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Tag: Buhari

  • Stop giving religious undertone to S/Kaduna crisis, FG warns christian leaders

    Stop giving religious undertone to S/Kaduna crisis, FG warns christian leaders

    The Minister of Interior, retired Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, has called on opinion and religious leaders to refrain from giving religious connotation to the crisis between herdsmen and farmers in Southern Kaduna.

    Dambazau gave the advice in a statement by his Press Secretary, Mr Ehisienmen Osaigbovo, in Abuja yesterday.

    He said that the warning became expedient following insinuations that the criminal violence in Southern Kaduna had s religious interpretation.

    The minister called on well-meaning Nigerians to refrain from making comments capable of heightening the crises, but join hands with government to end the perennial problem.

    Dambazau said some people were always looking for ways to further create division along religious or ethnic fault lines for their selfish interest, with the aim of creating instability in the country.

    He said that true religious leaders should not fan the embers of hate, but ensure that communities live in peace and harmony.

    “Economic growth and development will remain a mirage for Nigeria, with over 500 ethnic groups and multiple religions, unless we resolve to live amicably as a people with common destiny,” he said.

    He said that criminals who perpetrate violence against innocent, law-abiding citizens did not discriminate along religious and ethnic lines, citing examples of how Communities in Zamfara, Katsina, Taraba, Enugu, Lagos and Niger were victimised by those violent criminals. “A criminal should be treated as such, whether he is involved in armed robbery, drug trafficking, homicides or cattle rustling. People should avoid honouring criminals with religious or ethnic attachment,” he added.

    He advised opinion and religious leaders to focus on the real enemies of our society, who illegally acquire weapons to terrorise Christians and Muslims communities alike.

    Dambazau said he had directed the Nigerian ýPolice to ensure the sustenance of law and order, and to arrest and prosecute anyone involved in criminal activities in the area and across the country. He urged citizens to cooperate with the police by providing information in its quest to restore normalcy to the troubled communities.

    He assured Nigerians of government’s commitment to tackling the root causes of similar crisis in all parts of the country, while paying special attention to measures aimed at eradicating poverty, climate change, population explosion and youth restiveness.

     

    NAN

  • Buhari saved Nigeria from extinction, says Northern governors

    Buhari saved Nigeria from extinction, says Northern governors

    The Northern Governors Forum (NGF) on Tuesday said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory in 2015 saved Nigeria from going into extinction.

    The Chairman of NGF and Borno Gov. Kashim Shettima said this when he led a delegation on a courtesy call on Sen. George Akume; Tor Tiv V, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ayatse, and Gov. Samuel Ortom in Makurdi.

    Other governors on the delegation were Mohammed Abubakar and Abdullahi Gunduje of of Bauchi and Kano states, respectively.

    Shettima described the outcome of the 2015 general election as the watershed in the Nigerian political history and commended Benue people for their continuous support of Northern agenda.

    He noted that the PDP-led administration was at the verge of destroying the basic component that bonded Nigeria, adding that Buhari’s victory saved the country.

    “Had President Buhari not win the election in 2015, Nigeria would have gone into extinction and as it is now, the PDP need to be proscribed.

    “The North had moral duty to support Benue state following her continuous support of presidential candidates from the region,” said the NGF chairman.

    He also explained that they were in the state to celebrate with the Tiv people for the peaceful selection of the Tor Tiv V, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ayatse.

    Shettima sympathised with Tiv people over the incessant attacks on their communities by suspected herdsmen, adding that the NGF would never abandon the state.

    He also noted that Benue and Kano states were only the states in the North with a large heart to accommodate non-indigenes over the years as exemplified in appointments and elective positions.

    He announced a donation of 100 cows as his personal contribution for the coronation of the Tor Tiv V.

    Ayatse had earlier commended the NGF for identifying with the Tiv people during their moment of sadness and joy, adding that he cherished the Tor Tiv thrown he had ascended.

    Akume urged the NGF to support Ortom to actualize his vision and invited the forum to attend the coronation of the fifth Tor Tiv.

    On his part, Ortom commended the NGF members for their sustained support of his proposals that led to the end of herdsmen/farmers crisis in the state.

    The governor thanked God for the relative peace enjoyed in the state so far and commended Shettima’s leadership quality.

