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Tag: tinubu

  • Group to Tinubu: appoint more people from Southeast

    Group to Tinubu: appoint more people from Southeast

    A group, Civil Society Coalition for Good Governance, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give more appointments to Nigerians from the Southeast. It commended the president for his leadership style of appointing those within the system to head various government institutions and parastatals in the country. 

    However, the group urged the president to appoint the next chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) from the Southeast. Its spokesman, Comrade Femi Lawson, who spoke with reporters in Lagos, did not specify whether an EFCC chairman from Southeast will fight corruption better, merely saying that since the agency has been in existence, no Southeasterner has headed it. 

    Lawson explained that appointing those within the system to head government institutions, without political interference, would encourage dedication and commitment among the staff of the affected parastatals. He said: “President Tinubu’s first hundred days have been marked by significant policy initiatives and shifts in governance. While we acknowledge these efforts, we believe there is an area that requires immediate attention: the appointment of leadership into various offices and most importantly, into the various security agencies and anti-corruption and paramilitary organizations in Nigeria. 

    Read Also: BREAKING: Report on past CBN activities ready soon, says Tinubu

    “We commend President Tinubu for his commitment to enhancing the security and safety of our nation. However, we encourage him to consider appointing leaders of paramilitary organizations from within the ranks and in order of seniority. “This approach can lead to a more stable and effective security apparatus, as it ensures that individuals with years of experience and institutional knowledge are entrusted with leadership roles.” He added: “By promoting leaders from within, President Tinubu can foster a sense of loyalty, discipline, and professionalism within the various organisations. This practice can also serve as a motivational tool for the dedicated men and women who have tirelessly served these agencies,” Lawson said. “Furthermore, while we agree that it is within the exclusive right and discretion of the President, to appoint persons deemed competent into these positions, we believe that seniority-based appointments can help eliminate political interference and ensure that leadership positions are filled based on merit and competence rather than political considerations.”

     Lawson, while making a call on President Tinubu to consider people from South-South and South-East for appointment into agencies that were yet to be filled, noted that the call became imperative as no southerner had ever been appointed as EFCC chairman in Nigeria. Lawson, while assuring President Tinubu’s administration of support, in its efforts to create a safer and more secure Nigeria, urged him to consider the Coalition’s “recommendation regarding leadership appointments within paramilitary organizations, as it aligns with the principles of transparency, accountability, and meritocracy.”

  • FULL TEXT of President Tinubu’s speech on 63rd Independence Anniversary

    FULL TEXT of President Tinubu’s speech on 63rd Independence Anniversary

    • Dear Compatriots,

    It is my unique honour to address you on this day, the 63rd anniversary of our nation’s independence, both as the President of our dear country and, simply, as a fellow Nigerian.

    2. On this solemn yet hopeful day, let us commend our founding fathers and mothers. Without them, there would be no modern Nigeria. From the fading embers of colonialism, their activism, dedication and leadership gave life to the belief in Nigeria as a sovereign and independent nation.

    3. Let us, at this very moment, affirm that as Nigerians, we are all endowed with the sacred rights and individual gifts that God has bestowed on us as a nation and as human beings. No one is greater or lesser than the other. The triumphs that Nigeria has achieved shall define us. The travails we have endured shall strengthen us. And no other nation or power on this earth shall keep us from our rightful place and destiny. This nation belongs to you, dear people. Love and cherish it as your very own.

    4. Nigeria is remarkable in its formation and essential character. We are a broad and dynamic blend of ethnic groups, religions, traditions and cultures. Yet, our bonds are intangible yet strong, invisible yet universal. We are joined by a common thirst for peace and progress, by the common dream of prosperity and harmony and by the unifying ideals of tolerance and justice.

    5. Forging a nation based on the fair application of these noble principles to a diverse population has been a task of significant blessing but also serial challenge. Some people have said an independent Nigeria should never have come into existence. Some have said that our country would be torn apart. They are forever mistaken. Here, our nation stands and here we shall remain.

    6. This year, we passed a significant milestone in our journey to a better Nigeria. By democratically electing a 7th consecutive civilian government, Nigeria has proven that commitment to democracy and the rule of law remains our guiding light.

    7. At my inauguration, I made important promises about how I would govern this great nation. Among those promises, were pledges to reshape and modernize our economy and to secure the lives, liberty and property of the people.

    8. I said that bold reforms were necessary to place our nation on the path of prosperity and growth. On that occasion, I announced the end of the fuel subsidy.

    9. I am attuned to the hardships that have come. I have a heart that feels and eyes that see. I wish to explain to you why we must endure this trying moment. Those who sought to perpetuate the fuel subsidy and broken foreign exchange policies are people who would build their family mansion in the middle of a swamp. I am different. I am not a man to erect our national home on a foundation of mud. To endure, our home must be constructed on safe and pleasant ground.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Report on past CBN activities ready soon — Tinubu

    10. Reform may be painful, but it is what greatness and the future require. We now carry the costs of reaching a future Nigeria where the abundance and fruits of the nation are fairly shared among all, not hoarded by a select and greedy few. A Nigeria where hunger, poverty and hardship are pushed into the shadows of an ever fading past.

    11. There is no joy in seeing the people of this nation shoulder burdens that should have been shed years ago. I wish today’s difficulties did not exist. But we must endure if we are to reach the good side of our future.

    12. My government is doing all that it can to ease the load. I will now outline the path we are taking to relieve the stress on our families and households.

    13. We have embarked on several public sector reforms to stabilize the economy, direct fiscal and monetary policy to fight inflation, encourage production, ensure the security of lives and property and lend more support to the poor and the vulnerable.

    14. Based on our talks with labour, business and other stakeholders, we are introducing a provisional wage increment to enhance the federal minimum wage without causing undue inflation. For the next six months, the average low-grade worker shall receive an additional Twenty-Five Thousand naira per month.

    15. To ensure better grassroots development, we set up an Infrastructure Support Fund for states to invest in critical areas. States have already received funds to provide relief packages against the impact of rising food and other prices.

