The Nation Newspaper

Tag: State House

  • Osinbajo’s panel meets in Aso Rock

    Osinbajo’s panel meets in Aso Rock

    The Presidential Investigative panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday night met behind closed doors at the State House, Abuja.

    President Muhammadu Buhari last week Wednesday had set up a three man committee with membership including the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

    It was mandated to investigate allegations of violations of law and due process made against the suspended Secretary to the Government of Federation, Babachir David Lawal, in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE).

    The panel is also investigating the money linked to the suspended Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ayo Oke concerning the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The committee had grilled Oke on Monday for about 10 hours while Lawal appeared before the committee for about 2 hours on Tuesday.

    The Wednesday meeting, which started around 6.45p.m., only have members of the committee in attendance.

    It was not clear if Oke or Lawal will appear later before the Wednesday meeting comes to an end.

    It was also not certain if any private or other public officials have been linked to the investigation as it had vowed to invite anyone uncovered.

    A reliable source, who does not want his name in prints, however disclosed that the Wednesday meeting was to review what the panel has gathered from the investigation so far.

    The committee is expected to submit its report by next week.

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

     

  • Aso Villa owes Abuja Disco N555m

    Aso Villa owes Abuja Disco N555m

    The Federal Government will spend the sum of N94.5 million to purchase bullet-proof tyres for the use of President Muhammadu Buhari and others in the 2017 fiscal year, Permanent Secretary, State House, Jalal A. Arabi, has said.

    The purchase of canteen and Kitchen equipment, on the other hand, will gulp N100.8 million.

    This is contained in the breakdown of the State House 2017 budget presented by Arabi to the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs.

    The number of treated (bullet proof) tyres that will be purchased with N94.5 million was, however, unspecified.

    The Permanent Secretary told the committee that a total sum of N94.5 million is proposed for 2017 representing 50% of the actual sought for in 2016.

    He noted that they expected that the amount will address the shortfall and compliment the requirement of “the sector which is mostly treated tyres procured at an exorbitant price.”

    On why the tyres should be purchased at “exorbitant price” Arabi explained that “some of the tyres being purchased are actually treated (bullet proof)” and hence constituted the bulk of the purchase cost.

    On canteen and kitchen equipment, Arabi said that the sum of N100.8 million was provided for in the 2017 proposal for the items.

    He added: “This amount is principally the un-released appropriation for 2016 which was the unpaid balance in 2015 for contracts awarded and executed. The sum of N80.2million appropriated in 2016 has up to this moment not been released hence its roll over and inclusion in 2017.”

    He noted that it was important to mention that the proposal covered kitchen equipment in the main residence, VP residence, banquet hall, State House medical centre, State House auditorium and 22 other guest houses.

    On electricity charges, he said that N45.3 million was approved in the 2016 budget for the purpose.

    He said that the State House electricity bill for 2016 alone as forwarded by Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) for State House Abuja was N252 million with another outstanding liability of over N300 million for State House, Lagos facilities.

    He noted that the provision in the 2016 budget could not accommodate the outstanding liability.

    He said that the management of the State House was forced to install meters in 2016 to ensure proper billing “and that was what reduced the bill to a reasonable figure.”

    Arabi said that since the bills were currently subject of reconciliation “we have made a modest provision of the sum of N319.6 million for 2017 to settle current and part of outstanding bills as noted above.”

    [news_list display=”tag” tag=”Budget” count=”2″ show_more=”on”]

    He said that other outstanding bills will be captured in 2018 proposals.

    Arabi said that a “modest provision of N4.9 billion” was made for annual routine maintenance of Villa facilities for the 2017 fiscal year.

    He said that they considered some factors including exchange rate and inflation trends before coming up with the provision.

    He said: “The services under this heading are very wide and vary. For instance, in 2016 alone, our analysis indicated a consumption of about 123 trailers (about 4million litres) of diesel in the State House Power House alone and which falls under this arrangement. This gives a conservative estimate of almost N900 million on diesel consumption alone. This would rise higher in 2017 unless drastic measures are taken to lower the price of diesel and improve power supply in 2017.”

    Arabi said that another major contributing factor to the rising cost was the undetermined nature of unscheduled works that come at the instance of “our principals.”

    He noted that the facilities covered under the maintenance arrangement included but not limited to maintenance of electrical/mechanical installations, building and civil infrastructure in President/VP residences and offices, President/VP safe houses, banquet hall, council chambers, State House conference center, Villa administrative block, presidential and ministerial chalets as well as Airport lounges.

