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Tag: Saraki

  • Saraki, Dogara off to London to see Buhari

    Saraki, Dogara off to London to see Buhari

    Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara have reportedly travelled to London to see President Muhammadu Buhari.

    A very reliable source confirmed that the two principal officers of the National Assembly travelled on Wednesday to meet with Buhari who is on extended vacation for medical reasons.

    After the initial ten-day vacation President Buhari earlier requested for which was to end on February 6, he wrote the Senate  on the eve of resumption that he will be staying back in London to complete some required tests.

    The President did not indicate when he will return to the country.

    Former Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande and leader of the party, Senator Bola Tinubu recently visited President Buhari in London.

    When contacted, Special Adviser on Media to Senate President, Yusuph  Olaniyonu declined to speak on the matter. He said ” I don’t know about that. I dont have any information on it”

    More details soon.

     

  • Loan refunds: Saraki, governor not indicted, says EFCC

    Loan refunds: Saraki, governor not indicted, says EFCC

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it had not indicted Senate President Bukola Saraki or any governor on the use of London-Paris Club refunds.
    The commission said investigation on the management of the reimbursement was still at preliminary stage.
    The EFCC made the clarifications in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren.
    The statement said: “The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has been drawn to a report captioned, Nigerian State Governors, Senate President Saraki Pocketed Billions of Naira from Paris Loan Refund, which appeared in the online news portal, Sahara Reporters on Sunday February 12, 2017 .
    “The report among others claimed that the Commission has indicted all the governors of the 36 states of the Federation and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki in the ongoing investigation of the reimbursement paid to state governments by the Federal Government for excessive deduction charged to them on account of the Paris Club and other international loans.
    “The commission wishes to state unequivocally, that no state governor or Senate President has been indicted so far by the investigation which is still at a preliminary stage.
    “ Also, insinuations about cover up by some officials of the Commission are untrue as there is no incentive to do so.
    “The commission implores the media to be circumspect in the reportage of this delicate issue in order not to jeopardise ongoing investigation, and be assured that they would be fully briefed of developments as soon as breakthrough is achieved.”

  • National Assembly ‘ll not legislate against any religion, says Saraki

    National Assembly ‘ll not legislate against any religion, says Saraki

    Senate President Bukola Saraki has assured Nigerians that the Senate will not pass any law against their right or freedom of religion.

    Saraki, who spoke in Ilorin, Kwara State, at the close of the 31st National Qur’an Reading Competition, urged religious leaders to use the word of God to spread love, unity and peace.

    He said: “We should tolerate and cultivate harmonious relationship and understanding among ourselves.”

    The Senate president enjoined Nigerians to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari’s quick recovery.

    Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said the use of religion to perpetrate violence was unfortunate, given the emphasis on peace and justice by Christianity and Islam.

    He said it was the responsibility of Nigerians to resist, through peaceful means, those bent on misrepresenting religion and fomenting conflict.

    Ahmed said: “As a government focused on sustaining peaceful co-existence, we will ensure peace and harmonious relations based on the principles of justice, fairness and equity.”

    He said he was committed to distribution of infrastructure and implementation of socio-economic programmes, adding that no community will be excluded from the benefits of prosperity on account of its religious or political inclination.

    The Sultan of Sokoto and National President of Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, hailed the Lagos State government for the judgment on the use of hijab in public schools.

    He said religious leaders should prioritise “what will unite us rather than what will divide us.”

    The Sultan advised the National Assembly not to pass any legislation that prevents anyone from practice of his religion.

    He prayed for President Buhari’s quick recovery.

  • PDP set to woo back Atiku, Saraki, Amaechi, others

    PDP set to woo back Atiku, Saraki, Amaechi, others

    •Committee: we must capitalise on APC mistakes to take back power

    The  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to woo back former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and other key members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    PDP also hopes to capitalise on “the disenchantment” of Nigerians with the government, which has led to protests.

    These were part of recommendations of the Prof. Jerry Gana-led Strategic Review and Inter Party Affairs Committee set up by the Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee, which has submitted its report to the party.