    16. Making the economy more robust by lowering transport costs will be key. In this regard, we have opened a new chapter in public transportation through the deployment of cheaper, safer Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses across the nation. These buses will operate at a fraction of current fuel prices, positively affecting transport fares.

    17. New CNG conversions kits will start coming in very soon as all hands are on deck to fast track the usually lengthy procurement process. We are also setting up training facilities and workshops across the nation to train and provide new opportunities for transport operators and entrepreneurs. This is a ground breaking moment where, as a nation, we embrace more efficient means to power our economy. In making this change, we also make history.

    18. I pledged a thorough housecleaning of the den of malfeasance the CBN had become. That housecleaning is well underway. A new leadership for the Central Bank has been constituted. Also, my special investigator will soon present his findings on past lapses and how to prevent similar reoccurrences. Henceforth, monetary policy shall be for the benefit of all and not the exclusive province of the powerful and wealthy.

    19. Wise tax policy is essential to economic fairness and development. I have inaugurated a Committee on Tax Reforms to improve the efficiency of tax administration in the country and address fiscal policies that are unfair or hinder the business environment and slow our growth.

    20. To boost employment and urban incomes, we are providing investment funding for enterprises with great potential. Similarly, we are increasing investment in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

    21. Commencing this month, the social safety net is being extended through the expansion of cash transfer programs to an additional 15 million vulnerable households.

    22. My administration shall always accord the highest priority to the safety of the people. Inter-Service collaboration and intelligence sharing have been enhanced. Our Service Chiefs have been tasked with the vital responsibility of rebuilding the capacities of our security services.

    23. Here, I salute and commend our gallant security forces for keeping us safe and securing our territorial integrity. Many have paid the ultimate sacrifice. We remember them today and their families. We shall equip our forces with the ways and means needed to perform their urgent task on behalf of the people,

    24. We shall continue to make key appointments in line with the provisions of the Constitution and with fairness toward all. Women, Youth and the physically challenged shall continue to be given due regard in these appointments.

    25. May I take this opportunity to congratulate the National Assembly for its role in the quick take-off of this administration through the performance of its constitutional duties of confirmation and oversight.

    26. I similarly congratulate the judiciary as a pillar of democracy and fairness.

    27. I also thank members of our dynamic civil society organizations and labour unions for their dedication to Nigerian democracy. We may not always agree but I value your advice and recommendations. You are my brothers and sisters and you have my due respect.

    28. Fellow compatriots, the journey ahead will not be navigated by fear or hatred. We can only achieve our better Nigeria through courage, compassion and commitment as one indivisible unit.

    29. I promise that I shall remain committed and serve faithfully. I also invite all to join this enterprise to remake our beloved nation into its better self. We can do it. We must do it. We shall do it.!!!

    30. I wish you all a happy 63rd Independence Anniversary.

    31. Thank you for listening.

    32. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    (NAN)

  • BREAKING: Report on past CBN activities ready soon — Tinubu

    BREAKING: Report on past CBN activities ready soon — Tinubu

    President Bola Tinubu on Sunday morning disclosed that the report of the Special Investigator on past activities in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will soon be ready.

    President Tinubu made the disclosure in his televised nationwide broadcast, marking the occasion of Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary.

    The President on Sunday, July 30, appointed former Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Reporting Council, Mr Osayande Obaze, as Special Investigator, with tasks to investigate activities of government business enterprises, including the CBN.

    Read Also: Senate moves to bar CBN govs from partisan politics

    Recent unpleasant developments around the nation’s monetary and fiscal activities, including the recent free slide of the local currency, the Naira, against foreign currencies, especially the Dollar, has prompted calls for the investigation of the apex bank.

    However, in his message to Nigerians on Sunday, President Tinubu assured that the investigation was underway and report expected soon.

    “I pledged a thorough housecleaning of the den of malfeasance the CBN had become. That housecleaning is well underway. A new leadership for the Central Bank has been constituted.

    “Also, my special investigator will soon present his findings on past lapses and how to prevent similar reoccurrences. Henceforth, monetary policy shall be for the benefit of all and not the exclusive province of the powerful and wealthy,” the President said.

  • We’re intensifying measures to alleviate hardship, Tinubu assures Nigerians

    We’re intensifying measures to alleviate hardship, Tinubu assures Nigerians

    President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, reassured Nigerians that his administration is already intensifying efforts to implement measures that will relieve citizens of the harsh conditions caused by the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of exchange rates.

    President Tinubu gave the assurance while speaking at the passing-out parade of Cadets of the 70 Regular Course, Direct Short Service Course 27 (Army) and Direct Short Service Course 31 (Air Force) of the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna.

    The President, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the event, noted, however, that in tackling poverty inflicted on Nigerians by activities of the terror groups, he would treat every region equally and give them a sense of belonging in his government.

    The President, whose address was titled “The Heroes of Nigeria’s Path to Prosperity and Security,” also restated his administration’s commitment to eliminating poverty, terrorism and all forms of criminality in Nigeria.

    “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, justice is the mainstay of prosperity, and so we are going to be fair to each region. Whether in tackling the secessionist elements disrupting the peace and economic activities of the good people of the South-East or doubling up our efforts in winning the counter-insurgency in the North East, and whether in pursuing normalcy in the North-West or in making the farmer-herder crises a thing of the past in the North-Central, every group will be treated as equal and given a sense of belonging in our government.

    “While I acknowledge that we have made bold decisions to bolster our economy, even as some developed economies face the threat of recession, our commitment remains resolute. We are intensifying our efforts to implement tangible measures that will alleviate the hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of exchange rates.

    “Our immediate actions, such as reducing taxes on strategic manufacturing industries, distributing grains from the national reserve to vulnerable demographics, providing fertilizer and farm inputs, and extending soft loans to small and medium-scale industries, all serve as a clear message to our nation.

    “We stand firmly with our citizens, determined to guide our country towards a path of accelerated economic growth and opportunities, where no one lives on handouts,” he said.