    The Permanent Secretary said that the sum of N52.8 million was provided for sewerage charges in 2017.

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    He said that the bills received from Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) for liquid waste disposal for the State House for 2016 is N15.6 million with outstanding liabilities of previous years standing at N37.5 million totaling N52.8 million.

    He noted that the figure remained consistent over the years which informed the provision of the same amount in the sum of N52.8million in 2017.

    Arabi said that the position was the same sought for in 2016 proposal “but only a paltry sum of N6.1 million was appropriated.

    He said that they have already commenced negotiation with AEPB to arrive at a mutually acceptable changes henceforth.

    The Permanent Secretary put the sum of N5.08 billion as the total sum of overhead expenditure.

    Chairman of the committee, Senator Tijjani Kaura said that the State House Medical centre should be properly funded by the center does not serve the Presidential Villa alone but provides services for outsiders.

     

  • Buhari to Biafra agitators:  Drop the idea of Nigeria’s break-up

    Buhari to Biafra agitators:  Drop the idea of Nigeria’s break-up

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday reiterated the essence of the unity of Nigeria, urging those contemplating its break-up to have a rethink.

    He made the call while speaking at a meeting with the Council of South-East Traditional Rulers at the State House, Abuja.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, warned that the question of having another country out of Nigeria was misplaced.

    “The question of having another country out of Nigeria is going to be very difficult.  From 1914, we have more than 200 cultures living with one another. God had endowed this country with natural resources and talented people.  We should concentrate on these and be very productive,” the President said.

    Addressing specific issues raised in the address by the traditional rulers, the President gave assurance that the South-East will also benefit from the new railway architecture being put in place by his administration.

    On their request for more representation for the South-East in his government, the President said that he was “very conscious of the sensitivities of the South East”, on account of which, he gave the region’s four out of five states Senior ranking Ministers in the Federal Cabinet.

    President Buhari used the occasion to appreciate the good work of the Ministers from the region in the federal government, saying that they are doing very well for the country.

    He appealed to the traditional rulers from the South East to persuade their people to give his government a chance and to continue to serve as beacons of culture and traditions of their people.

    He assured the delegation that kidnapping and cattle rustling, which he described as “unfortunate” will be the government’s next target, now that “we have managed to calm down the North-East.”

    In taking note of the profuse commendation for his administration’s war against corruption and insecurity by the traditional rulers, President Buhari expressed frustration at the endless nature of some ongoing trials, citing some of the cases as going far back to the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    “We are asking the judiciary to clean itself. Nigerians are tired of waiting. They want some actions,” he stated.

    The President said he hoped that the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria and Attorney-General of the Federation will come to some form of agreement by which specially designated courts will give accelerated hearing to some corruption cases that are pending, arguing that “we want Nigerians to know we are serious.”

    Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers,  His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr) Eberechi N. Dick (JP), had made requests for roads, other projects among other issues, even as he assured the President of their support for his leadership and programmes.

    According to a copy of the presentation to the President at a closed-door meeting obtained by our correspondent, Dick urged the President to consider some of the demands made by Biafra agitators including the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Stressing that they are not against one united Nigeria, the group said that there was need for the government to look at some of the grievances.

    He said that the group has continued to preach to the agitators for peaceful dialogue and respect for the rule of law.

    He said: “On the issue of the agitation by some of our youths like IPOB and others for a Biafran Republic. We have continued to engage and preach to them that every problem of the nation can be best resolved through peaceful dialogue and respect for the rule of law.

    “While, we re-assure Your Excellency of our total belief in one united and indivisible great nation of ours called Nigeria, we also want to call the attention of the federal government to some of their mentioned grievances for serious considerations, which includes:

    “Neglect of the South East in the Amnesty Programme, deplorable state of Federal Roads and other infrastructure in the South East.

    “Relegation of oil Producing States of the South East in NDDC projects and exclusion of the South East in key federal appointments.

    “Anti-nationalistic treatment of Igbo people by other Nigerians. We also want to call the attention of Your Excellency to the criminal activities of kidnappers, some cattle herdsmen which are posing serious security challenges to the people of South East.

    “In the recent times, so many lives and properties worth billions of naira have been lost. While the Governors and Traditional Rulers of the zone have been managing the situation, we want to call on the federal government to use all the instruments of power and resources available to you to come to our aid and rescue.

