power, youth employment rate and eradication of poverty in the midst of plenty.

    A well versed Nigerian in politics will be able to engineer all other centrifugal forces/facets, within the ambit of democratic norms. We need a business-conscious leader that can harness both human and material resources for optimal performance, coupled with sound entrepreneurial background/experience. A detribalized Nigerian, whose socioeconomic, political and family network, background and connections, cut across the various ethno-religious divide in Nigeria.

    A lot of people have variously canvassed for youth leadership at every level. But, is Nigeria’s problem a matter of dichotomy between the younger and older ones or male and female gender base? We once had “new breed politicians” during the Ibrahim Babangida (IBB), military political contraption, and we all knew how some youths misused the opportunity! Secondly, there have always been youths and women alike, at various levels of governance, till date, with nothing to write home about some of them. In essence, no matter how young or old men and women, come to governance, with good intentions and clear conscience, will they be able to perform successfully, without a fall or a slip-up, in this weedy Nigerian political system? The genuine solution to Nigeria numerous problems is still within the national question to our political/economic growth and recovery, which is restructuring.

    Over the years, the Nigerian electorate is often clouded by ethno-religious and political prejudice, emotion, sentiment, ignorance, misinformation and lack of information, in their voting patterns, instead of engaging their would-be leaders on intellectual plane in order to know what the politicians have brought to the table for societal growth and betterment of the people. Our society seems not to be knowledge-driven and issue-based, on matters of national interest! Hence, the trial and error, complaints, lamentations and national dilemma always, after each miscalculated/misguided electoral decision/choice.

    • OluwoleOladipo Soka, Ibadan.

  • 2019: Group rooting for president

    The coordinator and executive members of the Buhari Volunteer Movement (BVM), United Kingdom chapter, have pledged their support and sent a  congratulatory message  to the APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, for his drive in transforming the party.

    According to the coordinator, Chinedu Okoro ,while briefing news men ,pledged the group’s unending support for both the party and the president in the coming elections. Hon Chinedu Okoro used the opportunity to officially declare his intention to run for the Enugu State House of Assembly to represent the Uzo Uwani Local Government Area  of the state.

    Hon Okoro  also applauded Dr Ben Nwoye  for his leadership in the state in ensuring  massive involvement of youths in the diaspora as well as in the country to participate actively in politics at local ,state and federal levels as the future is dependent on their involvement.

    Hon Okoro seized the opportunity to call on all well-meaning Nigerians to support the APC in the coming elections by ensuring they have their PVCs to secure their votes.

  • Lions Club gets new charter president

    Lions Club International members, including the District Governors, and other well- wishers penultimate weekend converged on Laroy Event Centre to witness and rejoice with Lion (Mrs) Adewunmi Adepoju, as she was installed the Charter President of the Ogun Platinum Heritage Lions Club under the District 404B1, Nigeria.

    All the guests remained standing as the fair-complexioned young woman, gorgeously dressed in green French lace with a green colour headtie and gold shoes was ushered into the hall with sonorous music in company with executive members  of the club and family members.

    Lion (Mrs) Adepoju was installed to handle the affairs of the club for 365 days.

    The event was also used to raise funds for the club’s humanitarian services.

    Speaking at the event, Lion Lekan Babalola charged all members to work towards achieving the district and global major projects, including fighting against diabetes and poor vision, feeding the hungry,  protecting the environment and campaign against paediatric cancer proposed for 2018/2019 Lion’s year.

    He said that Lion Clubs International was formed in 1917 to provide a platform to service the society needs worldwide.

    The guest speaker, Lion (Pharm) Debo Afolayan said Lions Club wasn’t a secret society or cultist group, but an organisation set up to sacrifice their three “T”(time, talent and treasures) to service the humanity, adding that the club’s slogan is “in Lionism we serve”, which means the club is an organisation that serves humanity.

    Mrs Adepoju, in her acceptance speech, thanked  everyone who came to share in her joy.  She promised to run a transparent government.

    She pledged her loyalty to Lions Club’s guiding rules and regulations in line with the district yearly projects.

  • Yusuf Magaji Bichi named DSS boss

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved with effect from September 14, the appointment of Yusuf Magaji Bichi (fwc), as the Director-General of Department of State Service (DSS).

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said the appointee is a core Secret Service operative.

    He attended Danbatta Secondary School, Kano State College of Advanced Studies and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he graduated with a degree in Political Science.

    The new director-general began his career in the security division of the Cabinet Office in Kano, from where he joined the defunct Nigerian Security Organisation (NSO), the precursor of the present DSS.

    Bichi has undergone training in intelligence processing analysis, agent handling recruitment and intelligence processing in the UK, as well as strategic training at the National Defence College.

    The statement said: “The new DSS boss comes to the job with skills in intelligence gathering, research analysis, conflict management, general investigation, risk and vulnerability operations, counter intelligence and protective operation and human resources management.

    “In the course of his career, Mr. Bichi has worked as the state Director of Security in Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto and Abia states.

    “He was at various times the Director, National Assembly Liaison (National War College), Director at national headquarters in the Directorate of Security Enforcement, Directorate of Operations, Directorate of Intelligence, Directorate of Inspection and Directorate of Administration and Finance.”

    The new appointee also served as Director at State Service Academy.

    “Mr Bichi is married and has children,” the statement added.

  • NBA faults Buhari on rule of law

    *Frowns at disobedience to court orders

    The Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA ) has faulted argument by President Muhammadu Buhari that National interest/security takes priority over rule of law.

    Reading the communique issued by NBA on Friday, its President, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN) said rule of law is supreme in every democracy.

    The communique was issued at end of NBA’s 2018 Annual General Conference being rounded off today in Abuja.

    The NBA frowned at the practice “where the Executive selects which court order to obey.”

    NBA called for a non-selective fight against corruption by the Federal Government.

    It advocated for peaceful, free and fair elections next year.

     

    …Details later.

  • What I will do as President, by Saraki

    Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday formally declared his intention to contest the 2019 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He made the declaration at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Abuja where he interacted with a group of young people with partisan leanings.

    Addressing the gathering of youths, Saraki said Nigerians were crying for succour from a broken economy, adding that a large chunk of the population, including children, are hungry.

    “It is with all these in mind, and taking account of the challenges that I have outlined, that I have decided to answer the call of teeming youths, who have asked me to run for President.

    “Accordingly, I hereby announce my intention to run for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the coming general election in 2019 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I do so with the firm conviction that I have what it takes to secure inclusive growth for Nigeria and Nigerians”, he said.

    According to him, the harsh conditions of extreme poverty faced by the people have fuelled the state of insecurity all over the country.

    Continuing, he said: “Hunger, lack of education and lack of opportunities push many Nigerians into criminal activities, including terrorism. Many of our communities are paralysed with fear – due to incessant communal crises, kidnappings and other social ills, as well as the threat of terrorism. We are failing abysmally to tackle the problems of today and to prepare for future.”