    Read Also: Tinubu addresses Nigerians on Sunday

    Speaking on his administration’s determination to rid the country of poverty, terrorism and other forms of criminality, the President said “every day, every minute, we are reminded of the consequences of economic and social disintegration around us. This is why we favour cooperation and the formation of bilateral and multilateral alliances to create opportunities for our people.

    “We are implementing programmes and policies to empower our citizens to combat the challenges of poverty, criminality, and terrorism. From preparing for the food security crisis triggered by the Russian-Ukrainian war, to responding to banditry attacks on farmers, natural flood disasters, and the repercussions of military coups, this administration has remained vigilant in devising solutions to mitigate their impact and enhance national security,” he said.

    As part of moves to deal decisively with the criminal elements, President Tinubu noted that his government has embarked on a new era in the country’s national defence and security strategy.

    This, he said, would be driven by a resolute commitment to confront the substantial threats and challenges that confront us within the West African sub-region.

    “I have directed all heads of defence and security institutions to unite in their efforts to protect our nation’s integrity and well-being, and as Chairman of the ECOWAS, we are diligently working to enhance our regional conflict management and development mechanisms. To forge a path towards greater peace, stability, and progress across West Africa and beyond is not negotiable,” he added.

    The President further said he was proud of the devotion and dignity with which the NDA and its alumni had safeguarded Nigeria, noting that the passing-out parade was not just a ceremony to honour the transition of the graduants to a more active phase of duty to their fatherland.

    According to him, the ceremony “stands as a symbol of our enduring commitment to the ideals of patriotism and investment in our human capital.

    “I am, therefore, delighted to witness the passing-out parade of the Cadets of the 70 Regular Course, Direct Short Service Course 27 (Army), and Direct Short Service Course 31 (Air Force),” he added.

    President Tinubu continued: “Our solemn commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s security hinges upon a crucial realisation: without vigilant attention to the very foundations and individuals who fortify order and stability, this promise remains unattainable. It is here, at the Nigerian Defence Academy, that this promise crystallises into action.

    “In a world characterised by swift advancements and transformative technologies, our mission is clear: we strive to nurture not just ordinary defenders but paragons of excellence, both among men and women, who serve as vigilant protectors of our cherished nation.

    “Since 1964, this institution has moulded the character, physique, and intellect of valiant officers and academic specialists beyond the shores of this country. Year after year, this Academy attracts the most ambitious among us to train them and reintegrates them into society.

    “Year after year, we reaffirm that sound education is the ultimate security strategy, and our resilient Armed Forces are proof of this. This prized legacy, thankfully, is one to which we are not the only testifiers. There’s an international consensus on the quality of this Academy, an institution that has given a sense of purpose to alumni from as far as Zimbabwe, Uganda, Togo, Sierra Leone, Niger, Central African Republic, Chad, and Burkina Faso”.

    Addressing the graduating cadets, President Tinubu pointed out that like those before them, they were “stepping into a world fraught with threats, a world that demands unique skill-sets to conquer the adversaries of the state.

    “They are going to find themselves in a dynamic landscape, one marked by combat and regimental realities vastly different from those encountered by their predecessors.”

    The President further asked the authorities of the NDA to access the support it requires to invest in scientific research and technological innovations, as well as develop prototypes and concepts that align with local content policies of the Federal Government.

    He noted: “The future of our great country doesn’t only rest upon the valour of these young patriots but also the curricula with which our warriors and scholars are formed.

    “If we must take the centre stage in protecting our people, this Academy must access the support it requires to invest in scientific research and technological innovations and develop prototypes and concepts that align with the Federal Government’s local content policies.

    “This esteemed institution was founded to lead the way and boost research centers dedicated to exploring scientific inquiries and translating our grandest ideas and theories into reality. Now is the time for us to be the model for the continent.”

    Welcoming the young cadets as they join the ranks of the nation’s patriotic heroes, President Tinubu congratulated the Commandant and the entire NDA community for upholding their noble tradition.

    Earlier, the Commandant, Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), Maj.-Gen. John O. Ochai, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his unwavering commitment and support to the academy towards the realisation of the noble dreams of its founding fathers.

    He applauded the personnel and staff of the academy for their unwavering efforts in discharging their duties, as well as the graduating cadets for their tireless efforts throughout their training.

    The commandant reminded the graduating cadets that the training they have undergone in the academy would enable them to take leadership responsibilities and positions as military officers of Nigeria.

    The event witnessed parades, march past, presentation of prizes to best graduating Cadets, conferment of commission, presentation of parchment of commission as well as administering of the oath of allegiance.

    The passing-out parade was well attended by eminent dignitaries, including Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio; Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Ali Ndume; Governors Uba Sani of Kaduna State and Kefas Agbu of Taraba State; Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Kadafur; Minister of Defence, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru, and Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle.

    Others are Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, among others.

     resident Bola Tinubu, yesterday, reassured Nigerians that his administration is already intensifying efforts to implement measures that will relieve citizens of the harsh conditions caused by the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of exchange rates.

    President Tinubu gave the assurance while speaking at the passing-out parade of Cadets of the 70 Regular Course, Direct Short Service Course 27 (Army) and Direct Short Service Course 31 (Air Force) of the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna.

    The President, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the event, noted, however, that in tackling poverty inflicted on Nigerians by activities of the terror groups, he would treat every region equally and give them a sense of belonging in his government.

    The President, whose address was titled “The Heroes of Nigeria’s Path to Prosperity and Security,” also restated his administration’s commitment to eliminating poverty, terrorism and all forms of criminality in Nigeria.

    “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, justice is the mainstay of prosperity, and so we are going to be fair to each region. Whether in tackling the secessionist elements disrupting the peace and economic activities of the good people of the South-East or doubling up our efforts in winning the counter-insurgency in the North East, and whether in pursuing normalcy in the North-West or in making the farmer-herder crises a thing of the past in the North-Central, every group will be treated as equal and given a sense of belonging in our government.