    “May we also use this opportunity to call the attention of Your Excellency to the injustice meted out to one of us (HRM Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri, the Chairman, imo state Council of traditional Rulers) by the previous administration,” he said.

  • Buhari: Nigerian engineers critical to infrastructure development

    Buhari: Nigerian engineers critical to infrastructure development

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said that his administration will heavily utilize talents and skills of local engineers to rebuild ailing infrastructure across the country.

    He described Nigerian engineers as ‘‘competent and cost effective.’’

    Speaking at an investiture ceremony by the Nigerian Academy of Engineers (NAE) at the State House, President Buhari said the well-trained and highly experienced engineers had contributed immensely to the infrastructural development of the country, and they remain indispensable.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President, who was decorated as the Grand Patron of the NAE at the ceremony, said both military and civilian administrations over the years depended on Nigerian engineers for designs and constructions across the country.

    ‘‘By insisting that we must be cost effective in building infrastructure, we will utilize Nigerian engineers. I respect them a lot, and I know it takes time to be trained as an engineer,’’ he said.

    The President noted that local engineers contributed more than 90 percent to the design and realization of two refineries, 2,500 km of pipelines and 20 depots in the country during his tenure as Minister of Petroleum in the mid-1970s.

    The success of the Petroleum Trust Fund, he said, was largely hinged on their skills.

    ‘‘Somehow, everytime and anywhere I have served in this country, we found it cost effective to use Nigerian engineers, and we relied on their capacity to understudy, learn and deliver.

    ‘‘It will be wrong to fault Nigerian engineers for the failure of refineries. You should blame the political leadership. How can you build and not know how to maintain an asset,’’ the President said.

    President Buhari said individual political leaders should be blamed for Nigeria’s ailing infrastructure, not the engineers who had always been willing to contribute to national development.

    In her remarks, the President of the NAE, Mrs. Joanna Maduka, said science, technology and innovation were the key drivers of growth across the globe, urging the Federal Government to explore and engage the multiple engineering talents in the country for more purposeful results.

    ‘‘For the country to attain sustainable growth status, the Nigerian engineers need to be adequately engaged in planning, policy formulation, consultancy and construction, as well as industrial process of production and manufacturing,’’ she noted.

    Maduka commended the anti-corruption fight of the Federal Government, saying it would turn around the fortunes of the economy.

  • Buhari to Zuckerberg: We’re not used to seeing people like you

    Buhari to Zuckerberg: We’re not used to seeing people like you

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday commended the Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of social networking website, Facebook, Mark Elliot Zuckerberg for sharing his wealth of knowledge with Nigerian youths, and inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs.

    He gave the commendation while receiving the internet entrepreneur in the State House, Abuja.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said that the various meetings held with Nigerian youths since his arrival were most timely as the country was already exploring opportunities to spur development through entrepreneurship.

    He said: “Nigeria has always been identified as a country with great potentials for growth, especially with our youthful population, but now we are moving beyond the potentials to reality.

    “I am impressed by your simplicity in sharing your knowledge and wealth with those with less income,’’ the President said.

    Buhari noted that the simplicity and magnanimity of the entrepreneur, who is among the world’s richest men, had also challenged the culture of lavish wealth display and impulsive spending that had become peculiar to Nigerians.

    He added: “In our culture, we are not used to seeing successful people appear like you. We are not used to seeing successful people jogging and sweating on the streets.

    “We are more used to seeing successful people in air-conditioned places. We are happy you are well-off and simple enough to always share,” he said.

    In his remarks, Zuckerberg said he was impressed by the interest, energy and entrepreneurial spirit displayed by young Nigerians in all the ICT camps that he had visited.

    “I was highly impressed by the talent of the youths in the Co-creation Hub in Yaba. I was blown away by their talent and the level of energy that I saw,’’ he said.

    Zuckerberg said he was in the country to promote the penetration of “fast and cheap” internet connectivity, Express-wifi, that would help people create online businesses and reduce poverty.

    After the meeting with the President, Zuckerberg and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo went to the old Banquet Hall of the State House for the Aso Villa Demo Day where the three finalists, Tracology, Recycle point, and Mass shuttle were announced to the public.

    The three winners emerged from a total of 4,000 that competed on innovative and technology ideas relevant to solving Nigerian problems.

    Out of the 4,000 that competed across the country, 30 of them had earlier emerged from Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja competition.

    As a reward to the three final winners, Airtel announced N3m each for the top 3, Sahara Energy announced N500,000 each for the top 3, while Dell also announced undisclosed amount for the winners.

