The Nation Newspaper

Tag: The Presidency

  • Senate to Presidency: we’re waiting for ministerial nominees

    The Senate on Tuesday said that it is prepared to receive the list of ministerial nominees from the Presidency any time it is submitted.

    The Upper Chamber also said the apparent delay in the submission of the ministerial list by President Muhammadu Buhari will not prevent senators from embarking on their scheduled annual vacation.

    The National Assembly is scheduled to commence its annual vacation at the end of July, 2019.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye, who addressed reporters in Abuja said that it was not the duty of the Senate to determine when the ministerial list would be submitted to it.

    Adeyeye also said the Senate is not constitutionally empowered to request for the list from the Presidency.

    The Senate, he said, will wait until the president decides to send the list to it.

    Adeyeye said: “That is the prerogative of the Executive. We are not going to help them to do their job. The Senate cannot generate the list of ministers on its own.

    “It is the prerogative of the president to send his ministerial nominee list to the Senate and when he does that we will consider it.

    Read Also: Senate seeks death penalty for rapists

    “That is our constitutional mandate. It is not even within our powers to even advise. We will wait until the matter is transmitted to us.

    “The executives are aware of the timetable of the Senate. There is a particular time the Senate will go on recess.

    “That being in mind they should be mindful of when they will carry out this constitutional responsibility.

    “That is our constitutional mandate but it is not within our power to even advise or anything, so we will wait until the list is submitted. I will not say anything more than that.

    “I don’t think this matter should worry any Nigerian. We are supposed to receive the letter with the list of ministerial nominee transmitted to the Senate.

    “If a thing is not my job why should it worry me? When the list comes to us, Nigerians will look at the time the list arrives here and the time the list is approved.

    “Let me tell you one thing, the executives are aware and most Nigerians are aware of the timetable of the Senate.

    “There is a particular time of the year when the Senate will go on recess that being in mind, they should be mindful of when to carry out this constitutional responsibility because the Senate itself has its own timetable.

    “Like the judiciary is right now on recess, a lot of judges have travelled out except those handling election matters.

    “So in the same way, there will be a time, very soon when the Senate will go in recess.

    “I think the Executives are mindful of this to know the timetable of the Senate and it is left to them to adjust to that timetable or not.

    “When the matter comes before us, we will look at it and carry out our constitutional responsibility.”

  • Presidency: Controversy over minimum wage unnecessary

    The Presidency said on Thursday that the controversy over the new minimum wage was unnecessary as the President will allow the report of the tripartite committee on the new National Minimum wage to pass through the gamut of due process and lawmaking.

    The Presidency said those accusing the President of reneging on his earlier acceptance of the N30,000 recommended by the Ms. AMA Pepple led Committee were ignorant of the process as the President never mentioned any figure since receiving the report.

    Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said in a report in Abuja that the reports in the media were contrary to what transpired when the committee submitted its report to the President.

    He said, “These reports are contrary to what transpired on Tuesday when the committee presented its Report to the President. Responding, President Buhari, while acknowledging the concerns raised by government on affordability and labour’s focus on meaningful increase, stated clearly in a speech, which was made available to the media.

    “In a way, both arguments are valid. I want to assure you all that we will immediately put in place the necessary machinery that will close out these open areas.

    “Our plan is to transmit an Executive Bill to the National Assembly for passage within the shortest possible time. I am fully committed to having a new National Minimum Wage Act in the very near future.

    “As the Executive Arm commences its review of your submission, we will continue to engage you all in closing any open areas presented in this report. I, therefore, would like to ask for your patience and understanding in the coming weeks.”

    Adesina said throughout the ceremony where the report was submitted, the President never mentioned any figure stressing that what President Buhari said was that he was committed to having a new minimum wage which would be after the report of the committee has been reviewed by the executive and legislative processes of government and an appropriate bill presented to him for assent.

    “Until the proposed minimum wage has gone through the whole gamut of law-making, President Buhari, who is a stickler for due process, will not be caught in this unnecessary web of controversy, which amounts to putting the cart before the horse and hair-splitting.