    The 201-member committee had former governors, former ministers, former legislators and prominent leaders as members.

    It urged the party to begin a process of identifying and attracting new partners and forging formidable alliances challenge the ruling APC in 2019.

    Opposing any change of the name of the party to reflect the new alliances that might arose, the committee said: “While we encourage the absorption or reception of any group or persons wishing to join the party, it is recommended that the name PDP should be retained and not changed while the interest of such groups or persons should be accommodated only in terms of ideas or principles for as long as such principles and ideas are not averse to the principles of the party.”

    The report said: “The party should make deliberate efforts towards identifying genuine aggrieved members, who left the party as well as court new members. A list of members, who left the party, should be compiled with the intention of contacting them at the appropriate time.

    “A special committee should be set up to contact and mediate with all aggrieved members, including those who left the party as well as to woo new members

    “The various mis-steps of the APC government now and in the future, plus the hunger and suffering of the people due to the recession under the watch of the APC government, will automatically translate into PDP votes that will ensure PDP victory in the 2019 general election.

    “The PDP must attract new potential partners and forge formidable alliances that can effectively challenge the ruling APC in 2019. The party must be proactive in opposition so as to reduce every planned intimidation and frustration.”

    The committee said conflicts among members arising from the arrogance and impunity on the part of party leaders and lack of consultation and internal democracy as being responsible for the grievances that tore the party apart and cost it the 2015 elections.

    It expressed regret that Senator Ali Modu Sherrif’s “short and controversial tenure as national chairman” inflicted difficulties on the party as manifested in Edo and Ondo states as the party became pre-occupied with legal matters, denied the use of its national headquarters and portrayed it as an unstable party deep in crisis.

    It said: “Inadequate reward system (use and dump syndrome) accounted for disloyalty by members of the party”, adding that “after 16 unbroken years as the party in government, the PDP needs to come to terms with the realities of being in the opposition.

    “We should go out to recruit members, not be arrogant about it and be aware that new members will only join the party of assured that they would, on joining the party, enjoy unhindered membership benefits and privileges available in the party.

    “The practice in the party was that party leaders, party officials and influential stakeholders set aside rules and the stipulations of the party constitution and act in their own interest. Party rules and regulations were thus violated with regularity, impunity and bravado.”

  • NASS won’t make laws against freedom of worship —Saraki

    NASS won’t make laws against freedom of worship —Saraki

    • Seeks prayers for Buhari

    Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday assured that the National Assembly will not enact any law that will “stifle the freedom of worship”.

    Saraki gave the assurance in an address during the formal closing ceremony for the 31st National Quranic memorisation competition in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

    He said that the National Assembly will continue to “work to ensure that people freely practice their religion without fear.”

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, Saraki also called on Nigerians to pray for good health and wisdom for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said there is equally need for concerted prayers for the peace, unity, economic prosperity, political stability and development of the nation.

    Saraki said:  “I also want to assure you that the Senate in particular and the National Assembly in general will not enact any law that will stifle the freedom of worship.

    “We will always work to ensure that people can freely practice their religion without fear.”

    The Senate President said he was delighted to join members of the Ulammahs and dignitaries across the country to celebrate contestants in the competition, which drew participants from 33 states.

    According to him, the knowledge of the holy book is one of the best ways to spread the word of God.

    “I am convinced that if we all forget about religion and look at the rationality of the words contained in the holy books, our world will be better,” Saraki said.

    “The holy books of the two major religions, the Quran and Bible, teach morality, justice, equity, love, compassion, respect for elders, making money through just and fair means and many other virtues which if we all imbibe them, there will not be war, disease, poverty, squalor, deprivation, crime and injustice.

    ”The holy books talk about the responsibility and burden of leadership. The books say those of us in position of leadership will have a lot to account for before Allah.

    “Also, it is true that all of us are in one position of leadership or the other.

