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Tag: Buhari

  • Buhari will make full board appointments in 2017 – Presidency

    Buhari will make full board appointments in 2017 – Presidency

    Following the delay in the appointments of boards of federal government agencies, and the subsequent outcry by several interest groups, the presidency has assured Nigerians of the president’s readiness to commence the appointments by 2017.

    This was confirmed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

    Recall that the president had made a similar promise in 2015, however, one year after, the agencies are still without boards.

    Explaining the reason for the delay, Shehu said it was because of an issue of interest to members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He however affirmed that: “the process will be fully back on track at the beginning of the New Year.”

    In his words: “You know that the reconstitution began methodically from sector by sector. You should expect that to resume at the beginning of the New Year. The president has given directions on what to do.”

    Shehu also stated that Buhari’s persistent call for a return to farming was yielding good results.

    “The talk about agriculture has driven people to the farm. This year, there is a huge boom in the rural economy. We have witnessed an excellent harvest. Farmers are getting value for their output.

    “What has encouraged farmers the more is the increasing availability of extension services. New farming techniques are helping farmers to do their occupation better. The readiness of off takers to buy the produce is also a major boost.

    “When you put all these together with the systematic move to curb importation as a boost to local production through the restriction of the available foreign exchange to critically important sectors of the economy, you have favourable environment for the diversification of the economy.

    “As we speak, several of the country’s major manufacturing industries are actively backward-integrating- Nestle, Unilever, the breweries are looking at what we have as local materials, changing their formulations to maintain production levels and keep their shares of the market.

    “Manufacturers, who are hooked on import of raw materials, are advised to re-strategise and take full advantage of local raw materials. The future belongs to those who employ the use of local raw materials,” he said.

     

     

  • Buhari mourns Senator Okpozo

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday expressed condolences to the government and people of Delta State on the death of a Second Republic senator and member of the Board of Trustees of the All Progressives Congress, APC Chief Francis Okpozo.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President also commiserated with the family and friends of the late senator “whose championing of social justice in the Niger Delta, during his long history of service to the people, endeared him to many.”

    As a stalwart of the APC in the South-South, Buhari said the party benefited greatly from the octogenarian’s charismatic leadership and wealth of experience as a politician.

    The statement read, “The President hopes that all who mourn Senator Okpozo will carry forward his legacy of unwavering dedication to the unity of Nigeria, even as the nation would fondly remember his contributions to peace, development and justice in the Niger Delta.

    “President Buhari prays that God Almighty will comfort the family of the late senator and grant the soul of the departed eternal rest.”

  • Militants accept Buhari’s call for peace, say we’re ready for dialogue

    …Condemns calls for SGF’s resignation

    Sequel to President Muhammadu Buhari’s appeal to the Niger Delta militants to tread the part of honour and come to the negotiating table, the militants have expressed their readiness to dialogue with the Federal Government.

    The militants said the decision to embrace dialogue was reached after a meeting held on Tuesday under the auspices of the Coalition of Niger Delta Groups.

    According to a report by The Punch, the militants said they had no personal grudge against President Muhammadu Buhari and were ready to work together with his administration to make Nigeria better.

    Recall that President Buhari had on Sunday called on the militants to come forward for dialogue over the Niger Delta crisis.

    The leader of the Niger Delta Watchdogs, General John Duku; General Ekpo Ekpo of the Niger Delta Volunteers, Commander Henry Okon Etete of the Niger Delta Peoples Fighters and Commander Asukwo Henshaw, the spokesperson for the Bakassi Freedom Fighters who signed the statement, agreed to embrace peace.

    “We wish to assure Mr. President that the Niger Delta militants and the people are 100 per cent ready for dialogue. We have no personal grudge against him and his government and we promise to work together to make Nigeria better,” the agitators said.

    The militants commended President Buhari for calling on the Niger Delta militants to negotiate with the Federal Government.

    They, however, condemned the call by the Senate for the resignation of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Babachir Lawal, saying such a call was not in the interest of the country.

    Explaining that they had uncovered a plot by some politicians to sponsor militants to protest for the removal of Lawal, the militants warned that they would resist any attempt to sack the SGF.

    “We strongly condemn the recent call for the resignation of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation by the Senate. The call on Mr. President to remove the SGF is uncalled for, unpatriotic and not in the interest of the nation.

    “The allegation levelled against Mr. Lawal is baseless, without facts and the handiwork of saboteurs, who are planning to bring down and destroy this government by all means, knowing very well that the SGF is the engine room of this government, hard working, 100 per cent loyal to the President and a threat to some self-centred politicians.

