President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday met behind closed doors with the President of Namibia, Hage Geingob, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting started around 3.09 pm shortly after Geingob arrived the forecourt of the State House, Abuja.
The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.
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President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with service chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting, which was held at the President’s office, lasted just over thirty minutes.
All the service chiefs including the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, declined to comment on the closed door meeting.
Each of them quickly entered their cars and drove out as fast as possible when journalists rushed toward them.
The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali told State House correspondents that they just reviewed what they did at the last meeting.
The immediate past Minister of Mines and Steel, Kayode Fayemi on Wednesday attended his last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Council held a valedictory session for Fayemi, who has resigned his appointment to run for the governorship election in Ekiti State billed for July 14.
President Muhammadu Buhari noted that he was reluctantly allowing Fayemi to go to his state because of his constructive contributions at FEC meetings.
He said “As I sat here, I watched every minister that spoke and about his contributions, this revealed not only intellect but when he is given the necessary time to contribute to important memorandum, he made contributions. This shows commitment to the progressive of this government and the country.
“By chance he was given the portfolio of solid minerals and steel development and you know that sector was virtually abandoned. During the colonial days, they took what they wanted from us – tin, columbite and the rest were the priorities until they struck oil somewhere, it was simply priority of investment shifted offshore.
“When he went in, he began to deal with both Nigerians and foreigners that are exploiting the lack of commitment of those who are responsible of that sector before he went there. If you recall the number of children and women that suffered from the effect of mining in Zamfara State and other parts of the country and the people responsible, knowing that Nigeria will dump as decently as possible.
“He only briefed me occasionally but he was packing them out of the country, with the cooperation of some his colleagues he will come here and let me know.” he said
He urged Fayemi to get Ekiti State for APC.
He said “I hope you will get the Ekiti back for the party. The only time I saw the INEC chair was to insist that go voters Education should be emphasized, so that ordinary Nigerians will believe that Nigeria is beginning to respect them and that their PVC is their status.
“And then couple with the card readers, God willing we are here with the help of technology. Because, previous elections and I am in the position to say so having lost three times and got to Supreme Court, I know if not for technology, we will be doing the same thing.
“A lot of constituencies were bought, voters were allocated and results were announced and people were told to go to court if they don’t agree with it.
“Now, for someone who is looking for the next meal, how is he going to get the money to give to SAN, to demand for justice for his marginalization.
“So, we thank technology because with the introduction of PVC and the readers’ card, votes counted. Please go and emphasize this to your constituencies, let Nigerians be respected that they can vote anybody across any party and at any constituency.
“I think that will give them the pride to voluntarily go and vote. It is not easy to go to Supreme Court three times, but I went through it, I wonder how many people will be proud to go through it in this country.
“So, we certainly wish you the best of luck but it will take me sometimes to get a substantive minister and more so with the 2019 prospects that I have already indicated. But we need a very strong minister, strong in intellect and courage, so as to make sure that both the Nigerian and foreign collaborators of taking away our resources can be checked effectively.
“We thank you very much for your contribution for your country. Goodbye, we will come for the inauguration.” he added
Six members of the cabinet were selected from the six geopolitical zones to speak on Fayemi.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu said that Fayemi is both special and unique.
According to him, he played important roles in the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and creation of the Progressives Governors Forum.
Minister of Interior, Abdulraman Danbazzau said “I found him to be a gentle man and an academic of repute.
“We became very close during the campaigns. We are going to miss him in this chamber because of his contributions to discussions, which have increased the informed decisions we have taken here.
“I want to wish him success in the campaign and wish he wins the election.” he added
The Minister of Women Affairs, Amina Alhassan said that Fayemi has repositioned the Ministry of Mines and Steel in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision.
She also noted that Fayemi was a gender friendly minister.
“He is a He for She and has always included women in his programmes. The Nigerian women miss you already.
On her part, Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun said “He is a unique public servant.”
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi said that Fayemi was instrumental to his success as Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum.
Amaechi, who was former Rivers State Governor, said “It is difficult to speak about Fayemi. You cannot talk about my success as Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum without talking about Fayemi. I wish him best of luck.”
Fayemi’s Deputy, Minister of State for Mines and Steel, Bawa Bwari said that the Ministry will greatly miss him.
He said “What we met on ground at the Mines and Steel Development Ministry, when we came on board, was so discouraging that we didn’t know where to start from.”
According to him, the success recorded in the sector in the past three years was due to Fayemi’s leadership.
The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who was not part of those selected to speak on Fayemi from the six geopolitical zones, told his colleagues that he had something to say against Fayemi.