    “While I acknowledge that we have made bold decisions to bolster our economy, even as some developed economies face the threat of recession, our commitment remains resolute. We are intensifying our efforts to implement tangible measures that will alleviate the hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of exchange rates.

    “Our immediate actions, such as reducing taxes on strategic manufacturing industries, distributing grains from the national reserve to vulnerable demographics, providing fertilizer and farm inputs, and extending soft loans to small and medium-scale industries, all serve as a clear message to our nation.

    “We stand firmly with our citizens, determined to guide our country towards a path of accelerated economic growth and opportunities, where no one lives on handouts,” he said.

    Speaking on his administration’s determination to rid the country of poverty, terrorism and other forms of criminality, the President said “every day, every minute, we are reminded of the consequences of economic and social disintegration around us. This is why we favour cooperation and the formation of bilateral and multilateral alliances to create opportunities for our people.

    “We are implementing programmes and policies to empower our citizens to combat the challenges of poverty, criminality, and terrorism. From preparing for the food security crisis triggered by the Russian-Ukrainian war, to responding to banditry attacks on farmers, natural flood disasters, and the repercussions of military coups, this administration has remained vigilant in devising solutions to mitigate their impact and enhance national security,” he said.

    As part of moves to deal decisively with the criminal elements, President Tinubu noted that his government has embarked on a new era in the country’s national defence and security strategy.

    This, he said, would be driven by a resolute commitment to confront the substantial threats and challenges that confront us within the West African sub-region.

    “I have directed all heads of defence and security institutions to unite in their efforts to protect our nation’s integrity and well-being, and as Chairman of the ECOWAS, we are diligently working to enhance our regional conflict management and development mechanisms. To forge a path towards greater peace, stability, and progress across West Africa and beyond is not negotiable,” he added.

    The President further said he was proud of the devotion and dignity with which the NDA and its alumni had safeguarded Nigeria, noting that the passing-out parade was not just a ceremony to honour the transition of the graduants to a more active phase of duty to their fatherland.

    According to him, the ceremony “stands as a symbol of our enduring commitment to the ideals of patriotism and investment in our human capital.

    “I am, therefore, delighted to witness the passing-out parade of the Cadets of the 70 Regular Course, Direct Short Service Course 27 (Army), and Direct Short Service Course 31 (Air Force),” he added.

    President Tinubu continued: “Our solemn commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s security hinges upon a crucial realisation: without vigilant attention to the very foundations and individuals who fortify order and stability, this promise remains unattainable. It is here, at the Nigerian Defence Academy, that this promise crystallises into action.

    “In a world characterised by swift advancements and transformative technologies, our mission is clear: we strive to nurture not just ordinary defenders but paragons of excellence, both among men and women, who serve as vigilant protectors of our cherished nation.

    “Since 1964, this institution has moulded the character, physique, and intellect of valiant officers and academic specialists beyond the shores of this country. Year after year, this Academy attracts the most ambitious among us to train them and reintegrates them into society.

    “Year after year, we reaffirm that sound education is the ultimate security strategy, and our resilient Armed Forces are proof of this. This prized legacy, thankfully, is one to which we are not the only testifiers. There’s an international consensus on the quality of this Academy, an institution that has given a sense of purpose to alumni from as far as Zimbabwe, Uganda, Togo, Sierra Leone, Niger, Central African Republic, Chad, and Burkina Faso”.

    Addressing the graduating cadets, President Tinubu pointed out that like those before them, they were “stepping into a world fraught with threats, a world that demands unique skill-sets to conquer the adversaries of the state.

    “They are going to find themselves in a dynamic landscape, one marked by combat and regimental realities vastly different from those encountered by their predecessors.”

    The President further asked the authorities of the NDA to access the support it requires to invest in scientific research and technological innovations, as well as develop prototypes and concepts that align with local content policies of the Federal Government.

    He noted: “The future of our great country doesn’t only rest upon the valour of these young patriots but also the curricula with which our warriors and scholars are formed.

    “If we must take the centre stage in protecting our people, this Academy must access the support it requires to invest in scientific research and technological innovations and develop prototypes and concepts that align with the Federal Government’s local content policies.

    “This esteemed institution was founded to lead the way and boost research centers dedicated to exploring scientific inquiries and translating our grandest ideas and theories into reality. Now is the time for us to be the model for the continent.”

    Welcoming the young cadets as they join the ranks of the nation’s patriotic heroes, President Tinubu congratulated the Commandant and the entire NDA community for upholding their noble tradition.

    Earlier, the Commandant, Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), Maj.-Gen. John O. Ochai, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his unwavering commitment and support to the academy towards the realisation of the noble dreams of its founding fathers.

    He applauded the personnel and staff of the academy for their unwavering efforts in discharging their duties, as well as the graduating cadets for their tireless efforts throughout their training.

    The commandant reminded the graduating cadets that the training they have undergone in the academy would enable them to take leadership responsibilities and positions as military officers of Nigeria.

    The event witnessed parades, march past, presentation of prizes to best graduating Cadets, conferment of commission, presentation of parchment of commission as well as administering of the oath of allegiance.

    The passing-out parade was well attended by eminent dignitaries, including Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio; Senate Chief Whip, Sen. Ali Ndume; Governors Uba Sani of Kaduna State and Kefas Agbu of Taraba State; Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Kadafur; Minister of Defence, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru, and Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle.

    Others are Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, among others.

  • Going dark or holding the fort, the wheel’s get to keep rolling

    Going dark or holding the fort, the wheel’s get to keep rolling

    President Bola Tinubu was almost entirely out of the public eyes all through the week, save for the occasional voice drops, echoed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, though press releases. That did not however mean that it was a stand still at House Number 1. As a matter of fact, being the week preceding the Independence Day Anniversary celebration, to mark Nigeria’s 63rd anniversary as an independent entity, there were a couple of activities reversed for the Presidency and one must say that they were perfectly handled.