    “As for those who have latched onto the concocted controversy to play cheap politics, we appeal to them to remember that elections are not won through loquaciousness, and trying to demean the President at every drop of a hat. But then, it is not surprising, as they have nothing else to sell to Nigerians, if they don’t ride on the name of the President. Stiff judgment awaits them at the polls,” he said.

     

  • Buhari not sympathetic to killer herdsmen, says Presidency 

    The Presidency on Wednesday dismissed as wicked and unfounded the conclusion by a media house that President Muhammadu Buhari is sympathetic to the activities of violent herdsmen.

    According to the report, the President has been indifferent to the killer herdsmen atrocities.

    But a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, rejected the allegations of the media house.

    Read Also:Atiku’s allegations: Buhari not power drunk – Presidency

    He said “We reject The Punch newspaper’s September 4th, 2018, editorial which alleged that President Buhari had sympathy for criminality perpetuated by a misguided group.

    “The editorial was not only disrespectful of the President and his office, but was also reckless, thoughtless, inflammatory and totally irresponsible.

    “It is steadily becoming clear from the views, news and opinions of this newspaper that it will explore every opportunity and twist every fact to declare every Nigerian and ECOWAS member with Fulani blood a terrorists, who must be stripped of their rights as citizens, or worse subjected to ethnic cleansing.

    “We believe and strongly insist that criminality perpetrated by some miscreants should not be used to demonize other responsible and decent members of the same ethnic group.

    “The collective demonization of any ethnic group because of the misguided behaviour or conduct of criminals is improper and no responsible government will ever do so.”

    He went on “The Punch editorial is, therefore, sheer blackmail and mischief designed to push its own sinister and unpatriotic agenda disguised as free speech.

    “By inciting the people against an ethnic group because of the criminal activities of a few is unhelpful and deleterious to peace.

    “Rather than proffer solutions, the editorial only regurgitated simplistic narratives of complex national issues, deliberately neglecting the broader and unbiased understanding and interpretation.

    “After the highly biased and misleading editorial, the newspaper could not but come to terms with the established fact that climate change and criminality remained key drivers of the farmers-herdsmen conflict.

    “Currently, a massive and fierce military operation is going on in Zamfara State to neutralise the activities of bandits who have been sacking communities and killing innocent people, and the security outfits have been deployed to safeguard lives and property.”

    The President’s commitment to the security and wellbeing of all Nigerians, he said, is unwavering and total, and no criminal group, herdsmen or ethnic militias, will be spared the wrath of the law.

    He added “In its attempt to build a case against the President and tarnish his hard-earned reputation, the newspaper misquoted and removed from the actual context words attributed to him, one or two of which we wish to clarify here.

    “In pointing out that some Nigerians, who dare the desert and the Mediterranean in order to migrate illegally to Europe have to blame themselves, the President had a context, following severe warnings by local authorities that were clearly being ignored.

    “The unfortunate Nigerians were always lured into harmful and unsafe journeys, with high likelihood of death or slavery.

    “The President said the ECOWAS protocol allows freedom of movement but Nigeria will not tolerate the illegality. An administration that paid USD500,000 to evacuate 3,000 stranded Nigerians in Libya and a similar amount to bring back those that went to Russia to watch the World Cup this year cannot, in all fairness, be accused of insensitivity to the plight of illegal migrants.

    “The question to ask the newspaper is simple: are we to say nothing, do nothing when our young citizens make the wrong choice of embarking on journeys that lead to slavery and death in the Mediterranean?

    “Is it out of place to warn of the dangers of such wrong decisions?” he queried

    He said that for the second issue, the President could not have been wrong in drawing attention to negative, abrasive and insensitive reporting by a section of the press that threatens to jeopardize national security by draining the morale of uniformed men and women who are sacrificing their lives to keep the country united.

    “Without a safe, peaceful and stable country, it is difficult to imagine how newspapers can prosper in their trade.

    “Under this administration, no media, no matter how provocative, will be fettered in their freedom of expression. Rather, we will continue to appeal to their conscience to place national interest and professionalism above narrow concerns.