Complaining that Fayemi, who had been very close to him has now been dodging him since his ambition to get Ekiti gubernatorial seat.
He also pointed out that Fayemi will be more useful at the national level than in Ekiti State.
Adamu later urged his colleagues to support Fayemi to win the forthcoming Ekiti gubernatorial election.
In his remarks, Fayemi, who jokingly said that he would have to learn how to dodge bullets, said that his winning Ekiti State Governorship seat will not be a national loss as it will give more opportunity to serve the country and the President better.
He said “At occasions like this, words normally fail me. But I have to say thank you to Mr. President for the opportunity to serve the people and also for agreeing for me to run for the Ekiti Gubernatorial seat.”
He also thanked his colleagues for all their supports in moving the country forward and the progress made in the past three years.
According to him, he had no regret of been called ‘Buhari’s Boy’, because Buhari stood for transparency and accountability.
From the picture painted on Wednesday at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, those who do not believe in the present Super Eagles would need to have a rethink.
Not only is the team that is bound for the 2018 FIFA World Cup starting on June 14 in Russia expected to do well at the championship, the Eagles are also being tipped to return to Nigeria in July with the prized trophy.
The occasion was the official presentation of the team to President Muhammadu Buhari by the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung.
Some of the present team’s strengthen, which is expected to work for them in Russia, according to the handlers included their youthfulness, discipline, unity, and the clearance of all their welfare allowances.
They are also scheduled to play some friendly matches that will prepare them better for the championship.
Speaking on the team, the President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick said “This Super Eagle’s you are seeing today is the most disciplined, the most united in the historiographic literature of the annals of football in the country.
“And I am happy to tell you that according to FIFA statistics, this team is the youngest going to the World Cup, which means this team will serve you for long, this team will serve you in the next five years. We have a team that will prosecute this World Cup and a team that will go for the next World Cup in 2022 and we have a team that will also go for the World Cup in 2026, because you have created that environment for us to thrive.
“I can assure that this team you are seeing today will make Nigeria very proud. It is a team that is very disciple and discipline is the bedrock of any success.
“We thank you for providing that fatherly love at all times and we know when we go to Russia, with your magic wand, by the special grace of God we will come back to this same chamber with the trophy.” he said
Dalung said, “Once again Nigeria is drawn in difficult group along our perennial opponents Argentina, Croatia and Iceland. It is difficult but by no means a mission impossible. The team and the technical crew are in high Spirit and are highly motivated to soar above their opponents at the World Cup.
The captain of the team, Mikel Obi, also sure of victory said: “This is the first time we will be going to a tournament like this without any issues on money, bonuses or anything like that. I think everything is sorted now for us and all we have to do is to go out there as players and make this country proud.
“And with your support as the father and leader of this country, we will go out there, give our best and come back with the trophy.” he assured
This, to some Nigerians sounded like a wild goose chase considering the poor performance of their predecessors in the past editions of the FIFA World Cup at the senior level.
The present team, according to some football loving Nigerians, also haven’t got the experience and exposure most of the World Cup finalists have to their advantage.
As a starter, they noted that the team may find it very difficult to scale through the group stage as they are up against world football giants including Argentina, Croatia and Iceland.
Sensing that it was not going to be an easy task to win the World Cup trophy in Russia, the Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr, in his remarks at the short ceremony simply said “Your Excellency, to come out of this difficult group with Argentina, Croatia, Iceland is the first step but I think the players are able to do it.”
Notwithstanding the hurdles the team would have to contend with in Russia, President Buhari gave the team his fatherly blessings.
“This is our time; we look up to you to make us proud. All Nigerians join me in saying to you, best of luck,” he said.
No doubt, many football loving Nigerians will continue to pray and hope that such luck will take the Super Eagles far in tournament.
Osinbajo humour
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo last Tuesday night again showed that he was very well qualified to go into comedy.
Those who attended the 2018 Democracy Day Dinner / Gala Night at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja will not agree less that Osinbajo will rank high with the best comedians in the country or perform better than them if he ventures into comedy.
When it was his turn to make remarks, Osinbajo made the gathering to laugh and laugh with jokes after jokes.
He started by saying “I for one can say that five years ago if someone had told me that I would be Vice President at all, let alone celebrating three years in office, I would have doubted that they were thinking right, but here we are.
“One of the reasons why I never thought I would be in politics is because I always thought I had enough baggage already.
“I recall that when I was about to rent a place to live, the landlord said to me that there were two kinds of tenants he didn’t want. He did not want a lawyer and he didn’t want an Ijebu man.”
The hall, which was filled to the brim, immediately erupted in laughter.