     

     

    NAN

  • Alleged Corruption: Buhari removes Lawal as committee chairman, appoints Osinbajo

    Following alleged involvement in different cases of bribery and corruption and the continuous public outcry for the his probe, President Muhammadu Buhari has removed Secretary to the State Government, Eng. Babachir Lawal as the chairman of a Presidential Committee on the Reconstruction of Federal Government Boards of Parastatals, Agencies and Commissions.

    The president has however appointed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as the chair of the committee, while the chairman of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agencies (NDLEA) Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah was appointed head of secretariat.

    “The SGF is no longer in charge of that responsibility, for obvious reasons,” a source spoke on condition of anonymity said

    It was gathered that Abdallah-led team now meets frequently at Wuse II, Abuja, and “s working vigorously and will soon conclude its work after which it will submit its report to Mr President.

    President Buhari has begun the search for a new SGF following the indictment of Lawal by the Nigerian Senate.

    The upper chamber of the National Assembly accused Lawal of corruption in the award of contracts at the Presidential Initiative on North East (PINE).

    Buhari, in his New Year message, noted that his “government is aware of some mistakes and wrongdoings in handling the affairs of IDPs. We are taking measures to correct those mistakes and punish the culprits”.

    Recall that Buhari in October, 2015 constituted an eight-member committee, headed by Babachir, to compile names of prospective appointees into federal government boards, parastatals and agencies.

    Members of the committee included Alhaji Mai Mala Buni (northeast), Alhaji Zakari Ede (northcentral), Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir (northwest), Chief Hillard Etagbo Eta (south-south), Chief Pius Akinyelure (southwest), Chief Emmanuel Eneukwe (southeast) and Mr. Gideon Sammani, a senior special assistant to the president as secretary.

    The committee, however, had disagreements over certain issues in November.

    Buhari, in a response, directed Osinbajo to meet stakeholders including the Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) Chairman Abdulaziz Yari, APC Governors Forum Chairman Rochas Okorocha and representatives of the governors in each of the six geopolitical zones.

    The governors nominated were: Jibrilla Bindow (northeast), Atiku Bagudu (northwest), Simon Lalong (northcentral), Rochas Okorocha (southeast), Adams Oshiomhole (south-south), and Akinwumi Ambode (southwest).

    They committee swung into action and reviewed names of the prospective appointees collated by the SGF from the 36 states and FCT which was reportedly done without recourse to governors and other stakeholders of the APC.

    The SGF was accused of not treating the issue of board appointments with levity.

    He allegedly failed to carry members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council along while refusing to consult governors, a development that set them against Buhari.

    President Buhari is expected to make appointments into no fewer than 500 parastatals this year (2017).

     

  • Shekau not killed, Army presented fake Boko Haram flag to Buhari – PDP Youths

     

    The youth wing of the opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Youth Frontier, has alleged that the Nigerian Army presented a “fake Boko Haram flag” to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Recall that the Army recently presented a flag and Quran belonging to Abubakar Shekau, leader of the Boko Haram sect to President Buhari at the Presidential villa in Abuja signaling the capture of the forest and death of the dreaded leader of the terrorist group.

    The flag alongside a Qur’an belonging to Shekau was recovered by the Army during the capture of “Camp Zero,” a major stronghold of Boko Haram commanders, located in Sambisa Forest.

    However, the PDP youth, in a statement on its twitter handle, @PDPNYF said the presentation of the insurgent flag to Buhari was a disgrace to the “sovereignty” of Nigeria.

    The tweet reads: “By presenting a FAKE Boko Haram flag as a sign of victory against the Sect. This is so unfortunate and a disgrace to our sovereignty.”

    The group noted that the “Flag and Quoran are not Shekau head. Could Obama bring back Osama Bin Ladin’s Qoran and Flag without killing him?”

     

  • Kaduna killings: Sultan sad over death of 800 people, begs Buhari for lasting solution

    Kaduna killings: Sultan sad over death of 800 people, begs Buhari for lasting solution

    The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has condemned what he described the ongoing unjust acts of destruction of lives and properties in Southern Kaduna.

    A statement from the Director of Administration, NSCIA, Ustaz Christian Isa Okonkwo, Monday, quoted the Sultan as expressing sadness that as at the last count, over 800 people were reportedly killed while about 57 others have suffered life-threatening injuries.

    Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III Okonkwo said: “The NSCIA denounces these events in its entirety particularly because they run contrary to fundamental Islamic law which ordains human life to be sacred and strongly forbids its unlawful destruction except for a just course.”

    He urged the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government and the Governor Nasir El-Rufai-led Kaduna State Government to urgently step into the situation and put a stop to the crisis.

    “The NSCIA would like the Federal and Kaduna State governments to go a step further by proffering lasting solutions to these recurrent acts of hatefulness and savagery in Southern Kaduna.

    We also wish to call on the Federal government to objectively investigate the matter and prosecute whoever that is found guilty irrespective of the person’s tribe, creed and/or social status,” he said.

    He urged all Nigerians to continue to promote justice, preach, teach and live in peace with one another, and not to allow themselves be used by forces of evil which may hide behind tribal, political or even religious disguise order to perpetrate evils.

  • Buhari will reverse economic recession, says Ganduje

    Buhari will reverse economic recession, says Ganduje

    Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has expressed confidence in the ability of President Muhammad Buhari to tackle to current economic challenges in the country.

    The governor said this yesterday in Kano in his New Year message to the people.

    Ganduje, who spoke through the State’s Commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture, Mr Mohammed Garba, also expressed optimism about year 2017.

    He prayed that it would be full of opportunities, blessings and happiness for all Nigerians.

    He said the past year had indeed not been very smooth on account of the economic recession in the country, expressing optimism however that the dogged commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari would bring about a turnaround.

    According to the governor, dwindling revenue from the Federation Account had been affecting the fortunes of the state as is the case with other states in the country.

    He said notwithstanding, the state government had been judiciously utilising the little resources coming via internally generated revenue to initiate and finance laudable and beneficial projects and programmes.

    The governor listed the projects to include construction of new roads, bridges, underpass, flyover and the provision of potable drinking water.

    “Such projects and programmes have been positively touching the lives of the people. We have been doing that and we will continue to do it for the general development of Kano State.”

    “Other areas we have focused on include health, agriculture, youth and women development, education, rural development, sanitation and environmental protection,’’ he said.

    Ganduje commended the citizens for what he called their understanding and support to government policies and programmes, urging them to continue to pay their taxes as and when due to enable the government execute more meaningful projects.

    He also commended Buhari for the gallant and heroic capture of the Sambisa forest by the Nigerian Military and other stakehoders, saying this signaled the final conquest of the insurgents in North East.

    The governor said it was heartwarming in view of the fact that Kano state had been badly affected by the activities of the insurgents, and urged the people to report any suspicious movement to the right quarters.

  • Dogara seeks traditional rulers’ support for Buhari

    … says FG tackling economic crisis

    The speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt.Hon. Yakubu Dogara has called on traditional rulers across the country to rally their subject behind the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Dogara spoke when he visited the Emir of Argungu in Kebbi the state Alhaji Samaila Muhammad Mera, in his palace according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan.

    “We have seen the good intention of Mr. President in addressing the socio-economic challenges in the country but he can only succeed with the prayers and support of Nigerians,” the Speaker said.

    Dogara, maintained that as fathers and custodians of our cultures and traditions, traditional rulers have a major role to play in mobisling their subject to pray for and support efforts of the government to tackle the mirage of problems it inherited.

    The Speaker expressed confidence in the ability of the Buhari administration to extend the same vigour and spirit with which it fights against corruption and insurgency in combating the current economic challenges in the in the country.

    The statement qouted the speaker as stating that “considering the mismanagement of resources by the previous administration, it is obvious that Nigerians will experience some sort of difficulties similar to what we are facing currently. But I’m confident that the Federal government is capable of extending the spirit with which it is fighting corruption and other menaces in tackling poverty, unemployment and other economic challenges bedevilling the nation”.

    He recalled that before the inception of the current administration, some states were owing between five and seven months of workers’ salaries.

    In his response, the Emir Alhaji Muhammad Mera commended the House of Representatives under the leadership of Hon. Dogara for supporting the Executive arm of the government through legislative interventions in bthe administration’s efforts in bringing succour to the citizens.

    Alhaji Mera expressed his gratitude to the Buhari-led administration for implementing the Anchor Borrower programme which helped in boosting rice production in his domain.

