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Tag: Saraki

  • Tinubu, Saraki, Dogara grace Buhari’s daughter’s wedding

    Tinubu, Saraki, Dogara grace Buhari’s daughter’s wedding

    The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was among dignitaries that attended the wedding reception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, Zahra, on Friday.

    Others at the State House Banquet Hall reception venue included the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

    The state governors that attended the reception included Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos).

    Others are – Ibikunle Amosu (Ogun), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Abdullahi Badaru (Jigawa), Ben Ayade (Cross River), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Aminu Masari (Katsina) and Aminu Tambawal (Sokoto).

    Many cabinet members also attended the reception.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the wedding reception, Tinubu congratulated President Buhari on his daughter’s wedding.

    He also wished the couple a happy married life.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo thanked the guests for coming.

     

  • Senate will fast- track 2017 budget – Saraki

    Senate will fast- track 2017 budget – Saraki

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Thursday assured that the Senate will work assiduously to fast -track the consideration and passage of the 2017 budget.

    He gave the assurance in his remarks before the Senators embarked on their Christmas recess.

    He said the Senate would address the budget and “see how we can fast track and do it at the earliest possible time when we return for plenary on January 10, 2017.”

    President Muhammadu Buhari presented the 2017 budget to the joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday.

    Saraki said, “The leadership supporting me plus all our colleagues. I was just looking at the statistics of what we have been able to achieve from the time we came back and we are discussing the economic recession. But we did go ahead to agree to address some of our 11 economic bills at this shortest period of time. All these bills have gone for second reading and they have gone for public hearing and they are all about to be laid within the short period of time.

    “More importantly, between September, 2016 when we came into this session till now, we have passed about 64 bills for second reading. Also between September 9 and now we have passed 18 bills. To give you an idea from the entire May 2015 to September, 2016 we only passed 14 bills.

    “In one and half years what we did in this three months surpassed what we have done in a year and half and concurrence with the House of Representatives we did about 34.

    “This is truly very commendable and it won’t have been done without the support of everybody. I hope that after the break that we truly all deserve we would come back to address the issue of budget and see how we can fast track and do it at the earliest possible time.”

     

  • Eid-el-Maulud: Saraki, Dogara, Ambode, others felicitate with Muslims

    Eid-el-Maulud: Saraki, Dogara, Ambode, others felicitate with Muslims

    •Nigerians urged to pray for unity, peace, love

    Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade yesterday led other eminent citizens in felicitating with Muslims on Eid-el-Maulud celebration.

    They urged Muslims to imbibe the injunctions of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), which teaches humility, gratitude and charity towards one another as well as pray for unity, peace, love, harmony and mutual co-existence.

    Saraki, who spoke in a statement to mark this year’s birthday of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, urged Nigerians to, irrespective of their faith, seize the opportunity to practice Prophet Muhammad’s precepts of piety, tolerance, justice and peaceful co-existence in effort to overcome the current national challenges.

    “With the economic hardship in the country, there is no better time in applying the teachings of the holy Prophet on how to live a life of simplicity, charity and lending a helping hand to the needy in our midst,” Saraki said.

    Dogara urged the Muslim faithful to use the occasion to imbibe and promote the virtues of humility, love, peace, harmony and mutual co-existence, which the prophet exemplified.

    A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, said this year’s Eid-el-Maulud comes just a couple of weeks before the end of the year 2016, hence Muslims and  all Nigerians should seize the opportunity to offer special prayers for the unity, progress and prosperity of Nigeria to overcome its economic challenges.

    Ambode called on Muslims to offer special prayers for greater peace, unity and continuous progress of Nigeria.

    The governor, in a statement yesterday signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, enjoined Muslims to follow the exemplary leadership of the Holy Prophet by promoting peaceful existence.

    Ambode urged Nigerians to shun ethnic, political and religious differences and work towards building a safer and better Nigeria, adding that the celebration of the birth of the Prophet should renew the faith and bond of unity as one people and one nation, irrespective of diversity.

