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Tag: Presidential villa

  • 2024 budget: Presidential Villa gets N15.961bn for official trips, operational expenses

    2024 budget: Presidential Villa gets N15.961bn for official trips, operational expenses

    The proposed 2024 Appropriation Bill under review by the National Assembly has an allocation of N15.961 billion for international and domestic travel expenses for President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and their respective aides at the Presidential Villa.

    Tinubu’s travel budget amounts to N7.630 billion, predominantly earmarked for foreign trips with N6.992 billion designated for international travels and N638.535 million set aside for domestic travel, pending legislative approval.

    In parallel, Vice President Shettima’s travel allowance is proposed at N1.847 billion, split between N1.229 billion for foreign trips and N618.399 million for local travel expenditures.

    Moreover, a substantial portion of N6.484 billion is allocated to Villa Headquarters for international and local travels. 

    These include N6.282 billion for international travels, N60.981 million for local travels related to training, and N140.640 million for other domestic travel needs.

    The 2024 budget allocated N40.616 billion to the Villa Headquarters with significant portions allocated to capital (N12.497 billion), overhead (N10.334 billion), and personnel (N163 billion).

    Furthermore, the budget allocated N3 billion for the construction of offices for Special Advisers and Senior Special Advisers as well as another N3 billion for the acquisition, renovation, rehabilitation, and furnishing of the State House Annex.

    Read Also; Tinubu back in Abuja after COP28 outing in Dubai

    Notably, an extra N6 billion is directed towards operational vehicles with an additional N4 billion for operational vehicles and N2 billion specifically earmarked for SUVs.

    Various projects within the Villa, including the rehabilitation of the Animal Enclosure (N45.259 million) and the Villa Ranch and construction of wildlife conservation facilities (N130.076 million) were captured in the budget.

    The allocation also encompasses N5.128 billion for food supplies, miscellaneous expenses, honorarium, refreshments, repair of fixed assets, and computer software acquisitions. 

    President Tinubu’s portion for food supplies amounts to N254 million while Vice President Shettima’s allocation is N348 million while the State House Headquarters receives N430 million for similar purposes.

    The Federal Government also budgeted N4.576 billion to overhaul some presidential aircrafts.

    The aircrafts are the 5N-FGS engines, 5N-FGW engines and two Falcon 7X engines. 

    An official of the Budget Office of the Federation (BoF) who spoke to The Nation about the overhaul of the Presidential aircrafts explained that “overhauling the Presidential aircrafts engines, such as the 5N-FGS, refers to a comprehensive maintenance process. This process involves disassembling, inspecting, repairing, and rebuilding the engine to ensure its optimal performance, reliability, and safety”. 

    The source added: “Overhauling the engine involves thorough inspections and quality control measures that can identify underlying issues or vulnerabilities. This process helps detect potential threats that may compromise the aircraft’s integrity or function. 

    “By implementing necessary repairs or upgrades during the overhaul, the security and safety of the aircraft are strengthened, mitigating the risk of unauthorized access, sabotage, or technological exploitation”.

  • Buhari poorer than in 2015, says Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday night said that President Muhammadu Buhari was probably poorer than when he was elected in 2015.

    Osinbajo spoke during a dinner in honour of volunteers who canvassed for votes for the APC during the campaigns for this year’s general election, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said “When I looked at his assets declaration form, I was checking it in 2015, I said to him, “Mr President, I am so much richer than you, it is an embarrassment.”

    “He said, “I am only a soldier, you are a big lawyer so you should have more money than me.”

    “I can tell you that he is perhaps; even poorer than he was in 2015 when I saw his declaration of assets form.”

    He also urged Nigerians to vote for the All Progressives Congress in the March 23 supplementary elections.

    The supplementary elections will take place in six states of Nigeria where the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared last Saturday’s gubernatorial election inconclusive.

    He said “We are still not done with the elections.

    “On the 23rd of March, we still have some outstanding states and as you know we are re-running in about six states.

    “And all of the efforts we need to put into those six states, we still need to do.

    “We can’t afford to slack off and say the job is done; we still have some things to do.”

    Recalling the experiences he had during the electioneering, Osinbajo said his encounter with Nigerians as he crisscrossed the country, campaigning for votes, showed that Nigerians are so trusting and supportive of their leaders.

    “I think that one of the main characteristics of the Nigerian is how so supportive and trusting many of our people are and they don’t ask us for too much.

    “They never really ask for anything that is impossible to do.

    “And that’s why, for many of us that went around this country, we realized the tremendous amount of work that there is to do and our capacity to do so much work.

    “What our people need, as we discovered, isn’t that much.

    “As a matter of fact, I do not know any nation where the people are so generous no matter how poor they are.

     Osinbajo said there was need for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to connect more with the people.