    “The Presidency advises members of the media to exercise restraint and good judgement for the larger good of the society.

    “We must not forget the significant and unsavoury roles played by journalists in the Rwandan genocide of 1994, which claimed almost one million lives. We should all work for the good of the country and all citizens.”

     

  • Allow law enforcement agencies do their work -Presidency

    The Presidency on Tuesday said that it has taken note of the orchestrated campaign against President Muhammadu Buhari each time a Very Important Person (VIP) is invited by the law enforcement agencies, in the discharge of their legitimate duties and functions.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the Presidency said that the law of the land is intended for all, not for the poor or those at the lowest rungs of the social ladder.

    Read Also:Security: Presidency blasts Northern elders, Afenifere, Ohanaeze, others

    It added “It is odd, strange and bizarre that while ordinary citizens can be called up to answer questions or be interrogated, the VIP cannot be questioned without the annoying insinuations of partisanship, persecution or outright politicization.

    “This country cannot achieve development in peace when important cases are viewed through a political prism and the law is considered as being applicable to some, and not applicable to others.

    “The workings of law enforcement agencies are set out in the constitution and the laws of the country. If they worked at the discretion of past presidents, who decided who to question and who to detain, Nigerians should get used to the fact that this President is different. President Buhari does not and will not influence or interfere with cases.

    “The constitution clearly directs law enforcement agencies to promptly report and investigate any actual or potential infringement of the law and also initiate proceedings against all those involved.

    “This President is not the one who directs them on what to do.

    “President Buhari does not stand in the way of law enforcement either. Under our constitution, he has no powers to stop the investigation of anyone or institution. When they are set to investigate anything and anyone, the best friend of the law is the one who lets them do their work.

    “The President’s constant refrain is that he will not tolerate any form of illegality including corruption and the law enforcement agencies have been given complete freedom to identify and bring all culprits to justice. His instructions to them are very clear: Anyone with a case to answer or found guilty should not be spared,” it said.

    The statement also said that accused persons should approach the courts to plead their innocence rather than going to the public to plead persecution.

    “The country is better served when the law enforcement agencies are allowed to do their work and we must stop the actors of this dangerous game of politicizing law enforcement,” it stated.

  • Buhari didn’t substitute members of APC convention Committees – Presidency

    The Presidency on Thursday denied the allegation that the Presidency substituted or smuggled in some names of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Convention Planning Sub-Committees.

    A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, said “We are constrained to deny media reports alleging that the Presidency substituted or smuggled in some names of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Convention Planning Sub-Committees.

    “Nothing in the allegation can be further from the truth in every material particular. For the umpteenth time, we wish to reiterate President Muhammadu Buhari’s position that he will not interfere in party affairs or matters before the law courts.

    “It ought to have been obvious by now to discerning Nigerians that it is not in the nature of this President to go against the provisions of the country’s constitution let alone his party’s constitutional provisions.

    “It is, therefore, disingenuous to attribute every perceived infraction in activities of party or government appointees to the President’s desk.” he stated

    In another statement, Adesina spoke on the great things happening to the Nigerian economy under the present administration.

    Read Also:APC Convention committee to present zoning proposal

    He said “Some people have made it a pastime to talk as if there is no silver lining in the sky as far as the Nigerian economy is concerned. They carry on as if it is doom and gloom all the way, a thoroughfare of woes. This they do, to hoodwink the public, and peradventure gain political advantage for themselves, or their principals.

    “But facts are stubborn things. Those arrayed against facts may abhor and deride them, but there they are, staring them starkly in the face. Here are some current facts about the Nigerian economy, which naysayers may not be able to do anything about:

    “According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the economy has recovered from the slow-down and eventual recession, which started in 2014. There has been improvement with stronger growth for three successive quarters. From contracting by 0.91% in Q1 2017, the economy has grown by 0.72% in Q2 2017, to 1.17% in Q3 2017, and 2.11% in Q4 2017.

    ” The Q1 2018 GDP shows that the economy has recorded a GDP growth of 1.95%, compared to a contraction of 0.91% in Q1 2017.