    Speaking at the event, Zukerberg said: “Thank you all for having me here today. It’s so inspiring to see what you have built here. This trip has really blown me away by the talents of young entrepreneurs and developers in this country, and making a difference and making a change.

    “It reminds me of when I wanted to start Facebook. I wasn’t starting a company at the time but wanted to build something to see if it will work. And that is what I see people here do, pushing through challenges, building things that you want to see in the world, if it will help the company great, if it will help the country great.

    “You are not just going to shape Nigeria and the whole of Africa but the whole world. So what I will say to the winners today and all the people that participated that I’m blown away by what you are doing, I believe in you and I look forward to seeing what you do and congratulations,” he added.

    Osinbajo said: “It’s really exciting to have Mark Zugerberg with us. I think one of the great things you have demonstrated is that it is possible to live your dream, it is possible to make your dreams not just come true but so fabulously that it will not only influence your environment but you will influence the whole world.

    “One of the things you have done is really to create connectivity across the world so that people are really able to interact across tribe, race, countries and feel as part of one family and one faith.

    “So I think that it’s one of great things that you have done. And your coming to Nigeria has been especially energizing not just for the young people but for everyone else. As you can seek I’m on Facebook and the president is also on Facebook so we are one of the 17 million.

    The Vice President also commended all the 30 winners and the three finalists for their great achievement.

    He said: “This is the first Aso Villa Demo Day but the next year will be bigger and better. I don’t know if we will be able to get Mark to show up for that but somehow of the other, we are going to keep him in the loop and let him know what we are up to and how and how progress we are making.” He said

    He said that Nigeria is going to be built and is being built on the energy, the innovation and the creativity of the young people.

    He added: “Today, Technology has created a level playing field; technology has made it possible for you seated somewhere, in your office or living room to create wealth, to create connectivity, to create all manner of things across the world.

    “So this is not like when I was 25 years. It’s a completely new day and I think that there is so much hope, so much your generation is going to do and I am certainly looking forward to being a part of that.

    “By the time I am 80 I hope that I will be in a position to have an app that will enable me follow what you guys are doing, seated somewhere in my village, enjoying life.

    “I’m sure you are going to have a great future and I certainly look forward to working with as part of the government of Nigeria to ensure that all that your talents and abilities are put in the best possible use and we I’ll support you all the way.

    “We are also looking forward to cooperating with Facebook, I’m sure that in the next couple of months we will be working out the ways we can cooperate especially with connectivity and some of the great ideas that Mark has to improving connectivity in Africa,” he stated.

  • Nigeria can overtake India in digital technology – Osinbajo

    Nigeria can overtake India in digital technology – Osinbajo

    ….FG flags off digital training for youth

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday expressed optimistic that Nigeria can overtake India in the market for technology and innovation talent.

    He made the remark during flag-off ceremony of Google Digital Training for Youth Empowerment at the State House, Abuja.

    According to him, the administration will continue to explore creative ways at empowering Nigerian youth.

    He said: “We intend to create a reservoir of human capacity in technology that can be exported internationally.
    Nigeria can lead India as a market for technology and innovation talent.

    “This year, we are establishing technology hubs across the country, two super hubs in Lagos and Abuja and six regional hubs in the six geo-political zones. In partnership with several major technology companies, the hubs will be fully resourced with infrastructure and capacity building tools.

    “Each hub will be designed to produce relevant innovative technology, solutions to a wide range of business, commercial and government problems. For example, alternative energy solutions, creative technology, public services delivery in health, education and government processes, import substitution etc.

    “Several major technology companies are partnering with us in the provision of infrastructure and opportunity in the hubs. Also starting this year, we have budgeted for the training of 65,000 young Nigeria s in hardware and software services and more sophisticated software hardware such as animation.

    “This would mean that we would be building more local capacity to build, assemble hardware and to write innovative programmes. We will also be focusing on technology for media and entertainment,” he added.

    While the empowerment initiative flagged off on Tuesday is targeting 400,000 Nigerian youth at a start, Osinbajo said that the government is determined to give every opportunity to younger generation to ensure they excel with the use of modern technology.

    He said that a special initiative on innovative technology and start ups and presentation of prospective participants have already been done in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

    “This Friday, 30 of the best start up ideas will be exhibiting their inovations at the Presidential villa at the first Annual Aso Villa Demo Day.

    “The 30 winners will be arriving here in Abuja today and they will participate in an innovation growth camp for the next two day.