    “It just struck me that what we really need to do a lot more is to connect with the people.

    “All the people need is opportunity for us to interact with them.

    “We should have a way by which everybody is involved one way or the other.

    “One of the complaints that people made about our government is that we were not communicating enough and that people did not know what had done.”

    The vice president acknowledged that the diligent communication carried out to put across the APC message in 2015 was not sustained, making the administration lose some ground to the opposition, especially in the social media.

    He said the new administration would ensure that it makes change in that regard.

    Osinbajo said that he would take up everyone who has challenged the administration on the issue with a view to getting its communication of programmes and policies better.

    Speaking at the event, the APC Woman Leader, Salamatu Eluma, commended the volunteers for believing in the vision of the President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo and working for their re-election.

  • Buhari, Amosun meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday met behind closed doors with Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
    Amosun, who won Senate seat during the National Assembly elections in Ogun State, was on Friday suspended by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for anti-party activities.
    Discussion at the closed doors meeting with the President may not be unconnected with the latest suspension.
    Apart from campaigning for the reelection of President Buhari, Amosun has been backing the Ogun State governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Adekunle Akinlade, for the 9th March Ogun State governorship election in the state.

    Read also: ACPN denies endorsing Okowa

    Akinlade, before moving to APM, was governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but lost to Dapo Abiodun, who eventually emerged as the APC Governorship candidate for Ogun State.
    But National Headquarters of the APC is solidly behind Abiodun.

  • FG to deportees: You won’t suffer for crimes you never committed

    The Federal government on Thursday assured Nigerians recently deported from Ghana that they would not be made to suffer for crimes they did not commit.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, gave the assurance while briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    According to her, the Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana, Olufemi Abikoye, was on top of the situation, stressing that the matter would soon be resolved.

    She said “The story of hundreds of Nigerians being deported from Ghana is disturbing and worrisome. The good thing is that Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana is on top of the situation. Now, he met with the Comptroller General of the Immigration in Ghana and they both had a very productive discussion.

    “But here is the situation, if indeed you commit a crime you have to face the penalties. But what we are saying is that a bad apple should not spoil the bunch. Let every case be treated on its merit. That’s what our ambassador is demanding and that’s what Nigeria is asking for.

    “It’s important that both nations look at this situation, not gloss over it to ensure that our relationships continue to get better and not retrogress. So, we appeal to Nigerians that wherever you are, you are the number one ambassador of the country.

    “The assurance of the Nigerian government is that wherever any Nigerian is deemed to be improperly treated by any country the matter will be taken up.

    “Nigerian Ambassador in Ghana is on top of this situation; he’s meeting the relevant bodies and briefing the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Nigeria will not gloss over this.

    “We want to appeal to Nigerians to stay calm, be law abiding and at the same time, Nigeria will not tolerate indecent treatment of its citizens. One bad apple should not spoil the whole bunch.

    Read Also: Abike Dabiri-Erewa’s latest move

    “So we should not treat one badly because another one committed a crime. If you commit a crime, you pay the penalty. We will continue to see how it goes but I’m glad that the Ambassador to Ghana is on top of the situation.” she added

    On the crimes allegedly committed by the deportees, Dabiri-Erewa said “Don’t forget we have issues with the traders which we resolved with Mr. President Intervention.

    “So, this too will be resolved. Everything will be done to ensure, like I said, you will not suffer for a crime you did not commit. If however you commit a crime, then you have to face the penalty. Nigeria and Ghana have agreed on this. We will look at each case on its own merit.”

     

     

  • Buhari assures Commonwealth scribe on credible polls

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said that no effort will be spared to ensure the general elections starting from Saturday are credible.

    According to him, people have more confidence in a government elected in free and fair polls than one that wangles its way into office through artifice and subterfuge.

    Buhari made the remark when the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland visited him at the Presidential Villa, Abuja after attending the signing of the Peace Accord at the International Conference Centre.

    He said: “One Nigeria is non-negotiable. Over two million people died in the civil war we fought, and when people elect their own government through a free and fair process, they have more confidence in such government.

    Read Also: Buhari: I will recover $16b Obasanjo govt power cash

    “We will not spare any effort to organise credible polls, and people should come out and vote for their choices.”

    Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, expressed pleasure that the Commonwealth was showing keen interest in the Nigerian election.

    He appreciated him for coming all the way to be a part of what would engender free and fair polls.

    The Secretary-General described Nigeria as “a treasured member of the Commonwealth family,” saying signing of the Peace Accord would lead to better voter turnout, “as they would have seen the commitment to peace by all the main actors.”

    She commended what she described as President Buhari’s “calmness and good humour,” even as the polls approach, stressing: “When Nigeria is healthy, vibrant and strong, the whole of Africa is strengthened.”