    Since he left New York in the United States of America (USA), where he participated in the 78th edition of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and gave what has been adjudged by many as one of the finest outings by an African head of state at the UN, making very daring and bold statements on the unequal relationship between African and the rest of the world, the Jagaban had taken some time off to give his body the needed rest.

    It would be recalled that President Tinubu has been in the air for several hours in the month of September for different international engagements and all targeted at solving many of the age-long issues we have lived with as a nation. First it was 11 hours 20 minutes Abuja – New Delhi flight on September 4, where he had to attend the G-20 Leaders Summit as well as transacting businesses on behalf of Nigeria. There are 4 hours 30 minutes time difference between Nigeria and India; like when it is 12:30pm in Nigeria, it is 5pm in India.

    Read Also: Tinubu addresses Nigerians on Sunday

    Then on leaving India, he made a stop at Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), after a 3 hours 43 minutes flight on September 10 and returned to Abuja on September 12, another 10 hours 30 minutes flight. Note, again, that UAE is three hours ahead of Nigeria.

    Then five days after the hectic return from Abu Dhabi, that was September 17, he had been scheduled to jet out to New York, another almost 14 hours of flight, to attend the UNGA and engage in other national businesses. Also note that Abuja is 5 hours ahead of New York. These happened back-to-back within a month. Within fourteen days, he has been in the air, cumulatively, for 39 hours 33 minutes and has traversed extensive time zones to the East and West of the globe, within same period.

    It should therefore not surprise anyone when it became obvious that the President decided to go off work to rest for a few days before returning to his desk. Taking time off did not mean that he was entirely out of circulation. Right from after the UNGA outing when he went dark, Baba has responded to a couple of issues from offshore.

    For instance, on Sunday, he responded to the unfortunate abduction of some female students of the Federal University Gusau (FUG) in Zamfara State. Reports had indicated that a number of students from the university were kidnapped by suspected terrorists from their hostel in Sabon Gida on Friday, September 22. He responded on Sunday with a marching directive to security forces to secure the victims’ unconditional release and within hours, seven of the students and three construction workers had been rescued by the military. Even offshore, Baba is not letting things fall apart.

    Also on the Eid-el-Moulud festival day, the President reached out to Nigerians to make a call for nationalism, emphasising reasons why all citizens need to support government to achieve the desired Nigeria, saying “Nigeria has arrived at an important juncture. While the government is taking all necessary measures to make the country secure and economically viable, we need the full support of the citizenry in the form of patriotism, patience, and prayers. The light is certainly bright at the end of the tunnel”.

    However, one thing that the absence of the President during the week and the way the system has smoothly run, notwithstanding, and considering it is a period of an important national event, has proven one thing; Tinubu selected the right set of hands to run the system with him. The way the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, steadied the state-craft’s navigation was a magnificent. All through the week, it was from one state matter to another.

    From his Eid-el-Moulud message to Nigerians on Tuesday, in which he called on citizens to work with the Tinubu administration for the good of all, to the various audiences in his office, including the ones with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Surat Group and MTN Nigeria, also on Tuesday, the Vice President has continued to prove his mettle, leaving no one in doubt.

    However, of all the activities involving the “Aso Rock’s Socrates” (a fitting nickname for the philosopher Vice President, who does not deliver speech, even extempore, without accurate quotes from some of the wisest figures of history), his 63rd Independence Anniversary Public Lecture has been tipped as the message of the week.

    Just like he called out in his Eid-el-Moulud message, Shettima re-echoed the need for all Nigerians to join the efforts by government to re-order Nigeria’s evolution. To him, Nigeria of every citizen’s dream will only be forged when everyone sees the task as a personal one. To him, the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration is a well thought-out plan, aimed at getting most Nigerians out of poverty and set the tone for something recognizing an advanced economy, but then this laudable ‘theory’ will only gain life when everyone sees it for what is.

    “Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the future of a great nation is not determined by the occurrence of their socioeconomic challenge. The future of every nation rests on the intention, sincerity and innovative ideas of its leaders and their commitment to implementing them. 

    “This is why President Bola Tinubu eight-point agenda remains an oasis in a scorching sun. We cannot renew the hope of the nation unless we deliver on our promise to drive food security and eradicate poverty. 

    “We cannot foster economic growth and nurture job creation unless we facilitate access to capital, enhance national security and optimize the business environment for our enterprises. We are going to uphold the rule of law and fight corruption to design the Nigeria of our dream. We can’t achieve any of these unless each citizen remains a strategic partner in pursuit of our ultimate national interests. 

    “At 63, we recognize that what has sustained us and propelled us forward is our collective belief that overcoming the challenges we have inherited necessitates sacrifices, especially from us, the leaders. 

    “We are driven by the realization that these sacrifices are not for nought. They are investments in a brighter future, investments that will redeem the future, the fortune of our great generation and guarantee the well being of generations to come. 

    “Your Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the present administration also recognizes that the sacrifices made by each Nigerian will never be in vain. Such solidarity with the economy revival strategy, from the bustling streets of Lagos to the serene landscapes of Enugu has inspired our focus on diverse sectors, from agriculture to digital technology, from healthcare to education”, the Vice President said. 

    According to Shettima, the Tinubu administration was not oblivious that there would be hurdles on its way towards achieving its campaign promises for Nigerians, but noted that the government’s faith in achieving success had been built on the realization that Nigerians are never broken by temporary setback. 

    “We knew from the starting point of this race to serve the people that the track will not be without it holes and ponds. We knew that challenges will arise and obstacles will test our resolve, but as our history has shown, Nigerians are too ambitious to be broken by a temporary setback. We are going to emerge from this phase of our reforms stronger, each of us, with renewed hope. 

    “As we honor the labours of our heroes past, as we reflect on the values and principles that have bought us this far, as we strive to excel in all that we do, and as we walk together towards a future where opportunity knows no bounds, let’s remember that our most potent weapon is the overriding resolve of the majority to choose unity over chaos and democracy over anarchy”, Shettima said. 

    The week was dedicated to the celebration of the nation coming of age and it ends today with other activities to be performed by the President. He came in on Friday and he is expected to address the nation in a broadcast and inspect a guard of honour today. This is believed to be his resumption from his brief break. We await more activities as the week starts off.