    “We are leaders at various levels and we will be held accountable. Even as a follower, we will be held accountable on whether we have played our role in making our leaders lead with the fear of Allah.”

  • What Buhari told us on phone, by Saraki, Dogara

    What Buhari told us on phone, by Saraki, Dogara

    Nigerians got more assurances yesterday that all is well with President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The President spoke with Senate President Bukola Saraki and House Speaker Yakubu Dogara on Wednesday night.

    Yesterday, the President received two leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) – Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande – in London .

    The Presidency gave the first hint of the meeting, using @NGRPresident official Twitter handle.

    It posted a photograph of the President and his guests sitting down.

    It said the meeting was holding at the Nigerian government’s official residence in London.

    “President @MBuhari currently receiving party leaders, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande, in Abuja House, London,” it said.

    About 30 minutes later, the handle posted another picture with the President apparently seeing off his guests. The tweet says: ‘the president and his guests just finished meeting.’

     At 11.35pm on Wednesday, Saraki tweeted: “Happy to have spoken with @NGRPresident @MBuhari tonight. He was in good spirits and joked about my working late into the night, as usual.”

    Speaker Dogara, in a series of tweets, said: “@Mbuhari called me yesterday (Wednesday) evening. He talked about what the Executive/Legislature must do to ensure food security for all Nigerians.

    “He said he was pained by the suffering endured by most Nigerians last year and he’s resolved not to let events of 2016 repeat themselves

    “He also asked me to extend his best wishes to all Hon. Members.”

    The Speaker’s spokesman, Turaki Hassan, confirmed that the president spoke to his boss. “They discussed many national issues including ways of ensuring  food security for Nigerians,”  he said.

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the apex Islamic body, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), called for prayers for the President, who is undergoing some medical tests while on vacation.

    In a statement, CAN Director of Legal and Public Affairs Evangelist Kwamkur Samuel, advised Nigerians to pray for Buhari instead of dwelling on the needless rumour mongering that he had passed on.

    The statement said: “The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is deeply concerned about the ongoing national conversation on the absence of the President due to ill-health. We wish to call on all Nigerians to join hands in prayers for the quick and full recovery of Mr. President and his safe return to Nigeria instead of dwelling on the needless rumour mongering on the President’s health.

    “President Muhammadu Buhari is human, hence subject to health challenges sometimes. CAN appreciates the anxiety of Nigerians to hear Mr. President speak, but sues for understanding as we await that. It is very clear that our leader is passing through health challenges.

    “We advise the Presidency to update Nigerians on how he is fairing and the full progress of his recovery.

    “We call on all Christians and indeed all God-fearing Nigerians to dedicate time of prayers for our President and the nation. We owe our leaders prayers and support at all times while shunning divisive opinions that only generate strive.

    “CAN also calls on Nigerians to give the Vice President who is also the Acting President full support and prayers to lead well.

    “We acknowledge that government is a continuum, hence, we call on Acting President, Prof.  Yemi Osinbajo, to be bold in handling critical state matters and not to be distracted by those who do not wish Nigeria well.”

    The JNI directed that all Juma’at prayers across the country today be dedicated to the president’s quick recovery and safe return to Nigeria.

    The JNI, in a statement by its Secretary-general, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, said the Islamic body was disturbed by the rumours on Buhari’s health, adding that after all, as with every mortal, illness is inevitable, likewise life and death.

    “JNI is very concerned about the pandemonium generated as a result of the rumored illness of the President and the dimension it is unfortunately taking. Does that mean, he can no longer get ill?

    “Agreed that reports from the Presidency stated that President Muhammadu Buhari is currently undergoing cycle of tests as recommended by his doctors, hence the extension of his leave. We must, as patriots, be cautioned on spreading inaccurate information. More so, Muslims should be cautioned not to join the bandwagon of rumour mongers. This is so because already some unpatriotic elements are wishing that the President is dead. Interestingly, those who wish him dead will certainly not live till eternity. Aren’t we supposed to wish each other good well being? Let alone the President of the country?