    “On the occasion of the commemoration of the birth of the holy Prophet, it is imperative to reflect on his teachings and uphold his legacies of unity, integrity, peaceful coexistence and love for one’s neighbour, which are indispensable in our quest for meaningful development and the profitable management of our diversity,” he said.

    He urged Muslim to internalise the virtues of honesty, selflessness, charity, tolerance, good neighbourliness, justice, equity and fairness which Mohammed (PBOH) preached, saying such will go a long way to engender national development.

    Ayade enjoined Muslims to use the occasion to preach and show love to one another.

    In his goodwill message signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, Ayade said: “May this wonderful occasion of the birthday of the Holy Prophet Mohammed bring about love, peace and prosperity to our beloved country, Nigeria. As we celebrate the holy Prophet’s birthday, your prayer for the peace and unity of our dear country is needed now more than ever before.

    Urging Nigerians to rally round President Muhammadu Buhari to pull the country out of the recession, Ayade said: “As committed faithful, let us harness our creative energies, our love for one another towards the development of the country by aligning with our President, Muhammadu Buhari, to help Nigeria pull through recession”

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa called for increased love and more understanding among Nigerians, irrespective of their religious affiliation for a peaceful co-existence and growth of the country.

    Obasa said the country would keep growing if the citizens display love and understanding among themselves and to the government.

    He said: “The Prophet was a man of peace and he shared the message of love and peace through the religion of Islam throughout his life time. He showed understanding for the various faiths and beliefs in Madinah during his lifetime and he never discriminated against any religion, groups or persons during his life, “we should emulate and imbibe these qualities from the Holy Prophet so that our country will continue to grow”.

    The immediate past Abia State Governor and the senator representing Abia Central, Theodore Orji, has urged Muslims to use the Eid-El-Maulud period to pray for ideas that will make Nigeria a global brand worthy of celebration.

    Orji said such supplication, when granted by Allah, would earn the country and the citizenry respect and position among the leading countries of the world.

  • Buhari, Saraki congratulate Ghana president-elect

    Buhari, Saraki congratulate Ghana president-elect

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Nana Akufo-Addo, on his historic win of the December 7 Ghana Presidential Election.
    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, also felicitated with the government and people of Ghana, the National Electoral Commission, and candidates of political parties, for the decorum, maturity and peaceful conduct of the election that produced a winner from an opposition party, who was contesting for the third time.
    As a scion of one of the biggest political families in Ghana, and with the lessons learnt from previous unsuccessful attempts preceded by years of service to the country, most notably as foreign affairs minister, President Buhari believed Akufo-Addo is widely experienced and skilled in leadership to build on the legacies of President John Dramani Mahama.
    The Nigerian leader extolled the statesmanship and great leadership qualities of Mahama, who came into power at a trying period for the country with the passing away of former President John Atta-Mills, and kept pushing for a better life for all Ghanaians, and strengthening diplomatic relations with countries in the sub-region, especially Nigeria.
    He particularly commended the incumbent President for the great courage to call his opponent and concede defeat, stressing that leaders must always honour their pre-election pledge to accept the results of polls as the will of the people.
    President Buhari was also optimistic that the future of African development rests on building strong political, democratic institutions, ensuring free, fair and credible elections, and respect for the sanctity of the ballot.
    He urged the President-elect and other winners of the parliamentary elections in Ghana to be magnanimous in victory while losers should explore peaceful and legal mechanisms to challenge the outcome of the polls where necessary.
    Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has also congratulated Akufo-Addo, on his victory in the recently concluded Ghanaian general elections.
    Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, also lauded both the outgoing President, and the people of Ghana for a successful electoral process.
    The Senate President stated that by conceding victory, President John Dramani Mahama, demonstrated that democracy in Africa has come of age.
    Saraki said: “From what we experienced last year during Nigeria’s general elections by having an incumbent President concede and what we have seen today in Ghana, we can all attest to the fact that there is a trend of political maturity emanating from West Africa.
    “What we are celebrating today is a confirmation that Africa has truly matured in terms of democracy,” he said.