  • Leadership question in Nigeria: Is Tinubu rewriting national narrative?

    Leadership question in Nigeria: Is Tinubu rewriting national narrative?

    When Chinua Achebe penned the prophetic political tract, The Trouble with Nigeria, in 1983, Nigeria’s second republic was brutally at an end when a coup cut short the civil rule that commenced in 1979. In that short book, Achebe laid his keen insight on what has ailed the nascent Nigerian state—just barely twenty-three years old: the problem of leadership. What even Achebe could not have known then is that sixty-three years on, and forty years after the book was written, Nigeria would still be battling with answering the leadership question. And we watch as other countries tackle their governance and national challenges and keep making enormous progress, from China to Rwanda, and from Germany to Botswana. When Lee Iacocca, in his bestselling 2007 book then ask, Where Have All the Leaders Gone? we know that is not just a rhetorical question. It is a universal question that resonates much more poignantly within the struggle to make Nigeria work better than it has been doing since independence. So far, Nigeria is still struggling to answer the leadership question—what a leader should make with the available human and material resources harnessed to make the lives of Nigerians worth living.

    The struggle to understand what ails Nigeria is brilliantly captured, in equal breath, in Acemoglu and Robinson’s classic, Why Nations Fail (2012). And the answer is that they fail because they neglect the crucial dynamics of building institutions that transcend the selfishness of extraction and primitive accumulation. But then, institutions are not that easily built. And hence we return to the relationship between strong institutions and the strong man. The Rwandan example, like many other states, raises the possibility of an enlightened strong man committedly putting in place institutional dynamics and parameters that would outlast him, and without any iota of doubts about his patriotism. Lee Kuan Yew, the Singaporean strong man, also demonstrates how a strong man could facilitate the transformation of a state’s governance and developmental apparatuses for the benefits of the citizens. It is therefore beyond the pale of any doubt that a weak leader will be able to erect strong institutions, even within a democratic context.

    And it remains axiomatic, when we eventually get a strong leader with the mind and the political will to jumpstart the institutional transformation, that the foremost structural move to make is reforming the public service institutions as the bedrock and most fundamental institutional bulwark for backstopping governance and developmental agenda of any government anywhere in the world. This is what history and the trajectories of political development anywhere teach us. To reform the state system is to give the government of the day a rather fair fighting chance of successfully initiating policy designs and implementation backed by the capability readiness of the public institutions efficiently functional in delivering public goods and services.

    In this piece, I desire to situate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership profile within the context of the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) and the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. In past commentaries, I have not only called attention to what I called spheres of performance scattered across the continent, but also the unfairness of deploying global indices of governance performance and leadership dynamics that fail to take into consideration Africa’s unique political sociology that constrains African leaders from achieving their highest potentials in delivering the promises of democracy and development for their citizens. This is essentially what recommends the Mo Ibrahim governance and leadership initiatives as a homegrown project that factors into governance assessment what ails the continent and how the African leadership could be encouraged and instigated to get a move on leading.

    Read Also: Tinubu addresses Nigerians on Sunday

    The fundamental focus of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation (MIF) locates governance and leadership at the center of the transformation of the continent. The MIF defines leadership as the “ability to make choices, assess and take risks, define and order priorities”, and the prize highlights exceptional role model by recognizing and celebrating African executive leaders “who, under challenging circumstances, have developed their countries and strengthened democracy and human rights for the shared benefit of their people, paving the way for sustainable and equitable prosperity.” And yet, the leadership deficit on the African continent keeps rearing its ugly head—increasing prevalence of coups, the terrible sit-tight syndrome, insecurity and under-performing democratic experiments. And this manifests in the unfortunate gaps the Mo Ibrahim Leadership Prize has witnessed over the year. Two awards were given in 2007 (Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique), and another one in 2008 to Botswana’s Festus Mogae. There was a two-year gap before Pedro de Verona Pires of Cape Verde for the prize in 2011. There was another two-year lull before the prize was awarded to Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia in 2014. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf won it in 2017 and Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger won the 2020 edition.

    In all, only seven African leaders have won the prize in its seventeen years of existence. For three consecutive years now, the prize has not been awarded. This dismal performance is further underscored by the key finding of the 2022 IIAG which warns about the possibility of losing the gains of the last decade, from 2012 to 2021 because of the increasing flattening of overall governance since 2019 and the unraveling dynamics of insecurity that are rolling back democratic possibilities on the continent. Those who have won the award have been chosen because of their transformational style of leadership. And unfortunately, no Nigerian political leader has won the prize. Of course, the operation of the prize award has been the subject of severe analysis on its modalities and decisions. The award to President Issoufou in 2020 raised a lot of outcries on how to correlate the former leader’s ambivalent governance credentials with the MIF’s commitment to governance and democracy. Indeed, others have argued that given that so many African leaders who deserved the prize have not received it, then there must be some other criteria at play in awarding the prize.

    These ruminations around the MIF and the IIAG allow us to ask the critical question of how its ramifications can allow us interrogate how Nigeria, through the Tinubu administration can regain its governance possibilities in global and regional reckoning. Winning the leadership prize does not necessarily delineate the possible success of the administration, but the IIAG provides sufficient modality around which the success of the new administration could be fairly assessed. The IIAG is subsumed into four crucial categories for mapping good governance: safety and rule of law, participation and human rights, sustainable economic opportunity, and human development. This is adequately with the vision and mission of the African Peer Review Mechanism. 

    If we take seriously the MIF definition of a leader as a political executive with the ability to make critical choices, assess and take risks, as well as define and order priorities, then we immediately see the coalition of several factors that can make the Tinubu administration a success. Coming from the recent sterling performance at the United Nation General Assembly (UNGA), where President Tinubu outline Nigeria’s foreign policy dynamics and spoke unprecedently to world leaders about the urgency of perceiving Africa, and Nigeria, not as beggars but global partners, it becomes increasingly clear that the administration is perceptively adapting and learning on the job. Such a far-reaching statement at such a critical global event must point back to a deeply structured governance articulation at home. And for me, it must pointedly signal the government’s intention and commitment to transforming the public service institutions that underscore any administration’s readiness to succeed through strengthening the capability readiness of these institutions that backstop government’s governance and policy architecture.