    “Therefore, following the unnecessary excitement in the President’s delayed return to Nigeria, we implore all and sundry, particularly the Muslims, to persistently supplicate on daily basis for President Muhammadu Buhari’s safe return, restoration of good health and the ability to continue with the task of piloting Nigeria to greater heights with his team.

    “In the same vein, we are all implored to fervently pray for the nation, the vice president, governors and all those in positions of authority for Allah’s guidance in the discharge of their respective duties.

    “We therefore call on allJumu’ah Imams to include the matter in their respective Friday  sermons tomorrow and beyond. Because in prayers we find consolation,” JNI said.

  • Group praises Saraki’s youth entrepreneurship campaign

    Group praises Saraki’s youth entrepreneurship campaign

    The Young Entrepreneurs of Nigeria(YEN), the umbrella body and voice for Nigerian young entrepreneurs, has commended Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki for consistently leading, articulating and promoting practical initiatives that will ignite growth of youth entrepreneurship and create jobs.

    YEN National President,  Chris Kohol, said the association was encouraged by series of positive actions taken by the Senate under Saraki’s leadership, adding that such actions have the potential to make youth involvement in entrepreneurship more attractive and profitable.

    Kohol listed such actions to include the historic amendment of the procurement bill, which makes it mandatory for government agencies to patronise locally made goods; the Made-in-Nigeria Campaign, which the Senate president is leading, to encourage Nigerians to patronise and take pride in locally manufactured goods.

    He also identified Sariki’s recent call for youths to take advantage of the Agriculture Financing Bill, which the Senate passed not long ago, as another action that galvanized youth involvement in entrepreneurship.

    Saraki had at several public functions and engagements lent his voice as a consistent advocate for youth empowerment. For instance, while delivering a keynote address at the 2016 Kings College Founder’s Day Lecture last November, he said  fruitful engagement of youths in the country would boost productivity and help rescue the economy from recession.

    ”The country urgently needs to unleash the energy and creative capacity of the youth to ensure that we produce goods and services for local consumption and imports,” the Senate president said.

    Kohol noted that the advocacy and actions, which Saraki is driving using the power of his office will help create a ready market backed by a strong demand that strengthens existing small scale businesses and opportunities for the millions of unemployed youths to get involved and take charge of their lives.

    His words: “The actions of the Senate president show that he cares about youth development. This demonstrates that he is a true friend of youths in Nigeria. We have noted that he never misses a chance to speak about the importance of youths to national economic development and the need for government to closely engage and carry out programs that will help youths take charge of their lives instead of waiting for non-existent white collar jobs.”