    Rt. Hon. Scotland also lauded “the energetic way” the President has pursued issues of security and anti-corruption, pledging that the Commonwealth stands ready to assist Nigeria at all times.

  • Great burden rests on IGP, says Almakura

    The Nasarawa State Governor, Tanko Almakura, on Friday said that the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has a substantial burden on his shoulders, especially with the forthcoming general elections in the country.

    He also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for finding an indigene of Nassawa State worthy to be the IGP.

    Briefing State House correspondents after jumaat prayer at the Presidential Villa, Al-Makura also described the new police boss as a professional that will give the force a direction and will ensure that all the candidates in the forthcoming elections have level playing field.

    He said, “The IG has a substantial burden on his shoulders, he is coming as new, and within the next one month, he is going to embark on a difficult exercise.

    “But my consolation lies in the fact that he is someone whose commitment and loyalty to service is not in question.

    “I believe that he will bring to bear this pedigree to ensure that he puts the professional focus of his job to satisfy all and sundry, both the government, opposition, and all ordinary men and by sticking to his direction so that whatever decision he takes will be in the best interest everybody and everybody will be convinced.

    “I have no doubt in my mind that he will be an IGP that will be a pride to this nation.” he said

    Al-Makura added “On behalf of myself, government and people of Nasarawa State, I will like to sincerely thank Mr. President for considering a citizen of Nasarawa State worthy of occupying this important position of the IG of the Nigeria Police.

    Read Also: Buhari greets Alabo Gabriel Toby at 80

    “I congratulate him and I believe that the appointment is based on his capacity and professionalism pedigree. Adamu is someone I have known right from childhood in Lafia and all his life in the police force, he has exhibited tremendous amount of professionalism and commitment to his responsibilities.

    “I believe if you look at the places where he has worked before, you be assured that he would have no blemish and I believe that he will bring that excellence that he has gathered over time to ensure that he puts the police in the right state and also give this nation a proper and most professional leadership of the police for everyone to be happy with the police,” he said

    He said that the state has embarked on rigorous and vigorous implementation of ranching and that his government has been able to accommodate most of the herdsmen that were driven away from Benue state.

    “We have been able to accommodate them, right now there has not been any farmers/herdsmen crisis because of the influx of such herdsmen.

    “What is the magic, it is the community-based conflict resolution mechanism and we have decided to accommodate them as people who are bona fide and also made arrangement where there will be interface between the farmers and the herdsmen to the extent that we now have a very comfortable relationship.

    “I can assure you Nasarawa state will remain peaceful for as long as this mechanism exists.” he said.

  • Buhari, IGP meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met behind closed doors with the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting started around 4.30p.m when the President returned to the seat of power after attending a function at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.

    A similar meeting was also held on Friday 4th of January, 2019 shortly after the Jumma’at prayer at the State House mosque.

    Idris was expected to retire from service on attainment of the mandatory 35 years in service on the 15th of January, 2019.

    Read Also: Buhari greets Abdullahi Ibrahim at 80

    Idris was appointed by President Buhari on 21 March 2016 to replace Solomon Arase, who retired from the police force on 21 June 2016.

    The 59- year old Ibrahim Idris enlisted into the Nigerian Police Force in 1984, after graduating from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture.

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

  • Special military parade for Buhari’s 76th birthday

    Towards marking President Muhammadu Buhari’s 76th birthday, there was special military parade in his honor on Monday.

    The parade by 203 members of the guards brigade was held at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa.

    The various military display started when the President arrived the venue around 12.22p.m with the rendition of the National anthem.

    Read Also: Police kill two kidnap, robbery suspects in Sokoto

    It was the first elaborate ceremony marking his birthday since the inception of the administration in 2015.

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

  • Economy in bad shape, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has told Governors of the 36 states of the federation that the economy of the country was in a bad shape.

    The President met with the Governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja for about 30 minutes on Friday.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Abdulaziz Yari said the President told them to tighten their belts ahead.

    On what the President’s response was, he said: “The President responded by thanking and telling us that the economy is in bad shape and that we have to come together and thinking and rethinking on way forward.”

    Read Also: Buhari, governors meet in Aso Rock

    He also said that the governors thanked the President for releasing the Paris club funds to them without any discrimination.

    In attendance at the NEC are David Umayi (Ebonyi),Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Nasiru El-Rufai (Kaduna) and Yahaya Bello (Kogi).

    Some Deputy Governors are also in attendance including the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Mannir Yakubu.

  • Buhari, DSS, IGP, NSA meet in Aso Rock 

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday again met behind closed doors with some security chiefs at the Presidential Villa.

    Those at the meeting included National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi and members of the Police Service Commission (PSC).

    Read Also:Buhari, Service chiefs meet over soldiers’ killings

    Also at the meeting was the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari.

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

     

    Details later