    He said in the last one year, thousands of his subjects have been financially empowered through the programme leading creation of jobs and establishment of rice processing mills in the area.

  • 2017: Buhari urgently needs experts to review Nigeria’s economic policies -PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to change his economic policies this year.

    It said this was the only way that could take the country out of economic recession.

    Spokesperson for the caretaker committee headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, stated this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

    Adeyeye said that the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government must scout for competent economic experts to fix the economy.

    He said, “We advise the APC-led administration in this year (2017) to urgently employ the services of economic experts to put in place viable policies that will revamp our ailing economy.

    “We are presently in recession because of significant decline in government business in both internal and external spheres.

    “The Federal Government should increase money supply, cause rise in disposable income (spending) and decrease mindless taxation which have led to high inflation and multiple prices in money market.”

  • 2017: ‘Nigerians are hungry, they want to see more changes’, Mbaka reminds Buhari

    2017: ‘Nigerians are hungry, they want to see more changes’, Mbaka reminds Buhari

    Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Ministry in Enugu State has advised President Muhammadu Buhari on leadership in the New Year.

    He gave the advice in Enugu on Saturday in his New Year message at the cross over service to 2017.

    He advised the President to tackle the challenges facing the country, saying “many Nigerians are suffering.

    “Though the President is trying on corruption and security, Nigerians are hungry; they want to see more changes.

    “There is the need to assist businessmen and women in their businesses.”

    He also advised the President to appoint experts who would help him to revive the economy.

    The cleric asked the President to consult Church leaders and eminent men of God
    to advise him and tell him the truth about the economy.

    “We cannot reach him for advice because of the kind of people around him,” he added.

    He then urged Nigerians to be patient and be prayerful “as your sufferings and hardships would be over in 2017.

    “Nigeria is set to be great again,” he stressed.

  • Buhari commends security agencies, tasks Nigerians on security consciousness

    President Muhammadu Buhari has urged Nigerians to be on the alert and watch out for strange figures settling in their communities, and report to the nearest security agencies any suspicious persons.

    The President, who made the call in his New Year message to Nigerians, said the call had become imperative following intensified efforts by the armed forces in the pursuit of fleeing terrorists from the captured Sambisa Forest.

    He maintained that misguided elements who decided to take up arms against constituted authorities must be brought to face the full weight of the law.

    President Buhari, who congratulated the heroic and gallant efforts of the military and other security agencies on their remarkable successes to rid the nation of terrorism, urged all citizens to support the security agencies in the fight against terrorism.

    “The support of all Nigerians to security agencies to enable them successfully execute their mandate is crucial in our bid to effectively secure our country.

    “Seeing the joyful return of thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to Damasak town in Borno State, following the reopening of Maiduguri/Gubio/Damasak road in Northern Borno on Dec. 25, reassured us that the voluntary return of IDPs in other parts of the country is imminent.’’

    He stated that the Federal Government would spare no effort in seeing to the resettlement and rehabilitation of the unfortunate victims of terrorism and insurgency.

    The President urged state governments, privileged Nigerians, donour agencies and countries to redouble their contributions towards this goal.

    According to him, government is aware of some mistakes and wrongdoings in handling the affairs of IDPs, saying that measures are being taken to correct the mistakes and punish the culprits.

    “In this New Year, I want to reassure all Nigerians that our defence and security forces are more than ever before ready to perform their constitutional role of protecting lives and property in the country; and we will surely overcome all other forms of security challenges.’’

    The President assured that the lingering security issues in several states would be frontally addressed.

    “These ugly crises cannot be allowed to fester as they strain the unifying bonds of brotherhood and neighbourliness.

    “Some sections of the press and some politicians should avoid provocative and inflammatory statements, while the government is painstakingly trying to find solutions to our challenges.

    “I want to remind you on the first day of this New Year of an African proverb that says it is easy to break a broomstick but not a bunch.

    “Nigeria is a bunch and is more than equal to troublemakers.

    “I have interacted with a broad spectrum of Nigerians, the old and the young, and they have told me unequivocally that they believe in the unity and stability of Nigeria.

    “The year 2017 provides an opportunity for us to build on those aspects of our national life that unite us.

    “We are courageous, hardworking, hospitable, steadfast and resilient people, even in the face of difficulties.’’