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Tag: Buhari

  • Anenih frowns at masterminds of PMB’s rumoured death

    Anenih frowns at masterminds of PMB’s rumoured death

    Former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih has condemned masterminds of the media report that the health condition of President Muhammadu Buhari could have worsened, leading to possible death in Germany.

    Anenih, who reacted to the development, yesterday, in Abuja, dismissed the report as the handiwork of those who not only did not wish Buhari well, but also did not mean well for Nigeria.

    The elder statesman said those behind the rumor, in their hurried bid to propagate their mischievous and false report, forgot that the president left Nigeria for London and not Germany, on vacation, during which period he would undergo routine medical check-up.

    “This attitude of doing false reports about the death of our leaders has become characteristic in the media, and it is not good. I was a victim of this in May last year when I was reported to have died in a London hospital. Former President Ibrahim Babangida was also a victim of such sinister rumoured death last year. I wonder what those behind the false and mischievous reports intended to gain from them.

    “Fabricating such negative and false reports of death about fellow human beings is wicked and ungodly. It is clearly against Biblical admonition that we should pray for leaders and people in authority,” Anenih said.

    “At this time of economic recession, rather than wish President Buhari dead, Nigerians should fervently pray for him to enjoy good health to be able to take the country out of the woods.

    “The masterminds of these false reports should desist from such despicable act that only portrays them as inhuman. They should fear God, ask for His mercy and forgiveness so they do not invite the wrath of God upon their heads,” he added.

    Anenih advised the media, especially operators of online media platforms, to always verify sensitive reports before they publish, saying, “by doing so, they will save their news subjects and themselves unnecessary embarrassment.”

  • Buhari fecilitates with China on Lunar New Year

    Buhari fecilitates with China on Lunar New Year

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Chinese community in Nigeria and worldwide on the Chinese Lunar New Year which begins on January 28.

    The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, on Sunday, said the President Buhari had sent the congratulatory message before he proceeded on a short vacation on Thursday.

    In the message, Buhari noted that China has made a series of social and economic achievements during the past few decades.

    He said China has made simultaneous progress in economic, political, cultural, social and bioenvironmental areas, and has achieved average yearly economic growth far above the world’s average.

    He also noted that the country has taken the second place in the world’s Gross Domestic Product ranking.

    Buhari said Chinese people still highly emphasise the concept of family and the opportunity of reunion, much as Nigerians do, describing it as “our shared value.”

    He added, “After 46 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Nigeria and China have become close economic, political and cultural partners.

    “During the state visit to China last April, we reached consensus that the two countries should give full play to corresponding development strategies, strong economic complementarity and enormous cooperative potential.

    “I am confident that our strategic partnership will remain extremely successful in the Year of Rooster.

    “May the relations between Nigeria and China have another profitable and affluent year. Happy New Year!”

  • Buhari’s aide refutes death rumour, mocks Jonathan over Obasanjo’s visit

    The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, has mocked former president, Goodluck Jonathan, for visiting former president Olusegun Obasanjo at his Ibogun residence instead of attending Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 45th US president on Friday.

    Recall that Jonathan was rumoured to have been invited for Trump’s inauguration as president, but was instead spotted at Obasanjo’s hometown on a visit.

    Shehu was responding to rumours making the rounds on social media, that his principal, who is away on a 10-day vacation, has died in a UK hospital.

    Shehu tweeted: “Best wishes to all who wish PMB well. As for those who carry evil rumours, may they receive grace to repent.

    “He is alive and well! President Buhari is not magical. He cannot be holidaying in the UK & be in Germany, dead or alive at the same time.

    “He is unlike a past President who was at Ota, with Chief Obj & attending the Trump inauguration in D.C, being in two places at the same time!”

    Buhari is expected to resume work on February 6, 2017.

     

    See Tweet Below:

     

  • Buhari is not dead- Presidency

    Presidency has denied that President Muhammadu Buhari is dead as being speculated by mischief makers.

    The Presidential spokespersons on Saturday night in Abuja described as ”evil rumours” the social media reports on President Muhammadu Buhari’s health conditions.

    In their separate posts, published on their Twitter handles, Mr Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President and Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, dismissed the reports as false and clear case of mischief.

    Adesina said: “Best wishes to all who wish PMB well.