    There is no doubt that the new administration is now fully in the clear about why the Tinubu administration is assiduously working round the clock to create a viable change space that will create a chain of leadership vision and connection across the critical policy spheres in Nigeria. That space could benefit from the key policy areas outlined by the MIF, with the addition of public service institutional reform. This is my passion, and that passion is founded on what has become an axiomatic administrative truth for me: once the public service system fails, everything else about governance fails. And that truth derives essentially from the known fact that the public service institutions, especially the MDAs, are the engine room for servicing the policy implementation and evaluation successes of any government. And even more so, it is the public service system that carries the weight of the critical policy and governance areas from security to rule of law, from human development to human rights, and from sustainable economic opportunity to democratic participation.

    The type of leadership that the MFI leadership achievement prize gestures at is forged within the context of a deliberately designed and capacitated change space—made up of ministers, technocrats, officials, functionaries, nonstate actors and agencies—that the Tinubu administration is already facilitating. It is from within this space that the Nigerian governance narrative which the government has now embarked upon can be recrafted away from the usual and tired trajectories of benchmarking failures to instilling hope and success through a developmental agenda anchored solidly on the antecedent success of reforming those public service institutions that serve as the structural background for making the agenda work for Nigerians.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stands a very good chance of winning the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. But the fundamental criterion in this case is answering the leadership question, and transforming the Nigerian narrative from bad management to good governance. And four years have started counting to make good on that transformation. 

    • Olaopa, Retired Federal Permanent Secretary & Professor of Public Administration tolaopa2003@gmail.com         
  • Monarch to Tinubu: renew license for Madewell, other cement factories

    Monarch to Tinubu: renew license for Madewell, other cement factories

    To reduce the soaring price of cement in Nigeria, the Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Monday Obukohwo Whiskey, Udurhie I, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to renew operating licenses of the six regional cement factories, including Madewell Portland Cement, closed down about 12 years ago.

    He spoke while touring the abandoned Madewell factory located by the bank of River Ethiope in Jesse, Ethiope West council area of Delta state.

    According to him, urgent renewal of the import licenses to the Cement New Entrants Forum of Nigeria (CNEFN), which has owner of Madewell and indigene of Idjerhe, Prince David Iweta as Chairman, would create thousands of jobs across the country.

    Read Also: Tinubu addresses Nigerians on Sunday

    According to him, on establishment, the factory created 2,000 direct jobs for people of the kingdom, as well as 10,000 indirect jobs for Nigerians.

    The royal father expressed confidence that the Tinubu-led administration will listen” to the appeal.

    He further disclosed that “out of the 500,000 metric tonnes that was approved for Madewell Portland Cement to import, only 50,000 metric tonnes of this came to Nigeria.

    “As we speak, no two or three, or four companies can get enough cement to meet cement consumption for Nigerians. So the best decision the government took then was to ensure that there is a Portland Cement factory, one in each region that is outside the major players and the licenses that were issued to them were for them to first import cement.”

    Late President Umaru Yar’ Adua had issued six companies representing the six geopolitical zones, three licenses each in order to bring down the prices of cement, but their licences were revoked when President Goodluck Jonathan came into power after the sudden death of his boss.

  • Tinubu addresses Nigerians on Sunday

    Tinubu addresses Nigerians on Sunday

    President Bola Tinubu will  by 7am on Sunday address Nigerians in a televised nationwide broadcast.

    According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the nationwide broadcast is part of the programme of events marking Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary celebration.

    The statement advised all television and radio stations as well as other electronic media outlets to hook up to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Radio Nigeria for the broadcast.

    Read Also: Atiku on fishing expedition, Tinubu tells US court

    “As part of activities to mark the 63rd Independence Anniversary of the nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will make a nationwide broadcast on Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 7 am.

    “Television, radio stations and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to hook up to the network services of the Nigerian Television Authority and Radio Nigeria for the broadcast,” the statement reads.

  • We’re intensifying measures to alleviate hardship, Tinubu assures

    We’re intensifying measures to alleviate hardship, Tinubu assures

    President Bola Tinubu has reassured Nigerians that his administration is already intensifying efforts to implement measures that will relieve citizens of the harsh conditions caused by the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of exchange rates.

    Tinubu gave the assurance while speaking at the passing-out parade of Cadets of the 70 Regular Course, Direct Short Service Course 27 (Army) and Direct Short Service Course 31 (Air Force) of the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna. 

    The President, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, noted however in tackling poverty inflicted on Nigerians by activities of the terror groups, he would treat every region equally and give them a sense of belonging in his government. 

    The President, whose address was titled: “The Heroes of Nigeria’s Path to Prosperity and Security,” also restated his administration’s commitment to eliminating poverty, terrorism and all forms of criminality in Nigeria. 

    “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, justice is the mainstay of prosperity, and so we are going to be fair to each region. Whether in tackling the secessionist elements disrupting the peace and economic activities of the good people of the South-East or doubling up our efforts in winning the counter-insurgency in the North East, and whether in pursuing normalcy in the North-West or in making the farmer-herder crises a thing of the past in the North-Central, every group will be treated as equal and given a sense of belonging in our government. 

    “While I acknowledge that we have made bold decisions to bolster our economy, even as some developed economies face the threat of recession, our commitment remains resolute. We are intensifying our efforts to implement tangible measures that will alleviate the hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of exchange rates. 

    “Our immediate actions, such as reducing taxes on strategic manufacturing industries, distributing grains from the national reserve to vulnerable demographics, providing fertilizer and farm inputs, and extending soft loans to small and medium-scale industries, all serve as a clear message to our nation. 