    “The growth is driven by Agriculture and Industry, which shows that finally, after more than 50 years of lip service, the Nigerian economy is on the road to diversification. The oil sector’s contribution to GDP is 9.61%, while non-oil sector’s share is 90.39%.

    “One of the factors responsible for the positive performance of the economy in Q1 2018 was the spending of about N1.5 trillion on infrastructure projects in 2017.

    “For the past 15 months, inflation has declined consistently from 18.72% to 12.48%. The country is steadily on the road to single digit inflation rate.

    “The first quarter of 2018 saw a continuous growth in total capital importation into the country, the fourth consecutive quarterly increase since Q2 2017. The total value of capital imported is $6,303.63 million, a 17.11% growth over the figure reported in the previous quarter.

    “Foreign reserves stand at $47.79 billion, compared to $29.6 billion inherited in May 2015, after about six years boom in oil prices in the international market. The increase came at a time of modest oil prices, showing transparency and accountability by government.

    “Nigeria’s Stock Market ended 2017 as one of the best-performing in the world, with returns of about 40 percent.

    “Tax revenue increased to N1.17 trillion, in Q1 2018, a 51% increase on the Q1 2017 figure.

    “Milled rice production has increased from 2.5MT to 4MT, and rice imports have dropped from 580,000MT in 2015 to 58,000MT in 2016. Millions of dollars have been saved,” he said

    According to him, those are just little among the good things happening to the Nigerian economy.

    He said that only the willfully blind will not see it.  “But it does not stop the good work, which continues,” he said

    On exiting recession last year, he said that President Muhammadu Buhari had said he would not consider the job done, until the ordinary man feels the impact of the rebounding economy on his life and pocket.

    “We are inexorably on that road, no matter what scoffers may say,” he stated.

  • 8.2 million Pupils enjoying Buhari’s meal in 24 states – Presidency 

    …Over 80,000 cooks engaged in 45,394 schools

     

    The Presidency on Wednesday said that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s National Home-grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) is now feeding 8,260,984 pupils in 45,394 public primary schools across 24 states.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Laolu Akande, said that the government has achieved its target of 5.5 million pupils being fed free daily under the programme in 2017.

    He said that the 24 states currently benefitting from the school feeding programme are Anambra, Enugu, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ebonyi, Zamfara, Delta, Abia, Benue, Plateau, Bauchi, Taraba, Kaduna, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Imo, Jigawa, Niger, Kano, Katsina, Gombe, Ondo and Borno.

    According to him, over 80,000 direct jobs have also been created from the School Feeding Programme; with 87,261 cooks currently engaged in the 24 participating states.

    All 36 states of the Federation and the FCT, he said, will eventually benefit from the programme.

    Read Also:7.4m children have benefitted from school feeding programme, says Osinbajo

    He said “The programme’s educational, economic and health benefits have been praised by many.

    “Not only has the Buhari administration’s School Feeding Programme created jobs for thousands of Nigerians in these communities where the programme is being implemented, it has also helped to boost local economies by linking the local farmers to the school feeding market.

    “Similarly, the school feeding programme continues to record significant milestones in the classrooms as the scheme has led to an increase in enrolment.

    “Another important aspect of the School Feeding Programme is that by providing a meal a day for millions of pupils, it addresses the issues of malnutrition and stunting among children, increasing the chances of the pupils making a significant headway in their learning and in life.

     

    “The NHGSFP plans to implement feeding in 28 States in the coming months, and all over the country soon after,” he stated.

  • Nigeria needs support of respectable clergy – Presidency

    The Presidency has said that Nigeria at this time is in need of spiritual support of respectable clergy.

    Speaking Friday, when pastors of the Gospel Faith Mission International led by the Deputy General Overseer of the Mission, Pastor Emmanuel Oluwayemi paid him a courtesy call in his office, Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, called on religious leaders in the country to continue to pray for the unity, peace and prosperity of Nigeria especially as we approach 2019 elections.