  • ‘Saraki, Ahmed never handpicked TIC members’

    ‘Saraki, Ahmed never handpicked TIC members’

    The chairman, Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) for Offa Local government area of Kwara State, Mrs Bolaji Ibiyeye-Adisa, has debunked claims that the TIC members were handpicked by Senate President Bukola Saraki and Governor AbdulFattah Ahmed.
    Ibiyeye-Adisa described the emergence of members of the committee across the 16 local government areas as an affirmation of the democratic process in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State under the leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki.
    Ibiyeye-Adisa, who is also the Iyalode of Offa, told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, that contrary to what Saraki’s opponents were saying, the process for selecting the TIC members was democratic.
    Said she:  “It is only under a democratic process which somebody like the Senate President and Governor Ahmed supervised that somebody like myself could have emerged as TIC chairman in a council area like Offa because the Senate President being the political leader of the state would always insist that whoever emerges must do so from the community level and not because he knows such a person.”
    She hailed the Offa APC ward chairmen and the local party executives for their overwhelming support and the trust reposed in her and promised that their confidence in choosing her and her team would not be disappointed.
    Recalling that Offa used to be in opposition to the Saraki political structure, the TIC boss said the commitment of the Senate President to transparent processes and the developmental strides being witnessed by residents over the years have now endeared Saraki to the people of Offa.
    Ibiyeye-Adisa also commended Saraki and Ahmed and their wives for going beyond the 35 percent affirmative action for the appointment of women into political offices.  According to her, there are 12 female supervisory councillors and five female chairmen in the TIC for the 16 council areas. “It is really a very great achievement for us women in Kwara state, we have never had it this good and I doubt if this exists in many other states of the federation”, she said.

  • Screening: Magu to know fate as Saraki, others meet

    Screening: Magu to know fate as Saraki, others meet

    After weeks of intense lobbying, all is set for the screening and confirmation by the Senate, of  Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

    President of the Senate Dr. Bukola Saraki and principal officers of the Senate are expected to meet today to fix a date for screening process.

    It was also learnt that the Senate leadership might consider the date for the 2017 budget presentation by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The presentation, earlier fixed for December 1, 6 and now tentatively slated for 13.

    The other principal officers expected at the meeting are Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu; Senate Leader Ali Ndume; Deputy Leader Bala Ibn Na’Allah; the Chief Whip Olusola Adeyeye; Deputy Whip Francis Alimikhena;  Minority Leader Godswill Akpabio; Senate Deputy Minority Leader Emmanuel Bwacha; Minority Whip Phillip Aduda; and the Deputy Minority Whip Biodun Olujimi.

    It was learnt that the delay in Magu’s screening in the last five months was as a result of power play in the Presidency, lack of security clearance, intrigues and the fear of the new EFCC boss by some senators.

    It was learnt that intense lobbying, coordinated by the Senate Leader Ali Ndume, has made most of the senators to appreciate Magu’s passion for the anti-graft war.

    It was gathered that Magu also engaged caucuses and individual senators in interactive sessions to explain his vision and programmes.

    A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The last few weeks have been devoted to intense lobbying by Magu, the Senate Leader and some Presidency officials.

    “We are moving towards  some rapprochement on Magu. Most senators are beginning to understand that the EFCC chairman  is not being used by the Presidency or by any group. He only has passion for the anti-graft war.

    “It was also tactical of the Senate President to have delayed the screening and the confirmation process because of the tension in the chamber.

    “Saraki and other principal officers will on Monday (today) meet to decide on the screening and confirmation date.”

    Another ranking senator added: “Once the Senate leadership fixes a date on Monday, Magu will be communicated accordingly.

    “Some of us now understand the EFCC chairman better than it was the case when he was first nominated by the President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “We are also unmindful of the desire of most Nigerians, especially pressure groups that Magu should be confirmed.”