    “It is on record that the SGF has resigned his position as the Managing Director of the company (his accusers talked about) as soon as he was appointed as the SGF.

    “He neither presided over nor acted on behalf of the company anymore. However, a Senate committee refused to invite the SGF for public hearing because they know what they were up to and must deliver based on the directive from their paymasters,” the statement read.

    The agitators stated that they were aware of plans to move millions of naira into the Niger Delta to mobilise some youths and militants to protest against the SGF, using some powerful governors in the oil-rich region.

     

  • Buhari should either fight blackmail or give up the Presidency – Jibrin

     

    Suspended member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Abdulmumin Jibrin, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to either fight blackmail or give up the Presidency.

    Jibrin, had in a series of messages on his twitter handle, deliberately send messages to the president over issues that he (Jibrin) was not comfortable with.

    In a message on his twitter handle, @AbdulAbmJ, on Monday, Jibrin asked Buhari to either fight those blackmailing him or give up the Presidency.

    One of his tweets reads: “A President must repel blackmail with all his arsenals or give up the Presidency. You cannot be an effective president while in hostage!”

    He accused Buhari of playing into the hands of people he (Jibrin) claimed did not believe in him.

    The former chairman, House Committee on Appropriation tweeted further: “Mr. President, you are playing into the hands of people who do not believe in you and your government.

    “You will come back to these tweets in 18 months.”

    He further alleged that Buhari had turned his back on a lot of issues in the name of achieving political stability and harmony.

    Jibrin noted that the President’s decision would later come to haunt him.

    He added, “Mr. President, such ‘political stability’ and ‘harmony’ that compels you to turn away your face where you shouldn’t is useless to our country!”

    It was not clear whom Jibrin was referring to, but observers said coming on the day the Speaker of the House, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, turned 49 years old, Jibrin might have become frustrated in his bid to have Dogara prosecuted.

    Recall that Buhari, had in a birthday message to Dogara, praised the Speaker, saying that he (Dogara) inspired his trust in the youths of the country to deliver Nigeria out of challenges.

    Jibrin had been suspended by the House in September after lawmakers dismissed his N40bn budget padding allegations against Dogara and three other principal officers.

    The three others are the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Yussuff Lasun ; the Chief Whip, Mr. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa; and the Minority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor.

    Jibrin had petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, the Police and the Department of State Services, seeking the prosecution of Dogara and other principal officers.

    None of the agencies has acted so far by inviting any of the officers for questioning.

    After his suspension was pronounced unanimously by majority of the House in September, Jibrin left the country for the UK on the excuse that his security was no longer guaranteed in Nigeria.

     

  • IBB hails Buhari on military takeover of Sambisa

    IBB hails Buhari on military takeover of Sambisa

    Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) on Monday commended President Muhammadu Buhari on the fall of dreaded Sambisa forest which had been the operation center of the Boko Haram insurgents.

    Elated IBB in a statement released by his media office said: “it is a sign of relief, that the military has finally smocked out Boko Haram terrorists from their notorious enclave of Sambisa Forest”

    General Babangida also salute the courage and determination of President Muhammadu Buhari, Army chiefs as well as armed men and women and other security personnel for their sacrifice for the painful liberation of Sambisa Forest and adjoining abode of Boko Haram.

    He said: “May I rejoice with the government and Nigerians on the successful dislodging of Boko Haram from their base in Sambisa.

    The former head of state, explained that with the successful takeover of Sambisa forest, General Babangida hoped that very soon the remaining Chibok girls will be located and reunite with their families.

    The former Military President, reaffirmed his earlier stand that, ” President Muhammadu Buhari and the Military are capable of crushing any challenge of the territorial integrity of Nigeria”.

    The former Military President, pay tributes to all fallen heroes for paying a supreme sacrifice in their efforts of keeping the nation from aggression.

    Saying: ” the Labour of our heroes past, shall never been in vain”.

    Finally, Babangida urged the military to unveil a new strategy of further defeating pockets of insurgents/terrorists, armed bandits and cattle rustlers all over the country.

  • President Buhari Lied Against Jonathan on Christmas Day!

    President Buhari Lied Against Jonathan on Christmas Day!

    By Reno Omokri

    On Christmas Day of 2016, President Muhammadu Buhari hosted leading citizens of the Federal Capital Territory led by the minister of the FCT, Muhammad Bello, and during the visit he returned to his old habit of blaming and said, and I quote, “there was no money saved, no infrastructure built, and power is still our main problem.”

    This is patently untrue and without mincing words, President Buhari lied.