    “As for those who carry evil rumours, may they receive grave to repent.’’

    Shehu also dismissed the rumour that President Buhari was dead as being speculated by mischief makers.

    He also described as false and untrue the report that the President was flown to Germany.

    Shehu said: “He is alive and well! President Buhari is not magical. He cannot be holidaying in the UK and be in Germany, dead or alive at the same time.

    “He is unlike a past President who was at Ota, with Chief Obasanjo and attending the Trump inauguration in D.C, being in two places at the same time!’’

    President Muhammadu Buhari left Abuja for the United Kingdom on Thursday on a short leave, which is part of his annual vacation.

    Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, who made this known, on Thursday, said: “During the vacation, the President will also undergo routine medical check-ups.

    “He is expected to resume work on Feb. 6, 2017.”

  • Buhari warns varsities against unethical practices

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday warned that any university management involved in unethical practices would face the full wrath of the law.

    Buhari, who was the Visitor at the sixth convocation of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja, said universities would henceforth prepare quarterly financial reports.

    Represented by Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Buhari said his administration was anchored on ensuring security of lives and property, fighting corruption and improving the economy.

    “As we move to address the existing needs of our universities, we demand that the leadership of these institutions reciprocate government’s gesture by untilising their funds with utmost integrity and probity.

    “Any university council or management found wanting in relation to financial mismanagement or gross moral and ethical violations will be made to face the full wrath of law.

    “I have directed the Minister of Education to demand quarterly reports from all universities, detailing their major financial and administrative activities.

    “A template for such report will soon be circulated to the universities by the Federal Ministry of Education through the NUC,’’ he said.

    Buhari asked NOUN to continue to lead and chart new directions in distance learning education through maximum use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

    According to him, NOUN should through effective use of ICT, research, instructional materials and other training aids, produce globally competitive graduates.

    He congratulated NOUN’s governing council, management, staff and students on the institution’s sixth convocation.

    In his address, Prof. Abdalla Adamu, NOUN’s Vice-Chancellor, said that 12,125 graduating students, across all disciplines, would be conferred with honours.

    He said that out of the number, 31 bagged first class degrees.

    According to him, NOUN is keying into the global trend in digital learning.

    “To improve our web rankings and raise the profile of our academic staff, NOUN has created a ‘NOUN Academics Online’ module where each of our academic staff is showcased to attract national and international collaborations in teaching and research.

    “Noting the trend in technology usage among our students and predilection towards smart phone and tablet devices, NOUN has started negotiations with key technology partners to migrate our study materials into ePub electronic format.

    “That will make our materials easier, friendlier and more interactively accessible on smartphone and tablet,’’ he said.

    He regretted that the Council for Legal Education (CLE) had consistently denied NOUN’s law graduates admission into law school due to wrong perception.

    Adamu, however, said that the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund recently held a public hearing on NOUN Amendment Bill, which when passed into law, would address all outstanding issues.

    The vice-chancellor said that NOUN had outpaced other Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions in Africa in the Open Education Resources initiative.

    In his remarks, NOUN’s Chancellor, Lawrence Agubuzu, said that the yearly convocation was a testimony that NOUN was pursuing its mandate vigorously.

    He urged the new graduates to exhibit worthy qualities wherever they find themselves in the service of their fatherland.

  • Forget re-election in 2019 if you don’t repent – Bishop tells Buhari

    Bishop of Ughelli Diocese (Anglican Communion) Rt. Rev. Dr. Cyril Odutemu yesterday told President Muhammadu Buhari that the deployment of warships, including fighter jets, to the Niger Delta will not stop the agitations in the region.

    This is also as he declared that President Buhari and other politicians would face hurdles in the 2019 general elections.

    Bishop Odutemu made the assertion during a service marking the centenary birthday of the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom at Otor-Orere Olomu Kingdom, in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

    Bishop Odutemu stated that the only way to manage the agitations was for the government and leaders in the country to stop oppression.

    “The only thing that will stop it is for us to stop oppression. It is for us to practice what we are saying. It is for us to go back and take care of the poor. For us to go back and make the people to enjoy their resources”, he declared.

    Bishop Odutemu also advised the youths in the Niger Delta region to stop the vandalization of oil pipelines and engage the government constructively with the power of their pen.