After the laughter subsided, Osinbajo went on “And I qualified on both disqualifications. So, now you can imagine what it is like to add one more – a politician, to all of that.
“In fact, I was greatly discouraged when a gentleman at an event like this, told a story about how an armed robber walked into a bank and there were three people standing there and he said to the first, pointing a gun at him saying, “Give me your money,” and the man said, “I am a doctor”, and he said “bring your money”. The robber pointed to the next man and said, “I am sure you are a teacher, bring your money.”
“He went to the third person and said give me your money,” and the man replied, “I am a politician”, and he replied saying, “okay, give me my money”.
The gathering again burst out laughing and clapping for the Vice President.
Not done, he added “I think, with all these baggage, one must be careful about being a lawyer, a politician and then an Ijebu man.
This again made the guests to almost laugh out their hearts from their chests.
Shattered hope
The expectations of some athletes were last Tuesday dashed at the 2018 Democracy Day Dinner/Gala Night held at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.
The occasion was used to receive the Team Nigeria that participated at the XXI Commonwealth Games in Australia.
While making his remarks at the occasion, the Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung had disclosed that athletes and officials that excelled at the Games were rewarded with cash bonuses for winning medals.
According to him, Gold, Silver and Bronze medalists were rewarded with $5000, $3000 and $2000 respectively.
But from what played out at the end of the dinner, it was clear that the athletes were still expecting some cash reward from the Presidency.
After Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made his remarks, he went ahead to cut the cake.
Rather than make pronouncement for additional cash for the athletes after Osinbajo cut the cake, the Master of Ceremony (MC) immediately called for the rendition of the national anthem.
Sensing that the event has come to an end without any cash splash on them, the athletes immediately started grumbling before they filed out of the hall to their waiting bus at the car park.
President Muhammadu Buhari was on Monday decorated at the Grand Patron of the National Red Cross Society at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The event, where he was decorated by the National President of the Society, Bolaji Anami, took place at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja.
Buhari said “I appreciate this honour bestowed on me.”
The President specifically thanked the Society for its supports in the North East and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.
He assured the Society that the Federal Government will look at its challenges.
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President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja assured the new President of Sierra Leone, Mr Julius Maada Bio, of Nigeria’s support, including military, as they work towards a stable and improved economy.
Receiving the Sierra Leonean President at the Presidential Villa, President Buhari also congratulated Mr Bio on the successful elections and the transitions that had ushered in a new government in the country.
Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said “We will continually stand by you to ensure stability in your country.
“We believe security in the West Coast region, Africa and the world should be a collective concern,’’ he said.
The President said Nigeria had for a long period provided security support for the country, especially during the 11 years of civil war, and would continue to assist the forces on the ground to ensure the peace and stability needed for development.
Buhari noted that he shared a lot in common with the Sierra Leonean President, which includes ruling the country as a military general, contesting several elections as opposition and winning to face the challenges of security and an ailing economy.
In his remarks, the President of Sierra Leone said his country remains grateful to Nigeria for the brotherly role it had played in ensuring an end to protracted civil war in the country, and the successful political transitions since then.
Mr Bio said he would work towards deepening the bilateral relations with Nigeria, and the strengthening of the regional bond, particularly in the areas of security and trade.
Some Nigerian Women on Friday pushed for the seat of Vice President of Nigeria to be reserved for women in subsequent elections in the country.
Women, under the platform of the Nigerian Female Parliamentarians made the demand when they paid a courtesy call on President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, which comprises of elected lawmakers from the nation’s 36 states, Elizabeth Ativie said Nigerian Women are being marginalized by their male counterparts.
She said the country only had one principal officer in each of the two chambers of the National Assembly since the return to democracy in 1999.
She also said that as the President, anything he said at the gathering “will become policy and subsequently law”.
She said “Whenever the president is a man, the Vice President should be a woman”.
Mrs. Ativie also said for every three senatorial seats in the states, one should be a woman.
She said “Where there are nine House of Reps members, the men should take six and leave three for women”.
Responding, President Buhari jokingly said “it is a pity that the Vice President is not here, but I am sure the Secretary to the Government of the Federation will brief him that his position is threatened “.
He however appreciated the support given to him by women generally in the four times he ran for president.
He recalled reports he received during elections in which women in labour queue to vote for him.
He asked the delegation to take a message to their colleagues to extend the same support since he has declared to seek for second term.
On their request, the president simply told the gathering that he is not “as powerful as you think”.
He said such requests could only be made by a military head of state, but, he has today dropped the uniform for “agbada”.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday met behind closed doors with a delegation of the Senate at the National Assembly.
The 10-man delegate was constituted by the Senate over allegation by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, of moves by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, to frame him up.