    Former President Jonathan left $2.07 billion in the Excess Crude Account when he handed over to President Buhari on May 29, 2015. He also left Foreign reserves of $29. 6 billion for the incoming government in May 2015.

    If ex President Jonathan left no savings, with what money did President Muhammadu Buhari use to bail out those states that could not pay salary (mostly APC states) after he assumed office in May 2015?

    Of course the Central Bank of Nigeria did not print money! That money came from somewhere.

    On Tuesday the 26th of July, 2016, President Buhari commissioned the $1.457bn Abuja-Kaduna standard gauge rail project. This was a project built and COMPLETED by the Jonathan administration. It is a 187 kilometer railway that enables Nigerians to live in Kaduna and work in Abuja. Is this not infrastructure?

    The only federal university in President Buhari’s state is the federal university Dutsin-Ma was built by former President Jonathan who also built 11 other federal universities in Zamfara, Yobe, Nasarawa, Kogi, Taraba, Gombe, Jigawa, Kebbi, Ebonyi, Bayelsa and Ekiti states.

    By building 12 new federal universities and 165 almajiri schools and renovating 507 additional secondary schools all over Nigeria through the Universal Basic Education Commission, the Jonathan administration not only increased access to education, the policy also had the intended side effect of putting hundreds of thousands of youths to work which stimulated the economy and contributed to GDP growth. Are these not infrastructure?

    To prove that former President Jonathan prudently and judiciously developed all parts of Nigeria, I will now list, state by state, the infrastructure that the Jonathan administration invested in every state of Nigeria. I challenge President Muhammadu Buhari to contradict me.

    In Abia, Jonathan completed power plants in Aba and Alaoji and reconstructed and reopened Ohafia barracks to stem kidnapping.

    In Adamawa Jonathan constructed 5 Almajiri schools and the NAF Comprehensive Sec School and a Terminal at the Yola airport.

    In Anambra Jonathan completed Onitsha River Port, repaired Onitsa-Owerri Rd and kick started the process of the 2nd Niger Bridge.

    In Akwa Ibom Jonathan established a new Federal Polytechnic in Ukana and the Nkari Earth dam and rehabilitated FG rds.

    In Bauchi Jonathan equipped the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital Bauchi and built 5 Almajiri schools.

    In Benue Jonathan is building the Loko-Oweto bridge, completed the Makurdi Water Supply Scheme supplying to 1 million people.

    In Borno, Jonathan has fought desertification with the Great Green Wall Project and rehabilitated the Uba – Mbalala Road. He also set up the Presidential Initiative for the Northeast and the Victims Support Fund which raised ₦59 billion for the Northeast. Interestingly, it is from this PINE that a certain Babachir Lawal is accused of pilfering ₦270 million from.

    In Cross River Jonathan rehabilitated the Margaret Ekpo Int’l Airport and Modernised the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.

    In Delta Jonathan has taken Itakpe-Ajaokuta-warri railway to 80% completion and kick started the $16B Gas City Project at Ogidigben

    In Ebonyi Jonathan established the Fed University in Ndufe – Alike, repaired over 250km of roads and built power substations.

    In Edo Jonathan completed the Ihovbor power Station, reconstructed the Benin-Ore-Sagamu and equipped UBTH.

    In Ekiti Jonathan established the Federal University in Oye – Ekiti, and repaired hundreds of kilometers of Federal Rds.

    In Enugu Jonathan gave the S. East their first International Airport and revived the PH-Enugu rail line.

    In Gombe Jonathan established the Federal University in Kashere and built 5 Almajiri schools.

    In Imo Jonathan rehabilitated the Sam Mbakwe International Airport and completed power stations and built sub stations.

    In Jigawa Jonathan established the Federal University in Dutse, built 5 Almajiri schools and built silos.

    In Kano Jonathan revived the Lagos-Kano rail, built 5 Almajiri schools, renovated the MAKIA Int’l Airport and built silos.

    In Kaduna, Jonathan has just completed the Standard Gauge Kad-Abj rail that enables you work in Abuja and live in Kd.

    In Katsina Jonathan established the Federal University in Dutsin-ma, built 5 Almajiri schools and multiple silos.

    In Kebbi Jonathan established the Federal University in Kalgo, built 5 Almajiri schools and multiple silos.

    In Kogi Jonathan established the new Federal University in Lokoja, and completed the Geregu power plant.

    In Kwara Jonathan revived Jebba-Kano & Ilorin–Offa rail lines, built Almajiri schools, ongoing reconstruction Ibadan Ilorin Rd.

    In Lagos Jonathan revived the Lagos-Kano rail, introduced inter city air conditioned diesel trains and is rehabilitating MMIA.