    “As we approach the election year, please continue to pray that all will be well with our country. People are getting desperate to ensure that their desires, often ill-motivated, are actualised. But by the prayers of spiritual fathers like you, it will be well with the country,” Adesina said.

    He added that God is the ultimate solution to all challenges and that no man has the solution to happenings around him. Mr Adesina expressed happiness that the Gospel Faith Mission International which is a highly respected organisation, known for its open and broad mindedness, had chosen to offer spiritual support to the government. He reiterated President Muhammadu’s assertion that he is not a religious bigot and can never be one.

    Pastor Emmanuel Oluwayemi had earlier told the Special Adviser that the church and the nation have a lot to do together especially at this time when there is tension in the land.

    He added that the role of the church is to advise and pray for leaders of the country as commanded by God in the scriptures. He acknowledged their role as co-builders in Nigeria to ensure that there is fairness and justice in the nation.

    The Deputy General Overseer assured that the Gospel Faith Mission International will continue to provide back-up support for the government rather than heat up the polity.

    He prayed that God’s hands will continue to be on President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other elected people in the country.

    Read Also: Allow Nigerians celebrate Buhari’s success, says Presidency

  • FG shifts FEC meeting

    FG shifts FEC meeting

    The Presidency has disclosed that the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) will not hold on Wednesday, February 28, 2018.

    This, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, is due to the participation of President Muhammadu Buhari and a significant number of ministers at the High-Level Meeting of the International Conference on Lake Chad Basin, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

    Details shortly…

    Read Also: FEC meeting shifted to Thursday

  • Why Buhari cancelled Niger trip – Presidency

    Why Buhari cancelled Niger trip – Presidency

    The Presidency on Monday explained why President Muhammadu Buhari cancelled his planned trip to Niger Republic.

    Special Adviser on media and publicity to the President Femi Adesina had announced on Sunday that President Buhari had been invited to join other world leaders for the celebration of the 59th year of the country’s independence.

    Giving reasons for the cancellation of the trip, Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity Garba Shehu said Niger Republic invited the leaders of neighboring states, the Presidents of Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania and Nigeria.

    Garba said President Buhari felt satisfied that he had useful discussions with his friend and brother, President Mahamadou Issoufou in the course of the weekend meeting in Abuja, of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS.

    He said “after a phone call last night between the leaders, President Buhari decided to send a delegation made up of the three governors of Katsina, Yobe and Borno States along with the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs to represent him.”

  • Maina: PDP lacks moral authority to attack Buhari, says Presidency 

    Maina: PDP lacks moral authority to attack Buhari, says Presidency 

    The Presidency on Wednesday insisted that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has no moral right to level any accusations against the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration over Abdulrasheed Maina, the embattled former head of the presidential team on pension reforms.

    In a statement released to the media on Wednesday, Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity (SSA Media), described Maina as one of the monsters created by the former PDP government, and which are still rearing their ugly heads long after the Party was soundly defeated in the 2015 elections.

    “Over and over again, the President Buhari government has pointed out that the administration’s greatest problem is the mess left behind by the previous government. Maina is just one more example,” he said.

    Referring to document records from the investigations that led to the disgrace of the former pension boss and his being declared wanted by the EFCC, Malam Shehu noted that Maina was not the only top member of the former government involved in the multibillion naira pensions scandal, but a man warmly ensconced in the bosom of power.

    “Top officials in the PDP government, from sectoral heads, to those charged with responsibility for law and order received some of these billions of naira from Maina,” the SSA Media said.

    “We have all the transaction records and these are matters that the EFCC has been pursuing to ensure that they all have their day in court.”

    Malam Shehu hinted that some influential officials loyal to the previous government may have been the invisible hand in the latest scandal that saw the return of Maina to the public service, despite being on the EFCC’s wanted list.

    He, however, assured Nigerians that President Buhari was determined to get to the bottom of the matter of the impunity that led to Maina’s reinstatement.

    “Everything will be uncovered in due course,” he said.

    “This just goes to show us the scale of corruption that this government is fighting. And, as we can all see, corruption keeps fighting back viciously,” he said.