They arrived the Presidential Villa around 1.p.m
The relationship between the Senate and the Police has not been cordial in the past few weeks.
IGP had refused to honour three invitations extended to him by the Senate.
Frustrated by the behavior, the Senate had subsequently passed a vote of no confidence on the IGP, describing him as “enemy of democracy’’ and unfit to hold any public office anywhere in the world.
The meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.
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A former Chairman of the Law Society Charity organization, Nigel Doddy, on Wednesday raised alarm about the cases of 27 Nigerians languishing in Tanzania prisons without trial.
He took the matter to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Doddy, who is from the United Kingdom and had visited Tanzanian prisons, urged the Nigerian government to step in and ensure that the Nigerians get justice.
He said: “I’m here to follow up on some reports I gathered in Tanzania two years ago, concerning Nigerians being detained without trial. I was able to identify 27 Nigerians who were detained at the time without trial
“Importantly, at least four of them remain detained today. The problem is detention without trial. I’m not concerned about whether they are guilty or innocent, what I am concerned about is that they should be taken to courts for trial.
“The delays provide opportunities for evidences to get lost or stolen.” he said
He pointed out that Tanzanian lawyers have been extorting monies from those Nigerians in prisons without doing anything for them.
He also said that the other issue that concerns him was the humanitarian matter concerning Nigerians in Tanzania.
According to him, he was able to identify three humanitarian cases.
He said “The first was a pastor being detained for immigration reasons, awaiting deportation back to Nigeria. For six to eight months, this has not been done. Most seriously, a youth who also has immigration issues and in mental hospital, was sent to prison. He has been there for several months, and I think the Nigerian high commissioner should take action to secure his return to Nigeria
“The third humanitarian issue is a Nigerian woman who has been sentenced to life imprisonment, clearly guilty. She should be repatriated to Nigeria to serve her sentence here.” he said
He also alleged of rampant stereotype issues against any Nigerian entering Tanzania.
While noting that diplomatic missions cannot interfere with judicial processes of other countries, he said that they can mount pressure on officials of the country to respect their own rules.
Speaking at the brief meeting, Dabiri-Erewa, thanked him for his concern for the 27 Nigerians in Tanzania prisons.
“We will look at these matters and ensure that justice is done quickly.” she said
She assured that the new Nigeria High Commissioner in Tanzania would be on top of the issues.
She also appealed to Nigerians wherever they go to continue to remain good ambassadors of Nigeria.
For the woman sentenced to life imprisonment in Tanzania, she noted that nothing can be done with her case since there is no transfer treaty between Nigeria and Tanzania.
The Ogoni Trust Fund escrow agreement was signed on Friday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The agreement was signed by the federal government, the international oil companies, IOCs, and representatives of the Ogoni people at a meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo
The agreement signing signaled a major landmark in the Ogoni cleanup exercise.
It puts in place all the financial arrangements to start draw down of the first tranche of the funding for the Ogoni Trust Fund.
The total sum expected to be paid by the Nigerian government and IOCs into the fund in the next five years is one billion dollars.
Speaking during the short ceremony, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said that signing of the escrow agreement “is one that shows clearly that not only are we committed to ensuring that cleanup is done but also that we are committed to ensuring that it’s done transparently.”
He said the presence of representatives of the international oil companies and the Ogoni leaders at the signing of the agreement showed that government wanted everyone to be carried along in the process as well as to ensure that the process is one that can be audited.
The Vice President said there had been expressions of interest by companies to be involved in the cleanup of Ogoniland, noting that some of them had been identified as likely parties.
“We are certainly looking forward to doing something quickly and seeing that this exercise not only begins but is concluded as expeditiously as possible,” he said.
Professor Osinbajo explained that the cleanup exercise would be expensive while the complete cleanup would take between 25 and 30 years, adding that it showed the “extent of the damage that has been done over decades in Ogoniland.”
He also spoke on consultations between government and the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, which began in 2017, and has seen him visit oil-producing communities in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s new vision for the Niger Delta.
He said the new vision “is one that we intend to stick with and one that we intend to execute as faithfully as is humanly possible,” and has resulted in the establishment of the Maritime University in Okorinkoko, Delta State.
He said the cleanup of Ogoniland is part of the new vision.
Also speaking, Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jubril, said a complete list of activities has been line up from now to the end of the year for the actual remediation exercise in Ogoniland to begin.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ogoni Trust Fund, Olawale Edun, had earlier in his address, said they were “set for the full roll out of the of the Ogoniland cleanup project.”
He said the sum of US$170 million has already been put in process as the first tranche to begin the drawdown of money into the Ogoni Trust Fund.