    The President, through Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, nominated Magu as the EFCC chairman on July 14.

    But apart from reading the letter on the floor, the Senate has not taken any action, leading to protest.

    The anti-corruption groups on  November 6 urged the Senate to expedite action on Magu’s confirmation.

    They said Magu’s confirmation would give the ongoing anti-corruption fight the impetus to sustain   Buhari’s administration’s agenda to curtail impunity in governance.

    They said having a substantive chairman for EFCC was in compliance with Article 6(2) of the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) of which Nigeria is a signatory.

    The same Senate leadership will also look into suitable dates for the presentation of 2017 Budget by the President.

    A principal officer said: “Initially, we got some  proposals,  including December 1st and 6th. Now, there are speculations that the President may do the presentation on December 13th.

    “No one is sure of the date until our leaders meet on Monday.”

  • ‘Saraki, Ahmed never handpicked TIC members’

    ‘Saraki, Ahmed never handpicked TIC members’

    The chairman, Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) for Offa Local government area of Kwara State, Mrs Bolaji Ibiyeye-Adisa, has debunked claims that the TIC members were handpicked by Senate President Bukola Saraki and Governor AbdulFattah Ahmed.

    Ibiyeye-Adisa described the emergence of members of the committee across the 16 local government areas as an affirmation of the democratic process in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State under the leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki.

    Ibiyeye-Adisa, who is also the Iyalode of Offa, told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, that contrary to what Saraki’s opponents were saying, the process for selecting the TIC members was democratic.

    Said she:  “It is only under a democratic process which somebody like the Senate President and Governor Ahmed supervised that somebody like myself could have emerged as TIC chairman in a council area like Offa because the Senate President being the political leader of the state would always insist that whoever emerges must do so from the community level and not because he knows such a person.”

    She hailed the Offa APC ward chairmen and the local party executives for their overwhelming support and the trust reposed in her and promised that their confidence in choosing her and her team would not be disappointed.

    Recalling that Offa used to be in opposition to the Saraki political structure, the TIC boss said the commitment of the Senate President to transparent processes and the developmental strides being witnessed by residents over the years have now endeared Saraki to the people of Offa.

    Ibiyeye-Adisa also commended Saraki and Ahmed and their wives for going beyond the 35 percent affirmative action for the appointment of women into political offices.  According to her, there are 12 female supervisory councillors and five female chairmen in the TIC for the 16 council areas. “It is really a very great achievement for us women in Kwara state, we have never had it this good and I doubt if this exists in many other states of the federation”, she said.

  • Saraki, Dogara, governors, others hail governor-elect Akeredolu

    Saraki, Dogara, governors, others hail governor-elect Akeredolu

    Senate President Bukola Saraki yesterday congratulated Ondo State governor-elect Rotimi Akeredolu.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said Akeredolu’s victory did not come as a surprise going by his excellent credentials.

    He urged the governor-elect to be magnanimous in victory by working with stakeholders to move the state to the next level.

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, maintained that the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a proof that the party is still loved by Nigerians.

    “The election of Akeredolu and the APC is a clear indication of the popularity of our party.

    “I would like to congratulate my learned colleague and commend our great party for a successful campaign,” he said.

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun hailed the people for choosing Akeredolu and the APC.

    Amosun said: “This is one choice that will bring unprecedented progress, infrastructural development as well as social and economic growth to the sunshine state.

    “Akeredolu’s victory portends a good omen for the collective development and progress of the Southwest.”

    Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha  described the victory as a confirmation of the party’s popularity in the Southwest.

    He said it was also a testimony of the people’s love for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom congratulated the people  for making a “loud and clear decision”.

    He described Akeredolu’s victory as well deserved as it has further confirmed the confidence Nigerians have in the APC administration.

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for a free, fair, credible and peaceful election.

    In a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal said the onus is on the political class  to rally round the governor.

    The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi,  said the people made the right choice.