    In Nasarawa Jonathan established a new Federal University in Lafia and rehabilitated the Lafia–Makurdi Rd.

    In Niger Jonathan dredged River Niger up to Baro, Baro Port at 95% completion, Zungeru power plant ongoing.

    In Ondo Jonathan completed and commissioned the 500 MWs Omotosho Power Plant Phase 2 & renovated the Akure airport.

    In Ogun Jonathan rehabilitated the Sagamu-Ore road as well as the Ijebu Igbo Ajegunle–Araromi–Ife-Sekona Road (Section II).

    In Osun Jonathan re-equipped OAUTH, constructed silos, built power substations, repaired Efon Alaaye-Erinmo Ijesha-Iwarga Rd.

    In Oyo Jonathan is reconstructing (not repairing) Lag-Ibadan Rd and has commenced constructing the Lag-Ibadan hi-speed rail.

    In Plateau Jonathan repaired the Vom-Manchok Rd, construction of earth dam in Heipang and power substations.

    In Rivers Jonathan revived the PH-Enugu Rail, Rehabilitating the PH International Airport & upgraded Uniport Teaching Hospital.

    In Sokoto Jonathan is fighting desertification with the Great Green Wall and built 5 Almajiri schools.

    In Taraba Jonathan established the Federal University in Wukari and constructed the Kashimbila Multi-Purpose Dam Project.

    In Yobe Jonathan established Fed University of Gashua, Almajiri schools & Gashua–Hadejia 132KV double circuit trasnsmission line.

    In Zamfara Jonathan established the Federal University Gusau, built multiple Almajiri schools and constructed silos.

    Omokri is the founder of the Mind of Christ Christian Center in California, author of Shunpiking: No Shortcuts to God and Why Jesus Wept and the host of Transformation with Reno Omokri

  • After 18months in power, we are still battling to fulfill our campaign promises – Buhari

    After 18months in power, we are still battling to fulfill our campaign promises – Buhari

     

    …Urges Niger-Delta militants to come to negotiating table

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday said it is sad to note that some of the problems his campaign highlighted and promised to find solutions to in the 2015 general election which he won was still lingering 18 months after assuming power as the nation’s president.

    The president however appealed to Nigerians to be patient with his government saying he and officials of his administration were highly committed to restoring Nigeria to the part of greatness.

    Buhari spoke when residents of the Federal Capital Territory, led by the Minister, Muhammad Bello, paid him a Christmas visit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The President said Nigeria and its citizens were uppermost in his mind, stating that he would continue to do all within his powers to improve their living conditions.

    In his words: “I want you to talk to people to be patient with the government. We are always thinking about our country and we are thinking about our people.

    “I assure you that the country and the people of the country are always uppermost in our minds. With our performance in the North-East, Nigerians know that this government is serious.

    “For our friends in the Niger Delta area, we will persuade them that they should please sit down with us and agree to manage our resources rather than think of fighting it out.”

    The president did not however failed to blame past administrations for failing to utilize the oil boom period by saving for times like these.

    Speaking further, he said: “It is about 18 months since we resumed here. I believe some of you followed us during our campaigns and what we identified are still fundamental problems.

    “The first is security, and we kept on saying whether it is an organisation or a country, we have to first secure it before we can manage it properly. Without security, nothing can work.

    “Secondly, the economy and the unemployment of able-bodied persons. From 1999 to 2014, the crude production was over 2.2m barrels per day. The average cost per barrel was $100.

    “When we came, it was $37. I think it is now between $40 and $50. I asked for savings, there was no saving. I asked them what they used the money to buy, they said they bought food and oil. I do not know how long it took me to recover from the shock.

    “Some of you will recall either by history or discussion that it was cocoa, palm kernel, cotton, agro allied industry that we used to build infrastructure, be it rail or school.

    “We also used the proceeds to develop oil. When we got the oil, we threw everything away. We thank God this year, the harvest was quite good; otherwise, I do not know what we would have done.

    “There was no money saved, no infrastructure built, and power is still our main problem. Old roads are dilapidated and they need to be repaired from Lagos to Kano, Port Harcourt up to Maiduguri. There are rail lines we want to develop from Lagos to Calabar, from Lagos to Kaduna and the Abuja one.

    “If we can get the infrastructure done, we cannot even know the number of Nigerians that will get jobs. So, we have to get infrastructure. It will take tankers and other articulated vehicles off the road; we will save vehicles and we will save lives and we will get jobs for a lot of Nigerians.”