    “It is your right to agitate. The power of the gun is nothing compared to the power of the pen. Let us use our biro. Let us stop destroying government properties in our land. Let us stop blowing up pipelines”, he said.

    The cleric also stated that President Muhammadu Buhari and some Nigerian politicians may not smell the Government House in 2019 because their works were evil.

    Bishop Odutemu said, “Some of you hearing me now, will not smell Government House in 2019 because your work is ‘Mene-Mene Teke-Uphasin’.

    “Unless you repent and do the right thing, including Buhari, including everybody. We are watching you. 2019 will be tough. It will be more strict than 2015. Our kings are hearing me. Do not use your palace to cover iniquity. Tell them the right thing.”

    Bishop Odutemu also warned that the Anglican Church may deny Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa in the next election if he allowed his government to continue being deceived by “sycophants”.

    In his words, “Our searchlight is on your government. We are watching and we don’t want you to be disappointed, neither the church be disappointed.

    “Next election, people will cue out for you if you use the whole time to the glory of God. You will not need to campaign sir. Your work will campaign for you. But if your government is being deceived by
    sycophants, some of us may deny you.

    “I am begging you openly because I
    told every Anglican in this diocese to vote for you trusting that you will not disappoint us and I know that you are not disappointing us.

    “But I plead with you in the mercy of God, watch your agents. Watch those who help you to execute policies in your government.

    Instead of a stubborn goat to sink the ship, it is better to give the goat to the storm so that your ship will arrive safely. A word they say is enough for the wise.”

     

  • Buhari sacks striking doctors

    Buhari sacks striking doctors

     

    The President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government has asked Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals to replace resident doctors who are currently on a warning strike.

    This development is coming barely 24 hours after the commencement of one week warning strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors, NARD.

    The government’s directive to sack the striking NARD members was contained in a circular with Ref. No. DHS/828/T/199 dated January 19, 2017 issued by the Director of Health Services in the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Wapada Balami.

    However, in a swift reaction, the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA in a statement ordered the immediate retraction of the directive by the Federal Government.

    The statement reads in part: “While still looking forward to an amicable resolution of the germane issues raised, the NMA demands an immediate withdrawal of the threat as contained in circular no. DHS/828/T/199 of January 19, 2017 issued by the Director of Health Services of the Federal Ministry of Health to Chief Medical Directors and Medical Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals to employ temporary doctors to replace the members of NARD who are currently on a warning strike action to press home their unmet demands.”

     

    The NMA advised Nigerians to prevail on officials of the Federal Ministry of Health not to “further jeopardise the health of Nigerians already burdened with the biting economic recession.”

     

  • Buhari’s clampdown on media houses is suppression of freedom of speech – Adegboruwa

    …Says people should expect more clampdowns in the nearest future

    Vocal human rights activitist and respected lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has said the recent clampdown on media houses by the President Muhammudu Buhari led administration is a breakdown of democratic tolerance, law and order.

    Adegboruwa’s reaction is coming after the Thursday raiding of the Premium Times head office and subsequent arrest of its publisher, Dapo Olorunyomi, alongside the paper’s judiciary correspondent, Evelyn Okakwu in Abuja by the police

    In a statement on Friday, Adegboruwa noted Nigerians are in for more difficult time, adding that one riding on the back of a tiger should not rejoice carelessly.

    He said, “I had warned, from the very first day of Inauguration on May 29, 2015, that this particular government has no plan for the restructuring and prosperity of Nigeria.

    “Many of my comrades believed and stated otherwise. Obviously, their views were driven by the sour experiences of the immediate past administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, which in the time of prosperity, could not salvage Nigeria.

    “I, however, was quick to point out to them then, that the All Progressives Congress, APC, was only playing on the expectation of Nigerians for good governance, but had no genuine intention of transforming Nigeria, but rather to capture power for the sake of relevance.

    “The aphorism is true as true can be, namely that, when you ride on the back of the tiger, do not rejoice carelessly, as you may one day end up in its belly.

    “It is clear to me that after the euphoria of anti-corruption war would have suffered it’s inevitable death, the hawks will take the war to the gates of their “allies”.

    “And that’s why we must all stand up to resist this civilian dictatorship, because nobody knows who is next in line.