    Fayemi described Akeredolu’s triumph as a victory for democracy.

    The minister said the people have demonstrated their preference for transformative leadership and progressive governance ,which Akeredolu represents.

    The APC governorship candidate in the 2015 general election in Rivers State, Dakuku Peterside, has urged the governor-elect to be humble in victory.

    Peterside said APC would always win free, fair and credible elections.

    He called on the governor-elect to see his emergence as the wish of the people.

    Afenifere chieftain Senator Ayo Fasanmi,  in a statement, said: “Your Excellency, But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint. Congratulations on your well deserve victory.”

    A Second Republic Senator, Pa Olorunimbe Farunkanmi, urged Akeredolu to keep a large heart and embrace all aggrieved members.

    The Chairman, APC Elders Council, advised Akeredolu to be magnanimous in victory.

    The Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG)  congratulated the people for their faith in democracy.

    In a statement by its Chairman, Olawale Oshun, ARG  praised Akeredolu and other candidates for pursuing their ambitions within the ambit of the rule of law.

    Such maturity and statesmanship, the group said, is needed to restore the pride of Yoruba land.

    “We urge Akeredolu, as the guardian of the people’s mandate, to continuously and consistently prove himself a leader worthy of his people’s trust, by constantly communicating his vision and managing the resources of the state towards the development and wellbeing of Ondo State.”

  • ‘Saraki, Ahmed never handpicked TIC members’

    The chairman, Transition Implementation Committee (TIC) for Offa Local government area of Kwara State, Mrs Bolaji Ibiyeye-Adisa, has debunked claims that the TIC members were handpicked by Senate President Bukola Saraki and Governor AbdulFattah Ahmed.

    Ibiyeye-Adisa described the emergence of members of the committee across the 16 local government areas as an affirmation of the democratic process in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State under the leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki.

    Ibiyeye-Adisa, who is also the Iyalode of Offa, told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, that contrary to what Saraki’s opponents were saying, the process for selecting the TIC members was democratic.

    Said she:  “It is only under a democratic process which somebody like the Senate President and Governor Ahmed supervised that somebody like myself could have emerged as TIC chairman in a council area like Offa because the Senate President being the political leader of the state would always insist that whoever emerges must do so from the community level and not because he knows such a person.”

    She hailed the Offa APC ward chairmen and the local party executives for their overwhelming support and the trust reposed in her and promised that their confidence in choosing her and her team would not be disappointed.

    Recalling that Offa used to be in opposition to the Saraki political structure, the TIC boss said the commitment of the Senate President to transparent processes and the developmental strides being witnessed by residents over the years have now endeared Saraki to the people of Offa.

    Ibiyeye-Adisa also commended Saraki and Ahmed and their wives for going beyond the 35 percent affirmative action for the appointment of women into political offices.  According to her, there are 12 female supervisory councillors and five female chairmen in the TIC for the 16 council areas. “It is really a very great achievement for us women in Kwara state, we have never had it this good and I doubt if this exists in many other states of the federation”, she said.

  • Saraki, Dogara, others meet over MTEF, 2017 budget

    Saraki, Dogara, others meet over MTEF, 2017 budget

    The leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives yesterday held a crucial meeting in the office of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki.

    It was gathered that the meeting which lasted for hours, centered on the resolution of the controversial Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), Budget 2017 and the virements to 2016 budget as requested by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Senate last week threw out the 2017 to 2019 MTEF submitted to it by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    A reliable source at the National Assembly told our reporter that Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara led the leadership of the House to the office of the Senate President to meet with their counterparts in the Senate.

    Findings showed that the issue of the  $30 billion foreign loan request rejected last week by the Senate was not discussed.

    The source said the meeting became imperative to ensure that the leadership of the two chambers speak with one voice on key issues affecting the country.

    It was also gathered that the two chambers decided to smoothen rough edges in anticipation of the submission and passage of the 2017 budget whenever President Buhari presents it for consideration.