    “And this is why what Google has offered to do in collaboration with the Federal Government, the Google training for youth employment, the training of 400,000 young people is a monumental contribution to the national plan and in particular to economic development.

    “Everyone of the 400,000 young men and women to be trained is a potential creator of facebook, Uber, Jobberman, Iroko Tv or something that we haven’t even imagined yet. The exciting prospect of this training is that it unleashes the creativity and innovation and the boundless imaginative of the most productive segment of our society, the youth.

    “For any student today I think that we must appreciate that this is the age of multi-tasking.
    You cannot just be an economist, an accountant, a lawyer or a graduate of international relations, or mass communication or performing arts and just remain that way.
    Multi skilling is crucial today, multi-tasking is the order of the day.

    “You can’t just be one thing. You must learn to be a man of affairs, a versatile operator not a mono skill graduate,” he added.

    To achieve this, he said that there are many opportunities as practically anything can be learned online today.

    “All of these business reviews and business journals, many of them are free online.
    Everyone has a right to be rich. age is not a barrier to great wealth as we have seen from all these example of great men and women who have done so many incredible things.

    He said that there are also important opportunities for those in the performing and film arts, which goes beyond actual performing to effective management of talents, their programmes and projects.

    “Today every good concept needs well trained managers who understand how the industry works and how to leverage the entertainment value chain.

    “Isn’t it time for `uberification’ of Nollywood, to make actors and actresses especially new talents more visible to film makers?” he queried

    “The exciting thing is that anyone, including the microbiologist can be the next innovator in the entertainment industry. Such is the versatility of multi-tasking. a new market for the performing arts but also for any other taker is animation skills for movies, education, entertainment and advertising.

    “It is a new growth area and it is attracting talents from every discipline including the fine arts, architecture, software writing, screen play writing and others in film production generally.

    “One thing that I want to assure you today is that we are all together determined to make sure that we give every opportunity that is possible to the youth in technology and innovation. I can assure you that the next few years are going to be great indeed,” he said.

    The Senior Special Assistant to President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefilure said that the program is part of government’s sustainable development goals’ commitment which would be replicated in every state to lift the Nigeria youths from poverty.

    Ministers of Communication, Adebayo Shittu; Sports, Solomon Dalung and Labour, Chris Ngige harped on the importance of the training to youth development.

    They promised to key into the move for positive development of the youths.

    Shittu said that his ministry will work with the Ministry of Education towards including the digital training into the educational curriculum at all levels.

    The theme of the event was “Diversifying the Nigerian economy: enabling youth through digital skills training”

  • Kerry’s visit: State House reporters restricted

    Kerry’s visit: State House reporters restricted

    Indications emerged on Monday that reporters covering the State House have been restricted from covering the visit of the United States (US) Secretary of State, John Kerry, to the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.

    President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to receive Kerry by 3p.m.

    According to sources, only photographers and videographers will cover his visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The photographers and videographers that will be allowed to establish arrival of Kerry by 2.55 pm, according to sources, are expected to set-up by 2.15 p.m.

    Also only the official photographers and videographer will be allowed to establish the bilateral meeting at the President’s office.

    The Secretary of State will not grant any press interview at the end of the meeting with the President.

    After meeting Buhari, Kerry is expected to meet with select Governors from the Northern part of Nigeria at the State House Press Waiting Room.

    Again seven media personnel comprising of photographers and videographers will be allowed to establish the event.

    At the end of the meeting with the governors, Kerry again will not grant any press interview.

    Reporters, according to the sources, won’t be allowed near the visiting Secretary of State.

    It is recalled that State House correspondents including reporters have been covering the visits of Presidents and other leaders from other countries to the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

  • We will restore confidence in IDPs – Buhari

    We will restore confidence in IDPs – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday said his administration would restore the confidence of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by fast-tracking their voluntary return, rehabilitation and reintegration into the society.

    The president gave the assurance when he received the outgoing Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Asharaf Abdelkader Salama at State House, Abuja.

    He commended Egypt for identifying with challenges confronting the country, especially the plight of IDPs, which he said had remained a topmost priority for the Nigerian Government.

    “The displaced persons want to go back to their homes. They want to resume their normal lives. They want to go back to the land, which they have not cultivated for over three years now.

    “We will work to restore their confidence, and also work on infrastructure, so that they can quickly resettle,” he said.

    The President noted that the bond of friendship between Nigeria and Egypt was very strong as demonstrated in their growing cooperation on regional and international issues.