    “The point that I’ve struggled to make all these many months of the Buhari regime, is that all actions of government should follow due process and the rule of law and that there should be no discrimination in the application of law.

    “It is in the light of the foregoing that I strongly condemn the crackdown on the media, by the APC led administration. It started with Bloggers and has now moved steadily to social media practitioners and it will eventually get to the traditional mainstream media. It will not spare the political “allies”, the preferred civil society groups, the loyal activists and even the prayerful faith based entities.

    “However, we must not tolerate this clampdown on the media and the opposition, because anytime a government gets this desperate to silence the critical voices of the media, then there is hidden agenda. The media has the constitutional responsibility, imposed on it by section 22 of the Constitution, to hold government accountable to the people.

    “Without any doubt whatsoever, doubting media practitioners would all have seen by now, that the present government is totally clueless and so very much insincere, about its much trumpeted commitment to “Change.”

    “The freedom of speech and the press is expressly guaranteed under section 39 of the Constitution as a fundamental right and so no government should be allowed to muzzle the media or the opposition, as a way of covering its secrets or enthroning a regime of dictatorship.

    “Let all journalists be free to report, let the opposition be accommodated to criticize constructively and let all rights and liberties guaranteed by law, be respected and protected.

    “If there be any alleged infraction of the law, whether by journalists, politicians, lawyers or even the military, let such be dealt with according to law and due process.”

  • Buhari congratulates Gambia’s new president, Adama Barrow

     

    The Federal Government of Nigeria has congratulated Adama Barrow, after he was sworn-in as President of The Gambia.

    The congratulations was conveyed on behalf of the president by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama on Thursday via Twitter.

    “Nigeria welcomes the swearing-in of His Excellency: Adama Barrow – as President of The Gambia, today. Congratulations,” Onyeama tweeted.

    Barrow was sworn-in at Gambia’s Embassy in Senegal.

    He has since returned to The Gambia.

    Barrow has been in Senegal for several days at the request of West African leaders until his planned inauguration.

    Speaking after taking oath of office in Dakar, he called on security forces to “demonstrate their loyalty” in a standoff with outgoing President of the country, Yahya Jammeh.

    He said, “From today on, I am the president of the Gambia regardless of whether you voted for me or not.”

    “I command the chief of defence staff and officers of high command to demonstrate their loyalty to me as commander in chief without any delay.

    “I command all members of the armed forces to remain in their barracks, those found wanting or in possession of firearms without my order will be considered rebels.”

    Barrow defeated Jammeh in last month’s presidential election. Although Jammeh initially conceded defeat, he later changed his mind citing irregularities during the polls.

  • Senate blasts Buhari for deploying troops, warships to Gambia without approval

    Following President Muhammadu Buhari’s deployment of Nigerian troops, warships to crisis ridden Gambia, the Senate has condemned the president’s decision to go ahead with the deployment without seeking the approval of the senate.

    Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari was appointed as the ECOWAS mediator in the Gambia’s electoral crisis. However, despite the peace talks, Jammeh has refused to step down thus forcing the coalition of African forces to the troubled nation.

    The Nigerian Air Force had on Wednesday sent a contingent of 200 men and air assets, led by Air Commodore Tajudeen Yusuf, to Dakar, Senegal, with the aim of ousting the embattled President from office.

    Reacting to the military action, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, during today’s plenary at the red chambers of the National Assembly, raised a point of order.

    Citing Section 5(4) of the Constitution, he said what the Buhari-led government did was against the law.

    Utazi said, “I am saying this because of the happenings in our friendly country in Gambia. The ECOWAS countries have been discussing on this issue; on how to ensure that democratic crisis of the people of Gambia are protected. But to add that this country will go on a warfare in another country without a recourse to this constitutional provisions is an affront of the 1999 Constitution and it is a breach of the Constitution, and we have failed even when the Senate has been cooperating with the executive.

    “Let it be on record that if anything of this nature happens, that this national assembly have to be informed properly in writing.”

    Section 5(4) states, “(a) the President shall not declare a state of war between the federation and another country except with the sanction of a resolution of both houses of the National Assembly sitting in a joint session; and (b) except with the prior approval of the senate, no member of the armed forces of the federation shall be deployed on combat duty outside Nigeria.”