  • Saraki, Dogara query N2.7tr spent on power sector without result

    Saraki, Dogara query N2.7tr spent on power sector without result

    Senate President Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara have queried the N2.74 trillion spent on power sector between 1999 and 2015, lamenting that its services depreciated in spite of the deployed funds.
    They spoke yesterday at a two-day stakeholders’ “Interactive Dialogue/Workshop on the Nigerian Power Sector” organised by the National Assembly in Abuja.
    Dogara said the challenges faced by the sector called for concerted efforts by stakeholders in addressing them.
    “Perhaps the most important question is what happened to the N2.74 trillion spent on the sector from 1999-2015. Why is it that the more we spent on the power sector, the more darkness we attract,” he queried.
    The Speaker said the workshop was organised with the aim of changing the epileptic power supply situation through a holistic diagnosis of the challenges.
    “It is important we solve the challenges impeding the development of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and proffer practical solutions.
    “These challenges run across the entire power value chain of Generation, Transmission and Distribution.
    “The myriad issues are apparently exacerbated by inadequate funding, poor energy mix, fuel supply issues, flawed regulatory framework and commercial issues, among others.
    “There is, therefore, a need for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to address these myriad problems,” he said.
    Dogara urged the participants to find solutions that would lead to the repositioning of the power sector for effective service delivery.
    Speaker queried why power generation remained within 5000 megawatts in the last 56 years.
    “Why have various policies by successive governments failed? Why has the transmission infrastructure remained inadequate in wheeling the available power? How can the Federal Government rapidly expand the transmission infrastructure?
    “Why are electric meters not available to most consumers, thereby leading to contentious estimated billing?” he said.
    Saraki noted that the problems facing power sector were made as a result of fraudulent tendency and ignorance.
    He, therefore, said sacrifices should be made to address the issues, decrying that during privatisation of the sector, licences and others incentives were sold to people who had no knowledge of the business.
    “We must be blunt and we must accept mistakes, sacrifices must be made; some of the problems are fraudulently, ignorantly and intentionally made.”
    Minister of Works, Power and Housing Babatunde Fashola said electricity was not cheap, calling for commiserate tariff to be put into consideration.
    He appealed to the National Assembly leadership to enact laws that would give stiffer punishment to those tampering with power installations, especially in the area of vandalism.
    Fashola said about 3,000 megawatts of power had been de-commissioned as a result of vandalism.
    “The bills that are sent to National Assembly should be given appropriate attention so that they can be made into law.
    “There should be amendment of laws to ensure that there are stiffer punishments meted out to those who tempered with power,’’ he said.
    Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Steel Development and Metallurgy Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe stated that the problems in power supply had remained, even with efforts of successive governments.
    According to him, there is capacity, but no power.
    In his keynote address, Chairman of Heirs Holding Tony Elumelu said: “We must fix power to fix Nigeria. If we do not fix power, every other thing remains an illusion.”
    He explained that there would be challenges the nation might face if the power sector was not fixed.
    Elumelu insisted that stakeholders, including the judiciary, the private sector and power regulators, must play a role to address the issue of power.
    He advised leaders to stop the blame-game, adding that knowledgeable people should be put in the power sector and not using quota system.
    “Let’s look for Nigerians who have track records.”
    The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, represented by the Managing Director, Niger Delta Holding, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, said the Federal Government was working to improve the power sector.

  • Baba-Ahmed is Saraki’s Chief of Staff

    A former federal Permanent Secretary, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, was last night appointed the Chief of Staff to Senate President Bukola Saraki.
    Baba-Ahmed takes over from Senator Isa Galadu, who resigned last month.
    A statement by Special Adviser (Media) Yusuph Olaniyonu said the appointment takes immediate effect.
    Baba-Ahmed, 61, attended the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, London School of Economics and University of Sussex, United Kingdom. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree.

  • Saraki, Dogara queries N2.7tr power sector spending without result

    Saraki, Dogara queries N2.7tr power sector spending without result

    The leadership of the National Assembly on Tuesday decried the country’s dilapidated power sector infrastructure despite government’s huge investment in the industry since 1999.

    President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki , blamed the prevailing  power supply crises  in the country on failure of successive governments to properly address the rot in the sector.

    He also faulted the government’s decision to sell power generation and distribution companies to persons that lacked the technical and financial capacities to run the sector.

    “Wherever we go in the world, the failure is on all of us, whether we are in the private sector or those of us in the public sector.

    “We must be prepared to put Nigeria first and the government itself must be sincere with every decision that they have to take,” the Senate president said.

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, regretted that Nigerians have not been positively impacted with the over N2.7 trillion invested in the power sector in the last 16 years.

    Arguing that huge investment had only bought darkness to Nigeria, Dogara said it has become imperative for Nigerians to put more pressure on the Federal Government and other stakeholders for realistic steps to revamp the electricity industry.

    Saraki and Dogara spoke at a two-day stakeholders’ dialogue on “Nigerian Power Challenge: A Legislative Intervention.”

    The Speaker said, “Perhaps, the most important question is what happened to the N2.74 trillion spent on the sector from 1999-2015?

    “Why is it that the more we spend on the power sector, the more darkness we attract?

    “Why are most of the companies licensed by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission not able to start their projects?”

    However, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said there is no going back on the power sector privatisation policy.

    He said the solution was to strengthen the privatisation policy by putting the right structures in place to encourage investors.