    In his remarks, Salama, who spent four years in Nigeria, said he was the first foreign diplomat to travel by road from Maiduguri to Yobe, North Eastern Nigeria, last month.

    He told the President he was proud to have made the journey through an area once considered a stronghold of Boko Haram terrorists, following the successes recorded by the Nigerian military fighting insurgents in the region.

    He described the people of Nigeria as “friendly and generous’’, saying he hoped to be back in the country again.

    News Agency of Nigeria {NAN} reports that president Buhari also received the outgoing Ambassadors of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) and Tanzania.

    During the audience with Ambassador Oubi Bachir of SADR, Buhari reiterated Nigeria’s support for Sahrawi people’s self-determination and independence.

    Amb. Bachir’s duty tour to Nigeria spanned eight years during which he served as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.

    On Tanzania, President Buhari told the High Commissioner, Daniel Ole Njoolay, that the East African country was fortunate to have a leader who cared so much for the less privileged in the society.

    The President said Tanzania was blessed with good land and gas, which could be used for the good people of the country.

    Ambassador Njoolay spent two years and eight months in the country.

  • Abuah’s death traumatized us, says Adesina

    Abuah’s death traumatized us, says Adesina

    The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi‎ Adesina on Wednesday said that the death of the State House’s Director of Information,Mr Justin Onuorah Abuah was traumatic.

    Abuah, who served at the State House for thirty years, died on Sunday‎ August 14th after a brief illness.

    Leading the Media Department, State House Press Corps and Protocol Department to visit Abuah’s widow, Loretta and three children, Chinedum, Chike and Amaechi and other family member, Adesina noted that Abuah was very competent and excellent in his job.

    He said, “Words failed me to actually describe him (Abuah), when he passed the first thing that came to mind was that a competent man has gone. He related well with many people.

    “He was an excellent man and did his job excellently. His passage is trauma to us, we realize it is a road all mortals must pass through but we would have felt better if it didn’t happen now.

    “When we come and go are in the hands of God. At 57 he was not an old man, he lived a very quality life. We urge you to keep his memory alive. Be comforted and be consoled”.

    He said that the State House would love to be fully involved in Abuah’s burial plans.

    Also on the visit, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu described Abuah as‎ a pillar of support, an icon of emulation and a unique individual who served seven presidents.

    ‎According to him, they were just beginning to learn from Abuah how his uniqueness made him serve seven‎ presidents.

    Stressing that they were initially angry that ‎his ill-health was not known to them until his passage, Shehu said that Abuah is a kind of person who didn’t like to bother others about his pain.

    He said: “‎We feel a sense of loss over a man who has served seven Presidents with dedication. We lost a pillar of support, an icon of emulation.‎ We were just learning about him, we felt angry we were not in the know of his ill-health but we found out that he is a man who did not like to bother anybody with his pains”.

    The Chairman of the State House Press Corps, Kehinde Amodu, said the corp will miss a man of integrity whose yes was yes and no was no.

    He noted that a man of his calibre will be difficult to replace.

    “He was a senior colleague. His yes was yes and his no was no. He was firmed and truthful and a man of integrity. He was a quiet and private person but he knew everyone individually, we are 109 journalists in the State House and he knew everyone individually. We will miss him; I don’t think he can be replaced”.

    Responding on behalf the family, ‎Arnold Abuah, a‎ retired commissioner of police and medical doctor, described his brother as a man of integrity.

    He said the illness that eventually took his brother’s life was only known to Abuah, his wife and his son.

    He thanked the delegation for coming.

  • Buhari mourns State House Information chief Abuah

    Buhari mourns State House Information chief Abuah

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday mourned the death of the Director of Information, State House, Mr. Justin Onuorah Abuah, who died on Sunday in Abuja.

    A statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said President Buhari has sent a condolence message to the bereaved family.

    Abuah, who was born on January 29, 1959, was fondly called O.J, by friends and associates.

    The statement said: “The late Abuah had a long and rich career at the Presidency, where he served seven past Nigerian leaders since 1986 when he joined the State House media office from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    “His many colleagues, friends and admirers will fondly remember him as the man behind several presidential statements and speeches and he demonstrated a rare sense of calmness and candour in service.

    “A native of Asaba, Oshimili South local government area of Delta State, O.J is survived by his wife, Loretta and three children – Chinedum, Chike and Amaechi.

    The statement said Abuah’s burial arrangements will be announced later by the family.