    “We stand firmly with our citizens, determined to guide our country towards a path of accelerated economic growth and opportunities, where no one lives on handouts,” he said.

    Speaking on his administration’s determination to rid the country of poverty, terrorism and other forms of criminality, the President said “every day, every minute, we are reminded of the consequences of economic and social disintegration around us. This is why we favour cooperation and the formation of bilateral and multilateral alliances to create opportunities for our people. 

    Read Also: 78th UNGA: President Tinubu and his defining moment

    “We are implementing programmes and policies to empower our citizens to combat the challenges of poverty, criminality, and terrorism. From preparing for the food security crisis triggered by the Russian-Ukrainian war, to responding to banditry attacks on farmers, natural flood disasters, and the repercussions of military coups, this administration has remained vigilant in devising solutions to mitigate their impact and enhance national security,” he said.

    As part of moves to deal decisively with the criminal elements, President Tinubu noted that his government has embarked on a new era in the country’s national defence and security strategy. 

    This, he said, would be driven by a resolute commitment to confront the substantial threats and challenges that confront us within the West African sub-region. 

  • Tinubu tasks NDA on scientific research, technological innovations

    Tinubu tasks NDA on scientific research, technological innovations

    President Bola Tinubu has urged the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) to access the support it requires to invest in scientific research and technological innovations.

    Tinubu made the call on Saturday at the Passing out Parade and Commissioning of Cadets of 70th Regular Course of Army, Navy, Air Force and Direct Short Service Course 27 Army and 31 Air force, held at the NDA, in Kaduna.

    Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu also enjoined the academy to develop prototypes and concepts that aligned with the Federal Government’s local content policies.

    The President, who was the special guest of honour at the event, noted that it was time for the academy to be model for the continent.

    He said that the institution was founded to lead the way in exploring scientific inquiries.

    “The future of our great country doesn’t only rest upon the valour of these young patriots but also the curricula with which our warriors and scholars are formed.

    ” If we must take the centre stage in protecting our people, this Academy must access the support it requires to invest in scientific research and technological innovations.

    “And develop prototypes and concepts that align with the Federal Government’s local content policies.

    “This esteemed institution was founded to lead the way and boasts research centers dedicated to exploring scientific inquiries and translating our grandest ideas and theories into reality. Now is the time for us to be the model for the continent.”

    Tinubu restated his administration’s commitment to eliminating poverty, terrorism and all forms of criminality in the country.

    The Nigerian leader who is also Chairman of the ECOWAS, said his administration was implementing programmes and policies that would empower Nigerians to combat the challenges of poverty, criminality and terrorism.

    ” Every day, every minute, we are reminded of the consequences of economic and social disintegration around us. This is why we favour cooperation and the formation of bilateral and multilateral alliances to create opportunities for our people.

    ” We are implementing programmes and policies to empower our citizens to combat the challenges of poverty, criminality, and terrorism.

    ” From preparing for the food security crisis triggered by the Russian-Ukrainian war, to responding to banditry attacks on farmers, natural flood disasters, and the repercussions of military coups.”

    He said that his administration remained vigilant in devising solutions to mitigate the impact and enhance national security

    Tinubu said as part of moves to deal decisively with the criminal elements, his government embarked on a new era in the country’s national defence and security strategy.

    This, he said, would be driven by a resolute commitment to confront the substantial threats and challenges that confront us within the West African sub-region.

    “I have directed all heads of defence and security institutions to unite in their efforts to protect our nation’s integrity and well-being.

    ” And as Chairman of the ECOWAS, we are diligently working to enhance our regional conflict management and development mechanisms to forge a path towards greater peace, stability, and progress across West Africa and beyond is not negotiable.”

    He, however, said that in tackling poverty inflicted on Nigerians by activities of the terror groups, he would treat every region equally and give them a sense of belonging in his government.

    ” Justice is the mainstay of prosperity, and we are going to be fair to each region. Whether in tackling the secessionist elements disrupting the peace and economic activities of the good people of the South-East.

    ” In doubling up our efforts in winning the counter-insurgency in the North East, and whether in pursuing normalcy in the North-West or in making the farmer-herder crises a thing of the past in the North-Central.

    ” Every group will be treated as equal and given a sense of belonging in our government.”

    The President said his administration made bold decisions to bolster the nation’s economy.

    According to him, even as some developed economies face the threat of recession, our commitment remains resolute.

    He said that the Federal Government had intensified efforts to implement tangible measures that would alleviate the hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of exchange rates.

    Addressing the graduating Cadets, Tinubu said like those before them, they were “stepping into a world fraught with threats, a world that demands unique skill-sets to conquer the adversaries of the state.

    ” They are going to find themselves in a dynamic landscape, one marked by combat and regimental realities vastly different from those encountered by their predecessors”.

    The Commandant, Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, expressed gratitude to the President for his unwavering commitment and support to the academy towards the realisation of the noble dreams of its founding fathers.

    He applauded the personnel and staff of the academy for their unwavering efforts in discharging their duties and also the graduating cadets for their tireless efforts throughout their training.

    He reminded the graduating cadets that the training they have undergone in the academy would enable them to take leadership responsibilities and positions as military officers of Nigeria.

    ” This is particularly against the backdrop that our country is presently undergoing some internal security challenges which are being efficiently managed by the arm forces.

    ” In recognition of this fact, you must continue to nurture the leadership qualities you have imbibe through your training to effectively contribute towards restoring peace and harmony in Nigeria.”

    Read Also: Atiku on fishing expedition, Tinubu tells US court

    The commandant also urged them to remain discipline, law abiding and committed gentleman.

    The event witnessed parades, march past, presentation of prizes to best graduating cadets, conferment of commission, presentation of parchment of commission as well as administering of the oath of allegiance.

    The passing-out parade was well attended by eminent dignitaries, including the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna, Gov. Agbu Kefas of Taraba and the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Kadafur.

    Others are the Chief of Defence Staff, General CG Musa, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. TA Lagbaja, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral El Ogalla and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal HB Abubakar, among others. (NAN)