     

  • God ‘ll give Buhari solution to Nigeria’s problem in 2017- Kumuyi

    The General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor William Kumuyi, on Sunday said that in 2017, God would grant President Muhammad Buhari the solution to the numerous challenges facing the country.

    Kumuyi gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen when he played host to the Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, who led some members of the Assembly on courtesy visit to the church’s December Convention.

    The cleric said, “We talk of the hours of recession, difficulty, distress and all that, but God is granting us His promises. We are not going to carry over our problems. “We pray and believe that the Lord will answer.

    “As you will see, as we get to the New Year, there is no carryover of our problems. God will give solutions to the problems of our lives, families, communities, the state and our nation.”

    The pastor said that with prayer and faith in God, the country would get out of all its challenges, including the economic recession.

    The founder of the church said that God created ‘’us and wants everything to be sufficient for everybody.’’

    Meanwhile, addressing the congregation of thousands of worshippers, Obasa, urged all Christians to show love to their neighbours, adding that the state was committed to fight unemployment among the youth.

    He said that the newly created Employment Trust Fund would help reduce joblessness by providing soft loan with little interest for enterprising people of Lagos state.

    “We must go beyond religious demarcation and show ourselves that we are brothers and sisters. Let us love one another. We should extend hands of fellowship to our neighbours,” the speaker said.

    Obasa, who urged churches to pray for the state and nation, said that the state was passionate to give good governance and improve the economy of the state for the benefit of all.

    He expressed delight over the warmth reception accorded his team by the leadership of the church.

    NAN reports that the speaker the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Mr Muyiwa Jimoh and the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Mr Dayo Saka-Fafunmi were among the team.

    Mrs Funmilayo Tejuosho, the Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Petitions and Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission among others government functionaries also made the list.

    NAN reports that the four-day, nation-wide convention, which started on Dec. 23 and expected to end on Dec. 26, is tagged, “Power for the Present Hour”.

    It is taking place at the Deeper Life Conference Centre (DLCC) KM 42, Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

  • As you celebrate Christmas, remember Nigeria in your prayers, Buhari urges Christians

    President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigerians should use the Christmas period to pray for divine guidance for the country to overcome its current socio-economic challenges.

    The President, who made the call in Abuja on Saturday in his 2016 Christmas message to Nigerians, noted that “there is no better time than now in our nation’s history to pray for divine guidance to get over our current challenges.’’

    He said that the nation could have peace if all citizens learnt to tolerate and appreciate one another, respect constituted authority, and be each other’s brothers’ keepers.

    “As we celebrate this year’s Christmas, I believe that it is very appropriate for us to reflect on the love of God, aptly espoused in the teachings and lifestyle of Jesus Christ.

    “During his earthly sojourn, Jesus Christ repeatedly reminded his disciples and followers of peace that come in the midst of trials and tribulations on earth.

    “During this period, we should remember to offer special prayers to God for all our heroic citizens who paid the supreme price to restore peace and security in the North East and other flash points in the country,” he said.

    He also urged Nigerians to remember in their prayers, the security forces in the frontline, making sacrifices to rid the nation of terrorism and violence.

    President Buhari also enjoined the citizens not to forget the plight of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), as well as those who had suffered untold hardship as a result of activities of insurgents and terrorists.

    The President reassured that his administration’s immediate priority was to alleviate the poverty of Nigerians by quickly stimulating the economy.

    “I assure Nigerians that our government is doing its best to make life easier for all.

    “Let us therefore, renew our hope in the God-ordained unity, progress and prosperity of our great nation.

    “I wish all travellers safe movements and a memorable holiday as we celebrate with our families and friends,” he said.

     

    NAN

  • I did not snub South-East Summit – Buhari

    I did not snub South-East Summit – Buhari

    The presidency says President Muhammadu Buhari did not snub organisers of the recent South-East Economic and Security Summit held in Enugu.

    In a statement, Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, said in Abuja on Friday that the President did not, and he absolutely had no reason to snub anyone.

    Garba said the President was presented with a request to attend the Economic and Security Summit by the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.

    “The President happily accepted. The visit to Enugu was scheduled for Dec. 22 as can be found in the weekly programme.

    “After this was done, some other stakeholders from the South-East came and advised him not go in view of the closeness of the date to Christmas:

    “That given the sensitivity of the period to the people, a presidential visit may come with over exertion and possibly be disruptive of Christmas.

    “In view of this, President Buhari requested that the event is pushed forward to January 2017. Given his nature, he did not insist.

    “He said if the change of date was not possible, then the event could go on without him. That was what the organisers chose to do.

    “The President did not, and he absolutely has no reason to snub anyone.’’